Why would I refinance my mortgage loan?

Some of the reasons to refinance are:

• Interest rates are lower than when you got your current mortgage loan,
• You want to lower your monthly payment,
• You want to shorten the term of your loan,
• Your home has increased in value,
• Your credit score has improved,
• You have an adjustable rate mortgage and rates are going up,
• You want to get cash out for home improvements.

Does it always make sense to refinance when rates are low?

Many times, yes it does make sense to refinance when rates are low. There are often many factors to consider. In addition to identifying your goal for refinancing, your West Banker can help you determine when savings outweigh the cost of the new loan.

Is there a rule of thumb about when the differences in interest rates make a refinance a good idea?

Generally, the rule of thumb for refinancing is to lower your interest rate by 0.5%-1.0% with your new loan.  It sometimes makes sense to refinance even with a smaller interest rate savings.  This will depend on the overall goals you have with your refinance. Your West Banker can help you determine what is reasonable and where you can have the most savings.

I bought a starter home. What if I plan to move to a larger place in five years?

An important question a banker will ask when you are considering a refinance is how long you expect to be in the home. If you plan to move in the next few years, your banker will then look into the interest savings over that period of time versus the cost of the refinance.

What other questions will my mortgage lender ask?

Your mortgage lender will need to know:

• Your current interest rate,
• Your current loan term,
• The balance on existing mortgage(s) and
•  The estimated value of your home. 

Your credit score is also an important factor. If you want to improve your credit score, there are steps that you can take to do so. See our blog post on credit scores.

Once we have decided to refinance, what happens next? 

After you have discussed your options with a reputable, experienced banker and had your initial questions answered, it’s time to apply for your loan.  Your West Banker can provide a loan application and will walk you through the process from start to finish. Your banker will help you complete the mortgage application, gather the necessary documentation and then walk you through signing closing paperwork. Normally this process is pretty simple and is usually done in about 60 days.

How soon after a refinance can I refinance again?

If you refinanced your mortgage loan and rates continued to go down, there may be a point where you are considering refinancing again. You might have a short waiting period of a few months from your most recent closing, but there is no limit on the number of times you can refinance a mortgage loan. Again, discussing your options with a West Banker is the best way to decide if it is the right time to refinance.

Building Strong Relationships

As you can see, there are a lot of things to consider when thinking about refinancing your mortgage loan. When you approach big financial decisions in your life, it’s important to work with a banker you can trust.  Your community banker who already knows you and understands your financial situation will be better equipped to guide you and look out for your best interest. Many times an event like buying or refinancing a home is the foundation of a strong and enduring relationship that will see you through your financial journey. Whether you already have established such a relationship with a West Banker or have been referred to West Bank by a trusted friend or associate, we are here to help!