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.
Be Prepared. You'll probably be asked for more information and documentation after you submit your application, but before your loan is approved be prepared to document your income and assets. Answer any questions and fax documentation to your loan representative as soon as possible.
The length of time that you expect to keep the mortgage helps you determine whether it is worthwhile to pay points up front to reduce your interest rate. Unlike points paid on your original mortgage, points paid to refinance may not be fully deductible on your income taxes in the year they are paid.
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.
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.
