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Is a cash-out refinance a smart move during economic uncertainty?

January 5, 20261 min readHelloLend Team

When markets, interest rates and consumer costs feel unpredictable, financial stability becomes more valuable. A cash-out refinance replaces variable, high-interest debt with a fixed long-term mortgage payment, which is especially appealing when credit card rates average near 20% APR.

Why homeowners keep tapping equity
About 60%
of total refinance activity was cash-out in the second quarter of 2025
Near 20%
average credit card APR, the kind of debt a cash-out can replace

That share held up despite elevated mortgage rates.

Homeowners are still tapping equity

Despite elevated mortgage rates, cash-out refinances made up about 60% of total refinance activity in the second quarter of 2025, a sign of continued homeowner demand for liquidity. Even in uncertain environments, homeowners are willing to access equity for predictable financial restructuring.

What's right for the market isn't always right for your budget.

HelloLend helps you weigh market timing against your personal timeline before you decide whether a cash-out refinance fits.

Published January 5, 2026 by the HelloLend Team. General information, not legal or financial advice. Talk to your loan officer about your own loan. This is not a commitment to lend or extend credit.

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