Home Mortgage Refinancing - Things to Consider When Looking to Get Cash Out on a Refinance


When you refinance your home mortgage, lenders often tempt you with the option of cashing out part of your home's equity. Cash at a comparably low interest rate may seem like a good option, but make sure you will financially benefit from it first.

Raising Your Home's Value

Only some home improvements raise the value of your home. Bathroom and kitchen upgrades are one example of this. However, with most remodel jobs, you will not see a financial gain. If you are using your home's equity to fund projects, make sure that your investment will pay off.

Saving On Interest Payments

Paying off credit cards with your home's equity will save you money in two ways. First of all, you will save on interest payments. Secondly, the interest you pay on your mortgage is tax deductible, unlike credit card interest.

PMI Penalty

Private mortgage insurance kicks in if you borrow more than 80% of your home's value. These extra payments can add up to several hundred dollars a year, so be careful how much you borrow. Other lines of credit may be more cost efficient when you factor in the cost of PMI on your mortgage.

The Length Of The Loan

While it may see smart to take out equity at a low interest rate with your mortgage, it may be cheaper to cash out through a home equity loan. Home equity loans allow you to deduct interest payments from your taxes, but they require a shorter repayment period.

Interest rates on a home equity loan are higher, so you will need to compare the costs between refinancing and a home equity loan. Generally, if your mortgage is long-term, a home equity loan is a better deal.

Your Financial Situation

To decide whether to cash out the equity of your home, you have to make decisions around what is best for your financial situation. There are no hard rules for this type of decision.

For example, purchasing a car with your home's equity may be a wise investment if you need a car and would struggle with a car payment. In the end, financial decisions are about making trade-offs.

To view our recommended sources for refinance mortgage loans online, visit this page: Recommended Refi Mortgage Lenders Online.

Carrie Reeder is the owner ABC Loan Guide, an informational website about various types of loans.







Related News




Banks see surge in mortgage refinancing - WTHR

WNCT

Banks see surge in mortgage refinancing
WTHR, IN -4 hours ago
A record number of people are rushing to refinance their homes. The stock market rose slightly on Wednesday thanks to a boost in home mortgage applications ...
A Rush Into Refinancing as Mortgage Rates FallNew York Times
Lower mortgage rates aren't the answerCNNMoney.com
MBS Markets Skeptical of Mortgage PlansWall Street Journal
New York Times - CNNMoney.com
all 796 news articles

The Truth About Mortgage Refinancing Revealed By California ... - SBWire (press release)

The Truth About Mortgage Refinancing Revealed By California ...
SBWire (press release), WI -8 hours ago
Bakersfield, California based Mortgage Broker Adolph Gonzales reveals mortgage refinancing secrets at a new web site that is full of free reports, ...

Home equity loan avoids fees of refinancing mortgage - ABC15.com (KNXV-TV)

Home equity loan avoids fees of refinancing mortgage
ABC15.com (KNXV-TV), AZ -8 hours ago
By Jeff Brown Q. I would like to refinance my adjustable-rate mortgage to lock in one of today's low rates. But I don't want to pay a lot of fees for a new ...
ARM with a long fixed-rate term gives homeowner time to planMarketWatch
all 13 news articles

Mortgage Refinance Applications Soar As Rates Fall - EasyBourse.com

Sify

Mortgage Refinance Applications Soar As Rates Fall
EasyBourse.com, France -Dec 3, 2008
The Mortgage Bankers Association's index of refinance applications posted a record 203.3% increase over the previous week. Additionally, the US Treasury ...
Mortgage rates fall, but many borrowers will have trouble qualifyingLos Angeles Times
US move cuts mortgages to lowest rate since FebruaryBaltimore Sun
Last Call for Smart HomeownersMotley Fool
AHN - World Socialist Web Site
all 503 news articles

VA Specialty Lender Offers 100% Mortgage Refinancing - PR Web (press release)

VA Specialty Lender Offers 100% Mortgage Refinancing
PR Web (press release), WA -12 hours ago
Salt Lake City, Utah (PRWEB) December 3, 2008 -- iFreedom Direct Corporation, a Salt Lake based mortgage company, is now offering 100% VA refinance"cash ...

Mortgage plan shows increased gov't role - Washington Post

Mortgage plan shows increased gov't role
Washington Post, United States -3 hours ago
But other observers say the government has few options to keep money flowing to consumers who want to buy or refinance a home. "We don't have a choice," ...

Refinancing a viable option for certain homeowners - Monitor

ITV.com

Refinancing a viable option for certain homeowners
Monitor, TX -20 hours ago
For the many locals who are still paying off subprime mortgages, refinancing is also likely not an option. But with a 30-year mortgage rate at close to 5.5 ...
How To Cope With The Flood Of Foreclosures?Forbes
all 594 news articles

Lower mortgage rates help but jobs, prices key - Reuters

Calgary Herald

Lower mortgage rates help but jobs, prices key
Reuters -Dec 3, 2008
Applications to buy and refinance homes hurtled higher last week as the lowest rates since the summer of 2005 unleashed pent-up demand. ...
US must ensure market aid is temporary: SEC's CoxReuters
all 2,022 news articles

Bernanke Says US Must Step Up Foreclosure Efforts (Update1) - Bloomberg

CBC.ca

Bernanke Says US Must Step Up Foreclosure Efforts (Update1)
Bloomberg -10 hours ago
... been prodding private mortgage servicers and bond investors to cooperate with government efforts to modify or refinance loans for troubled borrowers. ...
Op-Ed: Fed Throws Refinancing Party; No One Shows UpMinyanville.com
Treasurys gain as jobs outlook appears sourMarketWatch
Bernanke calls for measures to stem foreclosuresInternational Herald Tribune
The Australian - Seeking Alpha
all 1,292 news articles

US MBA’s Mortgage Applications More Than Doubled Last Week - Bloomberg

Post Chronicle

US MBA’s Mortgage Applications More Than Doubled Last Week
Bloomberg -Dec 3, 2008
The Mortgage Bankers Association’s index of applications to purchase a home or refinance a loan jumped 112 percent to 857.7, the highest level since March, ...
Mortgage applications more than doubleCNNMoney.com
Mortgage Apps On Rise As Rates DropCBS News
FINANCIAL STOCKS Bulls outlast bears in Wednesday grudge matchMarketWatch
USA Today - Reuters
all 147 news articles