Refinance Your Home

LOWER PAYMENT? NEED CASH BACK? FASTER PAYOFF?

FIND OUT HOW REFINANCING CAN HELP YOU MEET YOUR GOALS. GET STARTED OR SPEAK TO A MORTGAGE LOAN ORIGINATOR.

THE BASICS

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU REFINANCE YOUR HOME

What does it mean to refinance? Refinancing is the act of taking on a new loan with different terms. Reasons for refinancing your mortgage include lowering your payment, shortening your term or using the equity you’ve built up over time to get cash back out of your home.

WHAT’S YOUR GOAL?

Deciding if it makes sense to refinance your home depends on a number of factors, but it starts with one question: What do you want out of your refinance? Here are some of the main reasons homeowners decide to refinance their mortgage:

TODAY’S MORTGAGE RATES

Want to find out if refinancing is right for you? A good way to start is to speak with a Mortgage Loan Originator. Don’t forget – rates change daily based on the market, so if you like what you see, make sure to speak to a Mortgage Loan Originator to get your personalized rate. First, we’ll ask about your primary goal for your new home loan. You can choose between lowering your payment and paying off your home sooner. Depending on which option you select, you’ll either be asked what your current monthly payment is or how many years you have left on your loan. After that, you’ll be asked to estimate what you still owe and how much your home is worth to determine the amount of the loan. Then, we’ll input a rough credit estimate and your ZIP code. The results will tell you an estimate of rate and payment. You can adjust the rate and type of loan, as well as add taxes and insurance to find out if refinancing your mortgage can help you meet your financial goals.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS EQUITY? WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR REFINANCING?

Equity is the appraised value of your home minus the amount you still owe on your loan. The value of equity depends on your goal for refinancing. The more equity you have, the more money you may be able to get from a cash-out refinance. Or, more equity could result in a better interest rate, which may help you lower your monthly payment. Having enough equity may also help you eliminate private mortgage insurance (PMI), a costly monthly fee included in many mortgages with an original down payment of less than 20%. Talk to a Mortgage Loan Originator to see if you have enough equity to reach your financial goals.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO REFINANCE?

It’s possible to add the costs associated with getting a new mortgage into the total refinance amount to avoid paying anything out of pocket at closing. However, refinancing in order to lower your payment, get cash out, or consolidate your debt may result in a longer loan term or a higher rate, and that might mean paying more in interest in the long run.

WHAT DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED TO REFINANCE?

The following is a list of documents generally required during the refinance application process:

• Proof of Income: Typically, you’ll need to show original pay stubs for the last 30 days.
• Copy of Homeowners Insurance: We’ll need to verify that you have current and sufficient coverage on your home.
• Copies of Your W-2 Forms and Federal Tax Returns: Each loan applicant will need to supply 2 years of W-2’s and federal tax return forms so we can verify past employment and income history.
• Copies of Asset Information: This includes current statements from the last 60 days for accounts that hold money for down-payment, closing costs, statements for savings, statements for checking and 401(k) accounts, and investment records for mutual funds or stocks.

American Mortgage Corporation will also need to pull your credit report as a part of the refinance process, so have your Social Security number handy when it’s time to apply.

HOW OFTEN CAN I REFINANCE MY HOME?

Some states have limits on how soon or how often their residents can refinance a home loan; these limits are often designed to ensure that the refinance process benefits the homeowner. Regulations aside, it’s very important to make sure that refinancing helps you meet your financial goals. Deciding if it makes sense to refinance your home depends on a number of factors: Does your current lender have a prepayment penalty? Do you have enough equity built up in your home? Are interest rates lower now than they were when you first got your home loan? Do you plan to stay in your home for many years? If you have any questions or would like to get started refinancing your home, be sure to speak with a mortgage broker today.