Complete Refinance Guide

Save Money, Lower Your Rate, Access Your Equity

Expert guidance from SRK CAPITAL to help you make the smartest refinancing decision for your financial future

Why Should You Refinance?

Discover the benefits and opportunities of refinancing your mortgage

Lower Interest Rate

Reduce your monthly payment and save thousands over the life of your loan by securing a lower rate.

Save $200-500/month

Access Home Equity

Cash-out refinancing lets you tap into your home's equity for renovations, investments, or debt consolidation.

Access $50K-200K+

Change Loan Terms

Switch from an adjustable to fixed rate, or shorten your loan term to build equity faster.

Pay off 5-10 years earlier

Remove PMI

If your home value has increased, refinancing can help eliminate private mortgage insurance.

Save $100-300/month

The Refinance Process

Your step-by-step journey to a better mortgage

Day 1Step 1

Initial Consultation

Discuss your goals, review current mortgage, and explore refinance options with our experts.

Review current loan terms
Calculate potential savings
Determine refinance goals
1
Days 2-5Step 2

Application & Documentation

Complete your application and provide necessary financial documents.

Submit loan application
Provide income verification
Authorize credit check
2
Days 6-20Step 3

Appraisal & Underwriting

Your home is appraised and your application goes through underwriting review.

Schedule home appraisal
Underwriter review
Address any conditions
3
Days 21-30Step 4

Closing

Sign final documents and your new loan pays off the old mortgage.

Review closing disclosure
Sign loan documents
Funds disbursement
4

Types of Refinancing

Choose the right refinance option for your situation

Rate-and-Term Refinance

Replace your existing mortgage with a new one at a better interest rate or different term length.

Benefits

  • Lower monthly payments
  • Shorter loan term options
  • Switch from ARM to fixed rate

Requirements

  • Good credit score (620+)
  • Stable income
  • Home equity of 20%+

Refinance Requirements

What you'll need to qualify for refinancing

Credit & Income

  • Credit score of 620+ (740+ for best rates)
  • Stable employment history (2+ years)
  • Debt-to-income ratio under 43%
  • Sufficient income to qualify

Property Requirements

  • Current on mortgage payments
  • Sufficient home equity (usually 20%+)
  • Property in good condition
  • Valid homeowners insurance

Documentation Needed

  • Recent pay stubs (30 days)
  • W-2s or tax returns (2 years)
  • Bank statements (2 months)
  • Current mortgage statement
  • Homeowners insurance info
  • ID and Social Security card

Pro Tip: Gather your documents early to speed up the refinance process. SRK CAPITAL can provide a personalized checklist based on your specific situation.

Refinance Costs & Savings

Understanding the financial impact of refinancing

Typical Closing Costs

Processing Fee

$895

Processing your loan application

Appraisal Fee

$400 - $750

Professional home valuation

Title Insurance

$500 - $2,500

Protects against title issues

Origination Fee

- 1.5% - 1.5%

Lender Rate fee

Recording Fees

$50 - $450

County recording charges

Total Closing Costs: Typically 2-5% of loan amount

Potential Monthly Savings

6.5%

Current Rate

5.5%

New Rate

$2,528

Old Payment

$2,271

New Payment

Monthly Savings

$257

$3,084 saved per year

Refinancing FAQs

Answers to your most common questions

The best time to refinance is when interest rates drop at least 0.5-1% below your current rate, you plan to stay in your home long enough to recoup closing costs, or your credit score has significantly improved.

Most lenders require at least 20% equity for conventional refinancing to avoid PMI. However, government-backed loans like FHA allow refinancing with as little as 3.5% equity.

The refinancing process typically takes 30-45 days from application to closing. FHA and VA streamline refinances can be faster, sometimes closing in 2-3 weeks.

Yes, but your options may be limited. FHA loans accept scores as low as 580, and some lenders offer programs for scores down to 620. However, better credit scores qualify for better rates.

Refinancing may cause a temporary dip of 5-10 points due to the credit inquiry and new account. However, making on-time payments on your new loan will help your score recover and potentially improve over time.

Calculate your break-even point by dividing closing costs by monthly savings. If you'll move before reaching this point, refinancing may not be worthwhile unless you're doing a no-closing-cost refinance.

Have more questions about refinancing?

Contact Our Expert Team

Ready to Refinance?

Let SRK CAPITAL help you save money and achieve your financial goals

Get a personalized refinance analysis and see how much you could save

30-45

Days to Close

$250+

Average Monthly Savings

100%

Free Analysis