After a mildly threatening-to-go-elsewhere email from me, my broker finally checked our streamline refi option again.

He said we should be able to do the option and it will basically work out to cost nothing. Should lower our interest rate slightly, lower our payment by $400 per month, and we could close by late April. He also said we'd have a month where no mortgage payment was due. (May, I assume.)

That's all very good news. If all this works out, we should be able to pay off the promissory note (we'd have to take out the $15K line of credit to do so) in late April or early May. The money we save on the mortgage plus not having a promissory note payment anymore should easily cover that additional debt payment, with some left over to pay extra on debt.

I requested a payoff quote fax from my mortgage company. They didn't give me any idea of turnaround time on that, but it's the only thing between us and scheduling the refi. So I hope it comes in Monday!

This would mean we could start putting some of AS's freelance money toward home improvements. Very exciting! We've been doing the bare minimum, furnishing our home with mismatched free and cheap stuff, not even investing in paint to cover the terrible color choices of the previous owner. It would be nice to make even small changes, like buying more comfortable, attractive outdoor seating, and chipping in with our neighbors to get the back yard fenced in.

So we'll see, but it seems like a sure thing since they don't need income verification, assessment or any upfront money to close.

Yay!