Mortgage & Refinancing Information

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.


MORE RESOURCES:

Borrowers feel fallout from mortgage giants' woes
Salt Lake Tribune, United States - 16 hours ago
By Alan Zibel AP Jeff Jaye, a mortgage broker in Northern California, used to rely on homeowners looking to refinance their loans for more than two-thirds ...


Housing Bill: A Step Toward Repairing the Damage
MarketWatch - Jul 30, 2008
WASHINGTON, July 30, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Today President Bush signed into law a housing bill passed by Congress aimed at stabilizing ...
Homeowner aid act raises worries on scope, delays The Associated Press
Housing Help WWMT
Housing bill puts taxpayers on the hook Battle Creek Enquirer
WKTV - KOLD-TV
all 121 news articles


Housing And Economic Recovery Act
Mondaq News Alerts (subscription), UK - 8 hours ago
The Act also expands the target population served by the FHA and creates the "Hope for Homeowners" voluntary FHA-insured mortgage refinance program. ...


MLive.com

Family's money woes center on the house
MLive.com, MI - Aug 2, 2008
File: Leisa Thompson, The Ann Arbor NewsJay and Betty Jahnke: Still worried about their mortgage payment and tuition bills for their daughter. ...


Ask the Biz Brain
The Star-Ledger - NJ.com, NJ - Aug 11, 2008
I have a pre-payment penalty on my mortgage loan for three years. I'd like to refinance sooner. Is there a way a lender can waive the penalty? ...


ABC News

Rescue Package Awaits Bush Signature
Christian Broadcasting Network, VA - Jul 28, 2008
The bill, approved by the Senate in a rare weekend session, includes help for 400000 people at risk of foreclosure. If homeowners can not afford their ...
Video: House Bails Out Lenders CBS
all 5,369 news articles


Buyers flock to FHA, government-backed loans
Inman.com (subscription), CA - Aug 18, 2008
... by raising loan limits and creating new products that allow borrowers who are behind on their existing mortgage refinance into more affordable loans. ...


Wachovia Posts Loss, Exits Wholesale Origination Business
Mortgageorb, CT - Jul 22, 2008
By MortgageOrb.com on Tuesday 22 July 2008 Consistent with previously announced expectations, Charlotte, NC-based Wachovia Corp. has reported a net loss in ...


DD Mortgage plans to open branches in İzmir, Ankara
Turkish Daily News (subscription), Turkey - Aug 15, 2008
Focus areas include first-time home buyers, second home buyers, upgraders, buy to let, let to buy, university mortgage, refinance, Turkish people residing ...


How Home Equity Can Help You Slash Debt
WJACtv.com, PA - Aug 14, 2008
To access hundreds of potential lenders for mortgage, refinance or home equity line of credit products, visit www.lowermybills.com. ...

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