Mortgage can last a lifetime and that extra 1% can add up to literally thousands of dollars over the years. I have friends that are in their 70s and still paying off their home loans. It'll pay off in the long run to make sure you find the best deal possible. Don't let poor credit stop you from refinancing your home.
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.
If you are making payments on a long term loan, say, 30 year mortgage for the past 10 to 20 years, then refinancing to another 30 year loan will not be a good option as it may increase your overall payment.
For both new buyers and refinancers, it's important to understand what a no-cost mortgage loan or a no-cost refinance loan really means. "No cost" does not mean that closing costs (also known as settlement costs) have been erased. It means that the closing costs will be factored into the interest rate associated with the loan. Of course, this also means that, all other things being equal, the interest rate associated with a no-cost mortgage will always be higher than one where the borrower pays the closing costs up front.
Once you know the reason for refinancing, you should ask your mortgage specialist whether or not it would be beneficial for you to refinance at this time or whether it may be more beneficial to wait.
