How To Get A Lower Interest Rate On Your Mortgage

Looking to refinance for a lower interest rate on your mortgage? Here’s what you need to know.

When Should You Refinance?

There are several potential benefits to refinancing your home. But one of the best reasons to refinance is getting a lower interest rate.

As interest rates fall, you may want to refinance your home to reduce your interest payments.

Traditionally, it’s believed that lowering your interest rate by at least 2% will save you a significant amount of money. In some cases, however, lowering your interest rate by a mere 1% can also make sense.

These “rules” are helpful to keep in mind, but they don’t paint the full picture of how refinancing affects your unique situation. While it’s a good idea to look at changing rates in the market, your individual situation can be a deciding factor on whether to refinance.

For example, your original interest rate could be high. So even in a market when rates are rising, you may still be able to get a lower rate on a refinance. It may be a good idea to go ahead and refinance before interest rates rise any higher.

Also, if you have improved your credit score, this could help you get a better rate regardless of changing rates in the market.

What it all boils down to is this:

How much lower of a rate can you get, compared to the rate you already have?

What A Lower Interest Rate Means For You

Most people know that a lower rate saves them money on interest, and these savings can seriously stack up over time. 

However, a lot of people don’t realize that refinancing for a lower interest rate can also reduce your monthly payments, which means bigger savings in the short term, too.

Lower monthly payments on your mortgage are a total game changer. The easier it is for you to pay off your mortgage, the more equity you can build in your home. 

Keep in mind, refinancing means you will need to pay additional fees and closing costs. When working with a mortgage lender, make sure to go over those costs. You want to determine whether paying these additional costs will end up being worth it for you in the long run.

The Takeaway

Having the option to refinance can be a powerful asset later down the road. Still, there are a lot of factors that determine when you should refinance and what refinancing options you should go with. 

Some other factors to consider when refinancing:

• How long are you going to keep your mortgage? Do you plan on selling your home in a few years?
• Will there be any changes to your income in the upcoming years?
• How much equity do you currently have in your home? Has your home risen in value since your original purchase?
• What are your financial goals? Maybe you’re looking to save money on your mortgage so you can invest in stocks, or maybe you’re wanting to save up more money to put into your retirement fund.

For these reasons, it’s important to speak to a mortgage professional who can look at your unique situation and help you choose the best course of action for you.

When talking with a mortgage professional, it’s always a good idea to get a second opinion. You want to work with someone who understands your future goals and can help you achieve them.

Read the original article here: How To Get A Lower Interest Rate On Your Mortgage