Homeowners who refinanced through HARP during 2013 benefited from an average rate reduction of 2.1 percentage points and will save an average of more than $4,100 in interest during their first 12 months, or about $345 every month. Additionally, homeowners who refinance from 30 year fixed mortgages to 15 year fixed mortgages can save up to $145,000. Further information for this can be found at http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/21/realestate/exploring-the-15-year-loan-for-refinancing-mortgages.html

Under provisions of the Making Homes Affordable Act(a.k.a. HARP 2.0), signed into law by President Obama, Fannie Mae has removed certain loan refinance requirements for qualifying loans including the Loan-To-Value (LTV) ceiling for fixed-rate mortgage, property appraisal, minimum credit score & credit check, and eliminated & lowered certain fees for borrowers making it easier to refinance into a lower rate mortgage, effectively reducing the amount of interest paid (and owed) over the life of the loan.More info: http://www.fhfa.gov/Media/PublicAffairs/Pages/FHFA-Fannie-Mae-and-Freddie-Mac-Announce-HARP-Changesto-Reach-More-Borrowers.aspx

A shorter term mortgage enables such borrowers to pay down the amount they owe much faster than a traditional 30-year mortgage. Furthermore, interest rates on shorter term mortgages usually are less than on thirty-year mortgages. More information can be found at http://harpprogram.org/faq.php 

The Making Home Affordable Program is set to expire September 30, 2017 and is free http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/about-mha/Pages/default.aspx but standard refinance fees will still apply.