{"id":47979,"date":"2023-12-31T14:51:56","date_gmt":"2023-12-31T22:51:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/financer.com\/?p=47979"},"modified":"2024-05-06T07:58:14","modified_gmt":"2024-05-06T14:58:14","slug":"refinance","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/financer.com\/loans\/glossary\/refinance\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a Refinance?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"What_is_a_Refinance\">What is a Refinance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A refinance, commonly known as a \u201crefi,\u201d is the process of replacing an existing loan with a new one, under revised terms. This involves paying off the original lender and entering into a new loan agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Refinancing is applicable to various types of debts, including <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/financer.com\/loans\/car-loans\/\" target=\"_blank\">auto loans<\/a> and student loans, but it is most frequently associated with <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/financer.com\/loans\/mortgage\/\" target=\"_blank\">mortgages<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Typical Objective:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Potentially lowering interest rates.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Decreasing monthly payments.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Accessing the equity built up in homes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Modifying the terms of existing loans.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s crucial to remember that refinancing carries its own set of costs and risks that need careful consideration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Read More:<\/strong> <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/financer.com\/how-to\/refinance-a-personal-loan\/\" target=\"_blank\">How to Refinance a Personal Loan: 7 Easy Steps<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"fn_block block_fn_button  buttons  is-flex is-flex-direction-column is-align-items-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/financer.com\/loans\/mortgage\/\" class=\"button  is-rounded is-primary is-medium\" target=\"_blank\"  >Compare Mortgage Lenders<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Example_of_Refinancing\">Example of Refinancing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Consider hypothetical homeowners who have a 20-year mortgage with an original interest rate of 6%. After five years, noticing a drop in market interest rates, they decide to explore refinancing options. They successfully secure a new mortgage at a reduced rate of 3.5%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here is a table comparing the original and refinanced loans for Alex and Sam:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-fn-tables shortcode-no\"><table><thead><tr><th>Details<\/th><th>Original Loan<\/th><th>Refinanced Loan<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Loan Amount<\/td><td>$300,000<\/td><td>$254,699<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Interest Rate<\/td><td>6.00%<\/td><td>3.50%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Loan Term (Years)<\/td><td>20 years<\/td><td>15 years<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Monthly Payment<\/td><td>$2,149.29<\/td><td>$1,820.80<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This strategic refinance lowers their monthly mortgage payments, enabling them to allocate more funds towards other financial goals such as saving for retirement or home renovations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, the reduced rate leads to significant interest savings over the life of the mortgage.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"fn_block block_fn_button  buttons  is-flex is-flex-direction-column is-align-items-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/financer.com\/loans\/mortgage\/\" class=\"button  is-rounded is-primary is-medium\" target=\"_blank\"  >Compare Top Mortgages<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\t\t<div id=\"genericloan_0_form\" class=\"fs-slider fs-slider--tooltip search-hero--bg1\"><h3>Compare loans from 79 lenders<\/h3><p>Find the cheapest rate with one click<\/p><div class=\"step amount\">    <div class=\"slider_cont step__value\">\n        <span class=\"fl_l_m_15 amount_display\"><\/span>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"step__slider\">\n        <input type=\"range\" data-default-value=\"500\" data-name=\"param_amount\" \/>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"step stepSubmit\"><a id=\"submitSliders\" href=\"https:\/\/financer.com\/results?query=1&non_affiliate=true&param_amount=500&loan_broker_filter_active=true&param_period=360&\" data-slider-url=\"https:\/\/financer.com\/results?query=1&non_affiliate=true&param_amount=500&loan_broker_filter_active=true&param_period=360&\" data-required=\"results?query=1non_affiliate=true&param_amount=500&loan_broker_filter_active=true&param_period=360&\" class=\"get_results compare button is-primary is-medium is-rounded\">Compare Offers<\/a><\/div>\t\t<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Different_Types_of_Refinancing\">Different Types of Refinancing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-fn-tables shortcode-no\"><table><thead><tr><th>Refinancing Type<\/th><th>Description<\/th><th>Primary Goal<\/th><th>Impact on Loan Balance<\/th><th>Typical Requirements<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Rate-and-Term Refinancing<\/strong><\/td><td>Changes the interest rate, the loan term, or both, without advancing new money.<\/td><td>Secure better interest rates\/terms.<\/td><td>Generally remains the same.<\/td><td>Credit check, home appraisal, underwriting.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Cash-Out Refinancing<\/strong><\/td><td>Replaces existing mortgage with a new, larger loan, allowing the borrower to access the home&#8217;s equity in cash.<\/td><td>Access home equity in cash.<\/td><td>Increases due to cash out.<\/td><td>Credit check, higher equity requirement, underwriting.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Cash-In Refinancing<\/strong><\/td><td>The borrower brings cash to closing to pay down the loan balance and lower the mortgage.<\/td><td>Lower loan balance and possibly remove private mortgage insurance.<\/td><td>Decreases due to cash in.<\/td><td>Cash for loan balance reduction, credit check.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Streamline Refinancing<\/strong><\/td><td>Simplified refinancing process for existing government-backed loans, often with fewer requirements.<\/td><td>Easier, faster refinancing for existing government loans.<\/td><td>Varies, often remains the same.<\/td><td>Less stringent than traditional refinancing.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"When_Does_It_Make_Sense_to_Refinance\">When Does It Make Sense to Refinance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Refinancing your loan can be a smart financial move, but it&#8217;s not always the right choice for everyone. Here are key situations where refinancing makes sense:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Lower Interest Rates<\/strong>: If interest rates have dropped significantly since you took out your original loan, refinancing can help you secure a lower rate, leading to reduced monthly payments and overall interest savings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Improved Credit Score<\/strong>: If your credit score has improved since your initial loan, you may qualify for a better interest rate, making refinancing a cost-effective option.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Changing Loan Terms<\/strong>: Refinancing can be beneficial if you want to shorten your loan term to pay off debt faster or extend it to lower monthly payments.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Switching from an Adjustable to a Fixed-Rate Loan<\/strong>: If you currently have an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) and the rates are rising, switching to a fixed-rate mortgage through refinancing can provide financial stability.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tapping Into Home Equity<\/strong>: For homeowners, refinancing can be a way to access home equity for major expenses, such as home renovations or paying off high-interest debt.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Removing Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)<\/strong>: If your home value has increased, refinancing might allow you to eliminate PMI, which can lead to significant cost savings.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n<div class=\"fn_block block_fn_button  buttons  is-flex is-flex-direction-column is-align-items-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/financer.com\/loans\/personal-loans\/\" class=\"button  is-rounded is-primary is-medium\" target=\"_blank\"  >Shop Loans<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Things_to_know_before_refinancing\">Things to know before refinancing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Refinancing doesn\u2019t automatically make sense. Here are some key factors to consider:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Closing costs<\/strong> &#8211; Refinancing comes with upfront fees like origination, appraisal, title searches, and more. These can amount to thousands. Closing costs don\u2019t break even with interest savings for several years.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Credit check<\/strong> &#8211; Lenders will check your credit, income, and eligibility again. Good credit scores get the best terms.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Equity and down payment rules<\/strong> &#8211; Refinancing requires at least 20% home equity. Cash-out refis may need 10-20% down payments if taking large amounts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rate environment<\/strong> &#8211; If rates rise, refinancing into a higher rate could be costly long-term. Pay close attention to rate forecasts when considering refinancing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Loan term resets<\/strong> &#8211; After refinancing, your loan term starts over. This means it will take longer to build equity and can increase total interest paid over the life of the new loan.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n                <div class=\"fn_block block_fn_msg_box cost search-hero--bg1\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3>How to save <span class=\"compare-amount\">$619.00 <\/span> on your loan<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<p>The price difference for a $500.00 loan in 90 days is $619.00.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"has-text-left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/financer.com\/results\/?query=1&filter_non_affiliate=1&param_amount=500&param_period=90\" class=\"button is-normal is-primary is-rounded\">Find out how<\/a><\/p>\n                <\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Potential_Pros_and_Cons_of_Refinancing\">Potential Pros and Cons of Refinancing:<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"fn_block block_fn_pros_cons\"><ul class=\"like\"><h3 id=\"Pros\">Pros:<\/h3><li><p>Lower interest rates<\/p>\n<\/li><li><p>Reduced monthly payments<\/p>\n<\/li><li><p>Shorter loan terms<\/p>\n<\/li><li><p>Access to home equity<\/p>\n<\/li><li><p>Elimination of PMI<\/p>\n<\/li><li><p>Improved terms with better credit<\/p>\n<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"fn_block block_fn_pros_cons\"><ul class=\"dislike\"><h3 id=\"Cons\">Cons:<\/h3><li><p> Closing costs<\/p>\n<\/li><li><p> Extended loan duration<\/p>\n<\/li><li><p> Potential for higher total interest cost<\/p>\n<\/li><li><p> Time-consuming process<\/p>\n<\/li><li><p> Potential prepayment penalties<\/p>\n<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Alternatives_to_refinancing\">Alternatives to refinancing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Depending on your goals, alternatives like loan modifications, home equity loans, debt consolidation loans, or balance transfers could make more sense than refinancing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Loan modification<\/strong> &#8211; Adjust loan terms with your current lender instead of refinancing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Home equity loan<\/strong> &#8211; Tap equity without refinancing the entire mortgage.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Debt consolidation loan<\/strong> &#8211; Combine other high-rate debts into a personal loan with lower interest.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Balance transfer credit card<\/strong> &#8211; Shift balances from one card to a new one with a promotional <a href=\"https:\/\/financer.com\/credit-cards\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"780\">0% intro APR.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"fn_block block_fn_button  buttons  is-flex is-flex-direction-column is-align-items-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/financer.com\/loans\/personal-loans\/\" class=\"button  is-rounded is-primary is-medium\" target=\"_blank\"  >Lowest APR Loans<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"fn_block block_fn_faq_list\"><h4>What Exactly Does Refinancing a Loan Mean?<\/h4><div class=\"faq_inner\"> Refinancing a loan involves replacing an existing loan with a new one, typically with different terms. This is often done to take advantage of lower interest rates, change the loan duration, or alter other conditions of the loan agreement.<\/div><h4>Why Do People Choose to Refinance Their Mortgages?<\/h4><div class=\"faq_inner\"> Homeowners often refinance to secure a lower interest rate, which can significantly reduce the monthly payments and overall interest paid over the life of the loan. Others may refinance to switch from a variable-rate to a fixed-rate loan, shorten the loan term, or consolidate debt.<\/div><h4>Does Refinancing Affect the Loan Term?<\/h4><div class=\"faq_inner\"> Yes, refinancing can either shorten or extend the loan term. Shortening the term might increase monthly payments but decreases total interest, while extending it can lower monthly payments but increase the overall interest paid.<\/div><h4>Are There Costs Associated with Refinancing?<\/h4><div class=\"faq_inner\"> Refinancing usually involves costs such as application fees, origination fees, appraisal fees, and possibly others. These should be considered when evaluating the benefits of refinancing.<\/div><h4>Can I Refinance with My Current Lender or Should I Shop Around?<\/h4><div class=\"faq_inner\"> You can refinance with your current lender, but it&#8217;s beneficial to shop around. Different lenders offer varying terms and rates, and shopping around can help you find the most advantageous deal.<\/div><h4>How Does My Credit Score Affect Refinancing?<\/h4><div class=\"faq_inner\"> A higher credit score can help you qualify for better refinancing rates. Lenders use your credit score to assess risk, so a good score can lead to more favorable loan terms.<\/div><h4>How Long Does the Refinancing Process Take?<\/h4><div class=\"faq_inner\"> The refinancing process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the lender, the complexity of your financial situation, and other factors.<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is a Refinance? A refinance, commonly known as a \u201crefi,\u201d is the process of replacing an existing loan with\u2026 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":37432,"featured_media":0,"parent":48632,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"disable_branded_featured_image":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","ep_exclude_from_search":false},"categories":[1076],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/financer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/47979"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/financer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/financer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/financer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/37432"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/financer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=47979"}],"version-history":[{"count":24,"href":"https:\/\/financer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/47979\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":52402,"href":"https:\/\/financer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/47979\/revisions\/52402"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/financer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/48632"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/financer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=47979"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/financer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=47979"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/financer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=47979"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}