newbie here too. just wished to introduce myself. formerly from washington, dc, i'm just getting started in the staging arena in california and i'm looking to make some connections as well. thanks and sincerely, sydney

Sincerely,Eric H.

@Brent Coombs, thanks for all the notes and advice, sincerely.

I sincerely wish each of you much success! 

If you are serous and sincere people will view you that way.

Sincerely,Crystal S.

Sincerely,Poosana

It is sort of speculative in nature since rates could change over the period until the refi.Current view is this:- paying down mortgage is still mathematically like a bond without taxes, which does increase your net worth faster than keeping the savings in a bank- those extra savings will probably be wiped out by closing costs if you ever refi though, so it isn't a great idea  - if you never refi, you would then lose the advantages of cheap debt at or below inflation for last time period on loan, which wouldn't be worth it- even though paying it down might be better than holding in a bank, it is not better than alternative investments (it is sort of like an unattractive bond investment)  - stock market will be 7-10% nominal even after all risk and volatility factored in, which is clearly better than the 3% mortgage paydown even with capital gains taxes  - if you are a decent re investor, you have skills/opportunities for a much higher return than that with a re investment- Also had not heard David Greene say that @Malcomb Stapel.

This site is nothing short of amazing with what they offer (I'm sincere about this, no one paid me to say it).  

If someone wold like to speak with me..i can give you my phone number.Thank you Sincerely Chris