We applied for a refinance with A1 Mortgage in ear...

We applied for a refinance with A1 Mortgage in early January, after having refinanced with them previously in 2010. Our mortgage loan officer, Vic DeSantis, went over several different refinancing options with me and my wife, and let us know the pros and cons to each. When we settled on the best option for us, we went with the one that was actually a little higher in interest rate (still a few points lower than our previous rate) but allowed us to drop the mortgage insurance. Overall savings ended up being $250/month.

Our process was painless, and while we did have to pay $400 for the appraisal (an unfortnate cost that often accompanies any loan against your home), but we are getting back nearly $2000 from the title company, along with $1100 via escrow refund from our previous loan holder (+ saving nearly $10,000 in interest over the life of the loan compared to our previous mortgage).

We spent less than 2 hours in the office total (including closing), and never had any issue at all with anything along the way. We were kept well informed throughout the process, and Vic stayed in constant communication with us to let us know how things were coming. He also coached us in how best to handle the appraiser, and provided us a copy of our previous appraisal (from 2010) to have on hand. Our home met the appropriate appraisal amount that Vic estimated...can't blame A1 for the housing market still not having fully rebounded.