What is refinancing a mortgage?
A mortgage refinance is when you replace your current mortgage with a new one, usually with a new term and interest rate. Doing this can help you get a lower interest rate, pay off debt or access the equity that you’ve built up in your home.
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Refinance your mortgage frequently asked questions
As you pay off your mortgage you build equity in your home.
To calculate your equity:
- Find out how much your home is worth in the current market (not what you originally paid)
- Check your remaining mortgage balance (how much you still owe)
- Subtract your mortgage balance from your home’s current value
Refinancing lets you borrow up to 80% your home’s value, minus what you still owe on your property. For example, if your house is now worth $300,000, you may be able to refinance and borrow up to $240,000 (80% of your home value).
The right time to refinance depends on your financial goals. Many homeowners choose to refinance when interest rates drop, their credit score improves or they need to access home equity.
Refinancing is often ideal toward the end of your loan term to avoid extra costs, but you can refinance at any time. If you refinance before your current mortgage term is up, you may face prepayment penalties or closing costs but depending on your situation, the long-term savings could still make it worthwhile.
The cost of refinancing your mortgage depends on several factors. Here are some common fees to consider:
Prepayment penalty: If you refinance before the end of your loan term, you may face a penalty depending on your lender and loan agreement.
Loan Application Fees: There is an application fee that goes towards total costs and an underwriting fee
Closing Costs: These can include underwriting, application, and processing fees, typically ranging from 2%-5% of the loan amount.
Title Search & Insurance: To ensure there are no legal claims against the home, a title search and insurance may cost $500-$1,000.
Appraisal Fees: Lenders may require a home appraisal to determine its current value, typically costing around $300-$600.
Attorney Fees: Some states require an attorney for closing, with fees ranging from $500-$1,500.
Refinancing a mortgage typically takes 30 to 45 days, but the timeline can vary based on factors like lender processing times, appraisal scheduling and document verification. To help the process go as smoothly (and quickly) as possible, make sure that you have all your application information handy, understand the process and do your research ahead of time.
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Footnote 1 Please consult with your financial advisor for the benefits and drawbacks between unsecured debt and secured debt and the protections each provide the consumer.
Footnote 2 Relationship Requirement: If the property is not located in the following locations; Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and El Paso County, Texas (Home Equity is not available in Texas) to be eligible for our real estate secured lending products, you must be a pre-existing BMO customer for at least six months at the time of application; contact a Banker for details. A BMO customer relationship includes any deposit, retirement, small business, secured and unsecured credit, and investment accounts (BMO Alto accounts are excluded). Not applicable to our Private Bank clients or BMO employees.
Footnote 3 Calculator is provided by Leadfusion Inc., which is not affiliated with BMO . The calculator provides estimates. We do not guarantee their accuracy or applicability to your circumstances. Results depend on many factors, including the assumptions you provide. Leadfusion may have different privacy and security standards than BMO. Visit its website at www.leadfusion.com to review its privacy policy.
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