The December Recast Strategy: How to Lower Your Payment Without Refinancing
- Michael Belfor

- Dec 15
- 2 min read

Many homeowners assume refinancing is the only way to lower a mortgage payment.
But in today’s rate environment, refinancing isn’t always the best move.
That’s where the mortgage recast comes in.
What Is a Mortgage Recast?
A recast allows you to apply a lump-sum principal payment to your mortgage and then recalculate the monthly payment based on the new lower balance.
Key point:
✅ Your interest rate stays the same
✅ Your loan term stays the same
✅ Your payment goes down
Who Is a Recast Best For?
A recast works well for homeowners who:
Received a year-end bonus
Sold a previous home and kept extra cash
Inherited money
Made a large principal payment
Want a lower payment but don’t want refi costs
It’s especially useful when current rates are higher than your existing rate.
How a Recast Lowers Your Payment
Here’s the simple math:
Apply a lump sum to principal
The lender re-amortizes the remaining balance
Monthly payment drops immediately
Unlike refinancing, there’s no new loan and minimal fees (often a few hundred dollars).
Recast vs. Refinance
Recast:
✔️ Keeps your rate
✔️ Low cost
✔️ No credit pull
✔️ No appraisal
✔️ Fast
Refinance:
• New rate
• New loan
• Closing costs
• Credit + appraisal required
In many cases, a recast is the smarter short-term move.
Why December Is the Perfect Time
December aligns with:
Bonuses
Year-end liquidity
Financial resets
Planning for 2026 cash flow
Lowering your payment now can improve flexibility heading into the new year.
Bottom Line
You don’t always need to refinance to lower your payment.A mortgage recast is a simple, overlooked strategy that can create immediate monthly savings — especially in a higher-rate environment.
Want to see if a recast works for your situation?👉



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