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Mortgage Refinancing Help
: Regional: North America: United States: Hawaii: Business and Economy: Financial Services
: Insurance (2)
 Don't escrow taxes and insurance. Unless you're undisciplined, avoid putting monies in escrow to cover your property taxes and homeowner's insurance. There's usually a fee for this privilege that runs under 1 percent of the loan amount, in states where it's allowed. "Paying the fee will allow you to time your tax and insurance payments to your benefit," says Bank South's Steve Austin. For instance, you may be able to prepay taxes that are due next year and use those payments to reduce your current tax bill. Moreover, you get to hang onto your money longer. That may be an advantage when interest-bearing accounts start paying more.
 See also:
 First Hawaiian Bank Insurance »
Hawaii life insurance, business insurance, long term care insurance, disability insurance, retirement planning and estate planning.
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 AIG Hawaii Insurance Company »
Writes personal and business automobile insurance, homeowners, umbrella, motorcycle and temporary disability insurance. Request quotes online.
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 When lenders offer a "no-cost" loan, they may include a prepayment penalty to discourage you from refinancing within the first few years of the loan. Ask the lender offering a no-cost loan to explain all the fees and penalties before you agree to these terms.
You have a legal right to a good faith estimate. Get a copy of this document and go over it with a fine tooth comb, it will reveal where there is a real problem.
Be specific about the loan you want. The more precise you are, the easier it will be for a loan officer or mortgage broker to find the best rate. For example, do you want a 15-year or 30-year mortgage? Do you need a "jumbo" mortgage (more than $333,700)? Are you willing to pay points to reduce the interest rate? The answers to these questions will depend on several factors, including when you plan to sell the house and how soon you want to retire your debt. Only you know the answers, but the sooner you know them, the better.
Ask for the reissue rate on your title work. If you've taken a mortgage within the past two years, or are using the same lender, you might be granted this option, which can save you as much as 70 percent on your title work. An editor at this magazine didn't know about this potential savings when he refinanced his mortgage; fortunately his lawyer did. The savings more than covered the attorney's fees. However, if it's been several years since you took out a home loan, or if you're using a new lender, you'll likely have to pay for a new title.
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