3 Things You Need To Know Before Refinancing Your Mortgage
If you are unhappy with your mortgage terms or if you are attracted to lower interest rates, mortgage refinancing may be something to consider. There are plenty of options for refinancing, and in many cases, it's an excellent financial decision. When you refinance your mortgage, you switch out your current home for a new one, and you have the option of withdrawing some of your home's equity as cash if you desire. Here are three things that you need to know before you refinance your mortgage.
Whether It Makes Sense
The first thing you need to know before you refinance your home loan is whether it makes sense financially. While lower monthly payments or interest rates may sway you, the numbers need to work out in a way that works for your finances in the long term. For example, if you can lower your interest rate by at least half a percentage point and you don't have plans to sell your home for at least a few years, refinancing may be a good option.
Your Finances Matter
Another thing to know about refinancing is that it's not that different than taking out your original home loan. Your credit score, debt-to-income ratio, income, credit history, and other financial factors will also play roles in determining whether you qualify for refinancing. The better your credit score and overall financial health, the better the terms you will be eligible for when refinancing. Make sure you prepare your documentation ahead of time and check your credit before you start the process of refinancing.
How Much Equity You Have
Before you refinance your mortgage, you also need to know how much equity you have in your home. You can calculate equity by taking the difference between the appraised value of your home and what is owed on the mortgage. The more equity there is, the more options you tend to have regarding mortgage refinancing. Typically, you will need to have around 20 percent equity in your home before you can refinance a conventional mortgage. However, there are options for refinancing for those who have a lower amount of equity.
If you want to refinance your mortgage, there are a few things to know before starting the process. First, you need to determine whether refinancing will help you meet your financial goals. You need to make sure that this option makes sense financially before jumping in. Second, your finances matter, so make sure you are in a position where you can get the best terms while refinancing. Finally, you need to know how much equity you have in your home before you start looking into refinancing your mortgage.
For more information, contact a company like Choice Mortgage.