How Soon Can I Refi After Buying?

August 19, 2020 — 4 min read

If you haven't noticed yet, we simply can't believe how low rates currently are. Despite 2018 predictions of at least two rate hikes for the following year, lenders and buyers rejoiced when the Fed announced no rate increases for 2019. Now, with rates historically lower than they've been in the past 50 years, current homeowners are looking for options to save on their mortgage, as well. In fact, refinances are up 107% year-to-year, despite the ongoing pandemic.

Why Should I Refinance?

Mortgage refinancing is the process of paying off one loan with the proceeds from a new loan secured for the same property. Refinancing is usually done to secure better loan terms than your current mortgage, like a lower interest rate or a lower monthly payment.

Other reasons you may want (or need) to refinance:

Your financial situation has changed, which creates the need for a lower monthly mortgage payment.
Your marital status has changed.
You want to tap into the equity of your home to pay for other significant expenses.

No rule states how soon you can refinance. However, whether or not you will be approved for a new home loan varies by your current financial situation and lender requirements. (Some lenders will not refinance a loan issued within the last 120-180 days, so check with your current lender for an exact timeline.)

TIP: As a homeowner looking to refinance, the question you should ask yourself is not if you can, it's if you should.

Traditionally, it's been said that refinancing is beneficial if you can reduce your rate by at least 2%. However, some lenders say that even a 1% savings is a significant enough incentive to consider refinancing your home. Currently, rates are low, so now might be the best time for you to refinance. (We always recommend speaking to a mortgage professional first.)

Is Refinancing for Me?

In most cases, the benefits of refinancing outweigh the negatives. However, if you're only a few months into a brand-new mortgage, you may face additional costs or fees that negate the drop in your interest rate once all is said and done.

Don't Forget About Closing Costs

If you decide that rates look great, and you're ready to pursue a refinance, it's important to remember the other fees involved in a home loan process. Even with a refinance, you'll have to pay closing costs, just like you did on your original mortgage.

On average, refinancing closing costs can range from 3-6% of your loan amount, depending on your lender. According to ClosingCorp, the average closing costs in 2017 were $4,876 per transaction. The fees of closing might end up costing you more than you'll save if you don't prepare accordingly.

The Appraisal Process (Round 2)

Even if it's been just a few months since your last home appraisal, your home may need to be reappraised. Most lenders will require at least 5-10% percent equity in your home unless you go for a cash-out refinance. For this latter option, you will most likely need more than 10%. (Lender requirements will vary.)

The Nest warns homeowners that a high loan-to-value ratio and not much equity built up in a home could still get a loan approval but at a much higher interest rate. For an appraisal you trust, read more about our in-house appraisers.

What's a Prepayment Penalty?

A prepayment penalty is exactly what it sounds like. Some lenders will require borrowers to pay a fee if they pay back their loan ahead of schedule to recoup the loss of interest owed. Although these are becoming more and more uncommon, it's still a factor to consider in the refinancing process.