How Much Does It Cost to Refinance a Mortgage?

Closing costs on mortgage refinance loans are an important component to consider when applying online. Many homeowners are considering a mortgage refinance as rates have been on a generally near record lows over the last few years. Even though they are higher than they were, rates are still historically low, so now could be a good time to refinance. But if you are thinking about it, it is important to know what it costs to refinance.

Shop and Compare Refinance Closing Costs

Upon refinancing, closing costs are a requisite, mirroring the scenario when you initially secured your mortgage loan.

You should know up front how much it costs to refinance a home loan.

These costs encompass various components, including appraisal fees, recording costs, origination fees, title insurance, and additional charges.

The extent of these costs can fluctuate significantly, but according to Freddie Mac, the average refinance is estimated to incur around $5,000 in expenses.

For specific closing costs, such as the title search fee, you have the option to select your service providers instead of opting for the default ones chosen by the lender.

The services that you can shop for will be outlined on your loan estimate and reveal the true cost to refinance a home loan.

The only way to know exactly how much it costs to refinance your home is to shop and compare offers from various banks and mortgage lenders. Although closing costs may appear substantial, it is usually more cost-effective to pay them upfront, even if you are covering them for a second time during the refinancing process.

Most borrowers are not aware that home buying and refinance closing costs, are different. In most cases, there are more 3rd-party costs incurred when purchasing a home then when refinancing a mortgage later.

Negotiate No Closing Cost Mortgage Refinance Options

Negotiating specific closing costs directly imposed by your lender, such as the origination fee or application fee, might be a possibility.

However, it’s important to note that closing costs also encompass third-party fees, such as the appraisal cost, which are typically non-negotiable.

Before you actually close the loan, you should consider how much you will pay in closing costs and compare that with the money that the refinance will save you over the years.

Closing costs can vary by circumstance and state. Generally, closing costs for a mortgage refinance will total 2-3% of the overall amount borrowed according to the LendingTree.

Below are some of the most common costs and fees you will pay for in a mortgage refinance:

• Application fee: $75-$300
• Document preparation fee: $200-$500
• Appraisal charges: $350-$500
• Title search and insurance: $700-$900
• Flood certification fees: $15-$25
• Inspection charges: $300-$500
• Recording fees: $240
• Origination fee: 1-1.5% of total loan amount

As you are trying to determine if refinancing is for you, a major factor to think about is how long you intend to stay in the house. Saving money is possible with a no closing cost refinance but most mortgage lenders and banks offering competitive interest rates look to pass the 3rd-party expenses to the borrower. It is important to weigh the closing costs against what your monthly savings will be, as well as your future goals. Ultimately a no-cost refinance mortgage should be the goal as long as you do not have to pay a higher interest rate to achieve that.

If you want to stay in your home for many years, and the refinance gets you a lower rate, the savings can be major. But if you are thinking about selling in the next two or three years, the refinance may not be worth the cost. Experts say if you plan to sell in the next five or 10 years, you are probably not going to recoup your mortgage refinancing costs. It’s a wise move to negotiate closing costs when you refinance.

4 Reasons to Refinance Your Home Loan Now

#1 Get Cash

A major reason people want to refinance is they want to tap their home equity. A cash out refinance can give you a chance to improve the terms of your mortgage and also give you access to cash. Unlike other sorts of refinances, a new loan from a cash out refinance will be bigger than the balance on your original loan. This is because you are taking out more money and using the home as collateral.

If you need cash and can get a better rate and or term, it can make sense to do a cash out refinance rather than a second mortgage, such as a home equity loan. Learn about the differences between a HELOC and a home equity loan before signing any loan documentation.

It is common for homeowners to use a cash out refinance to handle college expenses, home improvements and weddings. Many experts say the best use for a cash out refinance is to renovate or expand the home to boost its value.

It also is common for homeowners to do a cash out refinance to pay off credit cards and personal loans. You can save a lot of interest charges. However, be leery of paying off all that debt and then running up the credit cards again. Because at that point, now you have credit card debt again, plus debt with your house as collateral. For borrowers with less than perfect credit, see bad credit refinance options.

#2 Get a Lower Rate

The cost to refinance mortgage loans is not the only factor to consider. Borrowers want to know how much they will save with a lower mortgage rate. A refinance on the rate alone can reduce your mortgage payment each month and really save you a lot of interest over the years. You will be issued a new mortgage with a lower rate but you are not borrowing more money. How much you will save depends on your original interest rate, what the new rate is and how much the refinance costs are. The savings financially can build up over time as you make monthly payments with the lower rate. Most successful refinance transactions include a lower interest rate,  lower monthly payment so the borrower can save money.

#3 Change Loan Term

A term refinance is a new home loan with a different length than the original loan. You can refinance your 15 year fixed rate loan into a 30 year loan or the other way around. See 15 year vs 30 year mortgage options. If you are having a hard time making your mortgage payments, doing a refinance to a 30 year mortgage lowers what you have to pay each month. If you suddenly start making more money and can make bigger payments, switching to a 15 year mortgage could be a great move, as you will save huge in interest charges by cutting years off the mortgage.

#4 Convert ARM to Fixed

An adjustable rate mortgage has a fixed rate for 3,5 or 7 years, then switches to a rate that adjusts every year. If interest rates are rising, you may want to lock into a fixed rate with your refinance.

Now that you have a better idea how much a refinance costs and your different refinance options, check with your lender to see if refinancing today is a good move for you.

How to Lower Refinance Closing Costs

Here are some ways to reduce your refinancing closing costs and lending fees and lower the overall cost of refinancing:

Raise Your Credit Scores: Improve your credit score and debt-to-income ratio before refinancing to secure the best possible rate.

Negotiate Refinance Fees: With solid credit and a steady income, you have strong negotiating power. Request that the lender waive certain fees, such as the origination fee, potentially saving you hundreds.

Avoid Mortgage Points: If you have good credit, you can qualify for a low interest rate without needing to pay for mortgage points, allowing you to save your cash.

It never hurts to shop around for the least expensive options for 3rd-party services, such as the title reports, escrow, processing, underwriting and notary fees. With some banks and lenders mortgage refinance closing costs are negotiable.

Is Refinancing Your Mortgage Wise in 2024?

Mortgage rates have been trending upward for the last three years. If you have a primary mortgage with an interest rate above 6% then you may be a candidate for refinancing your mortgage for a lower rate and monthly payment. Home refinancing involves paying off your original mortgage and taking on a new loan. You can refinance to change your interest rate or mortgage term, consolidate debt, or take cash out of your home equity.

If you decide to refinance your home, you’ll incur closing costs and fees similar to those you paid when you first obtained your loan. As we mentioned previously, these lending fees and refinance costs likely will include appraisal fees, attorney fees, processing, underwriting, recording and title insurance fees. Typically, refinancing closing costs amount to about 2% – 5% of the loan amount on your refinance mortgage.

Pros and Cons of Home Refinancing

At the end of the day, how much it cost to refinance your home may determine if it is actually worth it. If you are lowering your monthly mortgage payment significantly and you plane to stay in your home a while then refinancing a mortgage seems prudent. Refinancing your mortgage can yield several benefits. It has the potential to lower your monthly payments or interest expenses, expedite the loan repayment process, enhance cash flow, and provide essential funds for home repairs, medical bills, or debt settlement.

Moreover, refinancing may enable the elimination of private mortgage insurance in certain situations. Additionally, for those with an adjustable-rate mortgage, transitioning to a fixed-rate mortgage is a viable option. This shift ensures greater consistency and shields against potential future rate hikes.

The most common driving force for refinancing a mortgage is to secure a lower interest rate, which can reduce both your monthly payment and the total mortgage refinancing cost. We usually suggest that you Refinance your mortgage into a lower interest rate. Some borrowers will save you thousands of dollars in interest, depending on the remaining term of your mortgage and the new loan term. Additionally, you may qualify for a lower rate if your credit score has improved since you originally took out the loan.

However, it’s important to note that refinance rates are usually slightly higher than purchase interest rates. So, even if overall rates have decreased, you might still pay a higher rate than you would if you were buying a home.

When you are serious about minimizing your monthly payment and increasing your cash flow, start by shopping for a lower rate and review the costs of refinancing a mortgage from multiple companies. The RefiGuide can match you with the best refinance mortgage lenders that meet your needs and financial goals.

References

• How Much Does It Cost to Refinance? (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.lendingtree.com/home/refinance/how-much-does-it-cost-to-refinance/

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