Should You Consolidate Debt Into a Mortgage Refinance?

If you’ve been looking at your bills lately and wondering how to save on those monthly payments, you may be thinking, “Can I consolidate this debt into a new mortgage?” If high interest rates on credit card debt are preventing you from paying off your balance, you might benefit from refinancing with a home equity line of credit.

You can consolidate debt in a mortgage re-fi and point the home equity cash towards credit card debt. But like everything else, there are pros and cons to doing so. Take a look at our advice on what you need to know on refinancing your home to pay off debt.

How Does Debt Consolidation Work?

The benefits can be big when you refinance your home to pay off debt. Debt consolidation mortgages work best when the amount of equity you have in your home allows you to pay for a large percentage — or the entire balance — of high-interest debt.

With on-time mortgage payments made each month, hopefully your credit rating qualifies you to refinance your home. Work with a mortgage broker to apply for financing after you’re committed to the idea.

Keep in mind that you’ll need to pay closing costs when refinancing. You’ll want to be sure that you’ve got left over equity or savings enough to cover those closing fees, and they can be substantial.

Is It a Good Idea to Consolidate Debt Into a Mortgage?

Building up a case to refinance your mortgage for debt consolidation purposes can depend on a number of key factors. The amount of equity you’ve got in your home can dictate the total amount of debt you’ll be able to pay off. With the right market conditions, and enough equity to knock out a sizable portion of your high-interest credit card debt, you can benefit when you refinance your mortgage to pay off debt. Here are a few other good reasons to consider a re-fi:

• You could be paying off your credit card debt at a lower interest rate
• Your new monthly payment will likely be less than your current credit card payment
• You may be able to raise your credit score more quickly
• You may get a better rate on your new mortgage
• You may be able to switch to a better mortgage type

When Is Refinancing Your Mortgage Not a Good Idea?

As attractive as refinancing your mortgage may seem, it’s not the right answer for everyone. Here are a few reasons why refinancing may not be the right move:

• Your home can become collateral on the debt
• Closing costs on the refinancing can be costly
• The length of time that you’ll be paying the loan off may increase
• The amount you’re financing could require you to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI)

Alternative Options to Paying Off Your Debt

If it’s looking like a refinance to pay off your debt is out of the question, don’t worry — you still have plenty of options. From home equity lines of credit to zero APR balance transfers, there are ways to chip away at your debt quickly and efficiently.

Home equity line of credit (HELOC)

A HELOC can be a great alternative to a debt consolidation and mortgage refinance. By comparison, HELOCs don’t require you to completely rebuild your entire mortgage. Your HELOC acts as a second mortgage and lets you borrow against your home equity’s line of credit without expensive closing fees usually associated with closing on a home.

If you were hoping to pay off $10,000 in credit card debt, and your home equity was valued at $120,000 on a $360,000 loan, a HELOC could be a good idea. That’s because the cost of the loan wouldn’t jeopardize your PMI and you’d be paying lower interest than you are currently.

Debt consolidation loan

Debt consolidation loans work to reduce interest payments and streamline monthly payments to a single source. By combining smaller, high-interest debts, you can apply for a low interest loan that takes a bite out of your interest payments. You may have to put your home up for collateral if your credit rating isn’t great, but a zero APR payment for a long string of months can really help you move quickly toward your financial goals.

Balance-transfer credit cards

Another alternative to home mortgage debt consolidation lies in the transferring of balances between credit cards. This tactic offers a clear advantage — when zero APR is available. Credit card banks will sometimes offer a limited time opportunity where the cost to transfer balances from other credit cards is free or marginal. You can shuttle debt between cards for a small fee and then leverage a period of months with no APR.

Your Next Steps for Debt Consolidation

It’s key to remember that even though your credit card debt may feel overwhelming, there are options available to help reduce that monthly burden. Because everyone’s debt is a little different, you’ll need to put together an accurate monthly budget to know how much cash is coming in and going out. Here are other steps you should consider when consolidating debt:

• Research all your financial options thoroughly before taking any action
• Review your monthly cash flow and trim away at unnecessary spending
• Inquire with mortgage lenders about current refinancing rates
• Build a realistic plan that gets you out of debt in a less expensive way

With a little homework, and a lot of determination, you may be able to reduce your monthly payments and still tackle credit card debt.

Maintaining good financial health doesn’t have to be difficult. That’s why we’ve put together our financial advice section on money matters. While you’re considering your lending options, remember to reach out to your American Family Insurance agent and review your homeowners policy. You’ll find real peace of mind with a carefully crafted policy that meets your insurance needs and your budget.

This article is for informational purposes only and based on information that is widely available. This information does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal or financial advice. You should contact a professional for advice specific to your situation.