Author: Rony Walker
Mortgage refinance can be a nightmare and a headache if you don’t know which way to go. And taking a wrong turn could mean financially dreadful repercussions. With a bit of advice, the way ahead can be made much easier.
Tips You Sure Can Use
1. Take advantage of free lock-ins, preferably with a minimum of 60 days. Usually, it can take more or less forty-five days from the day of application to close. But there are times when two-month delays can occur, and even more! So look for lenders who are willing to offer you a free 60-day lock-in. But when it comes to mortgage refinance, you have to be cautious and ask all the right questions. You may be promised a free lock-in, but your loan officer might charge you a fee or a very high price for lock-in protection.
2. Use your rescission rights. If you don’t like the way your deal has turned out right before closing, you can still re-negotiate or go back to square one. Don’t force it if it’s a deal turned sour for you. Keep in mind that you’re given three working days from the date of closing to think things through. In case you decide you don’t want the deal, inform the loan officer in writing before the three days are over. In turn, the lending firm has twenty days to refund your fees.
3. Little equity can still qualify. As long as you do your homework and search for a lender who’s willing to underwrite small equity, then you’re still in. And there are market players out there who cater to borrowers with as low as 5% home equity. Be careful, though, because you might be saddled with higher mortgage insurance costs because of your low equity mortgage refinance loan. In order to determine if you qualify, you can call the firm to which you forward your payments monthly and find out who owns your loan. If yours is owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, then you have better chances of getting approved.
4. Be wary of FREE application costs. Anything free would seem like a really huge blessing, but keep in mind that in terms of mortgage refinance, free can come with a price. Instead of focusing on looking for applications offered at zero cost, focus on the interest rates and points. You may be in for the shock of your life when huge fees land at your feet right before closing.
5. Make intelligent comparisons of interest rates. You can do this by sticking to a constant number of points. Equate each point a .25 of 1% change in the interest rate. Your goal here is to work with a lender who offers the lowest interest rate. If numbers are too confusing for you, then ask around. There are always people who are willing to share their experiences with you.
Don’t be lazy when it comes to your mortgage refinance. Keep in mind that you’re doing this to save some money. It’s like upgrading a car to a more efficient, cost-effective model, but you don’t like to get ripped off while you’re still in the process of securing for the best deal. So keep your wits about. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and don’t sign or give in to anything before you’re satisfied that what you’re doing is in line with your overall goals.