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Cash-Out & Debt Consolidation Home Loans In All 50 States, Plus Up To *$50,000 Extra

Tap your home equity to consolidate debt or take cash in hand, with VA, FHA, Conventional, and Portfolio programs, up to 100% loan-to-value for qualified Veterans, plus up to *$50,000 extra before or after closing.

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Cash-Out Refinance and Debt Consolidation Loans: Why Homeowners in All 50 States Choose BuildBuyRefi

BuildBuyRefi offers government-backed and in-house portfolio cash-out refinance and debt consolidation loans in all 50 states, with a lending team that works seven days a week around your schedule. As a direct, FDIC-insured bank that underwrites in-house, we control the process from prequalification to closing, so you get straight answers, competitive options, and more ways to tap your home equity than most lenders can offer.

Cash-out refinance icon showing a home with circular refinance arrows and cash, representing home equity loans from BuildBuyRefi.com

A cash-out refinance replaces your current mortgage with a new, larger loan and pays you the difference in cash, turning the equity you have built into money you can use for debt consolidation, home improvements, or nearly any goal.

Depending on your program, you may borrow up to 80% of your home's value on a Conventional or FHA cash-out refinance, and up to 100% on a VA cash-out refinance for eligible Veterans.

Many homeowners use that cash to roll high-interest credit card and personal debt into one lower monthly payment, which can free up hundreds of dollars a month. Qualified borrowers may also add up to *$50,000 through our separate in-house consumer loan, available before or after closing and on every loan program.

Cash-out loan specialist icon with a headset, representing the 7-day support team at Build Buy Refi Home Loans.

Most lenders treat cash-out and debt consolidation as high-risk and steer you away, or they carry only one or two programs at higher rates and shorter terms. We take a different approach. Our bankers average 15 to 30 years of experience and specialize in exactly these programs, so you get real options instead of a polite no.

You probably did not find us first in your search, and that is fine. What matters is that you found a direct lender that actually wants your loan, will tell you where you stand, and can show you every path to the equity you have earned.

Check your eligibility in minutes, with no credit pull and no obligation.



Homeowner shaking hands with a lender over cash-out refinance documents, illustrating the direct lending relationship at Build Buy Refi Home Loans.
Quick Answer

Cash-Out Refinance and Debt Consolidation at a Glance

1
Tap Your Equity, All 50 States

Cash-out and debt consolidation refinances nationwide under Conventional, FHA, and VA, plus Jumbo, Non-QM, and in-house portfolio options for borrowers outside the standard box.

2
How Much You Can Access

Up to 80% of your home's value on Conventional and FHA, and up to 100% on VA for eligible Veterans, with no monthly mortgage insurance on VA.

3
Credit Floors That Work With You

Most cash-out programs look for a 620 middle score. FHA can go to 580, and a VA cash-out has been done as low as 550 in rare cases. Strong equity can offset a lower score.

4
Up to $50,000 Extra on Any Program

If your appraisal limits your cash-out, qualified borrowers can add up to *$50,000 in separate consumer financing, before or after closing, on every program.

5
In-House and Available 7 Days a Week

Never brokered. A direct portfolio lender with the same experienced team from pre-qualification to closing, working around your schedule.

Find Out in MinutesSee how much cash you may access. No credit pull to check eligibility.

Check Your Eligibility

Veterans, families, and self-employed homeowners who use cash-out refinances through Build Buy Refi Home Loans.

Who a Cash-Out or Debt Consolidation Refinance Is For

Pulling Cash Out

Homeowners with equity who want money in hand for renovations, a business, education, a major expense, or a financial cushion.

Consolidating Debt

Anyone carrying high-interest credit cards, car loans, or business debt who wants to roll it into one lower monthly payment.

Veterans

Eligible Veterans and spouses who can access up to 100% of their home's value with no monthly mortgage insurance.

Self-Employed and Investors

Borrowers who qualify through bank statements, P&L, asset depletion, or DSCR rather than traditional tax returns.

Unique Property Owners

Owners of manufactured, log, timber-frame, barndominium, ICF, and other specialty homes other lenders decline.

Tighter-Equity Situations

Borrowers whose appraisal limits their cash-out, who can bridge the gap with up to *$50,000 in consumer financing.


Homeowner checking cash-out refinance qualifications on a laptop, representing the simple eligibility process at BuildBuyRefi.com.

How Do I Qualify for a Cash-Out Refinance or Debt Consolidation Loan?

Qualifying for a cash-out refinance comes down to a few key factors, and you can size up most of them yourself in about a minute. Read the three statements below. Answer "yes" to all three and you have likely cleared the first hurdle toward prequalification.

Answer "no" to any of them and you may still qualify, it simply tells us which part of your situation to look at first. Either way the next move is the same: check your eligibility or call a banker, and we will map out your best path to the cash you need.

1. You Owe Less Than 100% of Your Home's Value

The more equity you have, the more cash you can access, but you do not need a lot to have options. Our programs allow cash out up to 80% of your home's value on Conventional and FHA, and up to 100% on VA for eligible Veterans, so even borrowers with limited equity can often qualify. If you owe close to or more than your home is worth, a denied cash-out application can set you back, so it pays to know your numbers first.

Not sure what your home is worth? A quick call with a banker gets you a realistic estimate before you apply anywhere. And avoid submitting to several lenders at once, because repeated denials can work against your approval odds.

2. You're Not Seeking a Government Cash-Out in Texas

Texas homestead law is the one big exception to know. Under it, FHA and VA, which carry some of the strongest cash-out limits available, do not permit cash-out or debt consolidation refinances in Texas. Texas homeowners can still do a Conventional cash-out, capped at 80% of the appraised value on stick-built homes and condos, and 65% on manufactured homes.

If that cap leaves you short of the cash you need, you have options. Many Texas borrowers take the maximum allowed Conventional cash-out and then combine it with our separate in-house consumer loan, which can add up to *$50,000 in additional financing for qualified borrowers, before or after closing, on any loan program. It is a simple way to reach more total cash even within the state's limits.

And if your goal is remodeling rather than cash in hand, a renovation loan may be the better fit, since programs like the FHA 203k, Fannie Mae HomeStyle, and VA Renovation are structured as purchase or rate-and-term refinances and fund the work through escrow rather than paying cash to you. Texas rules on these are specific, so talk to one of our bankers about how your situation would be handled before you rule anything out.

3. Your Home Doesn't Need Major Structural or Foundation Repair

If the appraisal flags serious problems, such as structural or foundation issues, or notes the home as non-habitable, those repairs typically must be completed before a cash-out loan can close. When that happens, a renovation loan is usually the smarter route.

Our rehab and renovation programs, including the FHA 203k Standard, Fannie Mae HomeStyle, VA Renovation, and our in-house portfolio renovation loans, are built for exactly this. They allow full structural improvements up to your county loan limit and fund the work that protects your family's safety and your home's value. Even if you owe close to 100% today, the right improvements can lift your home's future value toward the updated homes around you, opening options a straight cash-out cannot.

Answered "yes" to all three? You have passed the first part of our prequalification check. Landed on a "no" somewhere? Call us or run the eligibility checker, and we will pinpoint what is affecting your request and where to go next.

A "no" rarely means you are out of options, it just tells us where to focus. Before we get into the programs we offer, let's cover the simple things that keep your loan moving fast.


Borrower signing cash-out refinance closing documents with keys nearby, showing the fast closing process at Build Buy Refi Home Loans.

How Can I Get Prequalified for a Cash-Out Refinance or Debt Consolidation Loan and Close Fast at a Low Rate?

Be cautious of anyone who "guarantees" your rate or approval. No loan is guaranteed until you have met every condition and closed, and a lender who promises otherwise is one to avoid.

What you can control is your speed, and on a cash-out refinance, speed is the single biggest factor in protecting the rate, terms, and program you were prequalified for. Prequalification is the starting line, not the finish. The faster you move, the more likely you are to close on the exact loan you wanted.

Why Speed Protects Your Rate and Your Approval

Getting prequalified does not lock in your outcome. Between that first approval and your closing, the market moves, programs change, and your own financial picture can shift. Every day a file sits open is a day something can go against you. Borrowers who move quickly close on the terms they were quoted. Borrowers who stall often end up requalifying, at a worse rate, or not at all.

Here are the four things that change when you wait.

  • Your rate lock can expire. Locks usually run 30 days, because shorter locks earn the lowest rates. Let it lapse, or drag out document requests until you need an extension, and you pay more, take a higher rate, or in a rising market lose eligibility for the loan entirely. Long delays can force a full requalification.

  • Programs can disappear. We have seen entire loan programs pulled overnight when investors change their risk appetite. The program in your hand today is not guaranteed to exist next month, which is why acting on a live prequalification matters.

  • Your income or employment can change. A layoff, a pay cut, or even a new job mid-process can jeopardize your closing, trigger tougher terms, or cause an outright denial. Lenders re-verify employment late in the process, so stability until closing protects you.

  • Your credit can move. A maxed-out card, a missed payment, or a new judgment can drop your score enough to change your rate or sink the loan. Closing quickly under the same credit profile you started with keeps your approval intact.

3 Steps to Lock In a Competitive, Low, Fixed Rate

  1. Choose a lender you trust, then prequalify. Confirm they actually offer the cash-out program you want and have the experience and reviews to close it. If they sound unsure, keep looking. Our reviews are a good place to gauge that confidence.

  2. Request your rate lock, then move fast. Once prequalified, lock your rate and return every requested document as quickly as you can. Your part is not finished when you think you have sent enough, it is finished when the loan closes.

  3. Own your timeline. Rate locks cost money because your lender is reserving both the funds and the rate for you. Holding up the file risks letting that lock expire, which can mean a higher rate and a smaller loan amount. Meeting requirements promptly is what keeps your rate and your loan size where you want them.


Brick, log, barndominium, and modular homes at blue hour, showing the property styles eligible for cash-out at BuildBuyRefi.com.

What Property Styles Can You Get a Cash-Out Refinance On?

We lend on far more property styles than most cash-out lenders will touch. If you have equity in it and it has comparable sales to support an appraisal, there is a strong chance we can work with it. Here are the property styles eligible for a cash-out or debt consolidation refinance with BuildBuyRefi.

Eligible Property Styles

Property Styles We Lend On for Cash-Out

Property StyleCash-Out EligibleKey Notes
Single-Family & ModularEligibleSite-built and modular homes, no age limit. Modular is treated as single-family.
ManufacturedEligibleOver 600 sq ft, built after 6/15/1976, permanent foundation, owned land. No leased lots or parks.
Multi-Unit (2-4)EligibleOwner must occupy one unit as a full-time primary residence.
PUD, Townhouse, CondoEligibleMust be approved or accepted by HUD, FHA, VA, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac.
BarndominiumComparablesEligible where comparable sales support the appraised value.
Metal HomeComparablesSteel-frame and metal homes, subject to comparable sales.
Log CabinComparablesAppraises best where similar log construction exists nearby.
Timber-FrameComparablesEligible with comparable timber-frame or similar quality sales.
SIP PanelComparablesStructural Insulated Panel construction, subject to comparable sales.
ICFComparablesInsulated Concrete Form homes, subject to comparable sales.
Earth-ContactComparablesEarth-sheltered homes, eligible where comparables exist.
3-D PrintedComparablesEmerging construction type, subject to comparable sales.
Comparables means eligibility depends on similar recent sales in your area to support the appraisal. Do not see your style, or unsure if yours has comparables? We lend on more property types than almost any cash-out lender, so it is worth asking.

Single-Family and Modular Homes

Any site-built home, or a modular home built off-site and set on the property, qualifies with no age restrictions. Modular homes are treated as single-family, not manufactured, so every single-family program and benefit extends to them. We cannot lend on mixed-use properties, demolished or razed homes, co-ops, investment-only structures, or homes relocated to or from another site.

Manufactured Homes

Any single, double, or triple-wide manufactured home over 600 square feet and built after June 15, 1976 is eligible. The home must sit on a permanent foundation and on land you own. We do not lend on manufactured homes on leased land or in a manufactured-home community or park.

Multi-Unit Properties (2 to 4 Units)

Any 2, 3, or 4-unit property qualifies, whether side-by-side or stacked, as long as you own it and occupy one of the units as your full-time primary residence.

PUDs, Townhouses, and Condos

Any PUD, townhouse, or condominium that is approved or accepted by HUD, FHA, VA, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac is eligible. Each program carries its own project-approval guidelines, which a banker can confirm for your specific property.

Barndominiums

We finance barndominium cash-out refinances, the blend of living space and workshop or storage that traditional banks often decline. Because barndominiums are less common in some markets, eligibility depends on having comparable sales in your area to support the appraised value.

Metal Homes

Steel-frame and metal-built homes qualify for cash-out, another property type many lenders avoid. As with barndominiums, approval is subject to comparable sales being available to establish value in your market.

Log Cabins

Log homes and log cabins are eligible for cash-out and debt consolidation. These properties appraise best where similar log construction exists nearby, so eligibility is subject to comparable sales supporting the appraisal.

Timber-Frame Homes

Timber-frame construction qualifies for cash-out financing. Like other specialty builds, the appraisal needs comparable timber-frame or similar high-quality sales in the area to confirm value.

SIP Panel Homes

Homes built with Structural Insulated Panels (SIP) are eligible for cash-out. SIP construction is recognized for its energy efficiency and strength, and financing is subject to comparable sales supporting the appraised value.

ICF Homes

Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) homes qualify for cash-out refinancing. Prized for durability and storm resistance, these homes are eligible subject to comparable sales being available in your market.

Earth-Contact Homes

Earth-contact and earth-sheltered homes are eligible for cash-out, a property type most banks will not consider. Because they are uncommon, approval depends on comparable sales in your area to support the appraisal.

3-D Printed Homes

We finance cash-out refinances on 3-D printed homes, one of the newest construction methods on the market. As an emerging type, eligibility is subject to comparable sales being available to establish appraised value.


Do not see your property style listed, or unsure whether yours has the comparables to qualify? Reach out. We lend on more property types than almost any cash-out lender, and there is a strong chance yours is eligible.


Home with an American flag at golden hour, representing the VA, FHA, Conventional, and jumbo cash-out programs at Build Buy Refi Home Loans.

In-House Cash-Out Refinance Programs: Conventional, FHA, VA, Jumbo, Non-QM, and Portfolio Options

The right program, Conventional, FHA, VA, or one of our specialty options, depends on your goals, your equity, your credit, and the property itself. Each one carries its own loan products, limits, and benefits. Below are the cash-out and debt consolidation programs we offer, what each one does, and who it fits best, so you can see where you likely land before you ever talk to a banker.

Compare at a Glance

Cash-Out Refinance Programs Compared

ProgramMax Cash-Out LTVMortgage InsuranceBest Fit For
ConventionalUp to 80%None at or below 80%Strong equity and credit, wants to avoid mortgage insurance
FHAUp to 80%Required, does not auto-cancelLower scores or higher debt ratios
VAUp to 100%None on VAEligible Veterans and spouses, highest LTV available
JumboBy programBy programLoan amounts above the county conforming limit
Non-QMBy programBy programSelf-employed and investors using bank statements, P&L, asset depletion, or DSCR
In-House PortfolioBy programBy programUnique properties and complex files outside agency rules
Texas note: Under Texas homestead law, FHA and VA cash-out are not permitted. Texas homeowners can do a Conventional cash-out up to 80% on stick-built homes and condos, and up to 65% on manufactured homes. Qualified Texas borrowers may combine the maximum allowed cash-out with our *$50,000 Consumer Loan to reach more total cash.

Conventional Cash-Out and Debt Consolidation

Conventional loans are not government-insured and tend to reward stronger equity and credit. You can access up to 80% of your home's value on a conventional cash-out. They are the usual choice when you have solid equity, a higher credit score, and want to avoid or eventually drop mortgage insurance, which conventional allows once you cross the equity threshold. Conventional also generally asks for a lower debt-to-income ratio and a cleaner credit profile than FHA or VA. If you are a Veteran, compare this against the VA cash-out below first, because VA usually wins on both loan-to-value and cost.

FHA Cash-Out and Debt Consolidation

Backed by the Federal Housing Administration, FHA is built to expand access for borrowers with lower credit scores, moderate income, or higher debt ratios. It allows cash-out up to 80% of your home's value. The tradeoff is mortgage insurance, which does not automatically fall off below 80% the way conventional PMI can, so removing it later means refinancing out of FHA. FHA loan amounts are capped by county. Even so, many borrowers come out well ahead, saving hundreds or even over a thousand dollars a month by consolidating high-interest debt into one lower payment.

VA Cash-Out and Debt Consolidation (for Veterans and Spouses)

For eligible Veterans, active military, and surviving spouses, the VA cash-out is usually the strongest program available. It offers the highest loan-to-value of any option, up to 100%, with no monthly mortgage insurance and competitively low rates. VA also allows financing on large tracts of land and grants exceptions you will not find under Conventional, FHA, or USDA. There are no location or income restrictions, though county-based credit, DTI, and loan-amount guidelines still apply. If you have VA entitlement, this is the first program to look at. If you only want to lower your rate rather than pull cash, the VA IRRRL is a streamline, non-cash-out refinance covered on our VA home loan programs page.

Jumbo Cash-Out Refinance

When your loan amount exceeds the conforming limit for your county, you are in jumbo territory. Our in-house portfolio jumbo and VA Jumbo cash-out programs let high-value homeowners tap equity well above standard agency caps, with flexible structures built for strong borrowers. This is the path for luxury properties and high-cost markets where standard limits fall short.

Non-QM Cash-Out Refinance

Non-QM (non-qualified mortgage) programs are for borrowers whose income or profile does not fit the standard agency mold. We qualify these borrowers using alternative documentation, including bank statement programs (12 or 24 months), asset depletion, profit-and-loss statements, and DSCR for investment properties, rather than traditional tax returns. If a conventional or government cash-out turned you away over documentation, Non-QM is often the answer, especially for self-employed and investor borrowers.

In-House Portfolio Cash-Out

Because we are a direct portfolio lender, we keep certain loans on our own books instead of selling them to investors, which lets us approve cash-out scenarios that fall outside agency rules. Unique property styles, complex income, and equity situations other lenders decline are exactly where our portfolio programs do their best work. When a standard program says no, this is often where we find a yes.

Reverse Mortgage

A reverse mortgage lets homeowners 62 and older convert equity into cash without a monthly mortgage payment, either as a lump sum, monthly income, or a line of credit. It is a strong fit for those on a fixed income who want to reduce expenses while staying in their home. Qualifying is based largely on age, equity, and the property rather than income, so it reaches borrowers a traditional cash-out may not.


Looking to fund a remodel instead of taking cash in hand? Those projects are handled through our renovation loan programs, which fund the work through escrow rather than paying you directly. And on any program here, qualified borrowers can add up to *$50,000 through our separate in-house consumer loan, before or after closing. Not sure which program fits? One short conversation will tell you.


Cash-Out Refinance Calculator

Estimate the cash you can access from your home's equity under Conventional, FHA, and VA, plus up to $50,000 with our exclusive Consumer Loan.

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Separate unsecured loan that does not depend on your equity. Helpful when your appraisal limits your cash-out. Not for down payment.
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Maximum new loan$0
Cash from refinance$0
Consumer Loan$0
Total cash accessible$0
Estimate before closing costs. Your final cash depends on appraisal, payoff, and program guidelines.
Check Your Cash-Out Eligibility
For estimation only and not a commitment to lend. LTV caps shown are program maximums and may be lower based on credit, occupancy, and property. Texas homestead law restricts cash-out: FHA and VA cash-out are not permitted in Texas, and Conventional cash-out is capped at 80% on stick-built homes and condos and 65% on manufactured homes. The Consumer Loan is a separate unsecured loan for qualified borrowers, underwritten in-house, and proceeds cannot be used for a down payment. Contact your banker for rates, terms, and conditions. BuildBuyRefi, powered by The Federal Savings Bank, NMLS #411500, Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender.

Laptop showing a rising credit gauge for a cash-out refinance, illustrating the credit guidance available at BuildBuyRefi.com.

What Credit Score Do You Need for a Cash-Out Refinance?

For most cash-out and debt consolidation programs, we look for a minimum middle credit score of 620 or higher. Some borrowers qualify lower: FHA cash-out can go down to 580, and in rare cases a VA cash-out has been done as low as 550.

Your credit score is only one piece, though. Your loan-to-value, equity, debt-to-income ratio, reserves, loan amount, and property type all factor into your rate and approval, which is why two people with the same score can be quoted differently.

My Middle Score Is Above 620. What Rate Can I Get?

Rates move daily, sometimes more than once a day, so any number you see today will likely change tomorrow unless you have locked. As a rule, the higher your score, the better your rate, a 680 or 720 will price better than a 620, because investors price by credit risk. If you start with a lower score and a higher rate, you are not stuck there.

We watch our existing clients and market conditions and offer internal streamline refinances when the timing is right. A streamline is the most effective way to lower your rate later, and in most cases it skips a new appraisal because you are only reducing your rate or term. VA streamlines can even work for lower-credit borrowers, since they weigh your overall improved financial position rather than leaning on your credit report.

Can You Do a Cash-Out Refinance With Bad Credit?

Yes, in some cases, though under 620 gets tougher, and here is the honest reason. Lower scores carry steep pricing adjustments that can push a loan into government-defined high-cost territory, which we avoid. Thin or unacceptable credit also matters, even a 640 with too few trade lines may not qualify, because underwriters need to see a track record of on-time payments and low default risk.

This is where equity becomes your biggest ally. A strong loan-to-value can offset a weak score. For example, a Veteran at 550 taking cash out at a low LTV, say under 70%, may earn an exception from our team precisely because the equity cushion lowers our risk. The more equity you hold, the more flexibility we have on score, as long as you do not have a pattern of recent late payments. Loan amount, property type, and cash reserves all weigh in too.

And if you are just below the line, minor credit repair can move you fast. Many of today's tools, often without a paid third-party service, show you the specific moves to raise your score, which can mean a lower rate and a larger loan than if you settled for borrowing with worse credit.


What Income Types Qualify for a Cash-Out or Debt Consolidation Loan?

We accept nearly every income type for cash-out and debt consolidation loans. The one exception is stated income, we do not lend on it. Here are the income types we work with.

  1. W-2 income, full-time and part-time employees.

  2. Self-employed and 1099 contractor income.

  3. Active military income.

  4. Retirement, pension, and regular 401k disbursement income.

  5. Social Security and disability income.

  6. Bank statement programs, 12 and 24-month personal and business.

Keep Your Job and Income Stable Until You Close

One thing protects your approval more than almost anything else: do not change your employment mid-process. Getting fired, quitting, or switching jobs while your loan is in progress is grounds for a denial or a full re-underwrite, even a better job offer can backfire.

Changes like these alarm underwriters, increase the documentation required, and can delay your closing or cost you your rate lock, which means a higher payment. If there is any chance your job or income could shift before closing, tell your banker immediately. Being upfront from the start saves you thousands in lost time and money.


Remodeled kitchen funded by a cash-out refinance with a family in the background, showing the ways to use equity with Build Buy Refi Home Loans.

What Can You Use a Cash-Out Refinance For?

A cash-out refinance turns the equity you have built into money you can use for almost anything. We will not tell you where to put it, that is your decision, but for most homeowners, the smartest uses fall into a few clear categories. Here are the most common reasons people tap their home equity, and how each one can work in your favor.

1. Improve Your Home and Build Equity

Renovating is one of the surest ways to add value to your property, and pulling cash out lets you fund it on your terms.

Kitchen and bathroom remodels deliver some of the fastest returns, but the bigger win is loving your home again instead of fighting to sell it and start over. Even if you owe close to what your home is worth today, the right improvements can raise its future value, which can open the door to equity you do not have yet.

2. Consolidate High-Interest Debt and Lower Your Stress

Few credit cards carry a fixed rate anywhere near your mortgage rate. Yet millions of Americans carry balances at 15%, 19%, 25%, or higher, and paying only the minimum can keep that debt alive longer than a 30-year mortgage.

Rolling high-interest credit cards, car loans, or business debt into one lower monthly payment can free up hundreds or even thousands of dollars a month. That breathing room is not just financial, it lowers the daily stress of juggling payments and lets you build a real plan to pay things off faster.

3. Invest in Yourself, Your Business, or Your Future

Plenty of homeowners have a bigger goal than the house itself.

Whether you are launching a side business, funding a startup, boosting retirement contributions, or building a long-term plan for your family, your home equity can become the capital that gets you there. Used with a plan, a cash-out can be one of the lowest-cost ways to fund what matters most to you.

4. Cover a Major Expense or Life Event

Some moments call for real money, and equity can be the steadiest place to find it.

College tuition, a wedding, a growing family, or helping an aging parent are all common reasons homeowners pull cash out. Tapping equity at mortgage rates is often far cheaper than financing these costs with credit cards or personal loans.

5. Build a Financial Cushion or Emergency Reserve

Sometimes the goal is simply peace of mind.

Converting a portion of your equity into accessible cash can give you a reserve for the unexpected, a job change, a medical bill, or a slow season if you are self-employed. Having a cushion in place before you need it is one of the calmest financial moves you can make.

You know your situation better than anyone, and we are not here to tell you how to spend your money, only to help you access it wisely using the equity you have already earned. Whatever your reason for pulling cash out, the next question is who you trust to handle it, and that is where we come in.


Exclusive Program

Need More Cash Than Your Equity Allows? Add Up to $50,000

When your appraisal or your program's loan-to-value cap limits how much you can pull out, qualified borrowers can access up to *$50,000 in separate, unsecured funds, underwritten in-house alongside your cash-out or debt consolidation loan. It does not depend on your equity and cannot be used for a down payment, which makes it the perfect bridge when a standard cash-out comes up short, including for Texas borrowers capped by homestead law.

Reach more total cash when your LTV cap limits your refinance
Pay off extra high-interest debt to lower your monthly payments
Fund home improvements, repairs, or an emergency reserve
Combine with your maximum cash-out in restricted states like Texas

See if you qualify for the extra $50,000 alongside your cash-out loan.

Check Your Eligibility

*Qualification for up to $50,000 is for qualified borrowers and can be applied to all loan programs. This is a separate unsecured consumer loan underwritten in-house at the same time as your mortgage. Proceeds cannot be used for a down payment. Contact your banker for applicable rates, terms, and conditions.


Home glowing at blue hour, capturing the value of choosing BuildBuyRefi.com for a cash-out refinance.

Why BuildBuyRefi Could Be Your Best Choice for a Cash-Out Refinance

Plenty of lenders offer a cash-out refinance. Far fewer specialize in it.

If your local bank quotes higher rates, shorter terms, or quietly tries to talk you out of pulling cash or consolidating debt, the reason is usually simple. Cash-out is not their focus, so they price in extra caution and steer you away from a property type or program they would rather not hold.

We take the opposite approach. Cash-out and debt consolidation are exactly what we do, in all 50 states. Here is what sets us apart.

A Wider Range of Cash-Out Products, Rates, and Terms

Most banks and brokers carry only a handful of programs. We carry one of the broadest cash-out lineups on the market: Conventional, FHA, VA, Jumbo, Non-QM, and in-house portfolio options.

More programs mean more paths to the rate, term, and loan-to-value you actually need. Our volume lets us price competitively and offer higher loan-to-values that thinner-pipeline lenders will not touch.

If your appraisal comes in short of the cash you need, our consumer loan program can bridge the gap with up to $50,000 in additional financing.

An Experienced Team That Specializes in Cash-Out Lending

A cash-out or debt consolidation loan is not the place for a loan officer learning on the job.

Most of our bankers bring 15 to 30 years of experience and specialize in exactly these programs, including the complex files and unusual property types other lenders pass on, like structuring a renovation when your equity looks tapped out.

That depth is the difference between a polite "no" and a real, competitive option. See how borrowers describe working with us on our reviews page.

A Direct, In-House Portfolio Lender

We are a direct lender that underwrites and keeps select loans in-house, rather than selling every file to outside investors.

That control is our biggest advantage. It lets us approve cash-out scenarios that fall outside rigid agency rules, unique property types, complex income, and tighter-equity situations that other lenders simply decline.

When a standard program says no, our portfolio programs are often where we find a yes.

We Welcome the Property Types and Programs Others Avoid

Your local bank or credit union may not want your property type or loan type on their books, even while acting like keeping you is a favor.

Sometimes that means a higher rate framed as an "exception," when the real issue is that your loan simply does not fit what they prefer to hold. Staying loyal to a lender that does not want your property can quietly cost you.

We see it differently. The property types and programs others avoid are the ones we specialize in.

We Keep You in the Loop, Start to Finish

You will never be left guessing where your loan stands.

From prequalification to closing, we keep you informed at every step, because a cash-out refinance moves fast, and you deserve to know exactly what is happening with your money and your home.


Be Aware Before You Apply

Most Common Reasons a Cash-Out Refinance Is Denied

Most of these apply to every cash-out program. A navy tag means the reason applies to a specific program, state, or transaction type. Nearly all are preventable with a quick pre-qualification first.

1

You owe more than the program's loan-to-value cap. Cash-out works only up to your program limit, 80% on Conventional and FHA, 100% on VA. If your balance is at or above that line, a standard cash-out may return little or nothing. Strong equity is what creates room to pull cash.

2

Credit score below the program floor, or a pattern of recent lates. Most programs look for a 620 middle score, with FHA to 580 and VA as low as 550 in rare cases. Even with equity, a string of recent late payments is hard to overcome, because underwriters weigh recent history heavily.

3

Seeking a government cash-out in Texas.Texas Texas homestead law does not permit FHA or VA cash-out. Conventional cash-out is capped at 80% on stick-built homes and condos, and 65% on manufactured homes. Many Texas borrowers add our Consumer Loan to reach more total cash.

4

The home needs major structural or foundation repair. If the appraisal flags structural issues or a non-habitable condition, those repairs generally must be completed before a cash-out can close. A renovation loan is usually the better route in that case.

5

Appraisal comes in low. Your cash-out is based on appraised value. Specialty property styles with few comparable sales can appraise low and shrink the cash available. Comparables in your area matter.

6

Debt-to-income ratio too high. Revolving or newly discovered debt found in underwriting can push your ratio past program limits, even when consolidation was the goal.

7

Income that cannot be documented as stable. A recent job change, reduced hours, or self-employed write-offs that lower qualifying income can sink a file. We do not lend on stated income.

8

Thin or unacceptable credit profile. A high score on only one or two tradelines, or tradelines too new to season, may not satisfy underwriting even above the score floor.

9

Insufficient reserves. Some programs and loan sizes require cash reserves after closing. Reserves also help offset a weaker score, so a thin cushion can tip a borderline file.

10

Credit or employment changes before closing. New debt, a missed payment, or a job change during the process can re-trigger underwriting and delay or cancel the loan. Stay steady until you close.

Most of these are preventable. Start with our pre-qualification, which does not require a credit pull to check eligibility, and your banker will flag anything that needs attention before it becomes a problem. Files turned down elsewhere are reviewed by our in-house loan committee.

Before You Apply

Documentation Checklist for Your Cash-Out Refinance

Tap any item to mark it complete. Files that arrive with these in hand close faster and hit fewer surprises in underwriting. Not every section applies to every borrower.

Identification and Authority
Government-issued, unexpired photo ID for every borrower.
Certificate of Eligibility or DD-214 if applying under a VA program.
Power of attorney documentation if a non-borrower will sign at closing.
Income and Employment
Most recent 30 days of paystubs covering year-to-date earnings.
Two years of W-2s or 1099s from all income sources.
Two years of federal tax returns if self-employed.
12 or 24 months of bank statements if using a bank statement program.
Award letter, pension statement, or Social Security verification for retirement income.
Assets and Reserves
Most recent 60 days of bank statements for accounts used for reserves or closing costs.
Most recent quarterly statements for retirement and brokerage accounts used for reserves.
Documentation of any large or unusual deposits within the documentation period.
Property and Existing Loan
Deed to the home and your most recent mortgage statement.
Payoff information for any existing mortgage, second lien, or HELOC.
Current homeowners insurance declarations page.
Most recent property tax statement and any HOA information.
Debt Consolidation (If Applicable)
Statements for the credit cards, loans, or debts you plan to pay off.
Payoff balances and account numbers for each debt being consolidated.
Specialty Programs
Acknowledgment of the $50,000 Consumer Loan if you are requesting it.
Comparable-sales notes for specialty property styles, if you have them.
Checklist progress is tracked in your browser only and is not transmitted or saved to us. You do not need every item to start. Begin with our pre-qualification, which does not require a credit pull to check eligibility, and your banker will request anything else as your file moves forward.

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Speak With One of Our Cash-Out Loan Specialists

Phone (Toll-Free)
Mailing Address
4120 West Diversey Avenue, Chicago, IL 60639
Support Hours
7 days a week, including evenings and weekends
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Homeowners exploring cash-out options can also review our home refinance programs designed to lower payments or access equity.