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Mortgage Or Refinance

Compare top mortgage lenders to find out which refinance programs and mortgage rates make the most sense to improve your financial situation.

FREQUETLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How Much Does it Cost to Refinance Your House?

In 2020, the average cost for a refinance of a mortgage on a single-family home was $3,398, ClosingCorp reports. Generally, you can expect to pay 2% to 6% of the loan principal amount in closing costs. For a $200,000 mortgage refinance, for example, your closing costs could run from $4,000 to $10,000.

What Credit Score Do You Need to Refinance Your Mortgage?

Credit requirements vary by lender and by type of mortgage. Typically, lenders want to see a credit score of 760 or higher to qualify for the lowest mortgage interest rates. Borrowers with lower scores may still obtain a new loan but may pay higher interest rates or fees.

In general, you’ll need a credit score of at least 620 for any type of conventional mortgage refinancing. However, certain government programs require a credit score of 580 or have no minimum at all.

Can I Refinance with the Same Bank?

The short answer is yes, though it might not be the best option. Refinancing with your current mortgage lender has some advantages: They already have your information on file, and they may offer you a good deal to stick with them. On the other hand, if you’re looking for the very best possible deal, then it’s worth shopping around.

How Quickly Can I Refinance a Mortgage?

In principle, there is no minimum amount of time that you must wait before refinancing your conventional mortgage. In theory, you could refinance immediately after purchasing your home. However, some lenders have rules that stop borrowers from immediately refinancing under the same lender. Whether these rules apply to you will depend on the type of mortgage that you have and which lender you are with.8 Keep in mind that there is also a general requirement that you have a debt-to-income (DTI) ratio of 36% or less, which will take the average homebuyer a few years (at least) to reach.

How Much Equity Do I Need to Refinance?

Conventional wisdom says you’ll need 20% to refinance with a conventional loan, but in fact, you’ll only need 20% if you want to avoid paying mortgage insurance or plan to do a cash-out refinance.

Can I Buy a Car While Refinancing?

Mortgage professionals often advise avoiding anything that affects your debts, income, or credit during the weeks or even months when your refinancing application is being assessed.10 Dropping even a single point on your credit score can make a huge impact on the cost of your mortgage. Auto loans are assessed as part of your DTI ratio calculation when lenders analyze your mortgage application.

If your auto loan means that you’ll have higher monthly payments, then your DTI ratio will rise, all other things remaining equal. In general, it’s better to hold off on this kind of purchase until your application is complete.

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