What are the Costs of Refinancing?
There are a few costs to consider when refinancing. In fact, traditional refinancing costs can average between 3% and 6% of the loan amount - for example $2,400 to $4,800 on an $80,000 loan. These costs can wipe out any savings you may realize from the lower rate or the decrease in your monthly payment may help offset these costs.
What do these costs cover? Essentially, the same fees and services you paid when you first bought your house.
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| Title Search and Title Insurance |
This is a legal requirement all lenders must meet in issuing a new mortgage. The title Title Insurance search confirms that no outstanding claims exist against the property, and that the insurance guards the lender against mistakes made in the search. Tip: Be sure to ask if the company holding the present title insurance policy can re-issue your policy at a re-issue rate. This could save you up to 70%. (Your current lender can tell you which company is holding your policy.) |
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| Application Fee |
This fee covers the lender's initial processing costs and credit report fees.
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| Appraisal Fee |
Your home must be appraised again to verify its current value. This fee will cover the cost of that independent appraisal. |
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| Loan Origination Fee |
This fee covers all the costs associated with processing the loan. |
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| Points |
One point is 1% of the value of the mortgage. Another way to define a point is as a pre-paid finance charge, payable when you close on your mortgage loan. Generally, the more points you pay, the lower your interest rate. |
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| Closing Agent and Review Fees |
Most lenders charge a fee for the services of the closing agent. You may also be charged for other legal services involved in completing your loan. |
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| Prepayment Penalties |
Some mortgages carry a penalty for paying off a loan before the stated term is up - and it can be quite substantial. If your mortgage is less than 10 years old, the chances of such penalty slim. Check your original mortgage for information. |
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| Other Costs |
Depending on your mortgage, you could also be charged fees for a VA loan guarantee, FHA or private mortgage insurance, and a variety of other possible costs. |
Click here if you have additional questions on the cost of refinancing or if you are ready to refinance now
