If you’re interested in refinancing your house right now, it is extremely important that you know who owns your home loan. The fact of the matter is that loans owned by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have some very specific refinancing options right now. Figuring out who owns your home loan is the first step in discovering what kind of programs are available to you.

The first place to look is with your mortgage service provider. This is the company that services your loan, and whose name is on the bill every month. You can simply call their customer service department and ask them, “Does either Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac own my home loan?” Try to ask the question in this yes-or-no fashion, as some companies may not answer a more open-ended question such as “Who owns my home loan?”

If you’re unable to make progress with your service provider, you can check directly with Fannie and Freddie. Fannie Mae’s toll free number is 800-732-6643, and they’re available from 8 AM until 8 PM Eastern. Freddie Mac has a similar service, at 800-373-3343.

Why is all of this important? Why do you need to know who owns your home loan? Right now, the Home Affordable Refinance program lets you refinance your mortgage for up to 105 percent of your home’s value, but this program is only available if the loan is owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

If you want to refinance your mortgage, start by finding out who owns your home loan today.