Why Refinance Back into a 30-Year Loan?


One of the biggest reasons homeowners refinance their mortgage is to obtain a lower interest rate and lower monthly payments. By refinancing, the borrower pays off their existing mortgage and replaces it with a new one. This can often be accomplished with a no-points no-fees loan program, which essentially means at "no cost" to the borrower.

In the no-points no-fees scenario, the mortgage consultant uses rebate monies paid by the lender to pay off non-recurring closing costs for the borrower. These are "one time" fees such as escrow or attorney fees, title insurance, document preparation, tax service, flood certification, processing and underwriting fees, etc. The borrower is still responsible for recurring fees such as interim insurance, property taxes or insurance policy payments.

Refinancing typically occurs when mortgage interest rates drop significantly, but borrowers with recently improved credit scores (from paying off credit card debt, making mortgage payments on time, etc.) are often candidates for better interest rates as well. If you haven't checked your credit score in a while, it's a good time to call a mortgage consultant.

The question most asked is, "But why should I go back into a 30-year loan?"

There are two schools of thought on this subject, and the mortgage consultant should work hand-in-hand with the borrower's financial planner to determine what works best for their mutual client.

One option is to take the route of the "same payment" refinance, and actually pay off the loan faster and save money on interest fees in the long-run. If refinancing results in a lower monthly payment, the borrower can still continue making the same payment they made in the original loan, and the extra money will be applied to the principal balance.

For example: Let's say you have 25 years remaining in your current loan, and you refinance back to a 30-year loan with a slightly lower interest rate, resulting in a payment reduction of $200 per month. (Note: This is just an example. The actual amount could vary.) You could then take that extra $200 per month and apply it toward the principal on the new loan. At this rate, the loan will be paid off in 22 years and 4 months, which is 2 years and 8 months less than the original loan.

On the other hand, if the borrower's financial planner is a proponent of best-selling author and investment guru Douglas Andrew's philosophies (see Missed Fortune), he or she may suggest investing the extra money in a side-fund that could earn a better rate of return and grow to the amount of the mortgage (and beyond) in even less time. This method provides excellent liquidity, but having more direct access to this money may be too tempting for some homeowners.

Regardless of the reason for the refinance, the mortgage consultant will need to know what the existing loan scenario entails, review the homeowner's long-term goals, and provide a comprehensive spreadsheet that compares and contrasts the various loan programs available. Bear in mind, refinancing to obtain a lower interest payment could also result in a lower deduction at tax time. The homeowner's mortgage consultant and financial planner should work hand-in-hand with their mutual client's best interest in mind.

Mical Johnson is affiliate with Rock Financial. For a free copy of The Certified Guide to Credit Scoring contact Mr. Johnson at http://www.TampaMortgageGuy.com







Related News



Bally Total Fitness files for bankruptcy again - San Francisco Chronicle

The Associated Press

Bally Total Fitness files for bankruptcy again
San Francisco Chronicle,  USA -14 hours ago
Refinance volume more than tripled, while purchase volume increased 38 percent. Refinances accounted for 69.1 percent of applications, up from 49.3 percent. ...
Thanksgiving week saw rise in mortgage activityYoungstown Vindicator
all 351 news articles

Lower mortgage rates help but jobs, prices key - Reuters

Lower mortgage rates help but jobs, prices key
Reuters -Dec 3, 2008
Applications to buy and refinance homes hurtled higher last week as the lowest rates since the summer of 2005 unleashed pent-up demand. ...

A Rush Into Refinancing as Mortgage Rates Fall - New York Times

ABC News

A Rush Into Refinancing as Mortgage Rates Fall
New York Times, United States -6 hours ago
Mortgage rates immediately dropped, and that led to a surge in mortgage refinancing activity for the week — even with the Thanksgiving holiday. ...
Lower mortgage rates aren't the answerCNNMoney.com
Homeowners' Refinancing Jumps by Record PaceWall Street Journal
Proposal could drop mortgage rates to 4.5 percentSan Jose Mercury News
Danville News - CNNMoney.com
all 621 news articles

Mortgage Refinance Applications Soar As Rates Fall - EasyBourse.com

Sify

Mortgage Refinance Applications Soar As Rates Fall
EasyBourse.com, France -22 hours ago
The Mortgage Bankers Association's index of refinance applications posted a record 203.3% increase over the previous week. Additionally, the US Treasury ...
Mortgage rates fall, but many borrowers will have trouble qualifyingLos Angeles Times
US move cuts mortgages to lowest rate since FebruaryBaltimore Sun
Last Call for Smart HomeownersMotley Fool
AHN - World Socialist Web Site
all 501 news articles

Carmen: Time Is Right to Refinance Your Mortgage - CNBC

Carmen: Time Is Right to Refinance Your Mortgage
CNBC, Englewood Cliffs -3 hours ago
Despite the doom and gloom in the economy, there's actually a glimmer of hope shining through for homeowners looking to refinance. The average interest rate ...


FDIC's Bair warns investors fighting loan changes - The Associated Press

FDIC's Bair warns investors fighting loan changes
The Associated Press -2 hours ago
"Getting mortgage rates down is ... positive, but it doesn't help people that currently have unaffordable mortgages because it doesn't help them refinance," ...

Bernanke Says US Must Step Up Foreclosure Efforts (Update1) - Bloomberg

BBC News

Bernanke Says US Must Step Up Foreclosure Efforts (Update1)
Bloomberg -3 hours ago
... been prodding private mortgage servicers and bond investors to cooperate with government efforts to modify or refinance loans for troubled borrowers. ...
Op-Ed: Fed Throws Refinancing Party; No One Shows UpMinyanville.com
Banks' issuance detracts from short-term bondsMarketWatch
Bernanke calls for measures to stem foreclosuresInternational Herald Tribune
The Australian - Seeking Alpha
all 1,126 news articles

The Truth About Mortgage Refinancing Revealed By California ... - SBWire (press release)

The Truth About Mortgage Refinancing Revealed By California ...
SBWire (press release), WI -1 hour ago
Bakersfield, California based Mortgage Broker Adolph Gonzales reveals mortgage refinancing secrets at a new web site that is full of free reports, ...

US MBA’s Mortgage Applications More Than Doubled Last Week - Bloomberg

Yahoo

US MBA’s Mortgage Applications More Than Doubled Last Week
Bloomberg -Dec 3, 2008
The Mortgage Bankers Association’s index of applications to purchase a home or refinance a loan jumped 112 percent to 857.7, the highest level since March, ...
FINANCIAL STOCKS Bulls outlast bears in Wednesday grudge matchMarketWatch
Mortgage Apps On Rise As Rates DropCBS News
UPDATE 1-US mortgage applications post largest gain everReuters
USA Today - U.S. News & World Report
all 148 news articles

VA Specialty Lender Offers 100% Mortgage Refinancing - PR Web (press release)

VA Specialty Lender Offers 100% Mortgage Refinancing
PR Web (press release), WA -5 hours ago
Salt Lake City, Utah (PRWEB) December 3, 2008 -- iFreedom Direct Corporation, a Salt Lake based mortgage company, is now offering 100% VA refinance"cash ...