
When To Refinance Your Mortgage — and When Not To
It’s not just about chasing a lower rate. Here’s how to tell if refinancing actually makes sense for you right now.

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Most refinances cost 2% to 6% of the new loan amount — and even a “no closing costs” refinance doesn’t come free.


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

Construction loans pay for home building or renovations and are paid in full or converted to permanent mortgages when the work is completed.

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

Conventional loan requirements are generally stricter than government-backed mortgages.

You can get the best mortgage rate by knowing what lenders are looking for, shopping around and paying aggressively upfront.

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

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

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.

TL;DR: Cooling inflation is having a positive effect on mortgage rates.


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


TL;DR: Rates fell today in the wake of yesterday’s inflation data.


Mortgage rates fell today while inflation cooled slightly, in line with expectations.


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


TL;DR: Mortgage rates rose enough today that you might be feeling some sticker shock.


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


TL;DR: Mortgage rates were up this morning, but today's weak hiring numbers could bring rates down a bit.


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.


This week, mortgage interest rates reached their highest point since September.


Renewed conflict rekindles inflation fears, pushing up mortgage interest rates.


Here are the numbers for home buyers — and what you can do to make them manageable.


With a Fed rate cut out of the question, mortgage interest rates are likely to remain near their current levels.


Today's Personal Consumption Expenditures index suggests that the Fed may be in no hurry to cut interest rates.


Today's decision is likely less consequential than our first glimpses of a Warsh-led Federal Reserve.


The latest Consumer Price Index seemingly confirms the fate of next week's Fed meeting: A rate cut is definitely not in order.
