Achieving Financial Freedom: Refinance to a 15 year Mortgage

by: Karen Lawson

Interest rates are rising. News reports tell of increasing home sales and mortgage foreclosures. You're financially stable, but are keeping an eye on interest rates. A great way to save money on interest is to refinance to a 15 year mortgage. Of course, your payments will be higher, but in the long run, you will a considerable amount of money on interest. .

Loan Term Determines Interest Savings

If you've had your home for a few years, and want to refinance a 15 year fixed rate mortgage can give you peace of mind along wit significant savings. Your loan will be fully amortized, and the interest rate will not be subject to adjustment. Your principal and interest payment (P & I) will be consistent. Here's an example of how much you can save by converting from a 30 year mortgage to a 15 year mortgage.

Let's say you've got a 30 year mortgage at 6.00%. Your original mortgage amount was $300,000. You want to refinance for the original amount to pay off lingering credit card and consumer debt, and are considering a 15 year mortgage loan. Your payments on the 15 year loan will be $2531.57, a difference of $732.92. Sure, that is a much higher payment, but depending on the amount of debt you refinance, you will have some extra cash available to meet the payments. Before you decide that the payments are too high, consider that you will save approximately $209,293 in interest compared to a 30 year loan at the same rate!

Refinancing: Part of the Big Picture

Everyone has a unique financial situation, goals, and priorities. If you're considering a mortgage refinance, it's wise to consider your entire financial situation including debts, anticipated needs, savings for college and retirement, and your present and future income. Consult your financial advisor to develop a plan that meets your needs now and in the future. Refinancing to a 15 year mortgage can be part of your overall financial plan.