You might want to call your loan holder before you use a 3rd party to refinance. I was able to reduce my interest rate by a full point for $1500 in closing costs (which could have been rolled into the loan), in one phone call. No income verification, no appraisal. We get forms to sign in a week and go to closing in December. Done. I think it was available due the the Home Affordability Refinance Program. I would think all lenders are making the same option available to those who qualify. And, though I don't know, I would guess that things get more complicated and costly if you try to change lenders.
BTW, a nice bonus of refinancing is that you get a month without a mortgage payment, just like when you first buy a house :-)
