Posts Tagged ‘2nd mortgage’
December 3rd, 2010 | 
Author: Refinancing both your first and second mortgage will lower your monthly mortgage payment and qualify you for overall lower rates. It will also save you money on closing costs and application fees. And while you are looking at rates and terms, you can reevaluate your loan’s payment schedule to better fit your budget needs.
Why One Mortgage Is Better Than Two
Lending companies prefer financing one total mortgage rather than two separate loans. So second mortgage rates are at least a point higher than first mortgage rates.
Refinancing your two mortgages into one will qualify your for a lower rate mortgage. Since lenders charge flat application fees, you will save money by going through the process only once. Closing costs can also be cheaper.
Readjusting Terms
In all likelihood, your mortgages have different terms. Refinancing is a good time to reevaluate those terms and decide what would best meet your budget concerns.
If lower payments are your concern, then choose a longer term. While this will increase your total interest costs, it will ease your immediate budget concerns. Then when your financial situation improves, you can make principal payments to offset the interest costs.
When concerned about interest costs, it’s best to opt for a shorter term with its lower rate. You can also pay points to further lower your rates. But this is only wise if you plan to keep the loan for several years in order to recoup the costs.
Separate Is Sometimes Better
In some cases, it is better to keep two separate mortgages to save money. In some instances, refinancing your mortgages individually will get you better rates overall. This is especially true if your total mortgage principal equals more than 80% of your home’s value.
If you plan to cash out part of your home’s equity while refinancing, you may also want to finance a second mortgage separately. Cash out refi loans automatically boost your loan’s rate.
In order to find your best option, request quotes for refinancing your mortgages together and separately. Also look at several different lenders to be sure you are getting the most competitive offer.
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Refinancing both your first and second mortgages will result in one low monthly payment that could save you thousands in interest charges. By combining both mortgages, you qualify for lower rates than if you refinance separately. You can see a significant savings with your second mortgage refinance, which is often several points higher than your first mortgage rates. You will also save on application fees and other closing costs.
Strategies To Lower Your Mortgage Payment
You have a couple of options to lower your mortgage payment when refinancing. The first choice is to find a low rate mortgage. So even if you choose the same length for your loan, you will still see a savings in your monthly mortgage bill. Adjustable rate and interest only loans will give you the lowest payments, at least at the beginning of your home loan. But a fixed rate loan can also give you reasonable rates with security that they won’t rise in the future.
The other option is to extend your loan term, especially in the case of your second mortgage which usually is for five to ten years. By consolidating your loans to a thirty year loan, you lengthen your payment schedule for principal, so you have a smaller payment. However, your interest rate and charges will be higher than with a shorter term.
Getting The Best Loan
Once you determine the type of loan and terms you want, do your shopping for a good lender to save even more money. Lenders will vary in how much they charge for closing costs and interest rates. The APR will tell you how loans compare overall, both in terms of rates and closing costs.
But if you are planning to move or refinance again in the future, then be wary of paying high closing costs. Even if they secure you a lower rate, you will only see a savings if you keep the mortgage for several years.
Don’t base your lender decision based on posted loan rates. Ask for a personalized loan quote based on your general information. With more accurate numbers, you can make an informed choice as to who has the best financing for you.
