›Is a recast the same as refinancing?
No. A recast keeps your existing loan, rate, and remaining term intact — only the monthly payment is recalculated to reflect the reduced principal. A refinance replaces your loan entirely with a new one at a new rate and term, and typically costs 2–5% of the loan amount in closing costs. A recast is faster, cheaper, and far simpler, but it cannot lower your interest rate.
›Which lenders allow recasting?
Most conventional loans held by large banks and mortgage servicers permit recasting, but it is not a universal right — you must request it and the servicer must agree. FHA, VA, and USDA loans generally do not allow recasting. Jumbo loans often do. Always confirm with your servicer before planning a large principal payment around a recast.
›What is the typical fee for a mortgage recast?
Most lenders charge a flat administrative fee of $150 to $500 for processing a recast. Some charge nothing. This is dramatically lower than refinance closing costs, which typically run $3,000 to $10,000 or more depending on loan size and location.
›Is there a minimum lump-sum required?
Yes. Most servicers require a minimum principal curtailment — typically $5,000 to $10,000 — before they will agree to re-amortize the loan. Some impose a percentage-of-balance minimum instead. Check with your servicer for the exact threshold.
›Does a recast affect my interest rate or payoff date?
Neither. Your interest rate is set in the original loan contract and cannot be changed by a recast. Your payoff date also stays the same — the term is unchanged. Only the required monthly payment goes down. If you want to pay off the loan sooner, you can voluntarily continue paying the original higher amount; the surplus reduces principal faster.
›How does a recast differ from just making an extra principal payment?
An extra principal payment reduces your balance and total interest paid, but your required monthly payment remains unchanged. A recast goes one step further: after the lump-sum is applied, the lender recalculates the required payment over the remaining term so you are legally obligated to pay less each month. You get permanent cash-flow relief, not just a shorter payoff timeline.
›Can I recast an FHA or VA loan?
Generally no. Government-backed loans — FHA, VA, and USDA — do not offer recasting as a standard feature. If your loan is conventional (Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac conforming, or a jumbo loan), recasting is much more likely to be available.
›Is the money used for a recast tax-deductible?
The lump-sum principal payment itself is not deductible — it is a return of borrowed funds, not an interest expense. The reduced interest you pay going forward may be deductible if you itemize and meet the mortgage interest deduction rules, but the lump sum reduces your future deductible interest. Consult a tax professional for guidance specific to your situation.