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close to retirement & we may move within 7 years. should we re-finance our mortgage, or not?
user
think of your mortgage this way - you have a $130k 16 year mortgage, at 6.75%.  at 4%, the same payment ($1109 or so) will pay off the loan in 12.4 years. so, i agree with littleadv, go for a 15yr fixed (but still make the higher payment) or 10 yr if you don't mind the required higher payment. either way, a refinance is the way to go.  edit - my local bank is offering me a 3.5% 15 yr loan with fees totaling $2500. for the op here, a savings of 3.25% or first year interest savings of $4225. 7 months to breakeven.  it's important not to get caught up in trying to calculate savings 15-20 years out. what counts today is the rate difference and looking at it over the next 12 months is a start. if you break even to closing costs so soon, that's enough to make the decision.
assistant