Clark has spoken a lot about the benefits of refinancing your mortgage during the last few months. A recent Freddie Mac survey found that rates are the lowest they've been since record keeping began in 1971 -- the same year that the consumer champ first became a menace to society when he started driving!

The penny pincher has even gone on record predicting that we'll hear from someone who got a 15-year refinance below 4% by May 1…or he's agreed to be filmed getting pie thrown in his face for charity!

Meanwhile, a separate analysis in Barron's recently predicted that later this year, 30-year fixed rates will average 4.2%. Today, they're around 4.8%. Will Barron's be right? Your guess is as good as Clark's.

If you're having trouble nailing down a refinance, you've got to understand that the lenders are short-staffed and everyone's trying to refi right now too. But the low rates should last for several months, so check again in the summer if you're at an impasse.

And remember a few pointers whenever you're seeking a refi:

• Be sure you're on top of your paperwork.
• Make detailed notations on everything that transpires so you have a record of the status of your application.
• Send all the required documents in a timely manner.

You never want to be the source of a delay or problem!

The refinance processors are overworked, so it behooves you to stand out as a polite but sophisticated borrower who will stay on top of them.