Analyze Your Savings - Check the market closely to determine the available rates and the costs associated with refinancing. These costs can include items such as an appraisal and other various fees and points.
Build Home Equity Faster - Even at low rates, a shorter term means a higher monthly payment. The benefit is that you'll build up equity faster and pay far less in total interest over the life of the loan.
Consider Other Mortgage Programs - If you are thinking about refinancing your mortgage, you might want to consider other types of mortgages.
Deciding to Refinance - Traditionally, deciding whether or not to refinance has meant balancing the savings of a lower monthly payment against the costs of refinancing.
Get Your Hands on Some Cash - Another way to make a refinance work for you is to refinance for more than the balance remaining on your old mortgage -- in effect, tapping your home equity, or "cashing out."
Mortgage Refinance Costs - When you refinance your mortgage, you usually pay off your original mortgage and sign a new loan. With a new loan, you again pay most of the same costs you paid to get your original mortgage.
Paying Points for a Lower Rate - In refinancing, a mortgage company usually offers a range of interest rates at different amounts of points. A point equals one percent of the loan amount.
Refinance Once Then Do It Again - When rates fall steadily, refinancing may make sense even if you have done so once already.
Trade your ARM for a Fixed Rate - By switching to a fixed rate loan, you will not only reduce your payment, you will also likely lock in an attractive rate for as long as you own your home.
Your Personal Income Taxes - With a lower interest rate on your home loan, you will have less interest to deduct on your income tax return.