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May 29, 2009 -- Clark discusses the refinancing process with a caller

Questions about refinancing a mortgage are among the hottest we're getting on the show right now. Today Clark spoke to one caller and shared a few tips to make the process as smooth as possible.

If you're in the market for a refi, begin by visiting myFICO.com and getting your true credit score. In the example of today's caller, she had a score of 703 and her husband's score was 824. Clark recommended they try to qualify for the refi on his income alone; most lenders will base your rate on the lower score if you're a couple.

Who can you go to for a refi? Clark recommended checking with a local bank or credit union. You'll want to get quotes from multiple lenders. And you may even want to get an online quote to use as leverage in negotiations. Whatever you do, be sure to get all quotes within a 14-day window to avoid damaging your credit.

Make sure you're prepared with all the paperwork that will be required of you…and it's going to be a lot. At the very least, you'll need to have your tax returns handy.

Finally, if you're waiting on the sidelines for rates to drop another quarter of a point, stop it! Even Clark's own predictions of months to come of ultra-low interest rates look like they're not going to pan out. Now is the time to strike.

Unfortunately, Clark won't be able to answer any questions submitted via commenting. If you have a question, please try posting it to our message boards.

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What others are saying

  • How to fire a broker
    We are not happy with our mortgage "broker." She said she represented more than one broker and could move our loan to another lender should rates drop. We "locked" at 5.25% (before we were approved). Since then (about 3 weeks ago), this lender has dropped its rate to 5% (30 year, 0 pts). She said we can't re-lock at this rate with the same lender, and none of her other lenders have a rate lower than 5.25% (this when the local newspaper published an average rate in my area of 4.75%). How can I fire this broker? Also, how can I find a reputable one? This process is taking longer than the 2 week window in which our credit score could drop. Can anyone recommend specific next steps to me?
  • getting quotes
    I just got one quote Friday and now realize I should not have as I am not ready to refinance in 2 weeks.. that is I could get quotes from other places in the 14 day window, but now I worry that my score is going to go lower because of these hits and if I try to refinance after 14 days..

    Anyone have advice?

    My score already went below 700 (694) because Bank of America just screwed with me and stopped my online deduction for my mortgage without letting me know.. and this reported this to the credit bureau just 2 months ago. even if I were to win a dispute (which I doubt) it will take a while.
  • Home Refinance
    I started a home-refi last week and unfortunately didn't lock-in the rate. The lender tells me I have about 10 weeks to wait to lock-in. This week the rate has increased twice. So now I'm wondering it's still I good idea to continue to wait.
  • refinance
    I am sooo glad that I locked in my rate a few weeks ago and closed last week with a rate of 4.625. By the time I done at closing the rate had jumped to 5.5%. Bet it won't come back down like that again =)
  • We close on Friday
    We are refinancing on Friday and I'm glad. Our rate is 4.78% and we have excellent credit.
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