Refinancing a house is a smart financial move for most homeowners. Though several factors like the type of loan, the lender, and the borrower’s financial situation determine how long it will take to refinance your house.
This can lower your monthly mortgage payments, reduce interest rates, or tap into your home equity.
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Key Takeaways
- How Long Does a Refinance Take? Anywhere between 43-45 days.
- How to Refinance a House: Refinancing is almost the same as conventional mortgage. Compare rates and terms, submit an application, and provide required documentation.
- What Delay’s The Refinance Process? Three factors influence the refinance timeline- type of loan, lender’s policies, and your financial history.
- What is The Benefit of a Refinance? It is a great way to save money on your monthly payments or access your home’s equity.
What Does it Mean to Refinance a House?
Refinancing a house means replacing your current mortgage with a bigger mortgage. This will get you better loan terms, lower interest rates, adjust loan terms, access equity, or meet specific financial goals.
For instance, if you want to get rid of mortgage insurance you should consider refinance. Or to lower your monthly mortgage payment you can either reduce your interest rate or increase your loan term.
» Why Refinance a House? Here are some more reasons to start refinancing.
How Long it Will Take to Refinance Your House?
It can take up to 6 weeks (43-45 days) to refinance your mortgage. Refinance of FHA and VA-backed loans may take longer to complete than a conventional loan.
Multiple factors affect the timeline of a refinance. Such as the lender’s policies, the borrower’s financial condition, and the type of loan you want to refinance.
| Refinance Program | Number of Days |
| FHA Refinance | 30 to 45 |
| VA Refinance | 30 |
| USDA Refinance | 35 |
| Conventional Loan | 30 to 45 |
➡️Also Read: Know The Rate and Terms of Refinance
What Can Delay a Refinance on Your Home?
As mentioned above, several factors may affect your refinance timeline. Let’s dive into the details.
1. Type of Loan
The type of loan you’re refinancing can alter how long it will take to refinance your house.
For example, if you’re refinancing from an FHA loan to a conventional loan, the process can take longer because the new lender will need to underwrite the loan and verify certain details.
However, refinancing from a conventional loan to another conventional loan is faster.
2. Your Mortgage Lender
The lender you choose can also affect the timeline for your refinance. Some lenders are more efficient than others and can process your application quickly.
To ensure that your refinance goes smoothly and quickly choose a reputable lender with a track record of good service and transparent communication.
3. Your Financial Situation
If you have a complicated financial history or a lot of outstanding debt, the underwriting process will take longer.
The lender will take longer to verify your income and assets if you are self-employed or have a non-traditional source of income.
Ways to Speed Up The Refinance Timeline
Here are three ways to make the refinancing process faster:
1. Get Qualified
Check your credit score and make sure it’s in good standing. This is the most important criterion for any loan.
Additionally, you need to have a stable income and enough equity in your home to qualify for a refinance. You can also look for a mortgage broker to guide you through the process.
2. Keep Your Documents Prepared
Keep your essential documents ready to speed up your refinance process. These documents typically include:
- Proof of income, such as pay stubs, W-2s, and tax returns.
- Bank statements of the past few months.
- Proof of homeowners insurance.
- A copy of your current mortgage statement.
3. Prepare for the Appraisal
The home appraisal determines the current value of your home, your home equity, and your borrowing limit.
If your home is in good condition you can speed through this. Just make any necessary repairs, and ensure that your home is presentable.
How Do You Refinance a House?
Refinancing a home is similar to the process of buying a house. Let’s look at some steps to refinance a house.
- Find the Option That Works Best for You: Talk to at least 5-6 lenders before making a final decision. Ask for the latest loan rate estimates from all lenders, to make an apples-to-apples comparison.
- Lock in Your Interest Rate: Once, you have finalized the lender, lock in your interest rate. When you lock in the interest rate you get the same rate on the day your loan is issued. Interest rates change daily!
- Provide Accurate Documents: After filling out the application to refinance, make sure all your documents are in place. You will need to provide the same documents as you did during your home purchase.
- Get Your Home Appraised: A home appraisal is a crucial step in the refinancing process. The lender will order the appraisal to check your home value before lending you any money.
- Closing Disclosure: After the home appraisal and underwriting comes the closing disclosure. Your lender sends you this document just a few days before you close on the loan. You will have to pay any closing costs that are not included in your loan amount.
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Should You Refinance Your Home Right Now?
Here are three things to consider before you decide to refinance your home:
- Current Market Interest Rates: The savings may be worth it only if your current interest rates are lower than the rate on your current mortgage. It is important to note that interest rates fluctuate over time, and they can be affected by a variety of factors.
- Your Home Equity: If you have a significant amount of equity in your home, you can access it through a cash-out refinance. Keep in mind that a cash-out refinance may increase your monthly payments.
- How Long You Want to Stay in Your Home: Refinancing is a good option only if you intend to stay in the house long term. By lowering your interest rate or accessing your home equity, you can save money on your monthly payments or achieve your financial goals.
>>Refinance Before Selling: Is It the Right Decision for You?
Final Word
Mortgage refinancing depends on your unique financial situation and goals. There are several key factors to consider, including current interest rates, your home equity, and how long you plan to stay in your home.
You can always consult mortgage lenders and make an informed decision about whether refinancing is the right choice for you.
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FAQs
1. How long does it take to refinance a house?
The timeline for refinancing a house varies depending on several factors, but the process typically takes between 30 and 45 days.
2. How soon after buying a house can you refinance?
Technically, you can refinance your home immediately after purchase. However, some lenders may require you to wait for a few months before they lend you money again. Typically, you can get a refinance from the same lender in about 6 months.
» How Often Can You Refinance Your Home: Read further to find out how often refinancing is possible.
3. Can you refinance home equity loan?
Yes. It is possible to refinance a home equity loan just as you would for a first mortgage.
4. How much does it cost to refinance a house?
Typically, you will spend around 2%-6% of the refinance loan amount as closing costs. Cost of refinancing is ultimately worth the savings and access to home equity.
5. How many times can you refinance a house?
There is no 'legal limit' to how many times you can refinance your home. However, the lender may enforce a waiting period in between loans.
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