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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. Then
determine what your new payment would be if you refinanced. You
can estimate how long it will take to recover the costs of
refinancing by dividing your closing costs by the difference
between your new and old payments (your monthly savings).
However, the ultimate amount you may save depends on many
factors, including your total refinancing costs, whether you
sell your home in the near future, and the effects of
refinancing on your taxes. The old rule of thumb used to be that
you shouldn't refinance unless the new interest rate is at least
two percentage points lower. However, many companies are now
offering zero point loans and low-cost refinancing. Therefore,
even if your rate change is less than one percentage point, you
may be able to save some money by refinancing.
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