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Refinance Your Home Mortgage Online


The largest financial obligation most people ever take on couldn't escape the reach of the Internet. Home mortgage loans originated online comprise an integral part of one of the largest and most profitable aspects of the banking industry. Unlike many shifts in big business recently, this change actually seems to greatly benefit consumers by increasing competition and placing more financial control in the hands of homeowners.

To finance or refinance a home in the olden days (before the Internet), you needed to find a mortgage lender, broker, or banker who wanted to make a loan for you. Though mortgage lenders always wanted to make good loans, the process of gathering information to compare interest rates, points, and loan programs among lenders presented a tedious task for borrowers. Without a centralized information source for mortgage rates, loan programs and financial advice, most people just called a few banks and went with the lender that seemed to offer the lowest rate for the least discount points.

Now borrowers can access up-to-the-minute financial information and economic indicators online. Comparing rates and fees between lenders takes only the click of a mouse. Loan programs and mortgage calculators quickly figure the best strategy for everything from which loan represents the lowest cost over time to how much money a borrower could save by prepaying their mortgage on a monthly or bi-weekly basis. Financial tools available online truly empower any borrower with Internet access.

Though the Internet represents a faster and more hassle-free way to refinance your first or second mortgage, remember these important facts:

Loan Programs - Just because the Internet makes the loan process easier doesn't mean you should abandon common sense. Take the time to analyze which loan program best meets your needs based on the big picture of how long you'll live in the house, the payment you can handle comfortably, and how much cash or equity the lender requires.

Fees - All lenders don't charge equally. Many offer a lower interest rate, but make up the discount in fees and charges. Analyze costs between lenders by obtaining a list of all associated loan fees known as a "Good Faith Estimate".

Service - Obtaining a loan online won't do you a bit of good if you run into a problem and need to speak with a live human. Make sure your online lender maintains offline customer service.

Rate Lock-in - The lender's website should clearly explain their interest rate lock-in period and policy. Don't get lured in by a lender offering a lower rate and points only to find out the hard way that your interest rate lock expires before you can get the loan closed.

Loan Commitment - Find out from the lender's site what legally binding documentation they provide to document the loan commitment once you get loan approval.

Though many borrowers use the Internet purely for research, record numbers now go online to apply and complete the entire mortgage process on the Web, while saving significant money and time in the process.

Copyright 2005 Jim Edwards

Jim Edwards is a consultant specializing in internet mortgage refinance strategies and consumer home loan information. He is the author of "The TEN Dirty Little Secrets Of Mortgage Financing" at http://www.mortgageloantips.com/info.html and offers a free mortgage e-course at http://www.mortgageloantips.com/eclass.htm




MORE RESOURCES:

USA TODAY

Pros and Cons of a Mortgage Refinance
FreeRateUpdate.com
Many homeowners are jumping on the opportunity to save money with a mortgage refinance at the current low mortgage rates. With mortgage rates at historically low levels, some homeowners have refinanced more than once in the past several years which is ...
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Lenders say mortgage refinance deal will bolster Manatee market
Bradenton Herald
By JOSH SALMAN - jsalman@bradenton.com MANATEE -- A new refinance program to help underwater homeowners will uplift the local economy by putting extra cash into the pockets of those who will spend it, area lenders predict. The deal struck with five of ...

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Mortgage-refinance bill a dangerous deal
Arizona Republic
by Robert Robb, columnist - Feb. 10, 2012 12:00 AM State Sen. Michele Reagan wants to help out underwater homeowners in the worst way. And she has succeeded with SB 1451 -- it's hard to imagine a worse bill. Reagan proposes to establish a state agency ...

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Harney: Reviewing Obama's mortgage refinance plan
The Seattle Times
Though it was pronounced dead-before-arrival by opponents on Capitol Hill, President Obama's new mortgage-refinancing package contained... By Kenneth R. Harney Mortgage refinancing is an outstanding plan particularly as the home mortgage rates are.

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Housing Wire

Obama pressures Congress on mortgage refinance program
Fox News
WASHINGTON – President Obama is rallying support for his plan to expand government assistance to homeowners, pressuring Congress to help lower lending rates for millions of strapped homeowners. Obama, in his radio and Internet address Saturday, ...
President Obama's Mortgage Refinance Plan Just a Bid for VotesYahoo! Contributors Network
Obama Unveils Mortgage Refinance EndeavorsMortgageorb
New Obama mortgage refinance plan to near $10 billionHousing Wire
Go Banking Rates -CBS Moneywatch -MarketWatch
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MonitorBankRates.com

Mortgage Refinance Rates: 15 Year Refinance Mortgage Rates at 3.29%
MonitorBankRates.com
Mortgage refinance rates on 30 year conforming home loans are averaging 3.98%, unchanged from yesterday's average 30 year mortgage refinance rate. Mortgage refinance rates today on 15 year home mortgage loans are averaging 3.29%, down from yesterday's ...

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Fox News

Obama Proposes Mortgage-Refinance Plan
Wall Street Journal
By NICK TIMIRAOS President Barack Obama called on Congress during Tuesday's State of the Union address to approve new legislation that would give all homeowners who are current on their mortgages the opportunity to refinance at record low mortgage ...
Will Obama's Mortgage Refinance Plan Be D.O.A.?U.S. News & World Report
Obama proposes mortgage refinance programPolitico (blog)
Obama proposes new mortgage refinance programHousing Wire
Daily Caller
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International Business Times

FOX 11 News Discussion: State of the Union
MyFox Los Angeles
And he aimed a pitch at homeowners, announcing a new mortgage refinance program with "historically low interest rates" that "gives every responsible homeowner the chance to save about $3000 a year on their mortgage." He added, "A small fee on the ...
Winning Words, But Not a WinnerU.S. News & World Report
Obama State of the Union 2012: Mortgage Refinance Changes Face ObstaclesInternational Business Times

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CBS Local

Six Questions on Obama's Mortgage Refinance Proposal
Wall Street Journal (blog)
By Nick Timiraos President Barack Obama said Tuesday night in his State of the Union address that he would send a plan to Congress to allow all homeowners who are current on their mortgages to refinance. Here's a quick look at the proposal: How is this ...
Obama plan could help refinance Bay Area mortgagesSan Francisco Chronicle

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Bloomberg

HARP Refi May Delay PMI Cancellation
NASDAQ
The federal HARP mortgage refinance program can be a huge boon for underwater homeowners. But if you have PMI, there's a little hitch you should know about. While refinancing a mortgage through HARP can cut your interest rate and save you money, ...
New HARP Could Help Up to 6.7 MillionMortgageLoan.com

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