The Disadvantages of Refinancing Your Mortgage
A mortgage refinance has financial pitfalls like other types of investments.
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With home loan rates averaging below 4 percent nationally as of 2013, many homeowners contemplate the financial benefits of refinancing their mortgage. The opportunity to reduce interest, lower monthly payments and perhaps reduce the loan term make refinancing appealing. However, refinancing does have some disadvantages relative to sticking it out with your existing mortgage.
Costs
The primary drawback of a typical refinance is the amount you pay to get the new loan. This often ranges from $3,000 to $6,000 or more, depending on the amount of the new loan and whether you pay discount points for a lower interest rate. These costs mirror what you paid on the first mortgage. So, in essence, you are paying to purchase the same general product a second time.
Delayed Mortgage Payoff
On a typical refinance, your loan term is extended. For instance, if you have made payments for five years on a 30-year loan and then refinance to another 30-year loan, you add five years back on to your mortgage term. This means that unless you make extra principal payments, you won't own your home outright for five more years. By staying with your current mortgage and making the requisite payments, you could by loan free in 25 years of steady payments.
Possible Rejection
You may actually be turned down for a mortgage refinance if your current income, debt, credit rating and assets don't add up to meet lender qualifications. As of 2012, mortgage lenders typically maintained stricter borrowing requirements after the housing and credit sector failures of the previous five years. If you don't qualify for the new loan, you may be out an appraisal fee, an application fee and any other upfront fees charged by the lender before approval.
Other Possible Issues
Other refinance issues depend on your particular situation. If you refinance from a fixed to variable-rate loan, the interest may go up over time as mortgage rates rise. Using a refinance to cash out some of the equity in your loan increases your new loan balance and reduces your equity in the home. This is especially a concern if you don't use the cash for a major, necessary purchase.
References
Writer Bio
Neil Kokemuller has been an active business, finance and education writer and content media website developer since 2007. He has been a college marketing professor since 2004. Kokemuller has additional professional experience in marketing, retail and small business. He holds a Master of Business Administration from Iowa State University.