Elden Maynard - Intercap Lending

Not every drop in rates means it is time to refinance.

What I look at is your strike rate.

Your strike rate is the interest rate where refinancing actually makes financial sense for you.

Historically, many people used a 1% difference as a guideline. For example, if your current rate is 7.5%, a strike rate might be around 6.5%.

In today’s market, that gap is often smaller. Sometimes a 0.5% to 0.75% difference can be enough depending on the loan structure and goals.

The key is not just the rate. It is the overall impact on your payment, costs, and timeline.

Refinancing can be a great move, but only if it makes sense for your timeline.

The key concept is break even.

Break even is the point where your monthly savings outweigh the cost of the refinance.

Here is how it works:

Take your total closing costs
Divide by your monthly savings
That gives you the number of months to break even

If you plan to stay in the home longer than that timeframe, the refinance may make sense.

If not, it could actually cost you money.

Understanding this number is one of the most important parts of making a smart refinance decision.

Private Mortgage Insurance does not have to last forever.

Many buyers are surprised to learn there are ways to remove PMI depending on their situation.

You may be able to remove it by:

Reaching 20% equity in your home
Seeing an increase in home value
Refinancing into a new loan
Requesting removal based on your current balance

A quick review can show if you are closer than you think.

According to Freddie Mac, rising home values have helped many homeowners reach equity positions faster than expected.

Source: Freddie Mac Housing Market Report 2025.