Rate and Term Refinance - Chantal Grayson Broker Realtor

Homeowners can take advantage of a number of benefits when they refinance. These include:

• Lowering your rate: Are current interest rates lower than when you got your loan? You may be able to get a lower rate. You might also qualify for a lower interest rate if you have a better credit score or less debt now than when you took your original mortgage. Taking an interest rate that’s even a fraction of a percentage lower can help you save thousands of dollars over the course of your loan. This means that it’s often beneficial to refinance whenever you can get a lower interest rate than what you’re paying currently.
• Reducing your payment: Your monthly payment goes down when you refinance a mortgage loan to a longer term. This is because you give yourself more time to pay off your loan and make more overall payments. Refinancing to a longer term and reducing your monthly payment can help you avoid foreclosure if you’re having trouble making your payments. Keep in mind that refinancing to reduce your payment means you’ll end up paying more in interest over time.
• Changing your term length: You can also refinance your mortgage loan to a shorter term, such as refinancing to a 15-year mortgage from a 30-year mortgage. Doing so increases your monthly payment, but you end up paying less in interest over the course of your loan. This can mean thousands (or even tens of thousands) of dollars saved by the time your loan matures. Are you now earning more in income than when you got your loan? Refinancing to a shorter term can help you own your home sooner.
• Changing your loan type. With a rate and term refinance, you might also be able to change the type of loan that you have. For example, you may be able to refinance an ARM mortgage into a fixed-rate mortgage or refinance an FHA to a conventional mortgage.

Just like when you applied for your initial loan, you’ll need to meet your lender’s standards before you qualify for a refinance.

Let’s take a look at some of the mortgage refinancing requirements to refinance your mortgage loan’s rate or term:

• Credit score: Refinances have minimum credit requirements that vary by loan type. You’ll need a credit score of at least 620 to qualify for a refinance for most types of loans. Do you have an FHA loan? If so, you may be able to refinance with a credit score as low as You may want to consider a VA Streamline Refinance or FHA Streamline Refinance if your credit score is lower. These loan options allow you to refinance without a credit check.
• Home equity: Your home equity is the percentage of the loan principal you’ve paid off. It’s a good idea to wait to refinance until you have at least 20% equity in your home. It’s possible to refinance with a lower equity percentage, but you won’t have access to the most favorable interest rates.
• Debt-to-income ratio (DTI): Lenders also consider your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio when they consider your refinance application. Aim for a DTI of 50% or lower before you apply.
• Closing costs: You’ll need to account for closing costs when you refinance. Closing costs for a refinance usually equal around 2% – 6% of the principal balance on your Can’t cover closing costs up front when you refinance? You may be able to roll them into your new loan with a no-closing-cost refinance if you have enough equity.

Applying for a refinance is similar to applying for a first mortgage loan. You’ll submit an application to your lender along with some financial documentation. Your lender will then schedule underwriting, an appraisal and your closing meeting.

Do you think a rate and term refinance might be right for you? Here’s more information on what you can expect to do when you get your new loan.