REFINANCE WAVE

Refinance wave is a period in which a huge number of borrowers refinance mortgages in answer to changes in interest rates. When short-term interest rates rise, borrowers may replace short-term adjustable rate mortgages with long-term fixed mortgages to lock in current rates. When short-term mortgages decline, borrowers may replace long-term mortgages with short-term adjustable rate mortgages.