I have a 5 year ARM mortgage and i need advice on refinancing to a fixed rate mortgage?
ssk402000 asked:
When I bought my house it was worth 291,000 where I made a down payment of 20,000 and now I am having an appraisal getting done and with the housing market as it is, i’m sure its worth much less. I originally had a 5 year ARM mortgage at a 5% rate but am now looking to refinance to a longer fixed rate mortgage. What are my options?
Kevin
When I bought my house it was worth 291,000 where I made a down payment of 20,000 and now I am having an appraisal getting done and with the housing market as it is, i’m sure its worth much less. I originally had a 5 year ARM mortgage at a 5% rate but am now looking to refinance to a longer fixed rate mortgage. What are my options?
Kevin
March 15th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Rebecca
You may be fine putting 20k down on the loan, but how long have you been in the home? Is it @ the 5 year mark? You should consider an FHA 30 year fixed because they will refinance your home up to 97.75% of the value for a rate & term mortgage.
March 15th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Jessie
If you have enough time left on the mortgage, you could ride it out until the market comes back. Not really able to give advise unless we know how long ago you purchase the home, what the current value is. With an assumption you purchased the home with in the last year, and you’re in a declining market, you’re probably up side down.
5% rate is a great rate. If you can wait out the market, wait it out.
March 16th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
Jimmy
Call your mortgage servicer. The LIBOR index is DOWN. Your rate may not adjust UP! Or not very much. Find out what the current MARGIN and INDEX are on your current mortgage.
As long as the LIBOR stays low (which won’t be for more than say 2 years) it might be better keeping your current mortgage.
It may not be worthwhile to pay refi closing costs to get a somewhat higher fixed rate. Today’s rates are 6.5% 30yr fixed on FHA 97.75% refis today (600+ credit).
Best of luck!