The refinancing process is similar to closing your first mortgage. It requires an application, credit check, new survey and title search, as well as an appraisal and inspection fees. It is a lengthy and expensive process.

It pays to refinance if you can get an interest rate at least two percentage points lower than what you are currently paying. Some lenders* are offer reduced fees or no points. Ask yourself the following questions to help determine if you can save money.

How much can I lower my current monthly payment? How long do I plan to stay in the house after I refinance. How much will I pay in refinancing costs? To obtain the lowest possible rate offered, most mortgage companies will charge several points and the total cost can run between three and six percent of the total amount you borrow.

Next, figure out what you still owe on the house, how much you're paying each month, and how much you initially paid for the house. Itemize all the expenses of the refinance and estimate your new monthly payments. With this, you can figure out where you break even and when you begin saving money.

The most common reason for refinancing is to save money:

Saving money through refinancing can be achieved in two ways: People also refinance to convert their adjustable loan to a fixed loan. The main reason behind this type of refinance is to obtain the stability and the security of a fixed loan. When rates are low, homeowners refinance to lock in low rates. When rates are high, homeowners prefer adjustable loans to obtain lower payments.

A third reason why homeowners refinance is to consolidate debts and replace high-interest loans with a low-rate mortgage. The loans being consolidated may include second mortgages, credit lines, student loans, credit cards, etc.

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