Mortgage & Refinancing Information

What the Bank Won't Tell You About Mortgage Refinancing


So you have a mortgage, and you need to refinance to get your interest rates low. Most people simply walk into their bank, ask to refinance, and then end up paying more money long term than they would have otherwise. Some banks would like everyone who is refinancing to remain ignorant, but I am here to tell you what banks don't want you to know. Refinancing can be very beneficial, but one has to understand the terms of the deal, and be very careful when choosing a bank.

One mistake many people make is going to the bank and deciding to refinance before actually looking at the home loan. Some think that their interest rates are too high, and they have too many debts, so refinancing is the only option. Be sure to look at the numbers, and then go over those exact same numbers with your financial advisor. After discussing it, you can then decide to refinance. It is always a good idea, even after you go over the numbers, to ask your bank, "Do I need to refinance?" They cannot lie to you, but they can withhold information. Banks do not want you to understand that fact. Asking questions is one of the best things you can do. Banks love to let customers make bad decisions. As a financial advisor, banks are obligated to tell you the best possible course of action, but not required. Unfortunately, some banks simply want profit, and so the customer's financial situation is not of the utmost importance.

It is up to you then to be informed about all aspects of your financial situation before you walk into the bank. It is advisable to know just as much, if not more than the bank does. Banks take advantage of the uninformed. Some want their customers to be uninformed, because the uninformed individual poses no threat and can be manipulated easily. An uninformed person may accept the banks offer simply because the interest rates are lower. However, some banks try to give lower interest rates for refinancing, but let the consumer end up paying more over the lifetime of the loan. Additionally, banks can expose you, as a borrower, to greater risks than you had with your previous mortgage with a higher risk loan.

Along with understanding your own financial situation, understand the terms being offered by the bank. The bank does not want you to "read the fine print" because you might find something that you don't like, and they would have to change it, or get a new customer. All aspects of the new loan have to be made available to you. Again, all the information about your loan is made available. You, as the customer, just have to seek it. Most customers simply look over the terms of a new loan briefly, merely focusing on the interest rate. They then sign on the dotted line. Simply "skimming" the terms of a loan is never a good idea. Banks won't tell you, but it is always a good idea to understand the loan more intricately than even the bank itself.

Refinancing a mortgage is a large financial commitment. It is important to be as informed as possible on all aspects of your own finances and the deal offered in the loan. Banks do not what you to know that they are required to provide all the information to you. Also, as your financial advisor, they are obligated to offer information, but not required. However, when asked directly, if they lie to you, they can be in a whole world of trouble. Knowledge is the single most important thing to have when refinancing. If you know what to watch out for when refinancing, and what banks have to tell you, then you will have the upper hand. Having the upper hand will allow you to refinance your mortgage in a way that is best for you financially.

Paul Ashter enjoys giving advice on personal finance. Learn more at Mortgage Lowdown ( http://www.mortgagelowdown.com ).

  


MORE RESOURCES:

Suddenly, Stricter Appraisals
New York Times, United States - 16 hours ago
Thus, said Mr. Grace, the Westport mortgage broker, when it comes to refinancing, anyone who bought a home in the last three years and put less than 10 ...


Commercial mortgage values hit by ongoing crisis
Atlanta Journal Constitution,  USA - 8 hours ago
... projections and loose lending standards will, like the residential market, give way to missed mortgage payments and a tough refinancing environment. ...


When refinancing mortgage makes sense
Chicago Tribune, United States - Nov 14, 2008
But you don't have to be in financial trouble to benefit from mortgage refinance, real estate experts say. "At this point, there are thousands of good ...


The Money Times

US MBA’s Mortgage Applications Index Decreased 6.2% Last Week
Bloomberg - Nov 19, 2008
The Mortgage Bankers Association’s index of applications to purchase a home or refinance a loan fell 6.2 percent to 398.6 for the week ended Nov. ...
Week-to-week mortgage applications off 6.2%: MBA MarketWatch
Mortgage Applications Down 6.2 Percent; Near 8-Year Low RTT News
US mortgage purchase applications near 8-yr low-MBA Reuters
VillageSoup Belfast - North County Times
all 144 news articles


Shedding debt, sharing wisdom
Baltimore Sun, United States - 47 minutes ago
I carry no credit card debt at all, no car loans, and my good credit secured me a good, quick refinance when I needed it. My daughter, 20, now working in ...


Boston Globe (registration)

Center for Responsible Lending and Industry Groups Urge HUD to ...
MarketWatch - Nov 20, 2008
... to help the largest possible numbers of at-risk borrowers. This is not the appropriate time to permit the lapse of a viable mortgage refinance option.
Mortgage aid falls short, Bush admin official says BusinessWeek
US tries new tack on housing CNNMoney.com
Major Revamp Of Two HUD Mortgage Relief Programs To Be Pushed AHN
North American Press Syndicate - Housing Wire
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The Free Lance-Star

Columbia Bank is an Approved FHA Mortgage Lender
MarketWatch - Nov 21, 2008
Existing homeowners wanting to refinance their current mortgage having only limited home equity. -- Homebuyers who would benefit from allowable seller ...
FHA sets limits on home mortgages The Free Lance-Star
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LendingTree Loans Selects IBM for Loan Fulfillment Services
MarketWatch - Nov 21, 2008
The company, which also works with lenders and servicers to help refinance and modify loans in their portfolios, is a licensed mortgage lender authorized to ...
LendingTree Loans Selects IBM for Loan Fulfillment Services International Business Times
all 18 news articles


Plans change as some owners get upside down on loans
Austin American-Statesman, TX - 17 hours ago
But we should all thank goodness that they continue to send in those mortgage checks. If people who could afford their payments were to abandon their ...
The Next Subprime Crisis Looms - FHA-Backed Loans Free Internet Press
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Should you refinance your mortgage?
Vail Daily News, CO - Nov 20, 2008
Many homeowners are finding it increasingly difficult to afford the mortgage payments on the loans they have taken out in the last several years. ...

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