Understanding Rocket Mortgage Mortgage Refinance Cost and Options

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Refinancing your mortgage can be a great way to save money on interest or tap into your home's equity, but it's essential to understand the costs involved. The average cost of refinancing a mortgage can range from 2% to 5% of the loan amount.

Rocket Mortgage offers a range of refinance options, including rate and term refinance, cash-out refinance, and FHA streamline refinance. These options can be tailored to meet your specific financial goals and circumstances.

The cost of refinancing with Rocket Mortgage can vary depending on the type of loan and the borrower's creditworthiness. For example, a rate and term refinance may have lower closing costs compared to a cash-out refinance.

Refinance Costs and Fees

The average mortgage refinance runs $2,375 in closing costs, excluding any taxes, according to ClosingCorp. These costs vary primarily according to the size of your loan and where you live.

You can expect to pay between 2 percent and 5 percent of the new loan balance in closing costs. For example, if you're refinancing a $200,000 mortgage, you might be looking at anywhere between $4,000 and $10,000 in closing costs.

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Common closing costs include the application fee, which ranges from $75 to $300, and the origination and/or underwriting fee, which is 1% to 1.5% of the loan principal. Other costs include the recording fee, appraisal fee, credit check fee, title services, survey fee, and attorney/settlement fee.

Here's a breakdown of common closing costs:

Some costs might not be negotiable, however. These include the appraisal fee, credit report fee, and recording fee.

Refinance Options and Calculators

To get a sense of your refinance options, you can use a mortgage refinance calculator like Bankrate's. This free tool helps estimate your monthly mortgage payments.

You can also explore different refinance options and see which one works best for your situation. For example, you might consider using a mortgage refinance calculator to see how a lower interest rate could impact your payments.

Bankrate's mortgage refinance calculator can give you a quick and easy estimate of your new monthly payments.

A fresh viewpoint: Refi Closing Cost Estimator

Twenty-Year Fixed

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The Twenty-Year Fixed mortgage is a popular option for homeowners who want to lock in a low interest rate for a longer period of time. It's a fixed-rate loan with a repayment period of 20 years.

With a Twenty-Year Fixed mortgage, your monthly payments will be higher than with a shorter-term loan, but you'll have the security of knowing exactly how much you'll be paying each month for the next 20 years. This can be a great option for those who plan to stay in their home for an extended period.

The interest rate for a Twenty-Year Fixed mortgage is typically higher than for a 15-year fixed loan, but lower than for a 30-year fixed loan. For example, a 20-year fixed loan might have an interest rate of 4.5%, compared to 4.0% for a 15-year fixed loan and 4.75% for a 30-year fixed loan.

This longer repayment period can make it easier to qualify for a Twenty-Year Fixed mortgage, as your monthly payments will be lower than with a shorter-term loan. However, you'll pay more in interest over the life of the loan, which might not be ideal for those who want to pay off their mortgage as quickly as possible.

Calculate Cash Needs

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To calculate cash needs, start by determining how much money you need.

You can get a few estimates from contractors in your area to know how much you'll need for repairs or renovations.

If you want to refinance to consolidate debt, sit down with your credit card and bank statements to determine exactly how much cash you need to cover your debts.

Use a mortgage refinance calculator like Bankrate's to estimate your monthly mortgage payments and see how much cash you can free up.

Recommended read: Cash Out Refi Closing Costs

Rate Lock Guide

To get the best deal on a mortgage refinance, you should use a mortgage refinance calculator to estimate your monthly mortgage payments. This will give you a clear idea of what to expect and help you make an informed decision.

Bankrate's mortgage refinance calculator is a free tool that can help you do just that. It's a simple and straightforward way to get an estimate of your monthly mortgage payments.

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Current mortgage rates are subject to change, which is why it's essential to lock in a rate as soon as possible. As of January 6, 2025, rates are current at 2:56 PM UTC.

You can find more information on mortgage rate locks, including a guide, online. This guide is an 8-MINUTE READ that's packed with helpful tips and advice.

Refinance Process and Impact

Refinancing your mortgage can have both positive and negative effects on your credit score. Initially, refinancing will likely lower your credit score by a few points due to hard inquiries or credit checks from lenders. However, as you establish that you can repay the loan according to its terms, your score should increase within a few months.

Refinancing can also affect your monthly mortgage payments. Generally, your monthly payments will be affected when you refinance, but how they will be affected will depend on the new loan you choose. If you have the same term and a lower interest rate, or the same interest rate and a longer term, your payment amount should decrease.

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There are several situations where refinancing makes sense, including reducing your interest rate by 1 or 2 percentage points, shortening your loan term, lowering your monthly payment, changing your loan type, tapping your home's equity, or avoiding private mortgage insurance (PMI). Here are some specific scenarios to consider:

  • You want to reduce your interest rate: It generally makes sense to refinance if you can lower the interest rate by 1 or 2 percentage points.
  • You want to shorten your loan term: Switching from a 30-year loan to a 15-year loan can help you pay off your loan faster.
  • You want to lower your monthly payment: Increasing your loan from 15 to 30 years, for example, might lower your monthly payment.

Refinancing Credit Impact

Refinancing will likely lower your credit score by a few points due to hard inquiries from lenders.

This drop is usually temporary, and your score should increase within a few months if you repay the loan according to its terms.

New credit can also negatively impact your credit score, so be aware of this potential effect.

If you refinance to a larger loan amount, you may see your credit score decline due to additional debt.

It's essential to weigh these potential credit score changes against the benefits of refinancing, such as lower monthly payments or a lower interest rate.

Do Payments Decrease When You?

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Refinancing your mortgage can have a significant impact on your monthly payments. Generally, your monthly mortgage payments will be affected when you refinance, but how they will be affected will depend on the new loan you choose.

If you have the same term and a lower interest rate, your payment amount should decrease. This is because you're paying less interest over the life of the loan.

Lowering your interest rate by 1 or 2 percentage points can save you a significant amount of money in the long term. For example, switching from a 30-year loan to a 15-year loan can help you pay off your loan faster, but it will increase the amount of your monthly payment.

Increasing your loan term, on the other hand, might lower your monthly payment. However, this strategy could result in paying more in total interest.

Here's a summary of how refinancing can affect your monthly payments:

Rate FAQs

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Rates are current as of a specific time, in this case, 2:56 PM UTC on January 6, 2025, so it's essential to check the current rate before making any decisions.

A mortgage rate lock typically lasts for 30 days, but some lenders may offer a longer or shorter lock period.

You should be aware that rates can change during the lock period, and you may be charged a fee if you decide to break the lock early.

Rocket Mortgage offers a rate lock guarantee, which means they'll honor the locked rate for a specified period, giving you peace of mind.

The current rate is not the only factor to consider when refinancing your mortgage, but it's a crucial one, as it can significantly impact your monthly payments.

A 8-minute read is a good starting point to understand the basics of mortgage refinancing and the factors that affect your rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best mortgage company to refinance with?

For a speedy refinance, consider Rocket Mortgage, while PNC Bank offers more flexible options.

What is the downside to Rocket Mortgage?

Rocket Mortgage has a low rating for lack of rate transparency and higher-than-average loan costs, which may impact borrowers' financial decisions. This could result in less favorable loan terms and higher overall costs.

Is refinancing ever free?

No, refinancing is not typically free, but some lenders may offer no closing cost options that involve paying a higher interest rate or adding fees to the loan balance

How long does Rocket Mortgage take to close a refinance?

Rocket Mortgage refinances typically close within 30-45 days of application, but the exact timeframe may vary. Check with Rocket Mortgage for a more detailed estimate of their refinance closing process.

Tommie Larkin

Senior Assigning Editor

Tommie Larkin is a seasoned Assigning Editor with a passion for curating high-quality content. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for spotting emerging trends, Tommie has built a reputation for commissioning insightful articles that captivate readers. Tommie's expertise spans a range of topics, from the cutting-edge world of cryptocurrency to the latest innovations in technology.

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