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by markwaldron 2157 days ago
I've seen rates as low as 2.75% on Better (500k mortgage with 5% down). As someone who was a first-time homebuyer a.little over a year ago, I've been wrestling with the pros and cons of refinancing now to drop my 4.2% interest rate. A few friends and coworkers have done it recently, but it seems to only make sicne if you're not getting killed with closing costs.
5 comments

A $400k 30-year loan at 4.2% has a $2309 payment (bankrate calculator, zeroed out down payment, tax, and insurance), and a 3% loan payment is $1686. $625/month savings will quickly pay back any reasonable closing costs. If your loan balance is higher, it makes more sense.
We purchased a 3 unit almost a year ago through Chase and got a 30-year mortgage at 3.75%, no points. Very tempting to refinance but our lender says the lowest he can get is 3.175% with points. I tried Better but it keeps saying "no results found"
Paying attention to closing costs is important. Because who likes getting screwed even if you come out ahead. Which you will because dropping your rate from 4.2% to 3% will break even around 18 months and save about $140k in interest.
Find a broker that will get you a no-cost refi (they wrap the costs into the principal, raising your payment about 1-2%). You can easily do better than what you're getting now.
When I looked on Better, 2.75% included points.