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Refi capital is a type of financing that allows homeowners to tap into the equity in their homes to fund various expenses or investments.
This type of financing is also known as a home equity line of credit or a second mortgage.
Refi capital works by allowing homeowners to borrow a portion of their home's value, minus the outstanding mortgage balance.
Homeowners can then use the borrowed funds for various purposes, such as paying off high-interest debt, financing home renovations, or investing in other assets.
The amount of refi capital available to a homeowner depends on the value of their home and the outstanding mortgage balance.
What is Refi Capital?
ReFi Capital is an inclusive, transparent, and accessible alternative to conventional financial systems.
It opens avenues to embed care for communities, living ecosystems, and our environment into the roots of our economic system.
In a regenerative financial system, economic activity benefits all of the system's living participants, instead of unsustainably extracting resources, unfairly distributing profits, and ignoring the value of living ecosystems.
What is Refi Capital?
Refi Capital is a type of refinancing where you replace your original loan with a new one that has a lower interest rate.
This can be a smart move if you've kept up with financial news and noticed that interest rates have dropped since you took out your original loan.
You might be able to get a lower interest rate if you've improved your credit or made your loan less risky, which can happen if you've paid off some of the principal or made extra payments.
Refi Capital can also involve changing your loan term, either by going with a shorter term like 15 years or a longer term like 30 years.
A shorter term means you'll pay less interest over time, but your monthly payments will be higher because you have fewer payments.
On the other hand, a longer term means more interest over time, but your monthly payments will be lower, which can be a good option if you want to free up money for other projects.
A Quick Summary
Regenerative Finance, also known as ReFi, is an inclusive and transparent alternative to conventional financial systems.
ReFi opens avenues to embed care for communities, living ecosystems, and our environment into the economic system. This means economic activity benefits all participants, rather than extracting resources unsustainably.
In a regenerative financial system, profits are distributed fairly, and the value of living ecosystems is recognized. This is a fundamental shift from how we currently use money and finance.
ReFi has the potential to transform how we use finance to help life thrive on our planet. It's still in its early stages, but innovative projects are already emerging.
One example of ReFi in action is carbon markets, where carbon credits can be sold directly to corporations or individuals without intermediaries taking fees.
4. Cash Out Your Equity
A cash-out mortgage refinance is a powerful tool for real estate investors, allowing you to borrow more money from the lender than you actually owe on the home.
You can use the difference between what you borrow and what you owe to get a quick cash infusion, which you can then use for home improvement projects to increase the value of your investment.
In fact, a commercial cash-out refinance can be used to add revenue to your existing property by financing new storage units, as seen in the example of a building purchased for $1 million now worth $1.3 million.
You can also use the money to purchase another property, requiring a 20% downpayment, as the investor in the example did with the $200,000 earmarked for purchasing another $1 million property.
A cash-out mortgage refinance can be a good way to consolidate debt or improve your loans, helping to weigh the tax and interest implications against what a cash-out loan will allow you to accomplish.
This type of loan can be used to pay off the current loan, associated fees, and prepayment penalties, as seen in the example of the $700,000 loan used to pay off the current loan, plus $35,000 for a prepayment penalty and $40,000 for fees.
Eligibility and Process
To be eligible for refinancing, you must be an operating business that operates for profit, be located in the U.S., and be small under SBA Size Requirements. Businesses must also not be a type of ineligible business and not be able to obtain the desired credit on reasonable terms from non-Federal, non-State, and non-local government sources.
To refinance, you'll need to approach either your existing lender or a new one with the request and complete a new loan application. Refinancing involves re-evaluating your credit terms and financial situation, which can be a good opportunity to consolidate your debts into one low-priced loan.
Here are the key requirements to refinance a mortgage:
- Be an operating business
- Operate for profit
- Be located in the U.S.
- Be small under SBA Size Requirements
- Not be a type of ineligible business
- Not be able to obtain the desired credit on reasonable terms from non-Federal, non-State, and non-local government sources
- Be creditworthy and demonstrate a reasonable ability to repay the loan
What Is a 7(a) Loan?
A 7(a) loan is a type of loan provided by the Small Business Administration (SBA) that offers financial help to small businesses with special requirements.
The SBA 7(a) Loan Program provides loan guaranties to lenders, allowing them to provide financial assistance to small businesses for various purposes.
You can use a 7(a) loan for acquiring, refinancing, or improving real estate and buildings, as well as for short- and long-term working capital.
The loan can also be used to refinance current business debt, purchase and install machinery and equipment, including AI-related expenses, and purchase furniture, fixtures, and supplies.
Here are some specific purposes you can use a 7(a) loan for:
- Acquiring, refinancing, or improving real estate and buildings
- Short- and long-term working capital
- Refinancing current business debt
- Purchasing and installation of machinery and equipment, including AI-related expenses
- Purchasing furniture, fixtures, and supplies
- Changes of ownership (complete or partial)
- Multiple purpose loans, including any of the above
The maximum loan amount for a 7(a) loan is $5 million, which can be a significant amount of funding for small businesses.
How a Works
Refinancing is a process where you trade in your old loan for a new one, often with more favorable terms. This can be done to lower your interest rate, change the duration of the loan, or switch from a fixed-rate mortgage to an adjustable-rate mortgage.
To refinance, you must approach your existing lender or a new one with the request and complete a new loan application. Refinancing involves re-evaluating your credit terms and financial situation.
You can refinance various types of loans, including mortgage loans, car loans, and student loans. Businesses may also seek to refinance mortgage loans on commercial properties.
The most common motivation for refinancing is the interest-rate environment. Interest rates are cyclical, and many consumers choose to refinance when rates drop. National monetary policy, the economic cycle, and market competition can cause interest rates to increase or decrease.
Here are some common reasons why people refinance:
- Lower interest rate
- Change the duration of the loan
- Switch from a fixed-rate mortgage to an adjustable-rate mortgage
- Improve their credit profile
- Change their long-term financial plans
- Pay off existing debts by consolidating them into one low-priced loan
It's worth noting that refinancing can be a complex process, and it's essential to understand the terms and conditions of your new loan before proceeding.
Limit on?
There's no strict dollar amount that can't be extracted via cash-out refinance, but the limit on how much can be withdrawn is usually based on the new loan's LTV requirement.
The maximum that can be withdrawn is usually 80% of a property's current value, which means you can borrow up to 80% of the property's value and use the remaining 20% as cash.
Is a Second Mortgage the Same as?
Is a Second Mortgage the Same as Refinancing?
A second mortgage is not the same as refinancing your existing mortgage. No, these are not the same, as a second mortgage leaves you with two separate mortgage payments.
You'll have two mortgage payments, one for the original mortgage and one for the new second mortgage. A second mortgage involves borrowing money against the equity in a property, but it's a separate loan from your original mortgage.
Benefits and Drawbacks
Refi capital can be a game-changer for your financial situation, but it's essential to understand both the benefits and drawbacks.
Refinancing can bring down your monthly mortgage payment and interest rate, making it more manageable. You can also convert an adjustable interest rate to a fixed one, gaining predictability and possible savings.
However, refinancing may not always be the best option. For instance, if interest rates drop after you refinance to a fixed rate, you won't be able to take advantage of the lower rates unless you refinance again.
New loans come with hefty lender fees and closing costs that must be paid upfront, and current loans may have large outstanding prepayment penalties. Not all commercial property loans qualify for cash-out refinancing, and you can end up with worse loan terms if interest rates have increased.
Here are some key differences to consider:
Pros and Cons
Refinancing can be a smart move, but it's essential to consider both the benefits and drawbacks. You can get a lower monthly mortgage payment and interest rate, convert an adjustable interest rate to a fixed interest rate, or acquire an influx of cash for a pressing financial need.
One of the main advantages of refinancing is that you can get a lower monthly mortgage payment and interest rate. This can be especially helpful if you're struggling to make your current payments.
You can also convert an adjustable interest rate to a fixed interest rate, gaining predictability and possible savings. This can be a huge relief for those who are tired of dealing with fluctuating interest rates.
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Another benefit of refinancing is that you can acquire an influx of cash for a pressing financial need. This can be a lifesaver for those who are facing unexpected expenses or financial emergencies.
However, refinancing isn't without its drawbacks. If your loan term is reset to its original length, your total interest payment over the life of the loan may outweigh what you save at the lower rate. This can be a costly mistake if you're not careful.
Additionally, if interest rates drop, you won’t get the benefit with a fixed-rate mortgage unless you refinance again. This means that you'll be stuck with the higher interest rate unless you take action.
You may also reduce the equity you hold in your home, which can be a significant disadvantage. This is especially true if you're planning to sell your home in the near future.
Here are some key pros and cons of refinancing to consider:
Ultimately, refinancing can be a great option for those who are looking to save money or gain access to cash. However, it's essential to carefully consider the pros and cons before making a decision.
Potential Scam
It's natural to feel uneasy about the risks associated with new technology. This is especially true when it comes to ReFi systems, which can be vulnerable to bad actors.
ReFi projects can take steps to minimize the risk of fraud, such as making fully transparent codebases available for anyone to view.
Some ReFi projects, like Toucan, are taking additional steps to keep users safe by collaborating closely with relevant financial authorities or industry bodies.
ReFi projects often have a strong community of users and developers who are invested in the success of the project and help identify and address any issues they spot.
ReFi projects can pursue other avenues to minimize the risk of fraud, including:
- making fully transparent codebases available for anyone to view
- offering public auditability, which allows anyone to review the code and transactions on the blockchain
- technical audits (i.e. code reviews) by top blockchain security firms
- bug bounties to reward anyone who identifies vulnerabilities.
Conventional and Regenerative Economies
Conventional and Regenerative Economies are two vastly different systems that shape our world. In a conventional economy, growth is often measured by GDP and profit, leading to a focus on consumption and waste.
Resources are extracted, used, and discarded, resulting in pollution and environmental degradation. This has severe consequences, including climate change, deforestation, and loss of biodiversity.
Regenerative economies, on the other hand, prioritize people and the planet over profit. They focus on circular systems, where resources are used, renewed, and restored.
By adopting regenerative practices, businesses can reduce their environmental impact and create new revenue streams through sustainable products and services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does refi do?
Refinancing, or "refi," revises the terms of an existing loan, such as interest rates or payment schedules, to potentially lower costs and improve financial stability. By re-evaluating credit and repayment status, refi can help borrowers save money and achieve their financial goals.
Sources
- https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/7a-loans
- https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/refinance.asp
- https://capitalfund1.com/blog/mortgage-refinancing-what-is-it-and-how-does-it-work/
- https://www.commloan.com/research/commercial-cash-out-refinance/
- https://blog.toucan.earth/what-is-refi-regenerative-finance/
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