There may come a time when you need to access a large amount of cash to pay off credit card debt or fund home improvements. And when that happens, you can consider using one of the greatest assets at your disposal—your home’s equity.
A cash-out refinance is a mortgage refinancing option that allows you to renegotiate the terms of your mortgage and turn your home equity into cash. This article will explain what a cash-out refinance is, the pros and cons, and how to determine whether it’s right for you.
What is a cash-out refinance?
A cash-out refinance is a type of mortgage refinance that allows the homeowner to take out a new loan for more than what they owe on their current mortgage. This new loan is used to pay off the old mortgage and the remaining funds are given to the homeowner in cash.
This option can be a good choice for homeowners who want to access the equity they’ve built up in their home and use it for other expenses, such as home renovations, paying off high-interest debt, or investing in other opportunities.
How does a cash-out refinance work?
The lender will thoroughly evaluate the terms of your previous loan, examining both your credit history and the remaining balance. They will then formulate an offer based on a comprehensive underwriting analysis.
With cash-out refinancing, you take out a new loan that exceeds your current loan balance. This new loan pays off your previous loan, leaving you with a new mortgage and monthly payment, along with a “cash-out” amount that represents the difference between the new loan amount and what was owed.
Cash-out refinancing is different from simply refinancing your home where you don’t see any cash in hand. With a traditional mortgage refinance, you take out a new loan for the same amount but at a lower interest rate and monthly payment.
Similar to a home equity loan, the goal of cash-out refinancing is to access the equity in your home. Cash-out refinances are usually less expensive than home equity loans.
Pros and Cons of a Cash-Out Refinance
There are advantages and disadvantages to any financial decision, and this is certainly true for a cash-out refinance. Understanding some of the pros and cons can help you decide whether this is the right move for you.
Pros
- Consolidate debt: The average interest rate on credit cards is 17.25%. But if you’re carrying a balance from month to month, this can add up to a lot of money in interest. Using a cash-out refinance to pay down credit cards can save you thousands of dollars.
- Fund home improvement projects: Home improvement projects are typically a good investment because they increase the value of your home. However, not all projects will add the same amount of value, so make sure you do your homework first.
- Boost your credit score: If you use the money to pay off debt, this will lower your credit utilization. This impacts your credit score by up to 30%, so reducing this can improve your score.
- Improve your home loan terms: When you refinance your home, you’re replacing your existing mortgage with a new one. This could mean shorter payment terms, and you may be able to qualify for a lower interest rate.
- Possible tax deduction: If you use the money to improve your home, you may be able to take advantage of the mortgage interest deduction. You should consult a tax professional to find out if you qualify for the deduction.
Cons
- Private mortgage insurance (PMI): If the value of your home falls below 80%, you’ll have to pay PMI. PMI costs between 0.5% to 1.0% of the total loan amount. So, you need to be sure the benefits you stand to gain outweigh these costs.
- You’ll have new mortgage terms: In some situations, taking out a new mortgage loan with new terms could be an advantage to you. But if you already have a very low interest rate, this could work against you. Make sure you understand the terms and conditions before agreeing to anything.
- Closing costs: When you refinance your home, you have to pay closing costs, which are the fees paid to finalize a real estate transaction. Closing costs are usually between 2% and 5% of the loan amount, so this will be thousands of dollars you’ll have to pay out of pocket.
- Won’t fix bad financial habits: Using a cash-out refinance to pay down debt can be a smart decision. But it won’t help you if you rack that debt back up again. Make sure you work on improving your financial habits so you don’t stay stuck in a cycle of debt.
- You put your home at risk: With a cash-out refinance, your home is used as collateral to guarantee the mortgage loan. So if you’re unable to make your monthly mortgage payments, you are in danger of losing your home.
How can you use a cash-out refinance?
The money you receive from a cash-out refinance can be used for pretty much any purpose. You can use it to pay off high-interest credit card debt or for home renovations.
However, just because you can use this money for any expense doesn’t mean you should. Paying down high-interest debt is a good move because it’ll reduce the amount you pay in interest. And home improvements can help you increase your home’s value.
But it’s not a good idea to use a cash-out refinance to fund things like vacations or brand-new cars. The return on your investment will be minimal, and you’ll be putting your home at risk for very little reward.
Alternatives to a Cash-Out Refinance
Cash-out refinancing won’t be the right choice for everyone. If you need to access a large amount of cash but aren’t sure about a cash-out refinance, there are alternatives you can consider.
- HELOC: One of the most popular alternatives to a cash-out refinance is taking out a home equity line of credit (HELOC). A HELOC is somewhat like a personal loan and a credit card all rolled into one. It’s a revolving line of credit and is less expensive and less time-consuming than a cash-out refinance. Plus, you’ll only pay interest on the money you actually borrow.
- Personal loan: If you want access to a large, lump sum of money, personal loans could be a suitable alternative. These loans are faster to process than a cash-out refinance, and you’ll pay off the money in a much shorter time period.
- Look for other ways to find the money: And finally, you may want to consider if there are other ways you can find the money you need. Could you borrow the money from friends or family or take on a side job? This isn’t the most exciting alternative, but if you can make it work, it’ll save you from taking on more debt.
Summary
In the right circumstances, cash-out refinancing can be a good move. It can help you re-invest into your home, pay off debt, and improve your financial situation.
However, cash-out refinancing is not a quick fix. If you don’t change the behaviors that created the problem, you risk digging yourself into an even deeper financial home. Plus, you’re putting your home at risk in the process.
If you choose to go forward with a cash-out refinance, be sure to put your money to good use. Use this experience to put you and your family in a better position financially.
