Interest Rate Modification
Modification involving interest rates
The most common aspect of a loan that borrowers are choosing to modify is the current interest rate on their loan. Since the majority of loans involve adjustable rates that fluctuate with the changes in the market, changing the interest rate seems logical. The ultimate goal, of course, is a lower interest rate. If you can get this as a fixed rate, you are better off. With a fixed interest rate, you are essentially locking the interest rate so that it cannot change.
Refinancing vs. modificationAs mentioned in the above paragraph, refinancing a loan means that you have to start all over. If you have held your current loan for a few years, refinancing may not be the best option. Once you refinance your loan, you have to start from day one. Refinancing is usually done when a lender has sold your loan to another lender.
Modification is a bit easier. You have the same loan with the same terms of length. You keep what you have already paid on the balance. You are simply making modifications to some of the original terms of the loan. Lenders have less of a risk with a modification because if they agree to modify the terms of the loan, you are less likely to default.
What you need to knowUp until recently, most lenders did not do modifications. Refinancing was the only option. With the changes that have been made to deal with the economy, loan financing is getting a face lift. There are new options that are being made available for borrowers by lenders to ensure that defaulting is avoided. More specifically, there have been many changes to mortgage lending that are designed to help people keep their homes.
Since the goal is to save money, modification is the better choice. When you change the interest rate to a lower one than what you currently have, you are also adjusting the monthly payments and the total amount that is owed on the loan. Your payments become lower and much more affordable. In addition, with loan modification, you do not have to pay more closing costs and taxes like you would with a loan refinancing. You are also avoiding the headache of dealing with surveying and appraisals.
In one sentence – loan modification is a far better option for you.