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Why do you want a home loan?
Showing: Refinance, Good (720-739), 30-year fixed, Single family home, Primary residence, cash-out.
Streamlined online process with document and asset retrieval capabilities.
Often ranks high in customer satisfaction surveys.
Cons
Getting a customized interest rate requires a credit check, which can affect your credit score.
Origination fees are on the high side compared with other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
About These Rates: The lenders whose rates appear on this table are NerdWallet’s advertising partners. NerdWallet strives to keep its information accurate and up to date. This information may be different than what you see when you visit a lender’s site. The terms advertised here are not offers and do not bind any lender. The rates shown here are retrieved via the Mortech rate engine and are subject to change. These rates do not include taxes, fees, and insurance. Your actual rate and loan terms will be determined by the partner’s assessment of your creditworthiness and other factors. Any potential savings figures are estimates based on the information provided by you and our advertising partners.
Trends and Insights
Mortgage rate trends (APR)
NerdWallet’s mortgage rate insight
6.779%
30-year fixed-rate
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On Saturday, October 26, 2024, the average APR on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose 2 basis points to 6.779%. The average APR on a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage rose 7 basis points to 5.971% and the average APR for a 5-year adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) rose 4 basis points to 7.591%, according to rates provided to NerdWallet by Zillow. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is 25 basis points higher than one week ago and 123 basis points lower than one year ago.
A basis point is one one-hundredth of one percent. Rates are expressed as annual percentage rate, or APR.
👉 Did you buy a home in the last two years? Refinancing might save you money. Mortgage rates are down a percentage point compared to last year, and may drop more after the Fed rate cut on Sept. 18, 2024. Try our refinance calculator to see how much you could save.
What are the current cash-out refinance rates?
In general, cash-out refinances have higher interest rates than other mortgage refinances — but lower rates than second mortgages like home equity loans or home equity lines of credit (HELOCs). NerdWallet helps you comparison shop so you can find the best cash-out refinance rate for you. Just like getting your first mortgage, it’s smart to compare quotes from at least three different refinance lenders to get the best deal.
What is a cash-out refinance?
A cash-out refinance is a new larger loan replacing your current mortgage. You’ll be borrowing what you owe on your existing loan, plus the cash you take out from your home’s equity.
Your home equity is the difference between the current market value of your house and your mortgage balance. For example, if your home is now worth $300,000 and you owe $200,000, you have $100,000 in equity. Put $40,000 of that in your pocket, and your new loan will be $240,000. Closing costs often may be subtracted from the equity draw, unless you’re bringing cash to closing.
How much cash can I get with a cash-out refinance?
Lenders set their own limits for the percentage of cash you can take out, typically up to 80%-90% of your home equity. An appraisal will be required to determine your home’s current market value.
What are the requirements for a cash-out refinance?
In order to qualify for a cash-out refinance, you’ll have to meet lender requirements. Each lender will have its own set of criteria, but here are some general expectations:
Credit score of at least 620. The best rates are reserved for those with the highest credit scores.
Equity of at least 20%. You need to have built up equity in order to pull it out. (One exception: A VA cash-out refinance, guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, lets you finance up to 100% of the value of your home.)
Debt-to-income ratio at or below 50%. For most cash-out refinances, your total amount of existing debt (including your mortgage) can’t exceed 50% of your gross monthly income.
Seasoning requirement. With a conventional loan, you typically need to have owned your home for at least six months (known as the “seasoning requirement”) before you can refinance. Government-backed loans work differently: With a VA loan, the requirement is 210 days. With an FHA loan, guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration, it’s 12 months.
How much does it cost to get a cash-out refinance?
As with any mortgage refinance, you’ll pay closing costs for a cash-out refinance. Closing costs typically range from 2% to 6% of the total mortgage amount — that’s $7,000 to $21,000 on a $350,000 mortgage.
Pros and cons of a cash-out refinance
Pros
Potentially lower rate: If you’re refinancing in order to lower your interest rate, you could save on your mortgage payments long-term.
Access to cash: If refinancing makes sense for you, a cash-out refinance allows you to access equity and convert it into cash.
It’s all one loan: You’re only making one mortgage payment, rather than managing separate payments for a primary mortgage and a second mortgage (like a home equity loan or home equity line of credit).
Cons
Closing costs: Just like with your first mortgage, you’ll be required to pay closing costs of 2% to 6% when you refinance.
New terms: When you refinance, you get a new set of terms in addition to a new rate — essentially, you’re restarting the clock. This could add years to your loan (resulting in extra interest payments) or mean higher monthly payments.
Foreclosure risk: Now that you’re taking on a larger mortgage, you risk losing your home if you can’t keep up with the new payments.
When to consider a cash-out refinance
A cash-out refinance might make sense if you can get a lower rate than your current mortgage — and have a financially sound strategy for using the cash. Since you’re using your home as collateral to access the cash, the best uses for cash-out proceeds are home repairs and improvements, which can increase the value of your home and provide a return on your investment. A cash-out refinance is not recommended for financing a vacation or other expenditure that won’t grow your wealth.
Alternatives to a cash-out refinance
A home equity loan or HELOC are second mortgages that let you borrow against your home equity. A cash-out refinance typically has a lower interest rate than a home equity loan or HELOC, and refinancing may provide a lower rate than your current mortgage. However, you may end up paying more in fees for a cash-out refinance than you would a home equity loan or HELOC.
