A cash-out refinance can be a great option to pay for a home improvement project. Thatâs especially true if you donât want to deal with getting a second mortgage loan or paying the typically higher interest rates for a home equity loan, home equity line of credit or personal loan.
While youâre considering the best type of loan to pay for your home renovations, it can be helpful to look at refinancing and which type of mortgage refinance is best for you. A cash-out refinance is the type of mortgage refinance that can help pay for your home improvements. Letâs take a look at how you could use it for your home projects.
A cash-out refinance with Quicken Loans allows homeowners to tap into their home equity and take cash out of their property This can be an excellent option for those looking to fund home renovations, pay off high-interest debt, or access cash for other needs Here is a comprehensive guide to Quicken Loans cash-out refinancing.
What is a Cash-Out Refinance?
A cash-out refinance involves taking out a new mortgage loan that is larger than your current mortgage balance. The proceeds from the new loan pay off your existing mortgage, and you get the difference in cash.
For example if your current mortgage is $200000 and you take out a new loan for $250,000, after paying off the old loan you would get $50,000 cash out. This allows you to tap into your home’s equity while keeping just one mortgage payment.
Quicken Loans Cash-Out Refinance Options
Quicken Loans offers several cash-out refinance programs to meet different needs
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Conventional cash-out refinance: Up to 80% loan-to-value for loan amounts up to $647,200. Best rates and terms.
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Jumbo cash-out refinance: For loan amounts above $647,200. Higher requirements but allows you to tap more equity.
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FHA cash-out refinance: More flexible requirements, including qualifying with a credit score as low as 580. Can borrow up to 85% of appraised value.
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VA cash-out refinance: For veterans and service members. 100% financing available and no mortgage insurance.
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USDA cash-out refinance: For properties in rural areas. 100% financing available with no down payment.
Quicken Loans has highly competitive rates across all these loan programs.
Cash-Out Refinance Requirements
To qualify for a Quicken Loans cash-out refinance, you’ll need:
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Equity in your home: Most programs require 15-20% equity. The more equity you have, the more cash you can take out.
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Good credit: Minimum credit scores vary by program but generally you’ll need at least a 620 FICO score. Lower can qualify for FHA.
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Manageable debts: Your total monthly debt payments, including the new mortgage, should be less than 50% of your gross monthly income.
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Sufficient income: You must have enough income to afford the new, larger mortgage payment.
As long as you meet these requirements, a Quicken Loans cash-out refinance allows you to access your equity.
Cash-Out Refinance Rates
Cash-out refinance rates are generally higher than rates for a no-cash-out refinance, but lower than HELOC rates. Here are average cash-out refinance rates as of March 2023:
- Conventional: 6.5% – 7%
- FHA: 5.5% – 6.25%
- VA: 5.375% – 6.125%
- USDA: 5.75% – 6.25%
Rates vary daily based on market conditions. Connect with a Quicken Loans loan officer to get real-time personalized quotes.
How Much Cash Can You Take Out?
The amount of cash you can take out depends on how much equity you have and the loan-to-value limits of the particular program. For example:
- With a conventional loan you can generally take out up to 80% of your home’s value.
- FHA allows you to tap 85% of the value.
- VA has no LTV limit so you may be able to take all your equity.
Run the numbers to see how much cash you may qualify for.
Cash-Out Refinance Closing Costs
As with any refinance, you’ll have to pay closing costs for a Quicken Loans cash-out refinance. These typically range from 2-5% of the total loan amount.
Closing costs include:
- Origination fees
- Appraisal fees
- Title fees
- Recording fees
- More
You can pay closing costs out of pocket or roll them into the new loan amount.
Cash-Out Refinance Process
The process for getting a Quicken Loans cash-out refinance is straightforward:
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Get prequalified: Apply online or speak to a loan officer to get prequalified and receive loan estimates.
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Choose loan terms: Review the loan estimates and choose the loan amount, rate, term length, etc. that work best for you.
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Submit full application: Provide documents like pay stubs, bank statements, tax returns, etc. to proceed with underwriting.
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Home appraisal: Quicken Loans will order an appraisal to verify the home’s value.
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Underwriting approval: Underwriters review your full application and issue final loan approval.
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Closing: Review final documents, sign, and close! The cash is then wired to your account.
The entire process usually takes 30-45 days from application to funding.
Pros of a Cash-Out Refinance
- Access equity without selling your home
- Pay off higher interest debt
- Consolidate bills into one payment
- Fund home improvements
- Pay for education, vacations, or other expenses
- Leverage low interest rates before they rise
Cons of a Cash-Out Refinance
- Closing costs
- Potentially higher mortgage payment
- Higher interest rates than no-cash-out refi
- Lower home equity
- Risk of foreclosure if you can’t make payments
Alternatives to Cash-Out Refinance
Some other options for accessing home equity include:
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Home Equity Loan (HEL): Second fixed-rate loan with set repayment terms.
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Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC): Revolving line of credit with variable interest rates.
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Home Improvement Loans: Specialty loans just for renovations.
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Reverse Mortgage: Allows seniors to access equity without repayment.
Each option has pros and cons to weigh based on your specific needs and financial situation. Many homeowners find cash-out refinancing to be simplest and most affordable.
Is a Quicken Loans Cash-Out Refinance Right for You?
If you have sufficient equity, good credit, and a need for cash, a Quicken Loans cash-out refinance can be a great solution. Connect with one of their loan officers to go over your home value, equity, income, credit, and monthly expenses. They can help you determine how much cash you may qualify for, what programs make sense, and the smartest way to tap your home equity.
With competitive rates and a streamlined process, a cash-out refi through Quicken Loans is an excellent way for many homeowners to unlock their equity and put it to use. Evaluate your options and see if it’s the right move for your financial situation.
How Does Refinancing A Home Loan Work?
Refinancing allows homeowners to take on a new loan with different terms by replacing your current mortgage loan.
Homeowners refinance for a number of different reasons, including to change their mortgage interest rate, to change their loan terms or to use a cash-out refinance to fund renovation projects or cover other large expenses.
How Can You Fund Home Improvements With A Cash-Out Refinance?
A cash-out refi is a type of mortgage refinance that allows you to use the equity you have in your home to get a new mortgage by converting some of your equity into cash.
Essentially, youâre borrowing more than you currently owe on your loan and pocketing the difference. To do this, you need to have enough equity in your home to borrow.
Cash-out refinances are different from second mortgages. When you get a cash-out refi, the new mortgage becomes your primary mortgage.
For example, if you bought your home for $200,000 and have paid off $75,000 of the loan, you still owe $125,000 on your original mortgage. Letâs say the value of your home has increased to $300,000. When you subtract the amount you owe from the current value of your home ($300,000 â $125,000), you get your home equity. In this case, that would be $175,000.
Keep in mind that lenders generally cap the amount you can borrow at around 80% of your homeâs value. For this example, your lender would allow you to cash out up to $240,000.
When considering your eligibility for a cash-out refinance, lenders will review a few factors. Letâs look at some of the requirements you need to meet to qualify.
- Credit score: Most lenders require you to have a credit score of at least 620 to qualify for a cash-out refinance. Requirements may vary based on the lender and may be as low as 580 for certain types of loans.
- Debt-to-income ratio: Your DTI is a percentage that represents your fixed monthly debts compared to your gross monthly income. For a cash-out refinance, most lenders require a 43% or lower DTI. Depending on the lender and type of loan, the exact percentage may vary.
- Home equity: Youâll need to have and retain at least 20% equity in your home to refinance. If you have a VA loan, backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, you may be able to withdraw up to 100% of the equity in your home, but exact qualifications may vary by lender.
- Home appraisal: Mortgage lenders will likely require a home appraisal as part of the mortgage application process. Getting a new home appraisal before a cash-out refinance helps determine how much your home is actually worth, which impacts the amount of equity you have in your home.
Get matched with a lender that can help you reach your financial goals.
Quicken Loans Cash-Out Refinance Review: Pros and Cons
FAQ
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