Tapping into your home’s equity can be a smart move, whether it’s to lower high-interest debt, fund a home renovation, pay for college tuition or make progress toward another financial goal. One way you can accomplish this is through a cash-out refinance, in which you refinance your mortgage for more than what you owe and take the difference out in cash. Many mortgage lenders offer cash-out refinancing, and Bankrate evaluated several to determine the best ones to consider. Here are our picks for the best cash-out refinance lenders in 2023.

Bankrate’s picks for best cash-out refinance lenders

Cash-out refinance lender Bankrate rating Minimum credit score
Garden State Home Loans 5/5 640 (580 for some loans)
Sage Mortgage 4.9/5 620 for conventional loans, 500/580 for FHA loans
LowRates.com 4.8/5 620 for conventional loans, 620 for jumbo loans, 500 for FHA loans, 500 for VA loans
ZeroMortgage 4.1/5 620 for conventional loans
Blue Spot Home Loans 4.8/5 620 for conventional loans, 700 for jumbo loans, 600 for FHA loans, 620 for VA loans, 540 for USDA loans

  • How we chose the best cash-out refinance lenders

     

     

Garden State Home Loans

Bankrate Score: 5/5
Why we chose Garden State Home Loans: With the maximum 5-star Bankrate Score, this lender is top-of-the-line across the board.
Loan products: Purchase and refinance (including cash-out refinance), conventional, jumbo, VA, USDA, come equity loan, construction and renovation loans
Nationwide availability: Available in Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia
Pros:
  • Online chat feature to communicate with loan officer
  • Closings typically in 40 days
Cons:
  • Not available in all states
  • Not all fees disclosed online
Link to full review: Garden State Home Loans Mortgage Review

Sage Mortgage

Bankrate Score: 4.9/5
Why we chose Sage Mortgage: Sage Mortgage can be a quick and easy option for those who want to complete the entire cash-out refinancing process online. Because Sage Mortgage works with multiple wholesale lenders, you’re likely to find a competitive offer. (Editor’s note: Sage Mortgage is affiliated with Red Ventures, parent company of Bankrate.)
Loan products: Purchase and refinance (including cash-out refinance), conventional
Nationwide availability: Available in Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin
Pros:
  • Closings average 27 days
  • Application is entirely online
  • Ability to get matched with the best rate for your circumstances
Cons:
  • No government-insured loans
  • No HELOCs (home equity line of credit) or home equity loans
Link to full review: Sage Mortgage Review 2023

LowRates.com

Bankrate Score: 4.8/5
Why we chose LowRates.com: You can apply for a cash-out refinance through the LowRates.com website, with full credit underwriting completed in just 24 hours. If you want to work with a loan officer in-person, you’ll have that option at a Sun West Mortgage Company branch.
Loan products: Purchase and refinance (including cash-out refinance), conventional, jumbo, FHA, VA, USDA, HELOC and home equity loan, construction and renovation loan, investment property, reverse mortgage
Nationwide availability: Available in all states but Georgia and Massachusetts
Pros:
  • TRU Approval program provides complete credit underwriting in under 24 hours
  • Closings in as few as 20 days
  • Down payment assistance available to eligible borrowers
Cons:
  • Sun West Mortgage branch locations only available in some states
  • Loans not available in Georgia or Massachusetts
Link to full review: LowRates.com Mortgage Review 2023

ZeroMortgage

Bankrate Score: 4.1/5
Why we chose ZeroMortgage: ZeroMortgage, an affiliate of Interfirst Mortgage Company, is an online-only mortgage lender headquartered in Chicago. If you qualify, you could get a preapproval in as little as one day, and close in 30 days to 45 days.
Loan products: Conventional, jumbo, fixed-rate, adjustable-rate, refinancing, investment Property
Nationwide availability: Available in most states (not Alaska, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Vermot, Washington)
Pros:
  • Fast preapproval
  • Online application process
  • No fees
Cons:
  • Doesn’t consider alternatives to traditional credit scores
Link to full review: ZeroMortgage Review 2023

Blue Spot Home Loans

Bankrate Score: 4.8/5
Why we chose Blue Spot Home Loans: Blue Spot Home Loans, an online lender part of Cherry Creek Mortgage, offers a streamlined online application experience, complete with speedy closings. This lender is very transparent about rates on its website, which includes a customizable rate tool.
Loan products: Purchase and refinance (including cash-out refinance), conventional, jumbo, FHA, VA, USDA, construction and renovation loans, reverse mortgage
Nationwide availability: Available in 44 states (not available in Alaska, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, Virginia or Washington, D.C.)
Pros:
  • Will consider alternative credit data
  • Speedy online application process
Cons:
  • Not available everywhere
Link to full review: Blue Spot Home Loans Review 2023

How to choose the best cash-out refinance lender for you

Every lender’s menu of refi options is a little different. You’ll want to choose one that’s active in your geographic area and offers the type of loan program that you’re interested in. Because cash-out refinance loans pose a bit more risk to the lender than a traditional rate-and-term refinancing, underwriting standards can be stricter. So check to see if your credit score and hoped-for loan-to-value ratio fit the lender’s guidelines. As you weigh your options, you also should weigh the pros and cons of cash-out refinancing in general.

Next steps for a cash-out refinance

Ready to start shopping around? Because rates run higher for cash-out refinances than for rate-and-term refis, comparing lender offers and deals is crucial. Looking at multiple offers can save you thousands of dollars. To make sure you understand how your credit score and other factors affect your rate, see our guide to getting the best cash-out refinance rate.