FHA Cash-Out Refinance | Rates & Guide 2023

By: Tim Lucas Updated By: Aleksandra Kadzielawski Reviewed By: Paul Centopani
June 27, 2023 - 15 min read

What is the FHA cash-out refinance?

The FHA cash-out refinance lets you refinance up to 80% of your home’s value to leverage your equity.

Like other cash-out loans, FHA cash-out refinancing works by taking out a larger loan than what you currently owe on the home. You use this to pay off the existing loan, then pocket the difference as cash at closing.

FHA cash-out loans allow more lenient credit scores and flexible debt ratios than other cash-out programs. That means homeowners can access their equity even without perfect credit.

Verify your FHA cash-out refinance eligibility. Start here


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About the FHA cash-out plan

The FHA cash-out plan — or “FHA cash-out refinance” — is a refinance loan backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). It lets homeowners borrow against their equity by taking out a new mortgage loan that’s bigger than their existing one. The difference between your existing loan and your new one is the amount you cash out at closing.

Verify your FHA cash-out refinance eligibility. Start here

Any homeowner can apply for the FHA cash-out plan; you don’t need an existing FHA loan to qualify. And credit requirements are looser than for a conventional cash-out refinance.

FHA cash-out refinance requirements

Borrowers applying for an FHA cash-out refinance need to meet standards set by the Federal Housing Administration. Exact requirements can vary by lender, but homeowners always need to meet the FHA’s minimum guidelines.

Verify your FHA cash-out refinance eligibility. Start here

To qualify for an FHA cash-out refinance, you must have the following: 

  • A credit score of at least 600 (with most lenders)
  • A debt-to-income ratio below 43%
  • More than 20% equity in the home
  • History of on-time mortgage payments for the past 12 months

In addition, the home being refinanced must be your primary residence. And you must have lived in it for at least 12 months before applying for an FHA cash-out loan. Lenders will ask for employment documentation or utility bills to prove you’ve occupied the home as your primary residence for the past year.

Qualifying borrowers can apply for the FHA cash-out refinance even if their existing mortgage is conventional or another loan type.

Regardless of your current loan type, using the FHA cash-out refinance will result in mortgage insurance premiums (MIP) on your new FHA loan.

However, FHA refinance rates are often more competitive than conventional. So for many homeowners, mortgage insurance is a fair tradeoff for cash-back and a new, lower rate.

FHA cash-out refinance maximum loan-to-value ratio

The maximum loan-to-value (LTV) for an FHA cash-out loan is 80 percent. That means after subtracting the cash-out, you must still have 20% equity leftover in your home. So you’ll need substantial home equity for a cash-out refi to be worth it.

Verify your FHA cash-out refinance eligibility. Start here

Mortgage lenders calculate LTV using your current mortgage and your home’s re-appraised value.

Generally, the FHA cash-out refinance is best for homeowners who have accumulated lots of home equity but don’t have a high enough FICO credit score to use a conventional cash-out refi.

How much cash back can I get with FHA?

The max amount of cash you can get using an FHA cash-out refinance is dictated by your home equity.

Remember, you must leave 20% equity in your home after the cash-back is withdrawn. So, when considering the amount of cash you can take out, look at your total equity and subtract 20% — plus closing costs — to get an estimate.

Check your FHA cash-out refinance eligibility. Start here

Here’s an example of how the FHA cash-out calculation works:

Current Home Value$220,000
Current Loan Balance$140,000
New FHA Loan (max 80% of value)$176,000
Payoff Current Loan-$140,000
Subtract Closing Costs-$3,000
Maximum FHA Cash-Out$33,000 

In this example, the home is worth $220,000, and the homeowner only owes $140,000 on their mortgage. So they have $80K worth of home equity.

However, 20% of the home’s value must remain untouched.

  • 20% of $220,000 is $44,000
  • So $44K must be subtracted from their total $80K equity
  • This gives a max cash-out potential of $36,000

However, the homeowner also uses some of their cash-out value to pay closing costs ($3,000).

So they end up with a total of $33,000 cash-back at closing — quite a bit lower than the $80K of equity originally calculated.

See your cash back options. Start here


FHA cash-out refinance loan limits

FHA allows a loan-to-value ratio of up to 80% when using the cash-out refinance program. That means your new loan can be up to 80% of the home’s appraised value.

However, the new mortgage must be within the FHA loan limits for your area. If your home value has appreciated significantly since you bought it, your cash-out loan amount may be capped by FHA loan limits.

Verify your FHA cash-out refinance eligibility. Start here

In most areas of the country, the maximum FHA loan limit is $ for 2023. However, maximum loan amounts go up to $ for one-unit homes in high-value real estate markets like Los Angeles, California, and New York, New York.

You can find your local FHA loan limits here.

FHA cash-out refinance calculator

Curious about how much you can borrow with an FHA cash-out refinance? You can calculate your own cash back value by downloading and filling out this free calculator template in Google Sheets.

FHA cash-out refinance rates

FHA rates are low — even lower than conventional loan rates.

According to loan software company ICE Mortgage Technology, FHA fixed rates average about 10-to-15 basis points (0.10-0.15%) below conventional rates on average.

Verify your FHA cash-out refinance eligibility. Start here

This is due to FHA’s strong government backing. Lenders can issue these loans at lower risk.

However, borrowers need to consider FHA mortgage insurance, which raises the “effective” FHA rates as follows:

 FHA Cash-OutConventional Cash-Out
Interest Rate 6.00%*6.25%*
Mortgage insurance 0.80%0.00%
Effective rate6.80%6.25%

*Sample rates only. May not be currently available

FHA cash-out loans may come with higher rates than standard FHA loans. Check around with various lenders to find the best rate.

Conventional cash-out refinancing vs. FHA cash-out

The big advantage of using an FHA cash-out refinance over a conventional cash-out loan is that FHA has more lenient credit requirements.

Check your FHA cash-out eligibility. Start here

 FHA Cash-OutConventional Cash-Out
Minimum Credit Score 500 (official), 600-660 (likely)620 (official), 640-680 (likely)
Maximum LTV80%80%
Can Replace Any Loan TypeYesYes
OccupancyOwner-occupied onlyOwner, 2nd home, rental 

Technically, you can get an FHA cash-out loan with a FICO score as low as 500. However, you’re much more likely to find lenders starting in the 580-600 range, and even some as high as 600.

If your credit score is on the lower end of that spectrum, you’ll want to be extra thorough when shopping around for a lender that will approve your refinance and provide a competitive rate.

FHA cash-out refinance drawbacks

The primary disadvantage to an FHA cash-out loan is the associated mortgage insurance.

FHA loans require an upfront and monthly mortgage insurance premium (MIP). These fees are as follows:

  • Upfront mortgage insurance: 1.75% of the new loan amount upfront (typically included in the loan balance)
  • Annual mortgage insurance: 0.55% of the loan amount yearly, paid in 12 installments with the mortgage payment

In March 2023 the Federal Housing Administration lowered the annual mortgage insurance premium from 0.85% to 0.55%. That’s a reduction of 30 basis points, which equates to an average savings of $800 annually. In return for the extra fees, FHA provides more credit score flexibility than conventional loans.

Conventional cash-out refinances do not come with upfront or monthly mortgage insurance.

Also, conventional cash-out can be used for second homes and investment properties. FHA must be used on the home you live in.

If you’re unsure which type of refinance is best for your situation, your loan officer can help you compare options and loan terms to make the right choice.

Verify your FHA cash-out eligibility. Start here

Best uses for the FHA cash-out refinance

With an FHA cash-out loan, you can pay off any mortgage type, plus take equity out of your home. This could be in the form of a check or funds wired to an account of your choice.

Verify your FHA cash-out refinance eligibility. Start here

The best part of an FHA cash-out refinance is that you can use the funds for any purpose. Some popular uses include:

  • Home improvement projects
  • Credit card debt consolidation
  • Auto loan payoff
  • Student loan refinancing
  • College tuition dues
  • First and second mortgage consolidation
  • High-interest debts payoff
  • Refinancing from an adjustable-rate loan into a fixed-rate

There is almost no limit to what you can use the money for. Homeowners who want to reduce monthly payments on other debt, or just have a little extra cash in the bank, should examine this loan type.

FHA cash-out refinance alternatives

An FHA cash-out refinance isn’t the only way to access your home equity. For many homeowners, one of the following options could be a better choice:

Check your cash-out loan options. Start here

  • Home equity loan: A home equity loan lets you borrow against the equity in your home without refinancing. You receive a lump sum of cash that you’ll pay off with monthly installments towards the principal and interest until the loan is paid in full
  • HELOC: A home equity line of credit (HELOC) also allows you to borrow against your home equity without a refinance. But because it’s a revolving line of credit — much like a credit card — you only borrow what you need during the loan’s draw period, which is often 10 years. During this time, you only pay interest on what you borrow. Remember that both a HELOC and a home equity loan use your house as collateral. So if you are unable to make monthly mortgage payments, you risk foreclosure
  • Conventional cash-out refinance: If you have a DTI ratio under 50%, an LTV ratio below 80%, and a FICO score of 620 or more, a conventional cash-out may be ideal. With this loan, you will not be required to pay mortgage insurance

FHA cash-out refinance FAQ

Verify your FHA cash-out refinance eligibility. Start here

What credit score is needed for an FHA cash-out refinance?

The official FICO credit score minimum for all FHA loans is 500. However, a realistic minimum that lenders will actually allow is somewhere between 600 and 660 or higher. This is because lenders often set higher minimums than FHA. If one lender can’t do your loan, keep looking until you find one with more lenient standards.

Can you get a cash-out refinance with bad credit?

It is possible to get a cash-out refinance with less-than-ideal credit. The FHA cash-out program will be your best chance at getting approved. Most cash-out loans, such as conventional or home equity, require good credit. But FHA may allow you to be approved with a credit score in the low 600s or even the high 500s.

Does FHA cash-out require a new appraisal?

Yes, FHA requires a new appraisal to determine the current market value of the home. The lender will calculate the LTV on your new mortgage loan based on the home’s recently appraised value.

Why have I heard that there are FHA 95 percent and 85 percent LTV cash-out refinances?

FHA used to allow a maximum 95 percent cash-out refinance prior to April 1, 2009. It then reduced the LTV limit to 85 percent. On September 1, 2019, it was reduced further to 80 percent. FHA lowered its cash-out refinance limits to make lending more secure. The more equity you’re required to leave in your home, the less a lender stands to lose if the mortgage ever defaults.

Is there a 100 percent cash-out loan?

Only the VA loan program offers a 100 percent cash-out refinance option. VA loans are restricted to veterans and active-duty military members. Those with qualifying service history will typically find the VA cash-out refinance to be a better deal than the FHA cash-out loan.

How much can you take out on a cash-out refinance?

The cash available depends on your home’s current value, your existing loan, and, for FHA cash-out refinances, current FHA loan limits. There’s no stated limit to the amount of cash you can take. You can get a new loan up to 80 percent of the home’s current value and are entitled to any amount of cash that yields.

Is money from a cash-out refinance taxable?

A cash-out refinance is a debt, not income. Therefore, it’s usually not taxable as income. However, consult a tax advisor before filing.

How soon can I do an FHA cash-out refinance?

To use the FHA cash-out refinance, you must have lived in the residence you’re refinancing for at least 12 months. In addition, you must have paid all your mortgage payments for the past year within the month they were due.

Does FHA offer a home equity loan?

Equity loans usually refer to a home equity line of credit or home equity loan. These second mortgages are placed on top of an existing primary mortgage. These types of loans are not available via FHA. An FHA cash-out refinance would be the closest thing. If you currently have an FHA loan, you could potentially get a standard home equity loan through a bank or local credit union. This would require good credit and decent equity in the home.

What is the maximum debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for an FHA cash-out loan?

FHA loans require a DTI of 43 percent or less, unless significant compensating factors are present, such as a high credit score or lots of equity in the house. In these cases, a DTI of up to 50 percent is possible. DTI is the portion of your future housing and other debt payments compared to your pre-tax income. For instance, if your income is $7,000 per month, a 43 percent DTI would be $3,000. In this example, you could have a $2,000 house payment and $1,000 combined payments for a car, student loans, or other debts.

Can you add a co-borrower to an FHA cash-out loan?

No. You may not add any borrower to the loan who does not live in the home. These are known as “non-occupant co-borrowers,” and are not allowed for cash-out loans.

Can you add a second mortgage to a cash-out loan?

Generally, you can’t add a second mortgage to the FHA cash-out loan unless both loans add up to 80 percent of the home’s value or less. However, you may be able to keep an existing second mortgage and subordinate it under the new FHA loan. Subordinating involves receiving a document from the second mortgage lender stating it’s okay to get a new first mortgage.

What are FHA equity reserves?

You may have received a notification from a lender stating that you haven’t tapped into your FHA equity reserves. This marketing gimmick is trying to entice you to refinance via an FHA streamline refinance. This is likely referring to the FHA mortgage insurance refund you are entitled to when replacing one FHA loan with another via an FHA streamline refinance. Cash-out is not allowed when you get an FHA streamline refinance, however, you may save on your monthly payment. Only the FHA cash-out refinance allows you to receive cash back at closing.

Check your FHA cash-out loan eligibility

Homeowners who don’t have great credit but need to tap home equity are the best candidates for FHA cash-out loans.

For those with good credit and at least 20% equity, a conventional cash-out refinance or home equity loan might yield lower costs.

If you’re interested in an FHA cash-out refinance, shop around with a few lenders and find the best rate for your new loan.

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Tim Lucas
Authored By: Tim Lucas
The Mortgage Reports Editor
Tim Lucas spent 11 years in the mortgage industry before moving into the world of digital media. He's helped thousands of families buy and refinance real estate at banks and mortgage companies and now continues that mission through industry-leading content. Tim has been featured in national publications such as Time, U.S. News and World Report, MSN, Scotsman Guide, and more.
Aleksandra Kadzielawski
Updated By: Aleksandra Kadzielawski
The Mortgage Reports Editor
Aleksandra is the Senior Editor at The Mortgage Reports, where she brings 10 years of experience in mortgage and real estate to help consumers discover the right path to homeownership. Aleksandra received a bachelor’s degree in finance from DePaul University. She is also a licensed real estate agent in Arizona and a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
Paul Centopani
Reviewed By: Paul Centopani
The Mortgage Reports Editor
Paul Centopani is a writer and editor who started covering the lending and housing markets in 2018. Previous to joining The Mortgage Reports, he was a reporter for National Mortgage News. Paul grew up in Connecticut, graduated from Binghamton University and now lives in Chicago after a decade in New York and the D.C. area.