Student Loans and Mortgages – Refinancing Your Student Loans and Mortgage

There are several ways to handle your student loan debt when applying for a mortgage. These options include an Income-driven repayment plan, releasing a cosigner, using Autopay, and lowering your debt-to-income ratio. You can also seek the assistance of a mortgage broker to negotiate a loan that fits your circumstances. If you’ve already got outstanding student loans, you should contact a mortgage broker who can help you negotiate a lower rate and monthly payment.

Income-driven repayment plan

To begin an income-driven repayment plan, submit the appropriate application. You can complete the application online or print out a copy to submit to the loan servicer. The application will let you select which plan you wish to apply for and what your family income will be. You must provide this information, as well as your reasons for applying for the plan. You will need to recertify your income and family size each year.

Cosigner release

A cosigner release can be done in several ways, including requesting it through the mail. Most lenders require that you have made two years of on-time payments to qualify for this option, though some companies have a longer waiting period. However, you must request this option from the lender. If you are denied, follow up with the lender as soon as possible. Once you know the steps to take, requesting a cosigner release is usually a straightforward process.

Autopay

While autopay is convenient, it may not be a good option for all borrowers. For example, if you have a variable-rate loan, your payments may change over time. Then, when you set autopay, you might not pay attention to the change and end up paying more interest than you should. Autopay also can make it easy to forget about your debt by sending you an alert every month reminding you to review your debt and revisit your repayment plan.

Debt-to-income ratio

You should consider your student loan debt when looking for a mortgage. It will affect your debt-to-income ratio, which will affect your mortgage approval chances. Calculating your debt-to-income ratio is easy; it is a matter of comparing your monthly payments to your gross monthly income. To find your monthly income, divide your annual salary by twelve months to find your gross monthly income. The resulting ratio is expressed as a percentage.

Cost of student loan

Refinancing your student loan and mortgage has advantages and disadvantages. The best mortgage rates can be obtained when your credit score is excellent and your debt-to-income ratio is low. Your credit score will also be a factor in determining the interest rate you will pay on your new loan. But if you are not able to meet these requirements, you will be denied a mortgage. If this is the case, it is best to work with a qualified financial professional to help you determine your financial situation.