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While many homeowners may be incentivized to restructure their finances by low mortgage interest rates, the decision to refinance your mortgage should be made based on your personal financial circumstances; this week’s mortgage rates should not be the deciding factor on whether or not you refinance is not like a car refinanceThere are things you should know.

There are a few key considerations to review before applying for a home refinance.

1. Know Your Home’s Equity

The first qualification you will need to refinance is the equity in your home. At the end of the first quarter of 2020, home values were still on the rise in the U.S. according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. However, as of the third quarter of 2020, the median sales price of homes sold in the U.S. was slightly down as a result of the economic recession caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic.1

Furthermore, according to data reported by CoreLogic at the end of the third quarter of 2020, U.S. homeowners with mortgages saw their equity increase by a total of $1 trillion since the third quarter of 2019, an increase of 10.8%, year over year.2

Still, some homes have not regained their value, and some homeowners have low equity. Refinancing with little or no equity is not always possible with conventional lenders. However, some government programs are available. The best way to find out if you qualify for a particular program is to visit a lender and discuss your individual needs. Homeowners with at least 20% equity will have an easier time qualifying for a new loan.

2. Know Your Credit Score

Lenders have tightened their standards for loan approvals in recent years. Some consumers may be surprised that even with very good credit, they will not always qualify for the lowest interest rates. Typically, lenders want to see a credit score of 760 or higher in order to qualify for the lowest mortgage interest rates. Borrowers with lower scores may still obtain a new loan, but the interest rates or fees they pay may be higher.