Top 5 Reasons to Refinance Your Home

Homeowners should consider refinancing their homes if they look to save money on their mortgage or obtain a lower interest rate. There are many reasons people choose to refinance, but the most common ones include paying off debts faster, consolidating debt into one loan with one monthly payment, and unlocking the equity in your home.

Refinancing can also be beneficial for homeowners who want to take advantage of recent changes in tax law by deducting some of the costs associated with refinancing. This blog post will cover 5 reasons why homeowners should consider refinancing their homes.

Save Money on Your Mortgage Interest

One of the biggest benefits of refinancing is that you can save money on your monthly interest rates. Refinancing allows you to get a lower interest rate, which in turn lowers your mortgage payment, allowing you to have more money in your pocket each month. 

Your credit and financial history will be considered when determining if you qualify for a refinance loan and what types of terms and rates are offered. Before applying for refinancing, the homeowner must have all their information together including making sure they don't have any late payments or taxes owed. 

It's also helpful if the homeowner knows how much equity they currently have to discuss options with their lender at the time of application.

Pay Off Debit and Credit Cards Faster

Refinancing your home can help pay off debt more quickly by allowing you to combine multiple debts in to one low monthly payment. 

For example, if the homeowner has a $200,000 mortgage and $10,000 of credit card bills, they can refinance their existing loan and apply any savings towards paying off these debts. 

This is especially beneficial for homeowners who have good credit and stable jobs that will allow them to keep up with payments on their new loans. Suppose the homeowner decides that refinancing isn't right for them. 

In that case, there are other options available, including consolidating your debt into one loan with just one monthly payment or creating a "debt snowball", which allows you to slowly pay off all your debt in order of interest rate.

Uncover Equity in Your Home

Some homeowners are also able to refinance to unlock equity in their homes. This is common for homeowners who have lived in the same house for years and watched home values increase over time. 

To renew their mortgage, these homeowners can use some or all of this equity that has built up over time to help them afford a lower monthly payment without refinancing their entire loan amount. 

Refinancing can be lucrative if you're planning on moving out soon because it may be beneficial to go through the process, even if just for the cash savings alone. Home refinance loan rates are lower than mortgage rates which means you could receive a larger sum of money in your pocket.

Take Advantage of Tax Deductions

Homeowners who have been paying off their current mortgage for years may find that they are in a better position to take advantage of recent changes in tax law that allow you to deduct some of the costs associated with refinancing your home. 

For example, homeowners who have paid off their old mortgage and refinance into a 30-year fixed-rate loan can claim a deduction on any points charged when refinancing. Alternatively, suppose the homeowner has an adjustable-rate or interest-only payment mortgage. 

In that case, they could receive tax deductions for the difference between what is considered "true interest" and what was reported to the borrower's lender by their broker/lender.

Improve Your Credit Score

Homeowners who have good credit will also benefit from refinancing their loans because it allows them to take advantage of lower interest rates, improving their credit score over time. 

A homeowners' FICO score is important when obtaining mortgages, refinancing loans, and applying for other types of financing. Hence, it benefits the homeowner to keep an eye on this number and make improvements along the way. 

If your score isn't as high as it could be, but you feel like you've done everything possible (like making on-time payments), look into refinancing your loan – especially if there is money involved. 

Keep in mind that improving your credit score is a long-term investment that pays off over time.

In conclusion, the housing market is in a state of flux, and many homeowners are looking for ways to make their homes more valuable. 

If you're struggling to make your mortgage payments or think the time has come to trade up, take a look at refinancing your loan. You may discover that it offers benefits you never imagined when you first purchased your home. 

When thinking about changes in the real estate market, it's important to remember that there are also financial benefits available by refinancing a current loan, including lowering monthly costs and improving credit scores over time.