November 26, 2007

Refinance Your Investment Property

Refinancing your investment property refers to the situation when you get a secured loan for paying off the original loan secured against that same property. You may choose to refinance your investment property if the first loan had a fixed interest rate mortgage that has declined significantly and you want a new loan with a more convenient interest rate.

When Is Refinancing an Option

Normally, you would refinance your investment property when you have already got a loan against your home and you apply for a new loan for paying off the first one. The most important thing for making the right decision is determining whether the savings on interests balance the fees you will pay during refinancing.

Benefits of Refinancing Your Investment Property

Lower Interest Rates. Interest rates fluctuate all the time. Back when you applied for the first loan for purchasing your house, the financial environment may have dictated higher interest rates. By opting to refinance your investment property when interest rates are lower you can exchange a higher rate for a lower one and pay less every month.

Shorter Mortgage Length. If you have a 30-year loan and have already been paying for seven years or so, by choosing to refinance your investment property you can shorten the term to 10, 15 or 20 years. This way you will save a lot on interest rates and you can build equity on your home faster.

Fixed Rates Instead of Adjustable Rates. An adjustable rate may have seemed a good option back when you bought your house and the interest rate was low. You might have had an insecure financial future or not known how long would you stay in that home. However, if you're financially stable now, with your strategy to refinance your investment property you can change that fluctuating rate for a more convenient fixed rate.

Access to Extra Money. Refinancing investment property allows you to tap into the equity that you have built on your property and make a "cash-out" refinancing. This way you can refinance for a higher amount and use the extra money for things such as remodeling your home, paying for your kids' college or paying off bills.

Give up Private Mortgage Insurance. If you couldn't afford a down payment of more than 20 percent back when you bought the house, you were probably required to get a Private Mortgage Insurance. If your house was well appreciated and you've paid down your mortgage until now, you may have built an equity of more than 20 percent. By refinancing your investment property you don't need Private Mortgage Insurance any more.

Your house can be like a cash flow in many ways. If you have some knowledge and discipline on the processes required to refinance your investment property and the benefits that it can bring along, you will be able to take advantage of it for many years to come. Consulting with a financial advisor is the best way to find out if refinancing your investment property is a good option for you.