Closing Costs and Refinance Risks

Remember the last time you moved? You probably incurred some expenses for truck rental, utility hook-ups, moving services, etc. Just like moving, refinancing comes with its own set of one-time expenses, commonly known as closing costs.

All about closing costs

There are a variety of closing costs, but the most common are:
Application Fee
Loan Origination Fee
Discount Points
Appraisal Fee
Title Search Fee
Title Insurance Fee
Prepayment Penalty on Existing Mortgage
The first three listed above are within your lender's control; the others are not. If you have great credit, you might be able to negotiate lower application fees, loan fees, and discount points. Be cautious if a lender offers to cover your closing costs; this may mean you'll be charged a higher interest rate. Closing costs have been known to change at the last possible moment. Your best protection against unpleasant surprises is to request a written estimate. Also find out what the lender's policy is on closing cost changes; some lenders guarantee their estimated costs, and others don't. If you're refinancing just to save money, be sure to weigh the closing costs against your monthly savings. If the new loan saves you $50 monthly, but you have to shell out $1,200 in closing costs, it will be two years before you break even. Risky businessAre there risks involved with refinancing? The short answer is yes. But there are also risks involved in relocating, like noisy neighbors, a house that's a potential money pit, and schools for the kids. Just like these examples, refinancing risks can be managed-if you're prepared. Here are the most common to watch out for: 1. Taking on too much debt. Reputable lenders are trained to find you a mortgage loan program that you can afford. Trust that they know what they're doing, and be honest about your financial situation. Over-burdening yourself with debt could put you on the fast track to bankruptcy. 2. Putting your home at risk of foreclosure. This should be a consideration if you want to consolidate credit card debt into your mortgage. When you consolidate such obligations with a mortgage refinance, your home becomes collateral for debt that was previously unsecured. 3. Increasing your total interest costs. If your old loan has 25 years left until its maturity and you replace it with a new 30-year loan, you'll be incurring interest costs for an extra five years.
In the end, you'll have to evaluate the risks and advantages of refinancing relative to your situation. Since you already have the basic knowledge in your back pocket, that evaluation process should be pretty straightforward. Just stay focused on one goal: a financially stronger you!