Refinance Without Paying Extra Fees
View PDF | Print View
by: marciafreeman
Total views: 118
Word Count: 457
Doing a no cost refinance, a type of home mortgage with no extra fees, sounds like the perfect situation. For a homeowner with little money to spend upfront, knocking those fees off the price of the mortgage can seem like a substantial savings. But is that how it really works?
The trap with a no cost refinance, as with many types of refinance that seem like great deals on the surface, is that the fees are covered by a slightly higher interest rate. A traditional refinance usually has a lower interest rate than a no cost refinance. Over time, you may find that you pay more in extra interest than you would have paid in fees. (However, this needs to be balanced against the amount of money you save by doing any type of refinance. A no cost refinance may still give you considerable savings when compared to your current mortgage.)
For this reason, homeowners are often advised to take out a no cost refinance only if they can afford to make higher monthly payments than the terms of the loan require, thereby paying off the loan before interest has time to accrue. There are also several other good reasons to opt for a no cost refinance despite the interest rate. Perhaps you do not have the money to cover higher closing costs now, but you foresee improved income in the near future and want to take advantage of lower interest rates now. Or maybe the higher monthly payments are offset by tax advantages triggered by the higher interest rate. You may even find that interest rates dip so low that jumping into the market right away is a wiser decision than sitting about and waiting to accumulate enough money for a traditional refinance. Getting a good deal in refinancing, just like buying real estate or taking out a first mortgage, relies on timing and your personal situation as much as on the results of any financial formula.
Should you consider a no cost refinance? Weigh your available offers and run them through a mortgage calculator. Realistically determine whether you will be able to pay higher monthly payments or add a little money to each lower monthly payment to shorten the term of your refinanced mortgage. Consider whether there is a less expensive way to raise the money for the refinancing fees. If a no cost refinance is indeed your best option, go into it with a full understanding of the pros and cons of this kind of refinancing. Used the right way, a no cost refinance can be an excellent financial choice. See more Mortgage Home mortgage Refinance mortgage Mortgage rate Home loan
About the Author
For the real scoop on mortgage, go by Getsmart.com.
Rating: Not yet rated