Refinance

[Starz26]

Just finishing refi from 5.5 with 23 years left on it to 4.25 for 15 years.

They way I figure out if it is a benefit is as follows:

1. How much additional principal do you have to put on the current loan to pay of within the term of the new loan? this = x

2. Difference in remaining months of current loan to new loan = Y

3. Difference in payment from new loan vs current loan = D

4. Closing costs = Z

Formula is: ((Y*X) - Z) - (D*new term in months)

So if you original loan has 23 yrs left and an additional $300/mo would pay it off in 15 yrs. New loan is 15 years with $60 less per month in payments and $8,000 in closing costs you would save:

((84*$300)-$8,000) - (-60*180) = $28,000 savings

Most of the time people will say that you should multiply the years saved by the monthly payment to see how much you would save but this is incorrect as you are really only saving the additional amount you would use to pay down the original loan faster. BUT, in this situation you pay off the loan faster without having to pay additional per month so it is a winning situation as long as the final number is more than $0.00

At least that is how I am thinking, anyone see issues with this process?