Using 401(k) Loans When Refinancing–Homeowners Apply Cash Towards Mortgage Principal But Drawbacks May Arise

Over the past months we have seen some workers borrow money from their 401(k), in the form of a 401(k) loan, for various purposes and, in some instances there have been homeowners who have used funds from their retirement as a way to apply money towards their mortgage principal at the time of refinancing as a way to apply cash to their principal balance, which may allow them to reduce their costs even further and potentially put them on a faster track to mortgage debt relief. Some financial professionals, such as Clark Howard, have even gone so far as to make the rare statement of urging homeowners, who can benefit to do so, to use funding from their 401(k) to participate in a cash-in refinance, but of course this comes with a caveat as homeowners do need to be sure that they are on a financial ground that will allow them to not only repay the funds into their retirement account but also benefit from this particular type of refinancing opportunity.


Homeowners who have successfully used a 401(k) loan to refinance with a cash-in option are those who, in the majority of cases, can affordably repay the money that will have to be returned to their 401(k), and of course they have been those who have qualified for a more affordable rate, and have obviously done a great deal of good when it comes to paying down their mortgage principal. Since rates on home loans, like the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage or the 15-year fixed rate home loan, still offer incredibly low interest rates at the present time, with the 30-year rate remaining around 4%, successful homeowners who have used a 401(k) loan to apply cash towards their principal at the time of refinancing have typically been able to get not only an affordable rate but potentially lower overall costs as well.

Some homeowners have made the decision to shorten their mortgage term, meaning they may have opted for a shorter home loan at the time they refinanced, and this coupled with applying money towards their mortgage principal has also helped some cut costs drastically in terms of the overall money they will pay on their home when all is said and done.

Yet, homeowners do need to realize that the costs associated with refinancing can be expensive, repaying a 401(k) loan will be necessary so that such drawbacks like defaulting on this loan and having the money received viewed as income, which then becomes taxable, are just a few of the factors that homeowners must consider if they wish to refinance at the present time. Understandably, low mortgage rates have been very attractive for homeowners who are in a position where they may potentially see a huge rate reduction, as well as lower costs, but homeowners are still being urged to consider all of the drawbacks that may arise when using retirement funds to apply cash towards their mortgage principal at the time of refinancing, look to see how beneficial refinancing will be for their situation, and whether all of the costs associated with cash-in refinancing can be met once they have completed the refinance on their current home.

Source: http://www.rwbpress.com/2011/11/16/using-401k-loans-when-refinancing-homeowners-apply-cash-towards-mortgage-principal-but-drawbacks-may-arise/