Mortgages

Refinancing your mortgage can save you money, get your hands on cash, and help you take control of your finances, if done correctly. There are a number of common mistakes homeowners make when refinancing their mortgages that cost them thousands of dollars. Here are the basics of refinancing your home loan to help you avoid costly mistakes.

Refinancing to Save Money

If your financial situation has improved and you qualify for a better interest rate than you did when you purchased your home, you could save money by qualifying for a lower interest rate. This lower interest rate could also reduce your monthly payment amount; however, there are ways to lower your payment even you cannot qualify for a lower interest rate. If you purchased your home with a risky Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) or have Private Mortgage Insurance, refinancing to a fixed rate loan could ease your peace of mind and help you lose the Private Mortgage Insurance.

Refinance and Get Cash

Refinancing your primary mortgage and taking cash back is generally more affordable than other home equity options. You will qualify for a better interest rate refinancing than you will with a second mortgage or home equity line of credit. To borrow against equity when refinancing, you simply borrow more than you owe on your existing mortgage and will receive the cash back at closing.

Consolidate Your Debt

Mortgage refinancing is a convenient way to consolidate your higher interest debts into one payment. By taking cash back when refinancing you can pay off your other debts and have just one payment. When you refinance to consolidate your bills it is important to understand that refinancing does not eliminate your debt; consolidating only restructures your debts, making them easier to pay back.