Can I Refinance With the Same Lender?
If you’re thinking of replacing your current mortgage, it’s common to wonder, “Can I refinance with the same lender?” While you certainly can — and you may earn perks, like rate discounts or reduced fees, by doing so — it’s smart to first explore what other lenders have to offer.
You’ll want to go with the lender that has the best deal for you and your circumstances, whether that means the lowest interest rate, the best customer service or a fully online experience that fits your lifestyle.
Should you refinance with the same lender?
You do have the option to refinance with the same bank or lender, but the question of whether you should is a little bit more complex. The answer will depend largely on your goals for the refinance.
To flesh out your refinance goals and evaluate whether you should refinance with the same lender, ask yourself:
- What is the single most important thing I’d like to achieve by refinancing? For example, this could be lowering your monthly payments, changing your loan term or switching to a different loan type.
- What could a lender offer that would make my life easier? Have you ever wished your lender had brick-and-mortar locations or, on the flip side, have you dreamed of being able to manage your mortgage largely via an app?
- Do I have any unique needs that might take special expertise? If you’re a military borrower, for example, you might want to consider a lender that specializes in serving VA loan customers. You’d be surprised what they’ve thought of — for example, some offer customer service with hours tailored to the needs of soldiers deployed overseas.
If your lender can’t offer you any of the services you came up with when answering these questions, you may be better served by going with someone else.
If you do decide to work with your current lender, be sure you fully understand the new loan terms. Just because you’ve worked with this lender previously doesn’t mean you shouldn’t scrutinize everything.
Tip: Find out whether you have a different loan servicer
The lender that originated your mortgage isn’t necessarily the same company you’ve been dealing with and making payments to since your closing date. Some lenders transfer or sell loans to a mortgage servicer after closing, effectively handing you off to a different company altogether.
Be sure you know who your current servicer is and, if being transferred rubs you the wrong way, don’t feel that you have to go with the same company for your refinance. Only 15% of homeowners in your shoes would consider sticking with their original lender when they refinance, according to 2022 J.D. Power data.
Pros and cons of refinancing with the same lender
Pros
Having an established relationship. Familiarity helps when it’s time to reach out with questions or navigate the lender’s payment processes, all while keeping your personal finances as streamlined as possible.
Paying lower fees. If your lender is invested in keeping you as a client, you may have lower refi costs.
Enjoying a potentially shorter timeline. It takes 43 days on average to close on a refinance. Working with your current lender could get you to the closing table slightly faster — but if you have a hard deadline in mind for your refinance, be sure to share that with your lender.
Cons
Missing out on better offers. Having a great relationship with your existing lender is valuable, but you also need to weigh this against the bottom line. If you don’t look at what products and rates competitors can offer, you could be leaving a ton of savings on the table.
Negotiating at a disadvantage. Your lender knows how much interest you currently pay on your loan, which means they can offer you a slightly lower mortgage rate for your refinance without having to truly compete with other lenders. That’s why it pays to shop around and negotiate your rate, even if you end up sticking with your current lender.
Not getting the customer experience you want. Some lenders lean into new technologies more than others, and it makes sense to go with one that shares your values. If you want digital document submission, e-closing or a mobile app, you’ll need to search for a lender as invested in the online experience as you are. If you’re not sure where to start, check out our list of the best online mortgage lenders.
Having to resubmit documentation. You may expect that, since your lender has all of your documents from a previous loan, you’ll save time and effort this time around. Unfortunately, that may not be the case. You’ll likely have to undergo a new credit check, recertify your employment, get a new home appraisal and submit many other documents all over again. The main exceptions are when you use a “streamline” refinance product, like an FHA streamline refinance, VA interest rate reduction refinance loan (IRRRL) or USDA streamlined assist loan.
How much are closing costs on a refinance with the same lender?
Refinance closing costs can range from 2% to 6% of your loan amount, depending on your loan’s size. The average cost of a refinance is around $5,000, according to Freddie Mac.
You could see lower closing fees, though, if you refinance with the same lender, because lenders recognize they stand to lose if you take your business elsewhere. Examples of loan terms you can negotiate include:
- No (or lower) title insurance fees
- No additional (or lower) mortgage insurance fees
- No (or lower) loan origination fees
- No (or lower) application fees
- No (or lower) survey or home inspection fees
Should I use a “no-closing-cost” refinance?
No-closing-cost refinances usually charge higher interest rates and have higher monthly payments. This may be a necessary trade-off if you don’t have the cash to cover closing costs or if you plan to move soon, but be sure you know what you’re getting into and whether it supports your financial goals.
How to shop around for your mortgage refinance
A mortgage is one of the largest and longest financial responsibilities you’ll ever have and — because of that extended timeline — seemingly small factors can mean thousands of dollars saved or lost over the life of your loan.
Shop around by:
- Asking for lender recommendations from family members and friends. Nearly 8 in 10 (79%) of borrowers found their lender through someone they know (like a family member, friend or financial advisor), according to survey data from ICE Mortgage Technology, a loan origination platform.
- Checking lender reviews to help you identify potential mortgage companies with which you’d do business.
- Getting quotes from at least three to five lenders to ensure you’re getting the most competitive offers. If it helps, you can use a mortgage shopping worksheet to track everything as you compare quotes.
If you want the most cost-effective refinance, focus on comparing interest rates, closing costs and ongoing fees. These are the variables that can end up making a huge difference to the loan’s total cost.
Tips for mortgage rate shopping
When filling out your mortgage applications, FICO recommends rate shopping within a 30-day period to minimize the impact on your credit score. When the credit bureaus see that you’ve made multiple inquiries during a specific time period, they recognize that you’re likely rate shopping and count them as a single inquiry. This time period can range from 14 to 45 days, though the length will ultimately depend on when the inquiries are made and which scoring formula is used.
You’ll receive a loan estimate within three business days of each refinance application. Compare the offers you receive from each lender, and take the time to review all loan terms and estimated fees.
How to negotiate a refinance offer
Negotiating mortgage offers works about 80% of the time, but only 39% of borrowers do it. Don’t miss out on potentially great savings — take the following steps to work your way toward the best possible deal.
Step 1. Gather your loan estimates and review the numbers. Focus on the estimated interest rate, annual percentage rate (APR) and loan term, as well as upfront and ongoing loan costs.
Step 2. Ask each lender if they’ll lower or waive some of the refi costs. Request an appraisal waiver and lower origination fees. It may also be worth buying mortgage points to get a lower rate.
Step 3. Make lenders aware that you’re shopping around. If you share this info, they’re more likely to compete for your business.
Step 4. Pay attention to the services you can independently choose. Page 2 of your loan estimate lists the third-party services you can shop for, including the title search and insurance, pest inspection and property survey.
Step 5. Ask about a custom loan term. Want to have your house paid off by the time you’re ready to retire? Or how about the same year your kid will graduate from high school? Many lenders now allow you to choose your own loan term and put things on a timeline that makes sense for your life.
Remember: In most cases, refinancing your mortgage is more about the financial benefit you’ll get from the new loan than the lender you choose. Picking one that provides the most favorable terms and pricing — even if that means ditching your current lender — is usually a very savvy move.
If you’re struggling with whether the new loan terms make sense in the long run, a mortgage refinance calculator can help you get a better understanding.