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Is now a good time for a cash-out refinance for you? And is this a trend that is expected to continue in Washington state and across the country in 2024?
With house values rising steadily across the state of Washington homeowners are finding themselves with more equity in their homes.
Many homeowners are using cash-out refinancing to convert some of that equity into cash. But the recent trend in rising cash-out refinances dipped last year.
Here’s an updated look at the cash-out refinance process in Washington State, along with home-price trends.
As you might have guessed, “cash-out refinancing” is when homeowners refinance an existing mortgage loan for more than they currently owe. They would then receive the difference in cash. This is a popular strategy among Washington homeowners who have experienced equity growth.
An example: Let’s assume that a homeowner owes $90,000 on a house that is worth $250,000. In this scenario, the homeowner could potentially refinance the existing mortgage loan for more than the amount owed. Assuming they wanted to receive $50,000 in cash, they could refinance for $140,000 (the $90,000 outstanding loan balance, plus the $50,000 they wish to receive in cash).
There are variations to the cash-out refinance loan in Washington State. But that’s usually how it works.
Related: Time The Market: When To Refinance And Lock A Rate
The Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Refinance Index increased 18% from the same week a year ago. Since March 2020, mortgage interest rates reached their highest levels, leading to the slowest refinance pace in more than years. But this trend seems to be switching gears, especially as mortgage rates are expected to dip in 2024, according to the MBA.
Lower mortgage rates could make this a great time to refinance your mortgage loan to get access to cash from your home’s equity. If you locked in at a rate that’s at least 2% higher than what it is today, it may be worth considering a cash-out refinance. In fact, a lower interest rate is one of the best reasons to consider a refinance.
If you are considering using the funds you access from your home’s equity for a noble purpose, then a cash-out-refinance may be a good idea. For example, using the money to make improvements to your home that will add value is one of the best things you can do with that money while taking advantage of today’s lower mortgage rates.
House values in Washington, in particular, have risen significantly in recent years. According to Zillow, the statewide median home price rose by 0.1% over the last year alone (as of December 2023). So we could see a higher number of Washington State homeowners using cash-out refinance loans in 2024.
Homeowners who have a home loan experienced an equity increase over the past year, according to CoreLogic’s Home Equity Report. With higher home values in Washington state, homeowners across the state are enjoying higher levels of equity — or ownership — in their homes.
House prices are expected to continue at a relatively similar pace over the coming months compared to 2023.
Which begs the question: Is refinancing right for you? Will it help you accomplish your financial goals?
We can help you answer these important questions. Our mortgage financing experts can review your current equity and mortgage balance to determine if cash-out refinancing is right for you. Please contact our staff with any questions you have about refinance loans in Washington.
Is a cash-out refinance something that you may be interested in? If so, Sammamish Mortgage can help. Sammamish Mortgage is a local, family-owned company based in Bellevue, Washington. We serve the entire state, as well as the broader Pacific Northwest region that includes Idaho, Colorado, California, and Oregon. We have been offering a wide variety of mortgage programs and products with flexible qualification criteria, and we’d love to help. Please contact us if you have mortgage-related questions.
Whether you’re buying a home or ready to refinance, our professionals can help.
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No Obligation and transparency 24/7. Instantly compare live rates and costs from our network of lenders across the country. Real-time accurate rates and closing costs for a variety of loan programs custom to your specific situation.