How long does a closing on a refinance take?

Asked by: Emelia Cartwright  |  Last update: February 9, 2022
Score: 4.7/5 (12 votes)

The Bottom Line
You can refinance your mortgage loan to take advantage of lower interest rates, change your term, consolidate debt or take cash out of your equity. Though there is no exact time limit on how long a refinance can take, most refinances close within 30 to 45 days of your application.

What happens at refinance closing?

What to expect. Closings usually take place at a title company. For a refinance, it'll be you and any co-borrowers and a closing agent in attendance. You'll need to bring a state-issued photo ID and a cashier's check or wire transfer to pay for outstanding items or closing costs that aren't rolled into the loan.

Why does it take so long to close on a refinance?

It takes so long to refinance a mortgage today because demand is strong. Once you own your primary residence, you are considered neutral real estate. To make money in real estate, you need to invest in rental properties, REITs, or real estate crowdfunded projects.

How long after an appraisal does it take to close on a refinance?

How Long Does A Refinance Take After An Appraisal? A refinance typically takes 30 – 45 days to complete from start to finish, but how long does a refinance take after appraisal? When the appraisal comes in, it shouldn't take longer than two weeks to close on your mortgage.

How do you know when your mortgage loan is approved?

How do you know when your mortgage loan is approved? Typically, your loan officer will call or email you once your loan is approved. Sometimes, your loan processor will pass along the good news.

The Refinancing Process (Step-by-Step Explained)

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Can a refinance be denied after closing?

Can a mortgage loan be denied after closing? Though it's rare, a mortgage can be denied after the borrower signs the closing papers. ... This may also happen during a refinance closing because borrowers have a three-day right of rescission.

How long does it take to get funds from a refinance?

Expect your cash-out refi to take about 45 to 60, and plan to wait three days after closing before you see any cash. Budget accordingly, making sure to give yourself a cushion of time before you need the funds. It's best practice to shop around for the best mortgage lender and get rate quotes from several to compare.

Is no news good news in underwriting?

When it comes to mortgage lending, no news isn't necessarily good news. Particularly in today's economic climate, many lenders are struggling to meet closing deadlines, but don't readily offer up that information. When they finally do, it's often late in the process, which can put borrowers in real jeopardy.

What can I do if my refinance is taking too long?

Here are a few ways you can make the refi process as smooth as possible:
  1. Get your paperwork in order. Don't let something simple like a missing document delay your refinance. ...
  2. Make sure the lender will honor your rate lock. ...
  3. Keep your credit score tight.

What is the best day to close on a refinance?

The best day to close a home purchase, or a mortgage refinance, is on the last business day of the month, unless it falls on a Monday. Then you should close on the preceding Friday so you don't have to pay interest over a weekend.

Does refinancing hurt your credit?

Refinancing will hurt your credit score a bit initially, but might actually help in the long run. Refinancing can significantly lower your debt amount and/or your monthly payment, and lenders like to see both of those. Your score will typically dip a few points, but it can bounce back within a few months.

How long does underwriting take for refinancing?

Underwriting can take anywhere from a couple of days to several weeks, but the average is a week or two. Your lender will issue your approval once underwriting is complete.

How long should you stay in your house after refinancing?

How long after refinancing can you sell your house? You can sell your house right after refinancing — unless you have an owner-occupancy clause in your new mortgage contract. An owner-occupancy clause can require you to live in your house for 6-12 months before you sell it or rent it out.

Why is refinancing so difficult?

Perhaps the most typical reason for a denied refinance is a lack home equity, which translates to a loan-to-value ratio well above what's acceptable. For example, a great number of homeowners took out interest-only home loans and option-arms during the housing boom because home prices were only going in one direction.

What happens if your financing falls through?

The buyer must be able to obtain a mortgage for the property, usually within a specific period of time of signing the contract. Sometimes a condition can be written into the contract whereby if the financing falls through, the contract is nullified.

Why would an underwriter deny a refinance?

An underwriter may deny a loan simply because they don't have enough information for an approval. Letters of explanation may go a long way to clarify gaps in employment, a debt that's paid by someone else or a large cash deposit in your account.

How long does final approval take?

Getting your loan from conditional approval to final approval could take about two weeks, but there's no guarantee about this timeframe. You can help speed up the process by responding to your underwriter's questions right away.

Can you walk away from a refinance?

You can back out of a home refinance, within a certain grace period, for any reason, but you may face a fees or penalty if you choose to cancel or otherwise can't refinance. When a refinance doesn't go through, you typically must cut your losses for certain up-front costs you paid during the refinance process.

Can I lose my house after closing?

Legally it's called “adverse possession” and affects properties that the owner doesn't occupy. If someone moves into an abandoned home and they live there for a few years, paying taxes and taking care of it, then they can actually end up owning that property.

Do you lose equity when refinancing?

Do you lose equity when you refinance? Yes, you can lose equity when you refinance if you use part of your loan amount to pay closing costs. But you'll regain the equity as you repay the loan amount and as the value of your home increases.

Can you sell house shortly after refinancing?

You can sell your home immediately after refinancing if you wanted to, unless there is an owner-occupancy stipulation in your refinancing agreement. If there isn't, you can sell your home right away!

Is underwriting the last step?

No, underwriting is not the final step in the mortgage process. You still have to attend closing to sign a bunch of paperwork, and then the loan has to be funded. ... The underwriter might request additional information, such as banking documents or letters of explanation (LOE).

How long does it take underwriter to clear to close?

Clear To Close: At Least 3 Days

Once the underwriter has determined that your loan is fit for approval, you'll be cleared to close. At this point, you'll receive a Closing Disclosure.

How long does it take for an underwriter to make a decision?

Under normal circumstances, initial underwriting approval happens within 72 hours of submitting your full loan file. In extreme scenarios, this process could take as long as a month. However, it's unlikely to take so long unless you have an exceptionally complicated loan file.

Does refinancing affect taxes?

Refinance loans are treated like other mortgage loans when it comes to your taxes. You may be able to deduct certain costs, like mortgage interest, but only if you itemize your deductions. If you take the standard deduction (which most filers do), then your mortgage refinance won't affect your taxes one way or another.