When rates fall steadily, refinancing may make sense even if you
have done so once already. Bob and Michelle of Kirkland, Wash.
refinanced twice within three months in 1998. In October, they
trimmed the rate on their 30-year fixed mortgage by a full point --
from 9.13% to 8.13% -- for a monthly savings of $63. Plus, because
home prices in their area had boosted their home equity, they were
able to stop paying private mortgage insurance that cost them $120 a
month.
To exploit continued decline in rates, they refinanced again in
December. Their new 30-year fixed mortgage is at 7.375%, lopping
another $55 off their monthly bill. Since the couple had chosen a
no-cost refinancing each time, their total out-of-pocket expenses
came to just $400 in appraisal fees. So by the time you read this,
they will already have recouped their up front costs. "Now we can
use the savings to build up a cash emergency fund," says Bob.
If you are considering a second refinancing, don't overlook this
potential tax write-off: When you pay points to refinance, you must
deduct the amount over the life of the loan, usually 30 years. But
when you refinance a second time, all of the points that have not
yet been deducted from the first refinancing can be written off in a
lump sum. Say you refinanced to a 30-year mortgage in 1993 and paid
$3,000 in points. By now, you would have written off roughly $500.
If you refinance again this year, you could deduct the remaining
$2,500 on your 1998 tax return. For a homeowner in the 28% tax
bracket, that works out to a savings of $700 -- enough to offset
some or all of your costs this time around.
Let me help you with refinancing
questions...don't hesitate to email me at rod@rodusa.com or call me directly at:
435-668-7885. Service to you, is important to
me!