Cut your costs...now
Maybe you don’t think too much of it when the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point, but I’d say you’re wrong.
The Fed has sent you a message: Get up and get going now, to cut your costs of borrowing.
If you have a home equity line of credit, for example, that rate should be lower today, not just by this week’s quarter-point cut. The Fed has actually been cutting rates drastically since last September. It has slashed a total of 3 and a quarter percentage points off a key short-term rate.
Which means that even if you took out a home equity loan just a few months ago, you could lower your interest rate significantly by refinancing it now.
If you have a revolving line of credit tied to your home equity, your payment may drop. Or you could move that debt over to a fixed-rate, fixed term loan. Lock in the lower rate and you’ll pay back less overall.


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Harriet Johnson Brackey, the personal finance writer for the Sun-Sentinel, has been an award-winning business...

Comments
Harriet,
In Illinois mortgage rates are holding steady. I have a standing order to refinance (15-year fixed)as soon as rates hit 5.25%. But so far, my agent is unable to find that rate for me.
To make it even more difficult to find a great rate, mortgage companies and banks are far less eager to lend and the requirements are strict.
Posted by: Mark Wolfinger | May 6, 2008 12:03 PM