Mortgage & Refinancing Information

Mortgage Refinance - Tips to Help You Cut Fees and Costs


Saving money through a mortgage refi is more than just finding the lowest interest rates. You can further cut fees and costs through the structure of your loan, avoiding PMI, and buying lower interest rates.

Close Credit Card Accounts

Close inactive credit card accounts to improve your credit score, making you eligible for lower interest rate loans. You will need to notify the credit card companies in writing that you wish the accounts closed on your request.

Next, check your credit report after 30 days to be sure closed accounts include the comment "Closed at Customer's Request." You want future lenders to know it was your request and not bad credit that closed your accounts. Also, take the time to check for any mistakes in your credit report that could negatively impact your credit score.

Avoid The Hidden Cost Of PMI

When refinancing a mortgage, as many as 30% of homeowner's cash out part or all of their home's equity. By investing in home improvements or paying off credit cards, this can be a smart. But, if you are borrowing more than 80% of your home's value, you will be hit with private mortgage insurance, costing you hundreds a year.

Pay Points Now

If you are planning to stay in your home for several years, then you can save money by paying points for lower interest rates. You pay up front fees to ensure you have lower interest payments over the course of your loan. Remember, this only works if you keep your mortgage for several months.

Choose A Short-Term Loan

Short-term mortgages offer lower interest rates than long-term mortgages. You save money by the lower interest rates and shorter payment period. The trade off is a larger monthly payment, but this option can save you thousands.

Ask About Fees

Fees are a hidden cost of many mortgage loans. By law, lenders must disclose fees within three days of a loan application. Fees can go by many names like - document prep fees, courier fees, administrative fees, and more.

When comparing refi options for your mortgage, request a list of fees from several lenders. Add these fees with the interest of a loan. With these figures, you may be surprised that the cheapest loan didn't have the lowest interest rate.

To view our recommended sources for refinance mortgage loans online, visit this page: Recommended Refi Mortgage Lenders Online.

Carrie Reeder is the owner ABC Loan Guide, an informational website about various types of loans.


MORE RESOURCES:

Outcome for the US economy depends mostly on fiscal stimulus
BloggingStocks - 2 hours ago
... an oil price of $50 a barrel or less, a universal federal FDIC / Treasury home mortgage refinance program that substantially lowers mortgage defaults, ...


Mortgage experts: Now is the time to buy or refinance
KDRV, OR - Nov 28, 2008
By Emily Wood CENTRAL POINT, Ore. -- Despite tough economic times and a crumbling housing market, mortgage experts say now is one of the best times to ...


Mortgage Monday: Do I Refinance?
ABC2 News, MD - Nov 24, 2008
Many homeowners are thinking about refinancing their mortgages, but are not sure if this is the right time to do it or not. Jamie talked with Carl Delmont ...


National housing crisis exacting heavy toll in Riverside County
Press-Enterprise, CA - Nov 11, 2008
By DUANE W. GANG Riverside County remains at the forefront of the national housing crisis with thousands of homeowners in the unenviable position of owing ...


Best Syndication

HUD Unveils "new" Mortgage Disclosure Rules. Yay! Another New Form!
Best Syndication, CA - Nov 23, 2008
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development ("HUD") today announced new regulations intended to make the mortgage shopping experience more ...


Is Now the Right Time to Refinance Your Mortgage?
Eastside Business Journal, Washington - Nov 18, 2008
By Rick Hubbert How do you know when it is the right time to refinance? Some believe that if homeowners can shave one point (1%) off their existing rate, ...


Mortgage Applications Down 43.4% Year on Year
HNN Huntingtonnews.net,  USA - Nov 6, 2008
By David M. Kinchen The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008 released its Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending ...


Center for Responsible Lending and Industry Groups Urge HUD to ...
MarketWatch - Nov 20, 2008
... to help the largest possible numbers of at-risk borrowers. This is not the appropriate time to permit the lapse of a viable mortgage refinance option.


Record US median home price drop to $183300 probably is not the bottom
BloggingStocks - Nov 24, 2008
Housing Sector/Economic Analysis: The above underscores the need for a comprehensive, federal home mortgage refinance program for preventable foreclosures. ...


Local mall operator says it's at risk for default
Boston Globe (registration), United States - Nov 12, 2008
... on school loans are waived..and a government backed mortgage refinance program to give homeowners a chance to stay in their homes to pay their debts. ...

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