Mortgage rates fell for the second straight week last week, and that helped boost refinance demand for the first time in a while. As a result, total mortgage application volume rose 5.5% last week compared with the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s seasonally adjusted index.

Mortgage rates moved even lower last week after setting multiple record lows in recent months, spurring more borrowers to call their lenders and apply for a refinance, but homebuyers were not quite as motivated. 

The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances of up to $510,400 slipped to 3.01% from 3.05%, while points decreased to 0.37 from 0.52 for loans with a 20% down payment. 

Interest rates have been creeping higher, but they're still pretty low when you look at their history. Meanwhile, housing prices -- which were crashing 10 years ago -- have been on a steady climb.

Refinancing could be an excellent way to lower your mortgage rate and cut your monthly payment, or tap into your home's rising value. But it's not always the right choice.

Ask yourself these questions before you go the refi route.Ask yourself these questions before you go the refi route.

Can you dump your current loan?

There has never been a better time to buy or refinance!

Spring has sprung early in this housing market. Buyers, seeing a new trend toward higher interest rates, are rushing in before the first buds appear.

Mortgage applications rose 4.5 percent last week from the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's seasonally adjusted report. Application volume was 6.1 percent higher than the same week one year ago.

When your mortgage doesn’t match your financial situation it can cause a lot of stress. You don’t need to be trapped with a high-interest or variable-rate mortgage when there are other options available. But which one should you choose? Is it better to refinance your mortgage or take out a home equity loan?