Chicago Tribune - WASHINGTON - After a slow and stumbling start, official Washington is scrambling to try to prevent the unfolding mortgage ... They expect this housing downturn, which followed a five-year boom, to last through most of next year even under a best ... Another important benefit of refinance mortgage loans is that gives the borrower more flexibility. It allows you to change loan terms from a long one to something shorter. In this way, you can pay off the principal more quickly, thus saving you from the total interest charges.