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Unlocking Home Equity: The Power of Cash-Out Refinance with Martini Mortgage Group

August 31, 2023 by Kevin Martini

Homeownership stands as a monumental landmark in one’s life. As the foundation for countless memories and a testament to hard work, it’s no wonder homeowners prioritize its upkeep. Yet, renovations often come with a hefty price tag, making the dream of modern upgrades elusive for some. Enter the solution: cash-out refinance.

A cash-out refinance can efficiently leverage the equity you’ve built in your home for various needs. Unlike credit cards, personal loans, or second mortgages, cash-out refinance allows homeowners to streamline their finances while investing back into their property and/or since a cash-out refinance can be multifaceted, from covering repair bills and consolidating debts to even settling outstanding student loans.

Certified Mortgage Advisor and Raleigh mortgage broker Kevin Martini dives into the intricacies of cash-out refinance. His goal? To equip homeowners like you with the knowledge to navigate this financial avenue confidently.

What Is Cash-Out Refinance?

In its essence, cash-out refinance offers a fresh financial start. Homeowners can secure a new, larger mortgage, using the difference between their current mortgage and the new loan amount as a lump sum in hand. For instance, if there’s an outstanding mortgage of $150,000 on a home valued at $250,000, one might refinance for $200,000. The initial $150,000 serves to clear the first mortgage, and the extra $50,000 is available to use as seen fit.

Top 3 Advantages of Cash-Out Refinance

  1. Unlocking Home Equity
    Your home equity, the portion of your property, is genuinely yours. The simple formula to understand this is: Current Market Value of Home − Outstanding Mortgage Balance = Home Equity
  2. Consolidating Debt
    Many homeowners find relief in using their cash-out refinance proceeds to consolidate looming high-interest debts. This not only trims the number of payments they juggle but may also lead to a reduction in the overall interest they owe and, ultimately, to a lower monthly outflow.
  3. Home Improvements Investment
    Elevate your living experience by channeling funds from your cash-out refinance towards significant home improvements. Besides enhancing living conditions, it can also amplify the property’s market worth.

Eligibility and Prerequisites for Cash-Out Refinance

  • Sufficient Home Equity: Typically, you have at least 20% equity in your home after the cash-out refinance.
  • Consistent Income Stream: Proof of a reliable income to ensure you can manage the monthly mortgage payouts.
  • Credit Score: Although specific requirements may differ, a robust credit score can grant you better terms and approval odds.
  • Interest Rate Considerations: Cash-out refinance rates can edge out slightly higher than rate-and-term refinance rates, given the more substantial loan size.

Expert Insight From Certified Mortgage Advisor Kevin Martini

While many focus on the mortgage rate, the larger picture is harnessing the cash-out refinance to lower your total borrowing cost. Most Martini Mortgage Group clientele enjoy commendable mortgage rates. Even with the prevailing mortgage rate conditions, the strategy of debt consolidation through cash-out refinance remains a winner.

It’s vital to differentiate between two primary refinances: cash-out and rate and term. The former typically comes with a premium.

A reminder from Kevin: Mortgage rates ebb and flow. The question isn’t whether the Federal Reserve will rein in inflation but when. Forecasts from the Mortgage Bankers Association project a 5% 30-year fixed mortgage rate by 2024’s close. Thus, acting now on a cash-out refinance can secure you a stronger financial footing, both immediately and down the line.

For personalized guidance on whether a cash-out refinance aligns with your financial vision, reach out to the Martini Mortgage Group.

Certified Mortgage Advisor and Raleigh Mortgage Broker Kevin Martini

Filed Under: Cash-Out Refinance, Certified Mortgage Advisor, Home Loan, Home Loans, Kevin Martini, Mortgage, Mortgage Broker, Raleigh Mortgage, Raleigh Mortgage Broker, Refinance, Refinancing benefits Tagged With: Cash-out refinance, Debt consolidation, Kevin Martini, Martini Mortgage Group, Raleigh Mortgage Broker, Refinance eligibility, Refinancing benefits

How much is your home in Raleigh really worth?

October 5, 2022 by Kevin Martini

For many of the families that the Martini Mortgage Group serves their homes the largest asset. 

Knowing how your biggest asset is performing is not just nice, it is required!  Having a clear understanding of your homes values can be useful to help determine if there are any next steps to take.

Homebot is a very powerful free tool offered by the Martini Mortgage Group to provide a quick snapshot of your equity in what is likely your largest asset, your home. 

Kevin Martini, Certified Mortgage Advisor & Raleigh Mortgage Broker

Find out what your home is really worth with the Martini Mortgage Group home value tool.

Our data comes from the #1 market data company and it provides real-time market insight (i.e. a quick snapshot of the market, market indicators at-a-glance and market trends charts with historical view of home prices).

Benefits of knowing your home’s value by the Martini Mortgage Group

  • Monitor your home’s value as it changes over time
  • Track your ‘Tappable Equity’ (NOTE: Tappable Equity is the amount one can borrow and still preserve a 20% equity position)
  • Manage you home’s value to assure it fits into your short and long-term financial strategy
Access FREE Real-Time Insights on Your Home Value

Buy a Home with Confidence

If you are thinking of buying for the first-time or as a repeat homebuyer, unlock the your free report that highlights market temperature based on city and price point along with other powerful metrics. Here are just a few benefits to using the Martini Mortgage Group buyer portal:

  • Know where and when to buy
  • Understand your buying power
  • Be ready and able to make your move
Access FREE Our Unique Buyer Portal

Oh by the way…

It is never too early to start to explore your homeownership options and you are not too late either.  The first part of the homeownership journey is the loan and then after you have the certainty and being armed with price and cost clarity, the second step is to go find your home. The Martini Mortgage Group offers trusted advice with a frictionless digital mortgage process that provides certainty.  To contact Mortgage Strategist with the Martini Mortgage Group simply call: (919) 238-4934.

logan martini raleigh mortgage lender with martini mortgage group 2

LOGAN MARTINI

NMLS 1591485 | Senior Mortgage Strategist 

Martini Mortgage Group at Gold Star Mortgage Financial Group, Corporation | NMLS # 3446 | 507 N Blount St, Raleigh, NC 27604

[email protected]

KEVIN MARTINI

NMLS 143962 | Certified Mortgage Advisor

Martini Mortgage Group at Gold Star Mortgage Financial Group, Corporation | NMLS # 3446 | 507 N Blount St, Raleigh, NC 27604

[email protected]

kevin martini best raleigh mortgage broker

Filed Under: Affordability, Appreciation, Buy a Home, Cash-Out Refinance, Home Values, Housing, Housing Market, Kevin Martini, Logan Martini, Mortgage, Raleigh, Real Estate, Uncategorized, Wake County Tagged With: Buying a Home in North Carolina, Future Home Values in Raleigh, Home Value, Kevin Martini, Logan Martini, North Carolina, Raleigh, Raleigh Mortgage Broker, Raleigh Mortgage Company, Raleigh Mortgage Lender, Tips to Buy a Home, What is your home worth?

How the Fed Rates Hikes May Impact Raleigh Homebuyers and Homeowners

September 24, 2022 by Kevin Martini

The Federal Reserve increased short-term interest rates (known as the Federal Funds Rate) by 0.75% on September 21, 2022.  This means the Fed Funds rate is currently at 3.25%. The Fed Funds Rate is the interest rate that banks charge each other to lender/lend overnight.

It is critical to know, the Prime Rate (i.e. the interest rate the banks charge their top tier clients), is based on the Fed Funds Rate. The Prime Rate is set by large banks and is often used to determine the interest rates on lines of credit and credit cards. The formula for Prime is very simple…Fed Funds Rate plus 3. This means the Prime rate is currently 6.25%.

Raleigh Mortgage Rates 

Raleigh Mortgage rates and all mortgage rates on fixed-rate mortgages are NOT impacted by changes to the Federal Funds Rate. Raleigh mortgage rates fluctuate based on the supply and demand for mortgage bonds in the bond market. 

The Fed has been the biggest buyer of mortgage bonds in recent years with an unprecedented pandemic-era bond-buying program. Simply put, this is why there has been record low Raleigh mortgage rates recorded. The Fed is currently in the process of exiting their bond-buying programs. This unwinding is why the average interest rates on fixed-rate Raleigh mortgages have gone up by more than 3% so far this year according to data from Freddie Mac’s weekly survey of mortgage rates. 

The Martini Mortgage Group expects Raleigh mortgage rates to continue drifting higher as the Fed continues to exit its pandemic-era bond-buying programs.

HOME EQUITY LINES OF CREDIT (HELOC)

Interest rates on HELOCs change whenever the Fed changes rates. This is because HELOCs are based on the Prime Rate, which went up to 6.25%. 

HELOCs are typically quoted at Prime plus a certain percentage. For example, if your HELOC is Prime plus 1, your HELOC interest rate would be 7.25%. HELOC interest rates are likely to continue moving higher as the Fed continues to hike interest rates.

The average annual gain in home equity was $60,200 per homeowner from July 2021 to July 2022.

Raleigh Mortgage Broker Kevin Martini

Home prices have climbed 15.8% year-over-year from July 2021 to July 2022, according to the latest Home Price Insights and Homeowner Equity reports from CoreLogic, a leading global real estate data provider. If you currently have a HELOC it is important to know that it is highly probable that the Fed will continue raising the Federal Funds Rate which could significantly impact your housing costs. It may be smart to consider a ‘Cash-Out Refinance‘ right now to lock in your housing costs.

CREDIT CARDS

Interest rates on credit cards change whenever the Fed changes rates. This is because credit cards are based on the Prime Rate, which went up to 6.25%. Credit Cards are typically quoted at Prime plus a certain percentage, just like a HELOC.  For illustration, if your credit card is Prime plus 10, your credit card interest rate would be 16.25%. 

Credit card interest rates are likely to continue moving higher as the Fed continues to hike interest rates. If you have credit card debt today, perhaps you should consider ‘Cash-Out-Refinance‘ to unleash your equity and use it to payoff credit cards and other high interest debt.

logan martini raleigh mortgage lender with martini mortgage group 2

Logan Martini

NMLS 1591485 | Senior Mortgage Strategist | Martini Mortgage Group at | 507 N Blount St, Raleigh, NC 27604 | (919) 238-4934 | www.MartiniMortgageGroup.com | [email protected] | Equal Housing Lender

Kevin Martini

NMLS 143962 | Certified Mortgage Advisor | Martini Mortgage Group at Gold Star Mortgage Financial Group, Corporation | NMLS # 3446 | 507 N Blount St, Raleigh, NC 27604 | (919) 238-4934 | www.MartiniMortgageGroup.com | [email protected] | Equal Housing Lender

kevin martini best raleigh mortgage broker

Filed Under: Cash-Out Refinance, Fed Funds Rate, Fed Interest Rate Decision, Federal Reserve, Kevin Martini, Logan Martini, Mortgage, Mortgage Rates Tagged With: Buying a Home in North Carolina, Buying a Home in Raleigh, Cash-our Refinance, Federal Funds Rate, Federal Reserve, Kevin Martini, Logan Martini, North Carolina, Prime Rate, Raleigh, Raleigh Mortgage Broker, Raleigh Mortgage Lender, Raleigh Mortgage Rates, Real Estate

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    Martini Mortgage Group at Gold Star Mortgage Financial Group, Corporation | NMLS # 3446 | For licensing information go to: www.nmlsConsumerAccess.org and/or www.GoldStarFinancial.com Please review our Disclosures & Licensing information | Gold Star Mortgage Financial Group Corporation has no affiliation with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, the US Department of Veterans Affairs, the US Department of Agriculture or any other government agency. Equal Housing Lender. For further information about Gold Star Mortgage Financial Group, Corporation, please visit our website at www.GoldStarFinancial.com. Receipt of application does not represent an approval for financing or interest rate guarantee. Applicant subject to credit, acceptable appraisal, title, and underwriting approval. Not all applicants will be approved. Other terms and conditions apply. Contact Gold Star Mortgage Financial Group, Corporation for more information and up-to-date rates.

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      to Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | TCPA Consent * By submitting you agree to our Privacy Policy, Online Policy, TCPA Disclosure & Consent for SMS/Texting. Msg/data rates may apply. This consent applies even if you are on a corporate, state or national Do Not Call list. By checking this box, you expressly consent that Martini Mortgage Group may call, text and email you about your inquiry. This may involve the use of automated means and prerecorded/artificial voices. This consent is not a condition to purchase any products or services. You are providing express written consent under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) to be contacted by Martini Mortgage Group. You may revoke this consent at any time by replying 'STOP' to any text message you receive or by contacting us at +1(919) 238-4934.

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