It is feasible to go for a refinance when you have built up at least 10% equity in your home (For Fannie Mae owned mortgages, the value is 5%). It is also possible for you to choose the option if your equity is less than 5%, but you may have to pay a certain amount of cash in order to make up for the difference in equity.
It's better to follow the 2% Rule which suggests that you can enjoy the benefits of a home refinance if your mortgage refinance rate is 2% lower than that on your current loan. The interest savings will help you recoup the costs you've paid for the new loan provided you stay in the property for a certain period of time (break-even period). However, there are no-cost as well as low-cost refinance loans wherein the costs are included into the loan. But you can expect comparatively higher rates on such loans. Moreover, these loans are limited when the market is in a credit crunch.
Ask the lender or broker for a comparison of the up-front costs, principal, rate, and payments with and without this rate trade-off.
Give yourself plenty of time to close. With most refinancings, your file is turned over to a closing or title company, which dictates the closing details. Like the lenders themselves, these firms are swamped when interest rates are low. Moreover, appraisers get backed up and can be difficult to schedule. So don't expect the closing to happen as quickly as anyone promises.
Both new homebuyers and refinancers can get free access to the credit reports that lenders use by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com, a website created via Congressional mandate. A free report from each of the three consumer reporting agencies -- TransUnion, Experian and Equifax -- is available at no cost every 12 months. Check for errors; if mistakes are found, don't hesitate to dispute any and all inaccurate and derogatory items.
