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Not worth it to refinance?

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Mortgage and Lending with www.JakePlanton.com 209327

I have a client right now that contacted me about refinancing.  He wanted to get out of his interest only loan, a first and second.  I took a look at the situation, and I honestly do not think the value is in the home to combine the two loans.  Also, all of the costs (pre-paids/CC's) would equal about $11,000.  After I did some research, I told him that it might be worth it to just pay a couple hundred each month on his loan, so he paying on the principle, rather than do a full refi, just to get out of the interest only feature. 

That is when he told me that he was also talking to Bank of America, and they said they had no doubt about the value, and that they would do the refinance.  With a $400 application fee, of course.  I told him that I did not want him to be taken advantage off (up front costs in my mind, before knowing they could do the loan, are just wrong).

He agreed with me, and said he wants to go forward with me.  So, I told him I would start the process, and it would all hinge on that appraisal.  Now that I have done quite a bit of work on it, he is having second thoughts, about the cost, and the value of the home.  I reiterated what I had told him in the beginning, and am waiting to hear back.

How many others have situations like this?  What would you do?

Comments(3)

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Steve Andrascik
Lake Mead Area Realty - Boulder City, NV

Jake, I have a dear friend who is an interest only situation and the house will not appraise. Honestly, I don't know what she should do. There are not many options. I, too would be interested in a way for my friend to get out of this loan.

Boulder City Steve

Oct 28, 2009 07:13 AM
Jake Planton
www.JakePlanton.com - Portland, OR

Well, my advice for that is to just pay more each month, that goes directly to the principle of the loan (make sure you indicate to your lender that this is where the money is going).  The interest only feature is nice, just in case you need to pay less one month for a needed repair, etc. 

Oct 28, 2009 07:25 AM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

I am hearing the situation over and over, the only problem is the homes aren't appraising and they can't refinance.

 Todd Clark - www.LivingBeaverton.com

Oct 28, 2009 09:42 AM