Today’s low mortgage rates mean that more homeowners dream of a lower rate and lower monthly installments that are associated with it. But it’s important to remember that when it comes to refinancing your mortgage, equity is important. Can I refinance my mortgage with no equity?
Equity is the cash value in your home. For example, if your home is valued at $ 300,000 and you owe $ 200,000, your home would have $ 100,000 in cash or equity.
Mortgage Refinancing Options
Before submitting your application, you should know that refinancing options are generally grouped into three categories: interest and term rates, limited withdrawals and refinancing withdrawals.
Interest rate refinancing
Refinancing a loan interest rate usually changes the mortgage rate, loan term, or both. Refinancing fees are usually paid in cash or can be paid using refinancing with a low closing cost.
Limited cash withdrawal
Limited withdrawals work very similarly to refinancing short-term interest rates, except that a closing cost is added to your loan balance.
Refinancing withdrawals
Withdrawal refinancing converts part of your capital into cash, which is then used to cover closing costs.
Repay and refinance
If you are determined to refinance and have resources, you can also pay off your mortgage balance until you qualify for the loan. Unfortunately for most people this is not possible. If you decide to pay off your balance, it’s best to have a loan-to-value ratio of 80% or less to minimize interest costs and avoid paying for mortgage insurance. To do this, you usually need to make a lump sum sum payment with your current lender and get a new loan. Discuss logistics with your lender to ensure that the process is running smoothly.
Lenders will not accept my refinancing – do I have any alternatives?
If you are unable to refinance, you may just need to raise capital by paying off more mortgage.
Make additional payments. It’s easier said than done, but if you have extra cash or other assets that you can sell to reduce your mortgage, you can raise enough capital to refinance your mortgage.
Add value to your property. Property renovations can increase value if done correctly. You need to determine what renovations will bring added value and how affordable these renovations are. If you have handyman skills or know someone who does, it might be a good option.
Rent it. You can rent a room in the property to bring extra money for repayment. It may not be an ideal option, but it may be worth it to some people.
