Mortgage recasting vs refinancing
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to the questions we hear most.
Recasting: You make a large lump-sum payment toward the principal, and the lender re-amortizes your loan based on the new, lower balance. Your interest rate and term stay the same, but your monthly payment is reduced. There is usually a small fee.
Refinancing: You replace your existing mortgage with a completely new loan, often to secure a lower interest rate or change the loan term. This involves closing costs and a full credit check.
Refinancing: You replace your existing mortgage with a completely new loan, often to secure a lower interest rate or change the loan term. This involves closing costs and a full credit check.
The main benefits of a mortgage recast include:
Lower Monthly Payment: The most direct benefit is a permanent reduction in your monthly mortgage payment.
Low Cost: The fee for a recast is typically minimal, often between $250 and $500, far less than refinancing closing costs.
Keep Your Low Rate: If you have an existing low interest rate, a recast allows you to retain it.
No Credit Check: Since you are not applying for a new loan, your credit is not pulled.
Simple Process: The procedure is straightforward with much less paperwork than a refinance.
Lower Monthly Payment: The most direct benefit is a permanent reduction in your monthly mortgage payment.
Low Cost: The fee for a recast is typically minimal, often between $250 and $500, far less than refinancing closing costs.
Keep Your Low Rate: If you have an existing low interest rate, a recast allows you to retain it.
No Credit Check: Since you are not applying for a new loan, your credit is not pulled.
Simple Process: The procedure is straightforward with much less paperwork than a refinance.
A mortgage recast, also known as a re-amortization, is the process of applying a large, lump-sum payment toward your principal balance. Your lender then recalculates your amortization schedule based on this new, lower balance. This results in a lower monthly payment for the remainder of your loan term, while your interest rate and loan term remain unchanged.
A recast involves making a large lump-sum payment toward your principal, after which your lender re-amortizes your loan. This lowers your monthly payment, but your interest rate and loan term remain the same. It typically has a low processing fee. A refinance replaces your existing mortgage with an entirely new loan, potentially with a new interest rate, term, and monthly payment. It involves full closing costs and is best for securing a lower interest rate.
The process is generally simple:
1. Check Eligibility: Contact your lender to confirm they offer recasts and that your loan type qualifies (e.g., conventional loans often do; FHA/VA may not).
2. Make a Lump-Sum Payment: You must make a significant principal payment, which often has a minimum requirement (e.g., $5,000 or more).
3. Submit a Request & Pay Fee: Formally request the recast from your loan servicer and pay the associated processing fee.
4. Lender Re-amortizes: Your lender applies the payment and creates a new amortization schedule based on the lower principal.
5. Confirmation: You will receive confirmation of your new, lower monthly payment and the date it takes effect.
1. Check Eligibility: Contact your lender to confirm they offer recasts and that your loan type qualifies (e.g., conventional loans often do; FHA/VA may not).
2. Make a Lump-Sum Payment: You must make a significant principal payment, which often has a minimum requirement (e.g., $5,000 or more).
3. Submit a Request & Pay Fee: Formally request the recast from your loan servicer and pay the associated processing fee.
4. Lender Re-amortizes: Your lender applies the payment and creates a new amortization schedule based on the lower principal.
5. Confirmation: You will receive confirmation of your new, lower monthly payment and the date it takes effect.
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