Sunday, January 18, 2009

Mortgage Refinance for 2009

By Madeline Zidan

As Long-term rates have dropped to all time lows looking at Mortgage Refinance may be something in which you will want to pay attention. Make sure to take the appropriate steps and ask the usual questions to figure out if Refinancing makes sense. Try to do this without putting too much emphasis on the fact we are experiencing the lowest interest rates we have seen in a while.

Mortgage Refinance probably makes very little sense if you plan on moving or foresee paying off your loan within the next few years. Monthly bills won't be around long enough to see the savings that would cover the costs. Refinancing makes sense if you are paying high interest rates, but as we have seen recently, that is usually not the case these days.

We are aware of the changing conditions in the U.S. Finance Market. This has created an environment of uncertainty for people in the market for a Mortgage Refinance. Refinancing makes sense if you are paying high interest rates, but as we have seen recently, that is usually not the case these days.

Change in restrictions has caused what could be a temporary decrease in lending. In January of 2009, Wall Street Analysts suggested the market for 2009 may show deeper losses, as last year's ripple effect works its way through the U.S. We will also see to what degree the growing unemployment rate will affect both original loans and Mortgage Refinance in 2009.

"There are too many factors working against lower rates, including the smaller stimulus this time in terms of payment reduction, falling home prices and tighter mortgage standards." Deutsche Bank analyst Nishu Sood wrote in a report to clients on Tuesday. The outlook for the other leg of the real estate market: commercial properties, not looking any better. We will also see to what degree the growing unemployment rate will affect both original loans and Mortgage Refinance in 2009.

Commercial properties are considered the key leg of the real estate market: hotels, apartments, office buildings, are not looking any better as the $3.4 Trillion commercial market displayed a fourth quarter struggle. Mortgage Refinance will be more expensive on larger properties, especially REITs.

During these shaky financial times, there has been discussion about investing the money you would spend on a Mortgage Refinance rather than actually Refinancing. This suggestion was based on the comparison of the cost of refinancing being put into the life of a 30 year loan vs. putting that amount into an investment over 30 years. If you could get an investment that shows a 9% return on the $2,000 dollars then it would grow to approximately $26,500.

And as if I need to remind anyone, today's finance rates are subject to change at any time and as mentioned previously, without warning. Take a look at both options then make a decision based upon the reason for looking at a Mortgage Refinance in the first place. - 14915

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