The hassle of making two monthly mortgage payments has prompted many homeowners to consider refinancing their 1st and 2nd mortgages into one loan. While combining both loans into one mortgage is convenient, and may save you money, homeowners should carefully weigh the risks and advantages before choosing to refinance their mortgages.
Benefits Associated with Combining 1st and 2nd Mortgages
Aside from consolidating your mortgages and making one monthly payment, a mortgage consolidation may lower your monthly payments to mortgage lenders. If you acquired your 1st or 2nd mortgage before home loan rates began to decline, you are likely paying an interest rate that is at least two points above current market rates. If so, a refinancing will greatly benefit you. By refinancing both mortgages with a low interest rate, you may save hundreds on your monthly mortgage payment.
Furthermore, if you accepted a 1st and 2nd mortgage with an adjustable mortgage rate, refinancing both loans at a fixed rate may benefit you in the long run. Even if your current rates are low, these rates are not guaranteed to remain low. As market trends fluctuated, your adjustable rate mortgages are free to rise. Higher mortgage rates will cause your mortgage payment to climb considerably. Refinancing both mortgages with a fixed rate will ensure that your mortgage remains predictable.
Disadvantages to Refinancing 1st and 2nd Mortgage
Before choosing to refinance your mortgages, it is imperative to consider the drawbacks of combining both mortgages. To begin, refinancing a mortgage involves the same procedures as applying for the initial mortgage. Thus, you are required to pay closing costs and fees. In this case, refinancing is best for those who plan to live in their homes for a long time.
If your credit score has dropped considerably within recent years, lenders may not approve you for a low rate refinancing. By refinancing and consolidating both mortgages, be prepared to pay a higher interest rate. Before accepting an offer, carefully compare the savings.
Moreover, refinancing your two mortgages may result in you paying private mortgage insurance (PMI). PMI is required for home loans with less than 20% equity. To avoid paying private mortgage insurance, homeowners may consider refinancing both mortgages separately, as opposed to consolidating both mortgage loans.
Mortgage Refinance Loan Rates
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.
Carrie Reeder has sinced written about articles on various topics from Finances, Mortgage and Finances. Carrie Reeder offers advice about Loans Online. View our. Carrie Reeder's top article generates over 135000 views. to your Favourites.
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