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Things to consider before refinancing:
1) The Interest Rate You Are Paying
Consider the interest rate you are now paying before refinancing. Compare it against the current interest rate to see how much you would save by mortgage refinancing. Use our free mortgage calculator to determine your new monthly payments. (Use our Mortgage Calculator)
2) The Current Interest Rate
Check the current interest rate. To get the benefits of a lower rate, you may have to pay fees associated with the loan, unless your lender is doing a no fee loan. Before committing to a refinance, be sure you have discussed the fee options with your loan officer. [Get the Current Mortgage Refinancing Rates]
3) How Long You Will Live In Your Home
The median length of stay in a home is 8.2 years. However, you may have a better idea of how long you will be in your home. If you do not plan on owning your home for much longer, the lower payments associated with the refinancing may not cover the mortgage refinancing fees. If you plan on staying in your home for along period of time, refinancing could be an excellent way to reduce your monthly payments. Also, if you are planning on moving into a new home while retaining the old home as a rental property, refinancing is a solid plan. You can lower your monthly mortgage payment and in turn, increase your rental income.
4) Consolidation
If you have several outstanding bills, you may want to consider refinancing your home and in turn, consolidating and paying off your other debts. If you have equity in your home, you may be able to access that equity through a "cash out" refinance. You could choose to apply that equity to a debt consolidation plan, a new car, or home improvements.
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