Had a similar experience myself—my CPA was great, but we still got blindsided by a minor rule tweak. Honestly though, I wouldn't let it put me off refinancing entirely. Just means being extra vigilant and doing some homework on the side...
Went through something similar a couple years back. Thought I had everything squared away, but ended up surprised by a small IRS adjustment on interest deductions. It wasn't huge, but enough to sting a bit. Now I always double-check the latest IRS updates myself—even great CPAs can't catch every little nuance. Refinancing can still be worth it, just gotta tread carefully and expect the unexpected sometimes...
I've had my share of refinancing adventures, and honestly, while checking IRS updates yourself is smart, I wouldn't downplay the value of a really good CPA. Sure, they miss small things sometimes, but there's a reason we pay them—they usually catch way more than we would on our own. I once tried to handle deductions myself thinking I'd save money...ended up missing some significant opportunities that my CPA pointed out later.
Also, refinancing isn't always the best move depending on your specific situation. People often jump into it because rates look enticing, but the closing costs and fees can eat away at the benefits. I've seen fellow investors refinance repeatedly chasing slightly lower rates, only to realize later they barely broke even—or worse. Sometimes leaving your existing loan alone and using other financing methods, like a HELOC or even leveraging other properties, can actually be smarter financially. Just something to consider before diving headfirst into refinancing again.
Totally get your point about refinancing costs adding up, but sometimes refinancing can really pay off—especially if your home's value jumped significantly. Had a client recently who refinanced, pulled cash out, and reinvested in another property...worked out pretty well for him. Just depends on the numbers.
Had a similar situation myself—client refinanced to pull equity and invest in a rental property. Worked great until the tenant stopped paying rent...ouch. You're right though, it's all about crunching those numbers carefully before jumping in.
