Mortgage Refinance Paperwork Checklist
What it should state. What's commonly not stated. What to ask before you sign.
You're about to sign mortgage refinance paperwork. This page lists what complete refinance paperwork states, the lines that are commonly not stated, and the questions worth asking before your name goes on it.
This is a reading checklist, not advice. Spend Defense doesn't tell you whether to sign — we make sure you've actually seen what's on the page, and what isn't.
What complete refinance paperwork states
New rate and term — the new interest rate and loan term, next to your current ones.
New monthly payment — principal and interest, and the total payment with escrow.
Total interest over the new term — what the new loan costs in interest from start to finish.
Closing costs, itemized — every fee listed, with points shown in dollars as well as percent.
Cash-out amount — if any, the amount and where it appears in the numbers.
Payoff of the old loan — the payoff amount for the current mortgage.
Prepayment penalty — whether the new loan has one, stated either way.
Rate lock — the locked rate, the lock expiration, and any extension fee.
What's commonly not stated
- Term reset — restarting a 30-year clock can lower the payment while raising total cost; the paperwork rarely puts those side by side.
- Escrow refund from the old loan — the balance left in your old escrow account usually comes back separately and is often not mentioned.
- Break-even point — how long it takes for the monthly savings to cover the closing costs is seldom shown.
- Costs rolled into the loan — closing costs added to the balance can make "no cash to close" look free.
None of these gaps decide anything by themselves. They're the lines to ask about before you sign, not after.
Questions to ask before you sign
- “What is the total interest over the new term, compared to what I have left on my current loan?”
- “What are the points in dollars, not just percent?”
- “Are any closing costs being added to the loan balance?”
- “When does my rate lock expire, and what does an extension cost?”
- “What happens to the money in my current escrow account?”
Want a second set of eyes on the actual document?
Send us the paperwork before you sign. A Quick Check reads your document and shows you what it says, what's not stated, and what to ask — for $4.99 (up to 10 pages). Longer documents: Document Review $19, Premium Review $49.
Check my document →We don't decide for you. We make sure nothing on the page — or missing from it — surprises you later.
FAQ
How much does a refinance usually cost?
We don't price other people's loans — refinance costs depend on the loan amount, points, location, and the lender's fees. What you can check is whether your paperwork itemizes every cost, shows points in dollars, and states total interest over the new term. If it doesn't, ask before signing.
What if something on this checklist is missing from my refinance paperwork?
Ask your lender in writing before you sign. A missing total-interest figure or escrow answer isn't a verdict on the lender; it's an unknown in a loan you'll carry for years. Getting it stated costs nothing and settles it before closing.
Can Spend Defense read my actual refinance paperwork?
Yes. A single Loan Estimate or Closing Disclosure fits the Quick Check ($4.99, up to 10 pages). A full refinance packet usually runs longer and goes through the Document Review ($19, up to 25 pages) or Premium Review ($49, up to 100 pages).
Related checklists
- Closing Disclosure Checklist
- Home Purchase Contract Checklist
- Personal Loan & Buy-Now-Pay-Later Agreement Checklist
Spend Defense — we read the paperwork before you sign. We don't decide for you.