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What Is Home Refinancing?

A homeowner's decision to refinance can lower a monthly mortgage payment significantly, especially when interest rates are low.

A homeowner's decision to refinance can significantly lower monthly mortgage payments. According to www.quickenloans.com, a percentage drop of only one half to three- quarters of one percentage point can lower a mortgage payment. Choosing to not refinance may cause a homeowner to end up paying too much per month for their loan.

America's home loan experts list three ways that refinancing can lower a homeowner's payment:

  • Refinancing at a lower interest rate
  • Changing the term on the mortgage to lower the payment
  • Changing from a traditional mortgage with principal and interest payments to a mortgage program that permits interest only payments.

Mortgage Refinance

Refinancing a mortgage is essentially replacing the original with a new mortgage. Therefore, the homeowner will have to go through a similar mortgage process that they experienced during the first mortgage.

Wells Fargo Home Mortgage at www.wellsfargo.com lists the following benefits of refinancing:

  • Reduce monthly payments by taking advantage of available lower interest rates or by extending the loan's repayment period.
  • Reduce risk of raised interest rates by switching from an adjustable-rate to a fixed-rate loan or converting a balloon mortgage to a fixed-rate loan.
  • Reduce interest cost over the life of the loan by refinancing at a lower rate or by shortening the term of loan.
  • Pay off the mortgage faster (accelerating the build-up of equity) by shortening the term of loan.
  • Free up cash for major expenses or to consolidate debts.

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