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Refinance A Home Article
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Refinancing
Most of us find ourselves taking out a loan at one time or another in our lives, whether it's for a home, a car or personal reasons.
At the time we take out the loan, it's usually set for some many months with monthly payments due on a certain day. The amount of the monthly payments is based on the current interest rate we're charged on the principal balance we borrow.
Often, during the term of the loan, we find ourselves refinancing the loan for one reason or another. The main reason why people do refinancing is usually for a better interest rate, specifically if the loan is a home mortgage.
With a home mortgage loan, refinancing for a lower interest rate can make a substantial difference in the total balance of our loan.
Lower interest rates are the most common reason for refinancing mortgage loans, but they are not the only reason for refinancing. When banks lend money for the purchase of a home, they will usually only borrow up to 80% of the value of the home (known as equity).
For instance, if a home is valued at $100,000, the maximum amount the bank will borrow is $80,000. As time passes, the balance of the loan decreases while the equity of the home increases. Often home owners need extra cash for remodeling or other personal reasons so they choose refinancing by using the equity of their home as collateral.
An example of this method of refinancing would be that same $100,000 home. After a couple of years, the loan balance may be down to $70,000 while the value of the home may have increased to $120,000.
In this scenario, the bank will borrow up to 80% of the home's value, which would be $96,000. This amount is $26,000 more than the borrower owes on his mortgage so they are eligible for $26,000 cash out. Refinancing of home mortgage loans is very popular for this reason.
While home mortgage loans are the loans that are most often refinanced, refinancing is not limited to just mortgages. Many borrowers take out loans when they purchase a car.
A lot of people like trading their cars off in a couple of years to get a newer model. Many times the first car loan is not paid off, so they do refinancing of their first car loan and add it to the new car loan. Another reason is for additional cash for personal reasons.
As long as the collateral of the loan (car, etc.) is worth more than the balance of the loan, banks are more than happy to help with refinancing, if the payments have been made on time, of course.
Refinance A Home Specific links
Refinance A Home News
Push intensifies to pass home-loan refinancing bill - The Hill (blog)
Push intensifies to pass home-loan refinancing bill The Hill (blog) Mark Zandi, chief economist with Moody's Analytics, told a Senate panel Thursday that he supports a measure to eliminate hurdles for homeowners to refinance into lower interest rates under the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP), and suggested ... HARP 2.0: Good News For Home Owners Who Are Upside Down Northen Virginia Refinancing Expert Explains New Home Affordable Refinance Program Don't HARP on it, refinance program too good to pass up |
Realtors(R) Offer Support for Bill to Help Responsible Homeowners Refinance - MarketWatch (press release)
 Chicago Tribune | Realtors(R) Offer Support for Bill to Help Responsible Homeowners Refinance MarketWatch (press release) J. "As the leading advocate for homeownership, Realtors(R) knows that helping consumers remain in their homes must be a priority if we are going to move the housing market and our nation from a fragile recovery to long-term prosperity," said Veissi, ... Freddie Mac: 30-year mortgage rate down a tick at 3.78% Record-Low Mortgage Rates - Are They Hurting US Housing Market? BofA May Turn Profit on Mortgage Buybacks, Credit Suisse Says |
Real: FHA streamline refinance gets cheaper - The Republic
Real: FHA streamline refinance gets cheaper The Republic ... In the streamline program, the FHA asks for limited documentation from borrowers and doesn't require an appraisal of the home. The no-appraisal rule allows owners to refinance even if they owe more on their mortgages than their houses are worth. FHA Streamline Refinance Set To Spur Refinance Boom |
S&P: China Trust Companies Lending To Property Developers Face Cashflow Woe - Wall Street Journal
S&P: China Trust Companies Lending To Property Developers Face Cashflow Woe Wall Street Journal Moreover, some developers are having to take out new trust loans to refinance old ones, increasing risk in the property market, said Lu. Developers are facing deteriorating liquidity, heightened refinancing risk and a poor sales outlook, ... China developers against the wall |
Housing recovery underway as home prices, sales show strong gains - WFMJ
 Boston Globe | Housing recovery underway as home prices, sales show strong gains WFMJ More >> A lot of homeowners with underwater mortgages would like to refinance, but they don't qualify for HARP (the federal Home Affordable Refinance Program). Do they have other options?More >> What kind of credit score do you need to qualify for a ... Real Estate News – Home Prices and Sales Increase |