Cash Out vs. HELOC vs. Home Equity Loan: Which Is the Best Option Right Now and Why?

Cash Out Your First Mortgage or Take Out a HELOC/Home Equity Loan Instead?

If you already have a mortgage and need cash
You’ve got two main options to access your home equity
Either refinance your first mortgage and take cash out above the existing balance
Or take out a second mortgage (HELOC or home equity loan) that sits behind your first

It has been a while since my last mortgage match-up, so without further ado, let’s discuss a new one: “Cash out vs. HELOC vs. home equity loan.”

Yes, this is a three-way battle, unlike the typical two-way duels found in my ongoing series. Let’s discuss these options with the help of a real-life story involving a buddy of mine.

A friend recently told me he was refinancing his first mortgage and taking cash out to complete some minor renovations. I asked how much cash he was getting and he said something like $30,000.

Here in Los Angeles, $30,000 isn’t what I’d call a large amount of cash out. It might be in other parts of the country, or it may not.

Regardless, it wasn’t a lot of money relative to his outstanding mortgage balance.

I believe his mortgage balance was close to $500,000, so adding $30,000 is pretty minimal.

Anyway, I asked him if he had considered a HELOC or home equity loan as well. He said he hadn’t, and that his loan officer recommended refinancing his first mortgage and pulling out cash.

For the record, a loan officer will probably always point you towards the cash out refinance (if it makes sense to do so, hopefully).

Why? Because it works out to a larger commission since it’s based on the full loan amount. We’re talking $530,000 vs. $30,000.

Now the reason I bring up the amount of cash out is the fact that it’s not a lot of money to tap while refinancing a near jumbo mortgage.

My buddy could just as well have gone to a bank and asked for a line of credit for $30,000, or even applied online for a home equity loan of a similar amount.

The upside to either of these alternatives is that there aren’t many closing costs associated (if any), and you don’t disrupt your first mortgage.

Conversely, a cash out refinance has the typical closing costs found on any other first mortgage, including things like lender fees, origination fee, appraisal, title and escrow, etc.

In other words, the cash out refi can cost several thousand dollars, whereas the home equity line/loan options may only come with a flat fee of a few hundred bucks, or even zero closing costs.

HELOCs and HELs Have Low Closing Costs

Both second mortgage loan options come with low or no closing costs
This can make them a good option for the cash-strapped borrower
But the interest rate on the loans may be higher at the outset and also adjustable
You might be able to get a lower fixed rate via a cash out refinance

That brings us to the first advantage of a HELOC or home equity loan; low closing costs.

You may also be able to avoid an appraisal if you keep the LTV at/below 80% and the loan amount below some key threshold.

Another advantage to a HELOC or HEL is that you don’t disrupt your first mortgage, which may already have a nice low fixed rate.

It may also be close to paid off, with most payments going toward principal. In that case, you may not want to mess with it late in the game.

Adding cash out to a first mortgage could also potentially raise the LTV to a point where mortgage insurance would be required; clearly that would be no bueno.

Adding a second mortgage via a HELOC or HEL allows you to tap your equity without touching your first mortgage or raising the LTV (just the CLTV).

This can be beneficial for the reasons I just mentioned, especially in a rising rate environment like we’re experiencing now.

Now this potential pro may not actually be an advantage if the mortgage rate on your first mortgage is unfavorable, or simply can be improved via a refinance.

It turned out that my pal had a 30-year fixed rate somewhere in the 5% range, and was able to get it down under the 4% realm with his cash out refinance, a win-win.

The mortgage was also relatively new, so most payments still went toward interest and resetting the clock wasn’t really an issue. For him, it was a no-brainer to just go ahead and refinance his first mortgage.

When everything was said and done, his monthly payment actually dropped because his new interest rate was that much lower, despite the larger loan amount tied to the cash out.

Keep in mind that it could go the other way. If you take a lot of cash out on your first mortgage, there’s a chance you could raise the LTV to a point where your interest rate goes up.

That, coupled with a larger balance, means a significantly higher monthly payment.

For the sake of comparison, let’s assume he had a super low rate of 3.25% on a 30-year fixed. He wouldn’t be able to match that rate, let alone beat it.

In this case, he’d maybe be better off going with a HELOC or HEL instead to keep the low rate on his first mortgage intact.

That relatively low loan amount ($30k) also means it can be paid back fairly quickly, as opposed to say a $100,000 HELOC or HEL, even if the interest rate is a bit higher.

HELOCs Are Variable and Will Start Rising in Price Soon

A HELOC rate will always vary because it’s tied to the prime rate
The Fed has signaled 4-5 rate hikes this year (in .25% increments)
This means HELOCs will go up 1-1.25% in 2022 alone from current rates
They’re less favorable when the economy is in an upward swing or if inflation is a concern

The downside to a HELOC is that the rate is variable, tied to the prime rate, which was recently raised for the first time in several years and faces future increases as the economy improves and inflation is contained.

Fortunately, the low loan amount means he can pay it off quickly if rates really jump, though chances are they’ll slowly inch up .25% every few months (but who knows with the Fed).

Additionally, HELOCs use the average daily balance to calculate interest, so any payments made during a given month will make an immediate impact.

This differs from traditional mortgages that are calculated monthly, meaning paying early in the month will do nothing to reduce interest owed.

A HELOC also gives you the option to make interest-only payments, and borrow only what you need on the line you apply for.

This provides extra flexibility over simply taking out a loan via the cash out refi or HEL, which requires the full lump sum to be borrowed at the outset.

Veterans may qualify for a $0 down VA loan

However, if he chose the home equity loan instead, he could lock-in a fixed rate and pay back the loan faster and with less interest.

The HEL option gives him the certainty of a fixed interest rate, a relatively low rate, and options to pay it back very quickly, with terms as short as 60 months.

For someone who needs money, but doesn’t want to pay a lot of interest (and can pay it back pretty quickly), a HEL could be a good, low-cost choice if they’re happy with their first mortgage.

Every situation is different, but hopefully this story illustrated some of the pros and cons of each option. Here is a list of the potential advantages and disadvantages of each for the sake of simplicity.

Pros and Cons of Cash Out

You only have one mortgage to worry about
Can lower the interest rate on your first mortgage if rates are favorable
More loan options like a fixed-rate loan or an ARM
Interest may be tax deductible

All the money is yours, but the full amount accrues interest

Higher closing costs
A potentially more difficult (and lengthy) loan process
Your first mortgage restarts (could be a negative if it’s nearly paid off)
Interest rate may increase with a higher LTV
May have to limit loan size to avoid PMI

Pros and Cons of a HELOC

Low interest rate
Might offer promo rate first year (such as 0.99%)
Low or no closing costs
Ability to make interest-only payments
Only use what you need, can be a lifeline reserved only if/when needed
Can reuse the line if you pay it back during the draw period of the loan term
Potential tax deduction
Good for someone who is happy with their first mortgage

Variable rate tied to Prime (may increase or decrease as Fed moves rates)
Eventually have to make fully-amortized payments (could be payment shock)

Bank can cut the line amount if the economy/housing market tanks
May charge a fee for early closure if paid off in first few years
Have to manage two loans

Pros and Cons of a Home Equity Loan (HEL)

The interest rate is fixed
Should be a relatively low rate
Loan terms as short as 60 months or as long as 20 years
Pay less interest with a shorter term
No or low closing costs
May not need an appraisal
Easier and faster loan process
Potential tax write-off

Must borrow entire amount upfront, even if you don’t need it all right away (or ever)

Have to manage two loans
While low, rates may not be as favorable as a first mortgage or HELOC
Closing costs might be higher compared to a HELOC
Monthly payments might be more expensive with higher rate and/or shorter term