Is it better to refinance your mortgage to a lower interest rate or continue with an existing mortgage? What factors should you consider when refinancing a mortgage loan? Determining whether it’s a good idea to refinance a mortgage depends not only on the interest rate but also on how long you plan to stay in the home. Learn more here about how to refinance your mortgage in the articles, columns, radio shows, blog posts and videos.
Should I Refinance My Mortgage Before Retirement?
Should I refinance my mortgage before retirement? This reader wants to know if they should take advantage of low interest rates even if they’re close to retiring and selling the home. Q: We borrowed $355,900 in 2007 for a 30-year fixed mortgage at 6.25% and still owe $230,000. My wife is retired, and I plan [...]
How to Find the Best Lender for Your Mortgage Refinance
How to find the best lender for your mortgage refinance. This is what lenders are looking for and how to get the best deal on your mortgage refinance. Q: Is it possible for you to refer me to a mortgage lender? I'm a single woman who would like to refinance the condominium I’ve lived in [...]
How Do You Know If It’s Worth It to Refinance Your Mortgage?
How do you know if it’s worth it to refinance your mortgage? These homeowners want to know if they’re getting a good deal with their best offer. Q: When we bought our house, I read several of Ilyce's books and it not only empowered me to stand up to mortgage agents, it saved us tens [...]
Should I Refinance to a 15 or 20 Year Mortgage?
Should I refinance to a 15 or 20 year mortgage? This reader wants to live mortgage-free and both refinanced term lengths offer significant interest savings. Q: We took out a mortgage in 2011. It’s a 30-year with an interest rate of 5.125 percent. Our expected payoff date is 2041, but we’ve been paying biweekly. We [...]
Is Now a Good Time to Refinance?
Is now a good time to refinance? What homeowners need to understand about current interest rates to determine if refinancing is worth it. Interest rates have dropped, which is supposed to spur interest in buying a home and refinancing your mortgage. But I'm hearing from people who wonder if it is really worth their while [...]
What Happens to a House When Someone Dies?
What happens to a house when someone dies? It depends on a number of factors like if there was money still owed on the home or a will naming an heir. Q: My husband and I refinanced my grandparents’ house because they had a reverse mortgage. My grandma had passed away and my grandpa was [...]
Refinancing a HELOC Loan After a Divorce
Refinancing a HELOC loan after a divorce. This reader wants to know about refinancing a home equity line of credit to remove an ex-spouse's name. Q: I got divorced about four years ago. The deed to the house was, and is, in my name alone, and has been from the time we bought it. During [...]
How to Find Old Mortgage Loan Records
How to find old mortgage loan records? This homeowner wants to find proof of old mortgage payments made before they refinanced and modified their loan. Q: I purchased my home back in 2004 and got a mortgage with a lender that has since been purchased by one of the huge banks. I made all of [...]
Cancelling Credit Cards to Get Cash Out Refinance
Cancelling Credit Cards to Get Cash Out Refinance. You have an excellent credit score, great credit history, plenty of equity, and yet lender wants borrower to cancel many of his credit cards to qualify for a refinance. Q: I have a situation in my mortgage refinance process and need your advice. My lender wants me [...]
Mortgage Interest Rates Change For Mortgage Refinance
What penalties do you pay when you cancel a mortgage loan refinance? A home owner asks about canceling a mortgage loan refinance because mortgage interest rates dropped four days after he filled out his refinance application. Ilyce says to walk away from the mortgage loan refinance, he has to be willing to lose the money he spent on an appraiser. But canceling the mortgage loan refinance is OK from a legal and ethical standpoint so long as he's read his mortgage loan refinance documents and abides by them.