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.

Jansen Drake is affiliated with 1st Metropolitan Mortgage, a Georgia Residential Mortgage Licensee 15506. For free consultation and a copy of The Certified Guide to Credit Scoring, call Jansen at 678-388-1755 or go to http://www.catquickloans.com


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In The News:


Suddenly, Stricter Appraisals
New York Times, United States - 15 hours ago
Thus, said Mr. Grace, the Westport mortgage broker, when it comes to refinancing, anyone who bought a home in the last three years and put less than 10 ...

Commercial mortgage values hit by ongoing crisis
Atlanta Journal Constitution,  USA - 6 hours ago
... projections and loose lending standards will, like the residential market, give way to missed mortgage payments and a tough refinancing environment. ...

When refinancing mortgage makes sense
Chicago Tribune, United States - Nov 14, 2008
But you don't have to be in financial trouble to benefit from mortgage refinance, real estate experts say. "At this point, there are thousands of good ...

The Money Times

US MBA’s Mortgage Applications Index Decreased 6.2% Last Week
Bloomberg - Nov 19, 2008
The Mortgage Bankers Association’s index of applications to purchase a home or refinance a loan fell 6.2 percent to 398.6 for the week ended Nov. ...
Week-to-week mortgage applications off 6.2%: MBA MarketWatch
Mortgage Applications Down 6.2 Percent; Near 8-Year Low RTT News
US mortgage purchase applications near 8-yr low-MBA Reuters
VillageSoup Belfast - North County Timesall 144 news articles

Boston Globe (registration)

Center for Responsible Lending and Industry Groups Urge HUD to ...
MarketWatch - Nov 20, 2008
... to help the largest possible numbers of at-risk borrowers. This is not the appropriate time to permit the lapse of a viable mortgage refinance option.
Mortgage aid falls short, Bush admin official says BusinessWeek
US tries new tack on housing CNNMoney.com
Major Revamp Of Two HUD Mortgage Relief Programs To Be Pushed AHN
North American Press Syndicate - Housing Wireall 95 news articles

The Free Lance-Star

Columbia Bank is an Approved FHA Mortgage Lender
MarketWatch - Nov 21, 2008
Existing homeowners wanting to refinance their current mortgage having only limited home equity. -- Homebuyers who would benefit from allowable seller ...
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Plans change as some owners get upside down on loans
Austin American-Statesman, TX - 16 hours ago
But we should all thank goodness that they continue to send in those mortgage checks. If people who could afford their payments were to abandon their ...
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Should you refinance your mortgage?
Vail Daily News, CO - Nov 20, 2008
Many homeowners are finding it increasingly difficult to afford the mortgage payments on the loans they have taken out in the last several years. ...

'Straw' buyers land loans to fuel schemes, FBI says
Las Vegas Review - Journal, NV - 2 hours ago
"The end result is that home buyers purchase properties in communities that are greatly overvalued, and they are then unable to sell or refinance the ...

The Truth About Mortgage Refinancing Revealed By Florida Mortgage ...
SBWire (press release), WI - Nov 11, 2008
Coral Springs, Florida based Mortgage Broker Devon Stubbs reveals mortgage refinancing secrets at a new web site that is full of free reports, a home buying ...
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