Home equity and refinance guides
Start with the decision, understand the trade-offs, then compare your actual options.
California HELOC or Home Equity Loan? Keep Your First Mortgage
Compare a HELOC, fixed home equity loan and cash-out refinance for California debt consolidation. Understand payments, existing junior liens, equity calculations and Orange County property-tax questions.
Texas Cash-Out Refinance Rules: HELOC or Refinance?
Texas homestead equity rules, the 80% limit, waiting periods and a practical comparison of cash-out refinancing, a HELOC and a home equity loan.
Florida Home Equity for Debt Consolidation: HELOC or Cash-Out Refinance?
Compare a Florida HELOC, home equity loan and cash-out refinance for debt consolidation, including homestead signatures, mortgage taxes and the cost of replacing your first loan.
Ohio Home Equity Loan or HELOC: Keep Your First Mortgage?
An Ohio homeowner's guide to a fixed home equity loan versus a HELOC: preserving a first mortgage, comparing total cost, line limits, payment changes and title review.
A useful starting point
These guides are by Ian Humphrey, mortgage loan officer at West Capital Lending in Irvine, California. Each guide cites primary sources and identifies the date checked. They explain decisions and rules; they do not promise a rate, borrowing limit or approval.