Cash-Out Refinance Loan (2024)

FAQs

Is it hard to get approved for a cash-out refinance? ›

Determining whether you qualify: Many cash-out refinance lenders require a credit score of at least 620 and at least 20 percent equity in your home. You might find lenders with looser requirements, but you could pay a higher rate as a result.

For example, you typically must have at least 20% in equity in your home to get a cash-out refinance and if you don't your refinance could be denied. A no cash-out refinance can be denied if you do not have a good credit history or enough income to meet the lender's criteria.

Generally, the amount you can borrow with a cash-out refinance is capped at 80% of your home value. However, this can vary depending on the lender and loan type you choose.

In a cash-out refinance, a new mortgage is taken out for more than your previous mortgage balance, and the difference is paid to you in cash. You usually pay a higher interest rate or more points on a cash-out refinance mortgage compared to a rate-and-term refinance, in which a mortgage amount stays the same.

Cash-out refinance minimum credit scores

If your DTI ratio is above 36% and up to 45%, you'll need a 700 credit score. The minimum credit score is 660 for borrowers with an LTV at or below 75% and a 36% maximum DTI ratio. The score minimum is 680 if you're at the maximum 45% DTI ratio.

Expect a cash-out refinance to take 45 to 60 days, but with a little help, you may speed up the processing time. The faster you provide documentation and secure the appraisal, the faster your lender can underwrite and process your loan. It's a team effort to get the cash in hand that you want from your home equity.

If your debt-to-income ratio is above your lender's maximum allowed percentage, you may not qualify to refinance your home. A low credit score is also a common hindrance.

A mortgage underwriter typically denies about 1 in 10 mortgage loan applications. A mortgage loan application can be denied for many reasons, including a borrower's low credit score, recent employment change or high debt-to-income ratio.

Key Takeaways

Don't refinance if you have a long break-even period—the number of months to reach the point when you start saving. Refinancing to lower your monthly payment is great unless you're spending more money in the long-run.

Compared to HELOCs, cash-out refinances are less risky for lenders, meaning they are often able to provide lower interest rates – though you may need to anticipate higher upfront fees in the form of closing costs.

Does FHA allow cash-out refinance? ›

You can borrow up to 80% of your home's value with an FHA cash-out refinance. Here's an example, assuming your current home is worth $350,000 and you owe $250,000 on your existing mortgage: $350,000 x 80% = $280,000 maximum FHA cash-out loan amount. $280,000 – $250,000 current loan balance = $30,000 cash back to you.

Loan-to-value (LTV) ratio

Your LTV ratio is the amount of your mortgage divided by the appraised value of your home. Lenders may allow a maximum LTV ratio of up to 90% for cash out refinances, meaning you can't borrow more than 90% of your home's appraised value.

A home equity line of credit, or HELOC, is typically the most inexpensive way to tap into your home's equity.

Conventional refinance: For conventional refinances (including cash-out refinances), you'll usually need at least 20 percent equity in your home (or an LTV ratio of no more than 80 percent).

To be approved for a conventional mortgage, you typically need a minimum 620 credit score. If your score is below the mid-600s, however, you may have a harder time qualifying for a refinance. Your credit score can change over time.

Your lender may disqualify you from refinancing your mortgage if you carry too much debt. Your debt-to-income ratio must meet your lender's thresholds for you to qualify. Having a low credit score may also prevent mortgage lenders from approving your application.

Technically, you can reapply right away, but each application requires a hard credit check, which temporarily lowers your FICO score. So, consider why you were rejected first — if your credit score was too low or you don't have enough home equity, address the issue before applying again.