Rate-and-term refinance
Evaluate a different interest rate, repayment term, or loan structure. A lower payment is one consideration; the remaining balance and total interest also matter.
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Compare a lower payment, a shorter term, or access to home equity against the cost of replacing your mortgage. Bennett Capital Partners Mortgage Brokers helps Florida homeowners review rate-and-term, cash-out, and eligible streamline refinance options across participating lenders.
Updated October 22, 2026. Personal guidance from a Miami mortgage broker. NMLS #2046862.
Use your own figures
Your quoted interest rate and APR depend on the loan program, credit score, equity, occupancy, points, and lock period. A market average is a benchmark, not a personalized offer.
Review Florida mortgage rate benchmarks, then compare written offers using the same loan amount and term. Enter your actual payment and cost figures below.
For a refinance without cash-out, this first check estimates how long a reduction in comparable monthly loan payments takes to recover net transaction costs. Enter figures from your current statement and proposed Loan Estimate. No rate or loan offer is assumed.
Hypothetical example: $6,000 in net transaction costs divided by $250 in monthly payment savings equals 24 months. Keeping the loan for 18 months would produce only $4,500 in payment savings before considering balance and interest differences.
Illustrative payment comparison only. This is not a full economic break-even analysis, quote or recommendation. It excludes differences in remaining principal, amortization, interest on financed costs, cash-out, taxes and insurance. A longer term can lower the payment while increasing total interest. Review the full loan comparison before deciding.
Start with your objective
The useful comparison is your current mortgage versus a proposed loan that addresses your goal. We review the whole transaction, including any costs added to the balance.
Evaluate a different interest rate, repayment term, or loan structure. A lower payment is one consideration; the remaining balance and total interest also matter.
Request a loan comparison →Access eligible equity by replacing your mortgage with a larger loan. Available proceeds depend on valuation, permitted leverage, existing liens, closing costs, and qualification.
Read about FHA cash-out options →For eligible existing FHA mortgages, explore a streamlined refinance subject to payment history, program timing, and borrower-benefit requirements. This is not a cash-out program.
Explore FHA Streamline →Eligible borrowers with an existing VA loan may consider an Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan. VA cash-out refinancing is a separate option with different requirements.
Explore VA loans →Review conventional qualification alongside eligible bank statement or alternative documentation programs when appropriate for your business income and property.
Explore bank statement refinancing →Compare suitable conventional and DSCR options for eligible rental properties. Cash flow, occupancy, ownership, and lender requirements affect the structure.
Explore DSCR financing →Compare the complete transaction
A lower advertised rate alone does not answer that question. Compare the current mortgage and proposed financing over the time you expect to keep the loan.
| What to compare | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Monthly loan payment | Compare principal, interest, and applicable mortgage insurance. Changes in taxes or insurance are separate from savings produced by the loan itself. |
| Closing costs and credits | Review lender charges, points, third-party fees, any prepayment charges, and lender credits. Separate transaction expenses from escrow funding and prepaid items. |
| New loan balance | Identify costs or cash-out added to the debt. Financing expenses avoids paying them upfront but does not eliminate them. |
| Remaining versus new term | A new, longer repayment period may reduce the payment while increasing the time in debt and total interest. |
| Your expected holding period | Consider whether you will sell, repay, or refinance again before the benefit offsets the costs. |
A useful first check
Net refinance costs ÷ monthly loan-payment savings
gives an approximate number of months to recover those costs.
This shortcut requires positive monthly savings and comparable payment components. It does not fully account for changing amortization, financed costs, tax effects, or cash-out. Review the full loan comparison before deciding.
Ask for a comparison using current, individualized pricing. Review the Loan Estimate, including rate, APR, projected payments, costs, and credits, and make sure the lock terms and assumptions are consistent.
Use equity thoughtfully
If your main goal is access to cash, consider whether replacing the entire first mortgage fits your situation.
Replaces the current first mortgage. Review the rate and costs applied to the full new balance, the permitted cash proceeds, and how the new term affects repayment.
An eligible second mortgage may preserve your existing first mortgage. Compare combined payments, fees, and any variable-rate or draw-period features. Qualification and property requirements still apply.
Refinancing is optional. When costs outweigh the expected benefit, retaining the existing mortgage may be the more appropriate choice.
Using home equity to repay other debts converts that borrowing into debt secured by your home. Review the consequences as well as the payment difference.
Compare Florida home equity financing →Estimate net cash by subtracting the existing mortgage payoff, other required payoffs, closing charges and applicable funded items from the new loan amount. Some charges can be paid separately, so use the actual closing figures rather than assuming every cost is financed.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| New mortgage | $400,000 |
| Existing mortgage payoff | −$300,000 |
| Closing costs and funded items | −$12,000 |
| Estimated cash received | $88,000 |
The $100,000 increase in mortgage debt does not produce $100,000 of spendable cash in this example. This example assumes all $12,000 of charges and funded items come from the new loan and that no other payoffs are required. These hypothetical figures are not a quote or eligibility determination. The lender’s maximum LTV, property review, seasoning, reserves and other requirements can reduce proceeds.
A longer new repayment term may lower the monthly payment while increasing total interest. Compare the proposed loan with keeping the current first mortgage and using an eligible home equity loan or HELOC. For agency-specific requirements, consult Fannie Mae cash-out refinance rules.
Before underwriting
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Equity and loan-to-value | Loan-to-value (LTV) compares the proposed mortgage with the accepted property value. Existing liens, permitted LTV and any required equity affect the available structure and cash proceeds. |
| Income and debts | For income-qualified loans, debt-to-income (DTI) compares qualifying monthly debts with qualifying income. The lender reviews the proposed payment and acceptable documentation; eligible rental-property programs may use a different cash-flow analysis. |
| Credit and mortgage history | Credit score, mortgage payment history, time since the loan was originated, and prior credit events affect eligibility and pricing. Minimums differ by program and lender. |
| Occupancy and ownership | Primary, second-home and rental transactions have different rules. Entity ownership can change the review. |
| Property and title | Insurance, condition, condo eligibility, liens and title requirements can affect an otherwise qualified borrower. |
A streamline program or possible appraisal waiver is not a promise of automatic approval. Confirm the actual documentation, borrower-benefit and property requirements for the proposed loan.
When comparing a shorter term, a higher payment may still accompany a lower total interest cost. When extending a term, lower payments can defer principal repayment. Ask for the projected balance at the date you expect to sell or refinance again.
Florida property considerations
Property value, occupancy, condition, existing liens, and current insurance influence the refinance analysis. Obtain updated insurance information and identify flood coverage or other property issues that could affect the lender's review.
For a rental property, provide lease and income information along with any ownership-entity documents requested by the lender.
A condo refinance can require association financials, master insurance, assessment information, and documentation about repairs or inspections. Project eligibility can differ between lenders even when the borrower qualifies.
We can assess condo mortgage options and, when appropriate, non-warrantable condo financing.
Make the review productive
We review the existing loan, clarify your objective, and identify suitable lender options. If you choose to proceed, the file moves through application, valuation and property review, underwriting, final disclosures, and closing.
Timing depends on documentation, the program, appraisal or project requirements, title, and applicable closing rules. We discuss those steps based on your file.
Request a refinance review →There is no single refinance rate for every Florida borrower. Compare an individualized rate and APR with the same loan amount, term, occupancy, points and lock period. Use our Florida mortgage rates page for market context and request a written comparison for your property.
It can be, but a fixed rate-drop rule is not a reliable decision on its own. Closing costs, the remaining term, the new loan balance and how long you keep the loan matter. Use the payment break-even calculation, then compare the projected balances and interest over your expected holding period.
Costs depend on the loan amount, lender, title work, valuation, points and other transaction details. Ask for an itemized Loan Estimate. Separate lender and third-party charges from prepaid taxes, insurance and escrow deposits, and identify any costs added to the new balance.
Requirements vary by program, lender, occupancy and whether you take cash out. The review can include credit history, loan-to-value, income, debts, reserves and property eligibility. An FHA Streamline or VA IRRRL has its own rules and is not automatic approval.
Some structures use lender credits or finance eligible costs into the new loan. Credits can involve a higher interest rate; financed costs increase the balance and can increase interest paid. Compare the full expense over the time you expect to keep the loan.
Start with the permitted new loan amount, then subtract mortgage payoffs, other required payoffs, closing charges and applicable funded items. The amount depends on valuation, permitted LTV and qualification. Compare a cash-out refinance with an eligible home equity loan or HELOC that preserves the first mortgage.
Eligible properties may have conventional or specialty options. A condo can require review of association finances, insurance, repairs and assessments. For a rental, review the property’s cash flow, ownership and occupancy along with the lender’s borrower and equity requirements.
Eligible borrowers may qualify through bank statement or other alternative documentation programs. Lenders still evaluate business history, deposits, expenses, credit, equity and property eligibility. Alternative documentation does not mean no verification.
It depends on the program and the lender’s valuation requirements. Some eligible transactions may receive an appraisal waiver or qualify for a program that does not require a new appraisal. Confirm the actual requirements for your file before relying on a waiver.
Use our 30-year fixed refinance comparison to evaluate payment predictability, a new repayment term, closing costs and the balance you expect to owe.
Explore when to refinance your mortgage, mortgage rate information, and financing a new home purchase if moving may better fit your plans.
Programs, terms, and eligibility are subject to change and borrower and property qualification. Not a commitment to lend. All loans are subject to credit and property approval.
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Your next step
Share your current mortgage and the outcome you want. We will help you evaluate the available options.