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Lower Bills With Debt Consolidation Refinancing Vs Home Equity Loan

Consolidating your debt can help you lower your monthly bills and interest rates. While refinancing and home equity loans can both help you pay off accounts, they have their own benefits. The best choice depends on your current mortgage terms and future financial goals.

The Goal Of Debt Consolidation

The goal of debt consolidation is to pay off your current debt with a new, lower rate loan. The lower your rates, the more of a savings your pocketbook will see each month. But loan fees can eat into those savings.

Extending your loan term can also lower your monthly payments. But your interest costs will be higher over the life of the loan than if you choose a shorter term.

For debt consolidation to be most affective, plan on paying off and closing accounts as soon as your receive your loan amount. That way you wont be paying interest on two account or be tempted to use your credit.

Refinancing Your Mortgage For Debt Consolidation

Refinancing your mortgage to cash-out your equity for debt consolidation purposes will qualify you for lower rates than a home equity loan. Having one mortgage is seen as less risky by lenders than by having two loans.

But you also have to consider overall rates. If you currently have a low rate mortgage, then refinancing for a slightly higher rate doesnt make sense.

For example, if you have a $200,000 mortgage at 5% for 30 years, your interest costs $186,513.24. Say you refinance for an additional $10.000, but now your rate jumps to 6%. Your interest costs jumps to $231,677.04 an increase over $45,000. It would have been better to go with a home equity loan.

Using A Home Equity Loan

A home equity loan allows you to use your equity without affecting your current mortgage rate. In some cases, it can also protect you from having to provide private mortgage insurance, an additional cost.

However, home equity loans, also known as second mortgages, have higher rates than if you refinance your mortgage. This is only an issue if you have a high rate mortgage. In this case, the better choice is to combine the cash-out with a refinance.

In the end, you need to compare numbers to find what is your best option. Luckily, lenders offer free online quotes to make this easy.

Low Interest Rate Mortgage Refinance Loan – Benefits Of A No Obligation Refi Quote

Getting a low rate refi loan may decrease your monthly mortgage payments by a few hundred dollars. For this matter, homeowners consider obtaining the lowest possible rate a primary concern. Before accepting a refi offer, researching and comparing offers are essential.

Benefits of a Low Rate Mortgage Refi Loan

If you are hoping to save money on your mortgage payment, refinancing your current mortgage is the solution. Refinancing is not ideal for everyone. Prior to applying for a new loan, take into consideration current mortgage rate, length of time you plan on residing in your home, and credit score.

If your current mortgage rate is comparably low, perhaps one percentage point higher than current averages, you may not realize huge savings from a refinancing. Moreover, if your credit is less than perfect, some lenders may not offer superb low rates.

Secondly, refinancing benefits homeowners who plan on living in their home for more than seven years. If you plan to move in a few years, the closing costs and fees paid will outweigh the savings.

Savvy Buyers Shop Around

If contemplating a refinancing, shop around for the best loan package. No obligation quotes are offered by various lenders. You have the option of choosing a local lender or an online lender. Before making a decision, request a quote from your present mortgage company. This is beneficial for two reasons. One, a good payment record has been established. Two, present lenders may waive some fees. Although current lenders may remit a great offer, do not make an immediate decision. First, obtain quotes from three additional lenders.

What are Online No-Obligation Quotes?

If you request a quote from an online lender, the lender will assess your stated credit rating, income, desired loan amount, and submit an estimated loan offer. Quotes include terms, interest rate, closing costs, and estimated monthly payments. This way, you can review several loan options before finalizing your decision. After acquiring three additional quotes, compare all four lender offer’s side-by-side. Pick the lowest rate mortgage refi loan. Lastly, complete an online application. At this time, the lender will review your credit report and offer a final approval notice.

Home Mortgage Loan Refinance – Refinancing A Fixed Rate Mortgage

Refinancing a fixed rate mortgage is usually only suggested when interest rates fall, but you can also save money by changing your loan terms. You can also pull out part of your equity to pay bills or renovate.

Lower Interest Rates

In general when interest rates are at least 1% lower than your current mortgage rate, it pays to refinance. But you need to consider other factors, such as the length of your mortgage, loan costs, and how long you plan to stay in your home.

An adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) should also be considered if you plan to move soon. With rates lower than a fixed, you will see lower monthly payments. But you have the risk that your rates and payments will increase over time.

To help decide if refinancing makes sense for you, calculate the difference in interest payments over the course of your loan. Online mortgage calculators can help you find both total interest costs and monthly payments.

Better Loan Terms

Besides lower interest rates, you can save money by converting to a better loan term. A shorter loan, such as a 15 year term, can save you thousands on interest payments, even if you dont have a lower interest rate. However, your monthly payments will be 10% to 15% higher.

You can also reduce your monthly payments by refinancing for a longer term. You trade lower payments for higher interest costs.

Access Your Equity

Whether you want to pay off credit cards or pay for your childs education, you can pull out your equity by refinancing. One of the advantages of using your equity is that your interest is tax deductible.

However, if you just want to tap into your equity, a better option is a home equity loan. You can pull out your equity, write off your interest on your taxes, and avoid loan fees.

Online Lenders

Online financing companies allow you to research terms and fees from your home. You can receive quotes within minutes online, so you can compare finance packages. You can also apply online and qualify for discounts on closing cost with some lenders.