Galen Elise Call, CRMP. Certified Reverse Mortgage Professional Monterey California

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galencall November 13, 2012

When It Pays To Refinance Your Mortgage — Literally

If you already have a reverse mortgage, that type of refinance is called a HECM to HECM. Call or email me to learn if there is enough equity in your property for a refinance of this kind and if there is financial  benefit to you.  This year I have seen wonderful upside advantage to the HECM to HECM and of course I have seen all  the right reasons to consider a reverse mortgage at all! Reverse purchase or refinance? Let me help you. Below are tips on a traditional / conventional refinance.Why Refinance

To refinance a mortgage means to pay off your existing loan and replace it with a new one.

There are many reasons why homeowners opt to refinance, from obtaining a lower interest rate, to shortening the term of the loan, to switching mortgage loan types, to tapping into home equity.

Each has its considerations.

Lower Your Mortgage Rate
Among the best reasons to refinance is to get access to lower mortgage rates. There is no “rule of thumb” that says how far rates should drop for a refinance to be sensible. Compare your closing costs to your monthly savings, and determine whether the math makes sense for your situation.

Shorten Your Loan Term
Refinancing your 30-year fixed rate mortgage to a 20-year fixed rate or a 15-year fixed rate is a sensible way to reduce your long-term mortgage costs, and to own your home sooner. As a bonus, with mortgage rates currently near all-time lows, an increase to your monthly payment from a shorter loan term may be negligible.

Convert ARM To Fixed Rate Mortgage
Homeowners with adjustable-rate mortgages may want the comfort of a fixed-rate payment. Mortgage rates for fixed-rate mortgages are often higher than for comparable ARMs so be prepared to pay more to your lender each month.

Access Equity For Projects, Debts, Or Other Reasons
Called a “cash out” refinance, Carmel homeowners can sometimes use home equity to retire debts, pay for renovations, or use for other purposes including education costs and retirement. Lenders place restrictions on loans of this type.

A refinanced home loan can help you reach specific financial goals or just put extra cash in your pocket each month — just make sure that there’s a clear benefit to you. Paying large closing costs for small monthly savings or negligible long-term benefit should be avoided.

Many lenders offer low- or no-closing costs options for refinancing. Be sure to ask about it.

Filed Under: Personal Finance Tagged With: Loan Term, Mortgage, Refinance

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GALEN ELISE CALL, CRMP


Certified Reverse Mortgage Professional

Call Today: 831-645-1164
gcall@apmortgage.com

NMLS #226129 | DRE #00908338
APMC DRE #01215943 | APMC NMLS #1850

APM Reverse Mortgage Group

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California zip codes served: 93940, 93901, 93905, 93908, 93921, 93933, 93943, 93950, 93953, 93955, and 93962

Not available in New York.

Copyright © 2025 American Pacific Mortgage Corporation. For informational purposes only. No guarantee of accuracy is expressed or implied. Programs shown may not include all options or pricing structures. Rates, terms, programs and underwriting policies are subject to change without notice. This is not an offer to extend credit or a commitment to lend. All loans are subject to underwriting approval. Some products may not be available in all states and restrictions may apply. Equal Housing Opportunity.

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