According to money.CNN.com, with mortgage rates near 35-year lows, you may be able to cut your payments sharply by refinancing your loan. To qualify for the best rates, you need a credit score of 740 or higher and usually at least 20% equity. Even if you have to settle for a higher rate, a new loan may save you money. The main consideration is whether you will live in your home long enough to offset the refinance closing costs. Your current mortgage payment is $1,558.50 per month, with a balance of $218,800. Suppose you have a chance to refinance at a certain bank with a 30-year, 5.5% mortgage. The closing costs of the loan are application fee, $80; credit report, $165; title insurance, 0.4% of the amount financed; title search, $360; and attorney's fees, $560. You plan to live in your home for at least four more years. Use the Mortgage Refinancing Worksheet to see if it makes sense to refinance your mortgage.

Pfin (with Mindtap, 1 Term Printed Access Card) (mindtap Course List)
7th Edition
ISBN:9780357033609
Author:Randall Billingsley, Lawrence J. Gitman, Michael D. Joehnk
Publisher:Randall Billingsley, Lawrence J. Gitman, Michael D. Joehnk
Chapter7: Using Consumer Loans
Section: Chapter Questions
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According to money.CNN.com, with mortgage rates near 35-year lows, you may be able to cut your payments sharply by refinancing your loan. To qualify for the best rates, you need a credit score of 740 or higher and usually at least 20% equity.
Even if you have to settle for a higher rate, a new loan may save you money. The main consideration is whether you will live in your home long enough to offset the refinance closing costs.
Your current mortgage payment is $1,558.50 per month, with a balance of $218,800. Suppose you have a chance to refinance at a certain bank with a 30-year, 5.5% mortgage. The closing costs of the loan are application fee, $80; credit report, $165; title insurance, 0.4% of the amount financed; title search, $360; and attorney's fees, $560.
You plan to live in your home for at least four more years. Use the Mortgage Refinancing Worksheet to see if it makes sense to refinance your mortgage.
MORTGAGE REFINANCING WORKSHEET
STEP 1. Current monthly mortgage payment.....
STEP 2. New monthly mortgage payment if you refinance....
New rate
Table 14-1 factor
STEP 3. Monthly savings....
Step 1.
Current mortgage balance
x # of 1,000s to borrow
Step 2.
Total refinance closing costs (appraisal, title search, etc.)....
STEP 4.
STEP 5. Total months needed to recoup your costs....
Step 4 result = Step 3 result
STEP 6. Total months you plan to live in your home..
$
The Bottom Line-If you plan to live in your home longer than the result
in Step 5, it makes sense to refinance.
(a) What is your currently monthly mortgage (in $)?
$
(b) Using this table, what is your new monthly mortgage payment (in $) if you decide to refinance? (Round your answer to the nearest cent.)
$
(c) What is your monthly savings (in $) if you decide to refinance? (Round your answer to the nearest cent.)
$
(d) Calculate the total refinance closing cost (in $). (Round your answer to the nearest cent.)
4
months
(e) How many months would you need to recoup the refinance closing cost? (Round your answer up to the nearest month.)
(e) How many months are you planning to live in your home?
months
(g) If you're planning to live in your home for at least four more years, does it make sense to refinance your mortgage?
Yes, it makes sense to refinance.
O No, it does not make sense.
Transcribed Image Text:MORTGAGE REFINANCING WORKSHEET STEP 1. Current monthly mortgage payment..... STEP 2. New monthly mortgage payment if you refinance.... New rate Table 14-1 factor STEP 3. Monthly savings.... Step 1. Current mortgage balance x # of 1,000s to borrow Step 2. Total refinance closing costs (appraisal, title search, etc.).... STEP 4. STEP 5. Total months needed to recoup your costs.... Step 4 result = Step 3 result STEP 6. Total months you plan to live in your home.. $ The Bottom Line-If you plan to live in your home longer than the result in Step 5, it makes sense to refinance. (a) What is your currently monthly mortgage (in $)? $ (b) Using this table, what is your new monthly mortgage payment (in $) if you decide to refinance? (Round your answer to the nearest cent.) $ (c) What is your monthly savings (in $) if you decide to refinance? (Round your answer to the nearest cent.) $ (d) Calculate the total refinance closing cost (in $). (Round your answer to the nearest cent.) 4 months (e) How many months would you need to recoup the refinance closing cost? (Round your answer up to the nearest month.) (e) How many months are you planning to live in your home? months (g) If you're planning to live in your home for at least four more years, does it make sense to refinance your mortgage? Yes, it makes sense to refinance. O No, it does not make sense.
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