A rate-and-term refinance replaces the mortgage you have now with a new one that changes how the loan works, without pulling cash out of your home. Homeowners in Media look at this when they want a different rate structure, a different term, or a loan that no longer carries mortgage insurance. A licensed loan officer can review your current note and tell you which options you may qualify for in Pennsylvania.
Call to speak with a licensed loan officer about mortgage refinance in Media. Programs vary by borrower, property and investor.
Refinancing activity in Delaware County
About 63% of owner-occupied homes in Media carry a mortgage, so a large share of local owners could look at refinancing at some point. Lenders recorded 1,265 rate-and-term refinances and 1,352 cash-out refinances in Delaware County in 2024.
Common reasons homeowners in Media refinance
Most rate-and-term refinances start with one specific goal. Some owners want to trade an adjustable-rate mortgage for a fixed rate so the principal and interest portion stops changing. Others want a shorter term to build equity faster, or a longer one to ease monthly cash flow.
Removing mortgage insurance is another common driver. If your home has gained value or you have paid the balance down, a new conventional loan may not require it. A refinance can also release a co-borrower from the note after a divorce or when a parent who co-signed wants off the loan. Each goal points to a different loan structure, so start with the reason, then look at programs.
Start your application in a few minutes. A licensed loan officer reviews it and follows up with your options.
- Takes a few minutes
- Reviewed by a licensed loan officer
- No obligation to proceed
Prefer to talk first? Call (888) 912-6746. Applying is not a loan approval or commitment to lend; programs vary by borrower, property and investor. ClearPoint Mortgage Advisors, NMLS #173855. Properties in FL, NY, NJ, PA, CT and VA only.
The break-even question
Every refinance has upfront costs, such as lender charges, title work, an appraisal and recording fees. The break-even point is the moment when the benefit of the new loan has paid back those costs. Before that point, you are behind. After it, you are ahead.
To find yours, compare the monthly difference between the old and new loan with the total cost to close, then think honestly about how long you will keep the home. If you may sell or move soon, a refinance that takes a long time to break even may not serve you. Your Loan Estimate lists the costs, which makes this math easier to run.
Who this tends to fit
- Your home value has risen and you want to drop mortgage insurance
- You have an FHA loan and want to move to a conventional loan
- You have an adjustable-rate mortgage and want payments that stay steady
- You want to pay the home off sooner with a shorter term
- You are divorced or separated and need to remove a co-borrower from the note
Local offices and Pennsylvania rules to know
- Property assessment: Delaware County Assessment Bureau.
- Deed and mortgage recording: Delaware County Recorder of Deeds. Your mortgage is recorded here after closing.
Pennsylvania recording costs: State realty transfer tax on deeds and other writings that transfer real estate (collected by county Recorders of Deeds), often along with an additional local realty transfer tax shared with municipalities and school districts. Your Loan Estimate lists the taxes that apply to your loan.
How the refinance process works
The steps look a lot like your original purchase, just without a seller. You apply, share income and asset documents, and receive a Loan Estimate within three business days. The lender orders title work to confirm who owns the property and what liens exist.
Most refinances need an appraisal to set the home's current value, which affects which programs and pricing you may be eligible for. Some loans allow an appraisal waiver, depending on the investor. Underwriting reviews the file, you get a Closing Disclosure before signing, and on a primary residence federal law gives you a right of rescission period before funds are disbursed.
Before you call
- Any divorce decree or separation agreement if a borrower is coming off
- Recent pay stubs, W-2s or tax returns for everyone on the new loan
- Two months of bank or asset statements
- Your homeowners insurance declarations page
- Your most recent mortgage statement showing the current balance
Questions Media borrowers ask about mortgage refinance
Can I refinance to get rid of mortgage insurance?
Often, yes. If your home has gained value or your balance has dropped, a new conventional loan may not require mortgage insurance. FHA borrowers sometimes refinance into a conventional loan for this reason. Whether you qualify depends on the appraised value, your credit and the investor's guidelines. On some conventional loans you can also ask your servicer to cancel it without refinancing, so ask about both paths.
What is a rate-and-term refinance?
It is a new mortgage that pays off your existing one and changes the rate, the rate type, the term, or a combination, without giving you significant cash from your equity. The new balance generally covers your current payoff plus closing costs. Its purpose is to reshape your debt, not to borrow against the house. If you want cash out, that is a different loan type with different rules.
Will I need a new appraisal?
Usually. The appraisal sets your home's current value, which affects the programs and pricing you may be eligible for. Some loans qualify for an appraisal waiver based on data the investor already has, but that is decided case by case. If an appraiser visits, make sure the home is accessible, and share a list of updates you have made since you bought it.
How do I know if refinancing is worth it?
Compare what it costs to close the new loan with the monthly or long-term benefit it gives you, then ask how long you will keep the home. If you plan to stay well past the break-even point, the refinance may make sense. If you might sell soon, it may not. A loan officer can lay out both loans side by side so you can decide with the full picture.
Get answers about mortgage refinance for a home in or around Media. Subject to credit approval; programs vary.
Other loan options in Media
LendersCompaniesBrokersHome loansCash-out refinanceHELOCHome equity loanFHAVAFirst-time buyerUSDAJumboReverse mortgageConstructionRenovation
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Related guides
- When Does Refinancing Your Mortgage Make Sense?
- Closing Costs Explained
- The Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure, Explained
Mortgage Refinance across Pennsylvania · Mortgage Refinance guide · Pennsylvania overview
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates
- 2024 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data for Delaware County