"Just Sign It" Is Terrible Mortgage Advice (Even When Your Bank Says It)

Your bank sends you a renewal letter. Your parents say "just sign it, it's easier." Your friend says "all rates are basically the same anyway."

Respectfully? That's terrible advice.

Here's what's actually happening when you "just sign it."

Your bank is counting on you to not shop around.

They've already got your business. They know switching lenders feels like work. They're betting you'll take the path of least resistance.

And most people do.

What that costs you:

On a $400,000 mortgage over 5 years, a 0.50% difference in rate is $10,400. That's not a rounding error. That's a vacation, a car payment, your kid's braces.

But it's bigger than just rate:

Maybe your bank's renewal terms:

• Don't let you access equity without refinancing penalties

• Have worse prepayment options than competitors

• Lock you in with brutal penalty calculations

• Restrict portability in ways that might hurt you later

You won't know unless you look.

"But I don't want to switch lenders, it's too much work."

We get it. And honestly? Sometimes staying with your bank IS the right call.

But here's the thing: just having another offer in hand gives you negotiating power.

Real example:

Client got a renewal offer at 5.94%. Called us. We found 5.29% at a credit union.

She didn't want to switch, so she called her bank and said "I've got an offer for 5.29%. Can you match it?"

Bank came back at 5.39%. She stayed with them, saved $183/month, and the whole process took 15 minutes of her time.

Another real example:

Client "just signed" his renewal at 6.09%. Didn't think to call us.

Six months later, he needed to access equity to help his daughter with a down payment. Bank wanted $8,500 in penalties to refinance.

If he'd shopped at renewal, he could have switched to a lender with flexible terms and saved himself thousands.

What we're asking you to do is simple:

120 days before your renewal, call us.

We'll:

• Shop your mortgage with 60+ lenders

• Find you the best rate AND terms

• Give you options (including "your bank's offer is actually pretty good")

• Handle all the paperwork if you decide to switch

If your bank's offer is competitive, we'll tell you. If it's not, you'll know exactly what you're leaving on the table.

Our advice is free. The time investment is minimal. The potential savings is significant.

There's zero shame in exploring your options. That's exactly what smart homeowners do.

Don't let "it's easier" cost you thousands of dollars.