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As clock ticks on low mortgage rates, homeowners rush to refinance

As clock ticks on low mortgage rates, homeowners rush to refinance
As clock ticks on low mortgage rates, homeowners rush to refinance

Homeowners who delayed taking advantage of the pandemic’s historically low mortgage rates appear to have come to an important realization: Even though America’s COVID-19 situation is as bad as it’s been since January, when mortgage rates hit record lows, rates are not likely to scrape rock bottom again.

That helps explain the significant leap in refinance demand being reported by the country’s largest mortgage trade association.

Lots of people have held off on refinancing: A recent study found a stunning 78% of eligible homeowners chose not to trade in their mortgages for ultra-low rates between April 2020 and April 2021. But that's not wise, because among those who did refinance during the study period, almost half are saving $300 or more a month.

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Given the potential benefits, it’s no wonder homeowners now appear to be racing to refinance.

Demand for refinances surges amid low rates

Man filling mortgage application online
Kaspars Grinvalds / Shutterstock

For the week ending Sept. 17, mortgage applications rose 4.9%, led by a 7% increase in refinance loans, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported on Wednesday.

It was the largest increase in refi demand since July. Joel Kan, the MBA’s associate vice president of forecasting, attributes the surge to homeowners taking advantage of low mortgage rates, which have been both attractive and relatively static for weeks.

"Homeowners acted while rates remained low at 3.03%," Kan says in a statement, referring to the average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage in the MBA's weekly survey.

Many borrowers are landing rates better than 3.03%. The long-running rates survey from mortgage giant Freddie Mac this week puts the average for a 30-year mortgage at just 2.88%, and multiple lenders are currently offering even lower refinance rates.

Why now is the time to strike

business man Hand change wood cube block with percentage to UP and Down arrow symbol icon. Interest rate, stocks, financial, ranking, mortgage rates and Cut loss concept
Jo Panuwat D / Shutterstock

Looking at a pair of recent statistics should help clarify why now, and not later, is the time to move forward with refinancing your mortgage.

After the government released a glowing July jobs report during the first week of August, the average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage spiked, according to Freddie Mac. But in the weeks since the relatively horrid jobs report for August was released in early September, rates have been fairly steady — and cheap.

The lesson? At this point in the pandemic, positive economic news is likely to raise mortgage rates more than negative news will drag them down. Sure, hospitals in some states are filling up with COVID patients at levels not seen since January, but businesses are open, travel restrictions are loosening and consumer confidence has strengthened.

So long as the economy is allowed to function normally, it can grow and improve; each significant improvement has the potential to lessen the downward pressure the pandemic has been exerting on mortgage rates. Expect more of those positive developments, and higher mortgage rates, going forward.

How to get a low mortgage rate from your lender

Happy clients african american couple handshake and sign mortgage contract
fizkes / Shutterstock

It's hard to be approved for any home loan, let alone be offered a low rate, if you’ve accumulated a mountain of expensive debt. If payments to multiple creditors are frustrating your homebuying plans, consider doing some debt cleanup.

By rolling all of your credit card balances and other nagging, high-interest debts into a single, lower-interest debt consolidation loan, you’ll pay far less in interest charges and wipe out your debt faster. That could free up the kind of cash flow lenders look for.

It’s also important to take a quick, free look at your credit score. Borrowers with the highest credit scores are typically offered the lowest rates. A review of your score will tell you if you need to work on it, so you won't apply to a lender and be handed a higher rate.

Once you decide to refinance your home, you’ll want to check mortgage offers from at least five lenders to see who's offering rates that fit your budget. Comparison shopping is a proven way to save big on a new mortgage.

If a refi isn’t something you’re comfortable with, you can always find other ways to decrease the cost of homeownership. When the time comes to buy or renew homeowners insurance, shop around and get quotes from multiple insurers — because you might save hundreds of dollars.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.