Refinancing is not the only way to decrease the term of your mortgage. By paying a little extra on principal each month, you will pay off the loan sooner and reduce the term of your loan. For example, adding $50 each month to your principal payment on the 30-year loan above reduces the term by 3 years and saves you more than $27,000 in interest costs.
There is no such limit on the number of times you can go for home refinance loans. Most lenders prefer that you have no late payment for the past 12 months before you switch over to a new loan.
Be Proactive. Your loan representative should keep in contact with you even if there isn't any action on your loan. But do your part to keep the lines of communication open as well. If you don't hear from your loan representative for a few days, pick up the phone and ask for an update. The old adage that the squeaky wheel gets the grease definitely applies in this situation.
Be Ready. After your loan is approved, you'll need to sign your loan documents and provide a check for any out-of-pocket closing costs. Make sure the funds are available in your account, and be ready to make room in your schedule to read and sign your loan documents as soon as possible.
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.
