After doing some calculations, we found out that we were able to refinance our place for a 15 year loan and pay less than $100 more than our initial rate that we got when we bought our home 5 years ago. We refi'd just about 1 1/2 years ago so will be paying more than what we currently pay by a few hundred as the new refi rate is for 15 years and our previous loans were 30 year terms.
We have found an amazing refinance lady in the Portland area-Ann Hays with NW Mortgage (phone: 503-439-9191)-she makes the process pretty much painless and we have been able to do the whole process by phone and e-mail which is awesome for us. Lugging a toddler to an office is not our idea of fun.
It basically takes a 10 minute or so phone call to talk with Ann (or whomever you are working with) and figure out if the numbers all make sense. She then e-mails a check list of things (W-2s, paystubs, bank statements) that she needs to process it all (I just downloaded statements or scanned them in and e-mailed them off) and if you give the ok, she will lock in a low low rate for you.
Then, you pretty much pay an appraiser a bunch of money (I believe it is about $400) to come assign a value to your home (we are currently trying to feverishly finish up projects before the appraiser comes sometime this week or next). If the appraisal goes along with what you owe on the home (you'll know after a few days), then you wait for all the paperwork to be processed and meet to sign final documents. Then you get to skip a month on your mortgage before starting with the new mortgage.
I wonder who will "buy" our home this time? It's cute and well loved, I promise.
Here are a few websites that look pretty decent for info on refinancing your home. many of them have refi calculators that help you figure out how much you will save if you refi.
DO IT...NOW! You'll be glad you did!
Thanks for those helpful links! I'm working on a refi for my place, too, and like you will be moving up to a 15-year loan. I'm starting the process with my current mortgage lender which I hope will abbreviate the appraisal process while I try to wrap up my unfinished house projects.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck, Josh, on your re-fi! and good luck on all the projects
ReplyDeleteI've been agonizing about picking paint colors this week for my 1913 Los Angeles craftsman and your colors are so pretty. Can you tell me the paint brand & color names you used? Every time I go to the hardware store I come home with a ton of swatches and get overwhelmed.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your help!
Kris,
ReplyDeleteOf course I would love to share. We actually found our colors by walking around the neighborhood and finding a home with colors that we loved. We then left a note and the owners were kind enough to call and share their colors with us. We have Sherwin Williams historic color palette (I don't think they advertise these colors anymore but they can still make them). Roycroft bronze green is the lower body color (we had a custom color done for the top which was about 50% of the color of the lower body) and downing sand for trim. OUr detail color is Sayward Pine (it is basically black) from a local company called Miller paint. Best of luck-we probably spent over $100 on samples before choosing our color.
Thanks so much!!! This will help immensely!
ReplyDeleteHow funny -- Ann did my mortgage when I bought my house, and I have been meaning to call her the last week or so to check into a refi . . . small world! Your house looks so nice. :)
ReplyDeleteSuzanne (down the street :)