If you’re looking to save money or tap into some of your home’s equity, you may have considered refinance programs for seniors. You may have learned that although there are benefits, there are always worries, particularly when money is involved. 

Regardless of your age, the decision to refinance is a big one, and you should consider all of your options before settling on one, but is it the best choice for a senior?

Reasons to Refinance for Seniors

If you’re living on a limited retirement income and already paid off your mortgage, you may wonder why you would want to refinance during your golden years.

Here are some common reasons why older homeowners consider refinance programs for seniors:

How to Refinance for Seniors

Whether you’ve decided to refinance or are on the fence, you may be curious about the refinancing process for seniors. While the process is almost identical, W-2s are not required; instead, social security statements and evidence of other assets may be provided.

Besides knowing the purpose, the following steps are:

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7 Refinancing Programs for Seniors

Many retirees and those over the age of 60 worry that they won’t be able to qualify for a mortgage because of their reduced income. Fortunately, there are several refinance programs for seniors explicitly designed for this demographic.

Here are some variables that positively influence your refinancing qualifications despite the lack of income:

With so many possibilities, there is something for almost anyone.

1. Rate and Term Refinance

Traditional refinancing, commonly known as rate and term refinancing, fulfills Fannie Mae’s or Freddie Mac’s standards. For many seniors in good financial standing, this is one of the most cost-effective strategies to achieve advantageous home loan refinancing.

Some of the benefits of this option are:

2. Cash-Out Refinance

Refinancing your mortgage to take cash out of your home’s equity is a common strategy for retirees who want to improve their financial standing and quality of life during their golden years. 

There is a wide variety of cash-out refinancing options available to retirees, involving loans like:

Some of the benefits of these options are:

3. FHA Streamline Refinance

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, FHA streamline refinances are available under credit qualifying and non-credit qualifying options. The FHA Streamline Refinancing program is a good alternative for current FHA borrowers since it doesn’t require any additional appraisals or a credit check. 

Here are some of the uses for this refinancing:

4. VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance (IRRRL)

If you are a qualifying veteran, member of the armed forces, or surviving military spouse and already have a VA loan, you may be eligible to refinance into a loan with a lower interest rate (IRRRL). 

Loan terms are comparable to FHA streamline refinancing, making it an attractive option if your income or home value has dropped. However, there is a VA funding cost of 0.5% of the loan amount, which helps fund the program.

5. Renovation Refinance

Whether you want to improve your home for personal reasons or prepare it for a higher age, renovations are important for seniors who wish to stay in their homes during their retirement years. 

Some common improvements include:

Fannie Mae HomeStyle Renovation and Freddie Mac CHOICERenovation are two examples of specialized home improvement loans that may be used to refinance an existing mortgage and pay for renovations simultaneously.

6. Fannie Mae Refinancing Programs

Specifically designed for low-income borrowers, Fannie Mae has two major refinancing programs that may suit your needs.

Fannie Mae HomeReady Refinancing 

This refinance program for seniors is specifically designed for low-income retirees who may only rely on Social Security as their only income source for many.

Existing borrowers with mortgages backed by Fannie Mae may be able to refinance into lower interest rate HomeReady mortgages if they meet the program’s requirements. 

The requirements of this loan are:

Fannie Mae RefiNow

Already have a Fannie Mae mortgage? Fannie Mae has a refinancing option that may be right for you, specifically designed for low-income borrowers. You may be able to finance your closing costs with the assistance of this loan if your new monthly payment and interest rate are at least 0.5% lower.

Here are the requirements:

If your debt-to-income (DTI) is as high as 65%, then Fannie Mae will even cover the appraisal fee for your home.  

7. Freddie Mac Refinancing Programs

The Freddie Mac refinance program may be helpful if you’re underwater on your mortgage but don’t meet the requirements for a traditional refinance because your loan-to-value (LTV) ratio is too high. Interest rates are typically higher for borrowers with a high LTV, but Freddie Mac’s refinancing program is designed to reduce this cost, particularly for seniors.

Here are the benefits:

Explore Refinancing Programs for Seniors With Total Mortgage

Mortgages are among the largest recurring expenses, so paying them off as quickly as possible is often a top priority for those saving for retirement. But depending on your plans for the future and potential needs, it may make sense to explore your refinancing options.

One of the deciding factors in completing a mortgage refinance is finding a reliable mortgage lender that understands your needs. When you’re ready to take the first step toward finding the right refinance program for seniors, consider your options with Total Mortgage. Start by finding a Total Mortgage branch nearest to you, or apply online and get a free rate quote.