Refinancing your mortgage can be a strategic financial move that has the potential to save money, reduce monthly payments, or shorten the loan term. However, the decision to refinance should never be taken lightly. Understanding the factors that influence the timing of a mortgage refinance is crucial so you can choose the right time to refinance, saving you as much money as possible.
Worthwhile Purposes
There are numerous reasons to refinance your mortgage. It’s important that you have a solid purpose to refinance. So, what are some worthwhile purposes to refinance your mortgage?
- Debt consolidation – Sometimes those pesky credit cards or personal loans creep up on you from various life circumstances. Often these consist of higher interest rates and short terms. This often places cash flow pressures on families. Refinancing can release these pent-up pressures and allow you to manage your monthly budget better.
- Investment property purchase – if you have managed to accrue a sufficient amount of equity in your property, you may be motivated to purchase an investment property to build future assets and income for your family. Refinancing can allow you access to a portion of this equity to use as a deposit to purchase your first or successive investment property.
Interest Rates
One of the primary reasons homeowners consider refinancing is to take advantage of lower interest rates. If market interest rates have dropped significantly since you’ve secured your mortgage, it might be an opportune time to refinance. A lower interest rate can result in substantial savings over the life of the loan.
Keep an eye on the current interest rate environment and compare it to the rate on your existing mortgage. Generally, a reduction of at least 1% in your interest rate is considered a good benchmark for refinancing.
Improved Credit Score
If your credit score has improved since you obtained your mortgage, you may qualify for a lower interest rate. Lenders typically offer better terms to borrowers with higher credit scores. Check your credit score and, if it has significantly increased, it might be a good time to explore refinancing options.
Change in Financial Situation
Your overall financial situation plays a crucial role in determining when to refinance. If your income has increased, you may be in a better position to handle higher monthly payments, potentially opting for a shorter loan term. Conversely, if you’re facing financial challenges, refinancing to extend the loan term and reduce monthly payments might be an option to ease some of the financial strain.
Equity Position
The amount of equity you have in your home is another critical factor. If your home has appreciated in value or you’ve paid down a significant portion of the principal, you may have more equity. A favorable equity position can lead to better loan terms and may eliminate the need for lenders mortgage insurance (LMI) if you originally had a loan-to-value ratio above 80%.
Assessing Closing Costs
It’s essential to consider the closing costs associated with refinancing. While refinancing can lead to long-term savings, it often involves upfront costs. Calculate the break-even point — the time it takes for your monthly savings to cover the closing costs.
If you plan to stay in the home beyond the break-even point, refinancing may make financial sense.
Changes in Mortgage Programs or Types
Life circumstances change, and what was once the right mortgage program for you might not be the best fit now. For example, if you initially opted for a variable-rate mortgage and interest rates are on the rise, refinancing to a fixed-rate mortgage could provide stability in your monthly payments.
Determining the right time to refinance your mortgage requires a careful assessment of various factors and can be overwhelming at times. However, with the help of an experienced broker the decision can become much easier.
At Glass Financial, we’re experts when it comes to refinancing, so if you’re not sure if now is the right time to refinance, all you need to do is speak with our team. We’ll let you know what to expect if you refinance now and help you to time it perfectly.
So, give us a call today on 1300 245 277 or send us an email to [email protected]