What is a cash-out refinance?
A cash-out refinance replaces your existing home loan with a new, larger mortgage. The difference between your new loan amount and your old one is returned to you as cash-back at closing.
Cash-out refinancing lets you tap the equity in your home and use it for any purpose you like. And it’s a great way to access a large sum of money at very low interest rates.
In this article (Skip to...)
- How it works
- Example
- Maximum cash-back
- Cash-out rates
- Requirements
- Types of cash-out loans
- Process
- Alternative options
How a cash-out refinance works
A cash-out refinance lets you access your home equity and refinance your mortgage at the same time.
When you use a cash-out refinance, you take out a new loan that’s bigger than your existing mortgage. The new loan amount is used to pay off your current home loan, and the remainder is returned to you as cash-back.
A few important notes on cash-out refinancing:
- Cash-out refinance rates are slightly higher than traditional mortgage refinance rates
- Your refinance rate depends on your credit profile and how much cash you take out
- You can typically cash out up to 80% of your home equity
- Your new loan will be larger than your old one, so you’ll pay more in mortgage interest in the long run
- Since mortgage rates tend to be lower than personal loan or credit card rates, cash-out refinancing can be a better way to finance larger expenses
There are no rules about how you can or can’t use the funds from a cash-out refinance.
“These additional funds can be used for many purposes, including home improvements, consolidating debt, and other consumer needs or wants,” says Tom Trott, branch manager at Embrace Home Loans.
But because the loan is secured by your home, you typically want to spend your funds on something with a good return on investment — like home renovations or consolidating higher-interest debt.
See a few more good examples of how to use a cash-out refinance here.
Cash-out refinance example
A cash-out refinance works by taking out a new, larger mortgage loan to pay off your existing loan.
The money remaining after paying off your original mortgage is paid to you in the form of a check at closing. This is the “cash-out” component.
Here’s an example of how a cash-out refinance works:
- Home value: $350,000
- Current mortgage balance:$250,000
- Refinanced loan balance: $280,000
- Cash-out at closing: $30,000 (minus closing costs)
In the example above, the new loan first has to be used to pay off the existing mortgage.
The remainder of the loan amount — $30,000 — is the sum you’re cashing out.
You’ll also have to pay closing costs on a cash-out refinance, which are usually 3-5% of the loan amount.
The good news is, when you refinance, it’s possible to roll closing costs into your loan balance so you don’t have to pay them upfront.
But rolling closing costs into your loan does mean you’ll pay interest on them over time — so consider the long-term costs before deciding to do so.
How much money can you get with a cash-out refi?
For a conventional cash-out refinance, you can take out a new loan for up to 80% of the value of your home.
Lenders refer to this percentage as your “loan-to-value ratio” or LTV.
Remember, you have to subtract the amount you currently owe on your mortgage to calculate the amount you can withdraw as cash.
Here’s an example of how a a conventional cash-out refinance works:
- Home value: $400,000
- Maximum conventional refinance loan amount (80% of home value): $320,000
- Current mortgage balance: $250,000
- Maximum cash-out: $70,000
In the example above, the homeowner starts out with $150,000 in home equity. (Because the home is worth $400,000 and the existing loan balance is $250,000.)
But, since the homeowner must leave 20% of the home’s equity untouched, the maximum amount this borrower could withdraw is $70,000.
If this homeowner already had a second mortgage using the home’s equity — a home equity line of credit, for example — the lender would also subtract that loan’s amount from the available cash-out.
Lenders limit the amount of equity you can withdraw because this protects them from losses in case of default.
Cash-out refinance rates
Cash-out refinance rates can be anywhere from 0.125% to 0.5% higher than rates for a no-cash-out refinance.
As with all mortgage loans, your cash-out refi rate will depend on your circumstances.
“The rate you pay will be based on your loan-to-value (LTV) ratio, credit score, and in some cases your loan amount,” says Carol Lynn Upshaw, a senior mortgage originator with Hyperion Mortgage
Cash-out refinance rates can be anywhere from 0.125% to 0.5% higher than rates for a no-cash-out refinance.
“The best interest rates are given to those with higher credit scores — typically over 740 — and lower LTV ratios,” she continues.
Also, the more equity you cash out of your home, the higher your interest rate will be.
Ryan Leahy, inside sales manager for Mortgage Network, explains:
“If you borrow 70% of your home’s value, you may pay a rate 0.125% higher. If you borrow 80% of your home’s value, you may end up paying a quarter percent higher rate.”
Cash-out refinance requirements
To use a cash-out refinance, you’ll need to qualify for the loan based on your credit, your finances, and your property — just like homebuyers do when they get a new mortgage.
Cash-out refinancing requirements vary by lender and type of loan. But you can generally expect to need:
- More than 20% equity in your home
- A new appraisal to verify your home’s value
- A credit score of at least 620
- Debt-to-income ratio (including the new loan) of 43% or less
- Loan-to-value ratio of 80% or less
- Verification of your income and employment
These requirements apply to most conventional cash-out refinances.
However, the refi requirements for FHA and VA loan cash-out refinances are slightly different, as we explain below.
Types of cash-out refinance loans
There are three main cash-out refinance options homeowners can pursue:
- Conventional loans: A conventional cash-out refinance allows you to borrow up to 80% of your home’s value with a minimum credit score of 620
- FHA loans: An FHA cash-out refinance allows you to borrow up to 80% of your home’s value. You’ll have to pay upfront fees that are financed into the loan, as well as an annual mortgage insurance fee just like you would on any other new FHA mortgage. A credit score of at least 600 is typically required
- VA loans: A VA cash-out refinance (available to veterans, Reserve and National Guard members, active-duty service members, and certain surviving spouses) lets you borrow up to 100% of the home’s value, though many lenders cap the LTV at 90%. VA cash-out refinance loans charge upfront fees that are financed into the loan, unless you are a veteran with a service-related disability
The right type of cash-out refinance loan for you will depend on your current mortgage and what you’re able to qualify for.
The cash-out refinance closing process
The cash-out refinance process is similar to a traditional mortgage refinance:
- Check rates from a few lenders to see which can offer you the best cash-out refinance rate and fees
- Choose a lender and complete a refinance application
- Provide supporting documents, such as pay stubs and W-2 forms
- Get a home appraisal
- The loan underwriter will review all your documents and approve you for a cash-out refinance
- Sign your closing documents and receive the cash-out at closing
“If your property is determined to be of sufficient value to secure the loan, and if the payoff for the prior mortgage is lower than the amount of your new loan, your refi loan will be granted and a mortgage closing will be scheduled,” says real estate attorney Rajeh Saadeh.
Just remember not to skip the first step of the cash-out refinancing closing process.
Since cash-out refinance rates are a little higher than standard mortgage rates, and you’re taking out a larger loan than before, it’s extra important to shop around and find your best refinance offer.
Cash-out refinance alternatives
A cash-out refinance is not the only way to liquidate your home equity. Other options include a home equity loan or home equity line of credit. These are known as “second mortgages” because you take out a second loan in addition to your primary home loan. That’s different from a cash-out refinance, which replaces your current loan so you still have only one mortgage.
Cash-out refinance vs. home equity loan
A home equity loan is similar to a cash-out refinance in that both allow homeowners to leverage the equity in their homes.
But rather than taking out a new loan for a higher amount, a home equity loan is a second mortgage that does not replace the original mortgage loan. Rather, you take out a second loan, secured by your home’s value, that’s converted into cash-back at closing.
A home equity loan is often a better option than a cash out refinance if you don’t want to alter your existing mortgage — maybe because you already have an ultra-low interest rate or because you’re close to paying the original loan off.
Cash-out refinance vs HELOC
Similar to home equity loans, both cash-out refinancing and home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) allow homeowners to take advantage the equity in their homes.
However, unlike a cash-out refinance, which lends a borrower a lump sum, a HELOC is a revolving line of credit that gives homeowners flexibility to withdraw money as needed. Additionally, a HELOC is not a new mortgage and, as such, may not require upfront closing costs.
Cash-out refi vs personal loan
A personal loan is a fixed sum of money that provides funds for just about any purpose, including consolidating higher-interest debt and making big purchases.
Lenders apply widely-varying interest rates to personal loans that are generally determined by your creditworthiness. However, borrowers are usually expected to repay personal loans with monthly installments, similar to a mortgage loan.
On the downside, personal loan interest rates tend to be significantly higher than mortgage, home equity loan, or HELOC rates.
Cash-out refi vs. reverse mortgage
Similar to a traditional mortgage loan, a reverse mortgage loan allows homeowners who are 62 or older and have considerable home equity to borrow money by using their homes to secure the loan.
Unlike a mortgage, though, a reverse mortgage has no monthly payments. Instead, you borrow from your equity and the loan is only repaid when the homeowner sells the property or passes away.
If you’re considering a reverse mortgage loan, it’s best to talk with an HUD-approved counselor about your options.
When is a cash-out refinance the right choice?
“A cash-out refinance loan can be a great idea if you qualify for and can get a lower interest rate on the new loan versus the old loan,” Saadeh says.
Cash-out refinancing also gives you a chance to replace an adjustable-rate loan with a fixed-rate mortgage, or to choose a shorter loan term which can reduce your interest payments over time.
And, of course, there’s the cash-out that you’ll receive at closing, which could help you get ahead with your personal finances. Upshaw recommends homeowners use their cashed out equity for:
- Debt consolidation
- Paying off an existing home equity line of credit (HELOC)
- Renovating the property
- Paying income tax bills
There are other smart uses for a cash-out refinance, too, like paying for a college education.
But remember: You’re opening a new, long-term loan — likely 15 or 30 years of monthly payments — that you’ll pay lots of interest on, even with a low rate.
That’s why experts recommend cashing out your equity only if it’s for a serious need or long-term investment, like the ones listed above.
Using home equity for purchases with lower returns — like a vacation or a new car purchase — generally isn’t recommended.
What about debt consolidation loans?
Debt consolidation can be a great way to lower your monthly debt payments and save on interest. But this strategy doesn’t make sense for everyone.
Paying off federal student loans with home equity, for example, may not be the best strategy because you’d lose the repayment flexibility built into student loans.
Paying off auto loans may not be advantageous, either. With a 30-year cash-out refi, you would still be making monthly mortgage payments in three decades, which means you’d still be paying off that car loan when the car itself is a distant memory.
If you’re not sure whether a cash-out refinance makes sense for you, speak with a mortgage lender, broker, or financial advisor who can take a closer look at your finances and advise you on your options.
How a cash-out refinance affects your taxes
Borrowers may qualify for mortgage interest tax deductions, provided that funds from the cash-out refinance are being used for property improvements. Some examples of home improvements that are eligible for mortgage interest tax deductions could be:
- New additions to a home
- Home security installation
- HVAC replacement
- Roofing repairs
- Decking and fencing installation
TheMortgageReports does not offer tax advice. Please consult with a tax advisor about your situation before making any decisions about how a cash-out refinance affects your taxes.
Cash-out refinance FAQ
Yes, a cash-out refi is a good idea when you meet a few basic criteria. You need to have sufficient equity, qualify for a lower interest rate, plan to live in your home for at least three to five years, and a plan to use the cash for worthwhile purposes — such as consolidating high-interest debt or funding a project that will increase the value of your home.
A cash-out refinance can be a bad idea if you use the cash as a way to consolidate debt and then run up the debt again. “I advise my clients to pursue a HELOC instead of a cash-out refi if they are looking to have an open line of credit available for emergencies, home improvements, or short-term purchases that they will pay off within a short amount of time,” says Upshaw.
In a normal market, it typically takes 30 days to close after applying for a cash-out refinance loan. “But due to current rates being so low and the increase in refinance volume, it’s currently often taking between 45 to 60 days to get the money from a cash-out transaction,” cautions Leahy.
You generally need more than 20% equity already built up in your home before meeting most cash-out refinance requirements. But you may be able to get a VA cash-out refinance with less.
Yes, if your accrued debt (such as outstanding credit card debt) charges much higher interest rates than cash-out refinance rates, then getting a refi could be beneficial.
If your current mortgage boasts a low interest rate that you’re happy with, and if you only need a relatively small amount of cash, a home equity loan may be a better option than a cash-out refinance. “Home equity loans usually come with lower closing costs and incentives from lenders, as well,” says Trott.
So long as you have a decent credit score (above 620), good credit history, stable job security and earnings potential, and sufficient equity built up in your home, you should be able to meet most cash-out refinance requirements.
The minimum credit score you need for a cash-out refinance is typically 620. However, FHA and VA cash-out refinance loans might allow a slightly lower credit score. Lenders set their own minimums, so credit requirements can vary depending on where you apply.
Aside from a small ding for having your credit pulled, a cash-out refinance does not affect your credit score. “On the other hand, if the cash-out from the loan is used to pay off debt, you may notice an improvement in your credit score,” Leahy says.
Many brick-and-mortar and online banks and lenders offer cash-out refinance loans, including conventional, FHA, and VA cash-out refinance loans. Shop around carefully and compare rate quotes and terms from several lenders to find the best deal.
What are today’s cash-out refinance rates?
Cash-out refinance rates are still historically low. And, even when mortgage rates rise, cash-out refinancing is often still cheaper than other forms of borrowing like credit cards and personal loans.
Check with a few lenders to find your best cash-out refinance rate in today’s market.