Resist "no cost" refinancing. No cost doesn't mean free. On the contrary: The closing costs are usually bundled into the new mortgage, which means you pay interest on them. The fees associated with a 30-year mortgage could cost you more than double what they would have had you simply written a check for them at closing. Or, if the costs aren't bundled in, you'll be charged a slightly higher interest rate. Either way, the lender wins.
When evaluating different lender offers, in the mortgage loan pre-approval process, pay closest attention to the interest rates they are offering & the closing costs. These are the two biggest factors that will help you figure out which lender is right for you. If one of these two factors is too high, it could offset the benefit of refinancing for you.
If your property value reduces and you refinance up to 80% of the reappraised value, your original mortgage amount may be higher than this amount. Thus, the new loan will not be sufficient enough to help you pay down the existing one.
Be Realistic. Lenders have tightened up loan requirements, so you'll need a good credit score and at least some equity in your home to refinance. To figure out how much equity you have, subtract the total amount that you owe on all of your existing mortgages from how much you think your home is worth. If your credit is severely impaired or you owe more than the value of your home, you probably won't be able to refinance right now.
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.
