Why would I ever want to refinance my 2.5% line of credit???
Were you one of the ones who took out a monster line of credit a few years back, because you could? Well there were plenty of you that did. And what a brilliant decision you made huh? Where else could you get a payment that low for that amount of money borrowed? Why would you want to refinance a 100K loan at 2.5% to a fixed rate that is higher?
Let’s assume the prime rate (the tool used in adjusting your line of credit) remains low for a bit longer. Eventually, when government debt must be repaid and inflation hits – (all the experts say it’s coming) mortgage rates will hit double digits. It’s a fact. History repeats itself. To see in black and white what that could mean to you, look at a few examples below, based on the prime rate historical index.
Let’s assume your rate today is set at prime (3.25%) - .75 which would be a rate of 2.5%
100K balance 250K balance
2009 - @ 2.5% monthly payment - $208 $520
2008 - @ 5% monthly payment - $416 $1041
2006 - @ 8.25% monthly payment - $708 $1718
1989 - @ 11.5% monthly payment - $958 $2395
1979 - @ 21.5% monthly payment - $1791 $4479
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You make a great case, Lewis. It is really hard for people to let go of these extraordinarily low interest rates...but that is the key word "extraordinary"! People don't look at their 18% HELOC life caps until the rate starts jumping, and then what?