A financial decision such as mortgage refinancing is a daunting talk and for a good reason. Your home is the single, biggest, and most important investment you can have in your lifetime. Losing it with a misjudged or unintelligent move would mean you have to start all over again. Hence, if you are considering such financial move, there is no better way to begin than by starting at the right foot.

Step 1: Quiz people you know

The first thing you should remember when refinancing your mortgage is to look for a “reputable company.” The prevailing rate may be low, but if you land on a company that thinks more of profit than their client, then it’ll be useless. A good way to begin searching for a company is through your friends, family or neighbors, or co-workers. Ask them about their mortgage lender. Armed with a list, start calling companies one by one. Local ones are more familiar with local market so they can be a good source of accurate estimates.

Step 2: Go online

Do not drop online source. Begin searching for companies online and compare. See if you can get competitive rates. Usually, online companies operate nationwide and have offices in major cities.

Step 3: Know the cost

The reason why you refinance your mortgage is basically to get lower rates, save on monthly payment and save on total cost of mortgage. However, buying out your existing loan to get a new one can be costly and recouping the cost of refinancing cannot be felt instantly. You must, therefore analyze the cost of your new loan and compare it with the savings you’ll get each month. There, you’ll know when will be your “break-even point.” Know how much you will have to spend on fees and points. Ask your lender about the interest rate. Make all calls and know everything you need to know.

Step 4: Pay attention to details

Choose from the list of possible lenders you have. Know if the company really has the expertise in the industry. Can the representative answer your questions well? Does the company provide the support you need? Does it make ways to get you the terms you need? Does it make return call immediately? The golden rule when looking for a company is: if you are not comfortable, move on and look somewhere else. Take note, there are hundreds of companies that are willing to give you the loan you need so do not settle for just one. Check the Better Business Bureau for information about your lender.

Step 5: Bargain

It is your loan. So no matter what happens you are the only person who will pay for it and you are the only one who will suffer if you failed to get the best term that is designed for your needs. Do not be afraid to negotiate. If the prevailing rate is low, negotiate further. Fees will come from everywhere and it will cost you a hefty price if you don’t negotiate to trim it down. Then, lock the deal so that the mortgage cost will not rise once the loan is being processed. No lender is perfect, but at least pick the best you can get.

Doing your research, shopping around, following your instincts and being wise will get you through the entire process smoothly.