When Does Loan Refinancing Make Sense?

Contact us
Taking out a loan with better terms to replace an existing loan is called loan refinancing. Loan refinancing is an effective method to reduce monthly payments, pay off debt, and save money. Unfortunately, it’s not always the best choice. There are circumstances that a debtor should consider before refinancing a loan. Let’s talk about the costs, benefits, and situations where loan refinancing makes sense. 

The Cost

Refinancing always comes with a cost. Most loans would often come with fees. It could also include appraisal fees, application fees, and origination fees. These fees add up so it’s important to weigh up the costs first. If the savings you get from refinancing is very little compared to the fees, then refinancing the loan is of no value.

The Benefits

The main benefit of loan refinancing is the opportunity to get a loan at a much lower interest rate. Over time, the debtor could save a lot of money due to reduced interest rates. This is why loan refinancing is ideal for large loans like personal loans and mortgages.
In addition, refinancing the loan will allow a debtor to adjust existing loan terms. You can opt for a longer term with reduced monthly payments or shorter terms with increased monthly payments to quickly pay off the debt.
If one has a favourable financial situation or improved credit score, it’s possible to get better loan terms when refinancing. It’s even possible to get terms that were not available before.

When to Get One

Refinancing will only make sense if a debtor can lower the interest rate significantly. Furthermore, it has to reduce existing monthly payments without further extending the debt. It should also allow the debtor to switch rates – from variable to fixed rate. Also, refinancing would make sense if it allows the debtor to negotiate better or newer loan terms. Most of all, refinancing is a good choice if the benefits outweigh the costs.

Share this post?