
How to Refinance a Mortgage: A Beginner’s Guide
Refinancing has upfront costs, but you can save over time — especially if you time it right (like when rates drop).

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Your one-stop shop for NerdWallet's mortgage expertise: Calculate what you can afford, learn about loan types, and get started if you're ready to buy or sell a home.
Some mortgages let you refinance immediately after getting the original loan. Others require a "seasoning" period to elapse.


You may be able to refinance a mortgage with a lower credit score. Credit requirements vary by lender and the type of loan.

For creditworthy borrowers who don’t meet traditional lending requirements, a non-QM loan can provide a (more expensive) path to homeownership.

You don't need equity in your home to get an FHA Title 1 loan, but there are maximum loan amounts to consider.

You may need a jumbo loan for homes that cost more than $832,750. Jumbo loans have stricter qualification rules.

For mortgage interest rates, Federal Reserve policy wields an indirect influence, along with inflation and jobs.

A mortgage rate lock freezes your interest rate until loan closing to protect your homebuying power from rate hikes.

Mortgage APR reflects the interest rate plus the fees charged by the lender. APR helps you compare mortgage offers.

With 250+ articles and 80+ years of combined expertise, our team helps you make confident financial choices. Discover more from NerdWallet's writers and strategists.

Inflation, an AI borrowing boom and rising government debt are pushing bond yields to their highest levels in 20 years — and mortgage rates are climbing right along with them.


TL;DR: Rates fell today, but they’re still solidly above 7%.


Think like a grocery shopper on a budget: Compare options, find savings and stay flexible.


TL;DR: Mortgage rates jumped today following a global bond market sell-off.


TL;DR: Mortgage rates dropped on a glimmer of economic optimism from Iran.


TL;DR: Mortgage rates are hovering just above 7%.


TL;DR: Mortgage rates are holding steady just above 7%.


The Fed's announcement could actually relieve some of the upward pressure on rates.


All eyes are on the Federal Reserve, as it weighs whether to raise its benchmark rate next week.


Some mortgage lenders are already advertising rates above 7%.


TL;DR: Mortgage rates went up today, but not enough to bust your homebuying budget.


An influx of tech bonds and new inflation data sent mortgage rates up this week.


Wednesday's Treasury announcement bolstering the bond market might ease mortgage rates.


Mortgage rates gave home buyers a little breathing room this week — but not much.


You can choose between raw, unimproved or improved land, each with its own level of development.


Mortgage rates were mostly the same this week, as markets juggle jobs data and news from Iran.


Renewed fighting in Iran and a lack of clarity from the Federal Reserve are likely to push up mortgage rates.


Mortgage rates rose this week as the Federal Reserve voted to leave overnight borrowing rates unchanged.


Whether today's mortgage rates feel discouraging or encouraging depends on when your home search began.


TL;DR: Mortgage rates went up again today.
