Loan Options • Refinance

Refinance · Lower payment, pay off faster, or access equity

Refinance your mortgage with clarity and confidence.

A refinance should do more than change your rate. It should support your bigger picture—whether that’s lowering your payment, paying the home off sooner, or putting your equity to work for what matters most.

Every refinance is a little different. We’ll look at the math, your goals, and your timeline so the plan fits real life—not just a spreadsheet. If you like to dig in first, you can also start with the Refinance Guide for a deeper walkthrough.

All loans subject to approval. Equal Housing Lender. This is not a commitment to lend or an offer to extend credit.

Coaching insight

Who refinancing is built to help.

Refinancing is about aligning your mortgage with your current season of life. It can be a smart move for homeowners who want to lower their payment, pay off the home sooner, or rework debt in a more strategic way.

Payment-focused homeowners

You’d like more monthly breathing room and want to explore lowering your rate, adjusting your term, or consolidating higher-interest debts into one payment.

Equity-minded planners

You’ve built equity and want to use part of it for renovations, repairs, tuition, or other goals, while keeping an eye on long-term interest costs.

Long-game strategists

You’re thinking ahead about retirement, payoff timelines, and financial flexibility, and want your mortgage to support that bigger plan.

How it works

Rate, term, equity, and closing costs.

A refinance replaces your current mortgage with a new one. That new loan can adjust your interest rate, loan term, and in some cases your loan amount if you’re accessing equity.

  • Rate and term: Change your interest rate, lengthen or shorten your term, or both.
  • Cash-out: Increase your loan amount to pull cash from your equity for specific goals.
  • Costs: Like your original loan, refinances come with closing costs that we’ll map out up front.
  • Break-even: We’ll calculate how long it takes for monthly savings to outweigh the upfront cost.

Good fit signals

  • Your current rate is noticeably higher than today’s options for your profile
  • You plan to stay in the home long enough to benefit from the savings
  • You’d like to simplify or consolidate other monthly payments
  • You’re thinking about payoff timing and long-term financial flexibility

We’ll look at both the math and your real-world plans before recommending a refinance path. Sometimes the best advice is to stay put—and that’s part of the conversation too.

Strategy paths

Common refinance approaches and scenarios.

Not every refinance looks the same. Here are a few of the ways homeowners use refinancing to reshape their mortgages.

  • Lower payment: Extend your term, lower your rate, or both to reduce monthly outflow.
  • Faster payoff: Shorten the term (for example, 30 to 20 or 15 years) to cut total interest.
  • Debt consolidation: Use a cash-out refi to roll higher-interest credit cards or loans into one payment.
  • Restructuring: Move from an adjustable-rate loan to a fixed-rate option for more stability.

Sample refi scenarios

  • Switching from an ARM that’s about to adjust into a stable fixed-rate loan
  • Combining a first mortgage and a home equity loan into a single new mortgage
  • Using equity to remodel a kitchen or finish a basement with one new payment
  • Shortening the term to be mortgage-free by a target retirement date

Every scenario has trade-offs. We’ll walk through payment, interest cost, and flexibility so you can choose what aligns with your priorities.

Cash to close

Closing costs, credits, and break-even.

Refinances come with closing costs, just like your original purchase. The key is understanding how they’re paid and how long it takes to recoup them through lower payments or interest savings.

  • Some costs can be paid out-of-pocket, rolled into the new loan, or offset with lender credits.
  • We’ll estimate your break-even timeline so you know when the refi starts “paying for itself.”
  • We’ll compare keeping your current loan vs. refinancing over the time you expect to stay in the home.
  • We’ll also talk through the trade-offs of points, credits, and cash-out options.

Things we’ll talk through

  • Estimated cash needed (if any) to close your new loan
  • How lender credits and rate choices affect your payment
  • How long you plan to keep the home and the new loan
  • Whether a HELOC or home equity loan might be better for your goal

The right move isn’t just about the lowest rate—it’s about total cost, flexibility, and how the loan fits your life.

Refinance prep checklist

  • Most recent 30 days of pay stubs (or income documentation)
  • W-2s and/or 1099s for the last 2 years
  • Federal tax returns (personal, and business if self-employed)
  • 2 months of bank or asset statements for reserves and cash to close
  • Current mortgage statement and property tax information
  • Homeowner’s insurance details

Helpful “nice-to-have” items

  • Documentation for any recent large deposits or new debts
  • Letters of explanation for prior credit events, if needed
  • Rough idea of how long you plan to keep the home
  • A list of other debts and monthly obligations
  • Your wish list: lower payment, faster payoff, cash-out, or a mix
Next steps

Numbers and deeper dives.

Want one rough payment and a clearer lane forward? Start with the guides that fit your situation, then run quick numbers in the mortgage calculators.

Refinance Guide

See when a refi can help, what to watch out for, and how to think about payment, interest cost, and equity over time.

Read the guide

HELOCs & Home Equity Loans 101

Compare a full refinance with second-lien options when you only need to tap part of your equity.

Read the guide

Recast vs. Refinance

Learn when re-amortizing your current loan might make sense instead of replacing it altogether.

Read the guide

Mortgage Calculators

Estimate rough payments, compare terms, and pressure-test refinance ideas before we look at official numbers.

Open calculators

Quick answers

Refinance FAQs.

A quick snapshot of the questions that come up most often when we talk about refinancing—costs, timing, equity, and how it fits into your bigger financial picture.

Refinancing means paying off your existing mortgage with a new one. The new loan can have a different rate, term, loan type, and—if it’s a cash-out refinance—a higher balance with funds back to you at closing. Your old loan is replaced; it doesn’t stay in place behind the scenes.

Closing costs can include lender fees, third-party services (like appraisal and title), and any prepaid taxes or insurance. We’ll estimate your costs up front and calculate a break-even point so you can see how long it takes for the monthly savings to outweigh the upfront cost.

Many refinances do require an appraisal, but there are programs that may allow appraisal waivers or alternatives, depending on your loan type, equity position, and investor guidelines. We’ll let you know early on what to expect for your specific scenario.

Timelines vary, but many refinances close within a few weeks once your application and documents are complete. A clean file, quick responses to any conditions, and clear communication all help keep things moving smoothly.

Yes. If you have enough equity and the numbers make sense, a cash-out refinance can roll higher-interest balances into one new mortgage payment. We’ll compare interest rates, total costs, and your long-term goals before recommending that path.

Want a personalized refinance review?

Share a copy of your current mortgage statement and your goals. We’ll run the numbers and walk you through a clear side-by-side comparison—no pressure, no sales script.

Programs, rates, and terms are subject to change without notice. Eligibility, underwriting requirements, and available options vary by lender, investor, and location. Not a commitment to lend. All loans subject to credit and collateral approval. All loans subject to approval. Equal Housing Lender.