Refinancing A Mortgage: What It Means, How It Works | Bankrate

Refinance: What It Is, How It Works, Types, and Example

Why are refinance rates so expensive now? 🏡 In February 2023, the FHFA raised something called Loan Level Price Adjustments — making refinances more expensive, even for good borrowers with high credit scores. ➡️ Before 2023, a 740 credit score at 90% LTV had about a 0.25% refinance fee. ➡️ After 2023, it’s 1%. Example: • $700,000 loan • Old fee: ~$1,750 • New fee: ~$7,000 Most people don’t notice because lenders bake the cost into a higher rate — but that’s why refinances feel way more expensiv