Some companies just have terrible rates and there isn't much the broker can do about it.
Yeah, I wondered if that's what was going on with our broker. Pity; I really like her.
Wow, interesting rates from the credit unions.
Seriously. Credit unions. Who knew? :)
We're probably going with a HELOC instead of a traditional refi: no closing costs/fees, 2.24% intro rate for a year, and then 3.105% (variable) if we borrow $100k or more up front, or an incrementally higher rate if we borrow less. It's a gamble, pulling equity out of our home, but the odds seem good for an annual stock/bond market return of >3.105% spread out over the next few years, and we won't take out more than we can afford to gamble with.
This money stuff can be stressful! I know it's a good calculated risk, but it's still daunting, especially after spending so long with the sole goal of paying off every penny of mortgage debt. It'll all settle down in a few weeks after we get used to the idea, but math and emotion are two very different beasts.
Thanks for the info, all.