Consolidate Debt with a Cash-Out Refi
Are you feeling financially squeezed with the amount of bills coming your way each month? Many homeowners refinance to pay off debt. Debt consolidation mortgage refinance brings with it many of the benefits of refinancing: new interest rate, the ability to change your loan term and much more. It's simple, too. Use a cash-out refinance to take the equity of your home and apply it to debts with higher interest charges, from medical debt to credit cards to private student loans.
So, what is a cash-out mortgage refinance and how will it help consolidate your debt?
What is a Cash-Out Refinance loan?
While a typical mortgage refinance alters the rate and term of your mortgage (and thus is known as a “rate-and-term refinance”), a cash-out refi increases the actual amount borrowed. You are then able to pay off your existing mortgage entirely (and thus can continue paying your mortgage off to your new creditor at the same rate-and-term or an altered one) and you receive a lump cash sum for the increased amount borrowed. Thus the name, “cash-out refinance.”
This money can be used for many purposes, such as home improvements. These improvements can increase the home’s value and make it more enticing to potential buyers when the owners eventually sell their home. Paying for increasingly expensive college tuition is another common reason, as is paying off credit-card debt or financing a new business endeavor. However, many homeowners use their cash-out refinance to pay off debt, from credit cards, education loans and more.
Refinance to Pay Off Debt with a Cash-Out Refi
By using the cash from your cash-out refinance to pay off your existing credit card debts, you are essentially transferring all your debt into one place: your mortgage. A debt consolidation refinance gets rid of differing due dates and various companies you owe to, putting all your loans and debt into one, easy to remember payment.
The benefits don’t stop there, however. The interest rates on mortgages are generally substantially lower than on credit cards. So, by paying off a higher mortgage rather than credit card debt, you are saving potentially hundreds of dollars each month.
However, it’s important to know that your ability to undergo a cash-out refinance depends greatly on your home equity. You generally need at least 20% equity in the property in order to be eligible to qualify for a cash-out refinance.
Debt Consolidation through Home Equity
Determining your home equity is relatively easy. Home equity is simply the difference between how much your home is worth minus how much you still owe on your mortgage. It’s basically your ownership interest in your home.
For example, say you bought a home for $200,000, made a down payment of $20,000 and borrowed $180,000. Five years down the road, you’ve paid $13,000 of your mortgage off, you still owe $167,000, and your home’s value has increased to $220,000. To determine your equity, you take what your home’s current value is ($220,000) and subtract the amount that’s still owed ($167,000) – in this case, your home equity would be $53,000.*
Then, divide $53,000 by the $220,000 your home is worth and you discover that you have over 24% home equity, making you likely eligible to qualify for a cash-out refinance.
What to Consider when Consolidating Debt in a Mortgage
Even after securing a debt consolidation loan, it’s important to keep in mind that your debt isn’t gone; it’s just in a new place. You need to remain disciplined in your spending and not overspend on your now “debt-free” credit cards.
Another thing to consider is that it is almost never a good idea to secure a cash-out refinance at an interest rate that’s higher than the one you’re paying right now. If you find that is not possible, then there are other cash-out refinance options you may want to consider – home equity loans, reverse mortgages, or a home equity line of credit (HELOC).
Also, make sure you’ll be able to afford the new payments on your new mortgage. When undergoing a cash-out refinance, the balance of your mortgage increases by the amount of debt that you are paying off. As a result, your monthly mortgage payment may wind up increasing, depending on the terms you qualify for as well as the rate of interest. To see how much you can afford, check out our mortgage calculator.
Additionally, as of January 1, 2018, tax laws regarding refinancing have changed. While originally the interest paid on a cash-out refinance was fully tax-deductible (up to $100,000) with the new laws, this only applies if the cash-out is used to buy, build, or improve your home. Using the money to consolidate debt, however, is not fully tax-deductible.
To see if debt consolidation refinancing and cash-out refinancing is right for you be sure to talk to one of our home loan experts or call us at (941) 405-1412 to see if this form of home loan refinancing is right for you.
Why Choose us for your Refinance
We are in the business of lowering our customers' payments on their home loans. With low rates, personalized debt consolidation loan options and unbeatable service, you’ll be sure to get the mortgage and low rate you need to meet all of your home financing goals.
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**Sample ‘future’ rate provided for illustration purposes only and is not intended to provide mortgage or other financial advice specific to the circumstances of any individual and should not be relied upon in that regard. Rate, Inc. cannot predict where rates will be in the future.