Go to a nearby bank or credit union and ask what their refi rate is.
We found that it was very reasonable to refinance. If you don't trust your current bank, don't use them. I'd not go through a broker though, if you can do some legwork yourself.

If you do research with multiple banks/CUs, do it all in a short time-frame (a week, say) so if they pull credit (which they can only do if you've given them a SSN), it is pulled in the same week and counts differently (more favorably) on your credit score/history than if you had several do them over the course of a longer time frame (say, a month).

" I,m angry that they snuck that 5.25 rate in on us (2009) as the current rate was around 4. I,m angry our lawyer didn't alert us but mostly angry at myself. "

And expensive lesson to be sure- we must always read every paper handed to us. It can be intimidating when there are people looking over your shoulder waiting for you to sign the paperwork but remember- everyone in that room is working for you. Your money is paying all of them so let them wait while you do your due diligence.

Go to Bankrate.com and see what rates are available locally, then expand your search as necessary. RESEARCH all avenues and look up words you do not understand.

Did I get the higher interest rate because it was a 30 year morgage(not 10,15 0r 20). Paul

Yes, a 30 year is typically higher than a 10, 15, or 20, but even 30 yr rates are historically low.

You need to know what your credit score *is*, and not rely on someone saying they want to post it up.

Research, research, research. You should be able to get a pretty good idea of local rates before anyone actually has to run your credit score or do a home appraisal.

Your numbers don't jibe with the online mortgage calculator I used:

A $70,000 house with 20% down payment means that a mortgage of 56,000 at 5.25% for 30 years fixed comes out to $309.23 per month for principal and interest. That's higher than the $265 you are paying monthly.

Denise;
Sorry, just discovered that we only financed 48000 dollars. Maybe I should just leave it at 5.25. Thank you for your interest
(no pun intended). Paul