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Whether relocating down the block or across the country, there is a lot of work and planning that goes into moving. For current homeowners, there may be more logistics when simultaneously buying and selling houses.

If you’re figuring out how to sell and buy a house at the same time, there are some options to choose from based on your own budget, situation, and tolerance for risk.

Although this situation can be complex, it is not uncommon. In fact, 74% of home buyers owned their previous residence.

To help you navigate this juggling act, this guide will go over potential challenges and outline some alternative options and tips to close on both deals.

Evaluating the Local Housing Market

Taking stock of the local housing market can help inform how to sell and buy a house at the same time. Not only does the market influence home prices, it can also impact the length of closing on a sale or purchase.

You may be faced with a housing market that favors buyers over sellers or vice-versa. Researching your local housing market ahead of time can help guide your efforts in finding a new house.

When It’s a Buyer’s Market

A buyer’s market has more houses for sale than people actively looking to purchase a home. Generally, finding a new house in areas with a higher concentration of sellers can be easier than selling. At the same time, an accurate listing price and contingencies can factor into the equation.

Since there is less competition in the market, buyers can consider requesting an extended closing to allow time to sell their own house or include other contingencies in their offer. For instance, a home sale contingency can be included in a contract to coordinate a purchase with the sale of the buyer’s house.

A home sale contingency asks for the patience of a seller depending on their situation. Complications may arise in the event that all parties involved are simultaneously buying and selling homes.

On the flipside, sellers in a buyer’s market could benefit from setting a competitive asking price and getting ahead of inspection by buttoning up any lingering home maintenance issues.

💡 Quick Tip: SoFi’s new Lock and Look* feature allows you to lock in a low mortgage financing rate for up to 90 days while you search for the perfect place to call home.

When It’s a Seller’s Market

If there are more buyers in the housing market than there are homes for sale, it’s considered a seller’s market. Often, selling a house where there’s a high percentage of homebuyers takes less time and can fetch a higher price.

Sellers may be able to take advantage of the housing scarcity and go with a more ambitious asking price. If this pays off, the extra cash could be especially useful if you are shopping for houses in a seller’s market yourself. Making a competitive offer may be helpful if you are trying to beat out other bids and quickly secure a home.

It’s also not uncommon for houses to receive multiple offers in a seller’s market. If this is the case, sellers may have more success negotiating favorable terms that suit their sell and buy situation.

For example, a rent-back agreement allows sellers to lease their former house from the new owners for a set period of time. This gives them more time to find their new home, but may not be an acceptable condition for every prospective buyer.

Recommended: How Does Housing Inventory Affect Buyers & Sellers?

Calculating Home Equity

Getting your finances in order to buy and sell a home isn’t just about counting savings and building budgets. Home equity is another important consideration.

To calculate home equity, subtract the money owed on a mortgage loan from the current market value of a house. For example, if your home is worth $250,000 and you still owe $150,000 on your mortgage loan, you have $100,000 of equity in your home.

Depending on your financial situation, home equity may be necessary to buy a new home. Keep in mind that equity does not become available until the closing is complete. Typically, lenders will limit borrowers to 80% to 90% of their available equity, depending on factors such as credit history and income, among others.

Unless you’re selling a home shortly after buying it, the market value of a home could likely differ from the initial purchase price. These changes could either increase or decrease your home equity.

Generally speaking, the average home sale price in the United States increases year-to-year, barring notable exceptions like the 2008 financial crisis and subsequent recession. Yet, these trends don’t account for regional housing booms and busts.

Getting an official valuation from a real estate appraiser, which typically costs between $300 and $400, is one way to get a more accurate idea of your home equity and a feasible sale price. Researching comparable homes that recently sold in your community can give you a ballpark estimate, too.

💡 Quick Tip: You can use money you get with a cash-out refi for any purpose, including home renovations, consolidating other high-interest debts, funding a child’s education, or buying another property.

Prequalification vs Preapproval

Being aware of your own financial situation is useful for a variety of reasons, especially when buying a house. But if you’re among the majority of buyers who finance their home purchase, your mortgage lender will consider factors besides your own number crunching and goals when deciding their loan total.

For many prospective homebuyers, prequalifying is the first step to getting an estimate of how large a loan they would likely qualify for. Lenders generally evaluate factors like a buyer’s debt, assets, and income, which may take just a matter of days.

Becoming prequalified does not lock buyers into a set mortgage rate. Rather, it gives buyers a more accurate picture of their financing options and what houses are in their price range. Before making an offer, it is generally advisable that buyers are prequalified, which can be demonstrated with a letter from your lender. This can signal to the sellers that you are a serious buyer.

To ultimately obtain a mortgage loan, buyers still need to go through preapproval. In doing so, lenders perform a more thorough credit and financial background check to arrive at a specified preapproved loan amount.

Sellers may consider offers from preapproved buyers to be more favorable than those with just prequalification since there is less concern about a rejected mortgage application pending a deal. It may also get you to the closing table faster, which can be a big plus if you’re in a competitive market.

Selling Before Buying

Whether by intention or pure circumstance, you could face a choice of selling your house before buying your next home.

Selling first can potentially be beneficial for qualifying for a mortgage loan. After the sale closes, you may be able to use that money to finance a down payment on a new home, as well as having a lower debt-to-income ratio.

Yet, selling before buying may create complications for finding a place to stay until you purchase a new home. If the new buyers are not willing or able to do a rent-back agreement, you may end up having to find temporary housing in the meantime.

Apartments and rental properties may require signing up to a 12-month lease. For prospective homebuyers, a lengthy rental commitment with penalties for leaving early may be costly. Instead, finding a month-to-month rental option can grant more flexibility and sync up with a storage unit lease, if needed.

Buying Before Selling

When you find your dream home, you may want to pull the trigger and make an offer right away. But what does that mean if your house hasn’t sold yet?

If your budget allows you to buy a home with cash vs. a mortgage, you may be in a position to move forward with the offer.

For some, making a down payment or home purchase before selling with savings alone is not feasible. In other cases, your debt-to-income ratio and credit may prevent you from getting a second mortgage.

There are several options available if this is the case. A Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) can let prospective buyers borrow against the equity of their current home. A buyer’s credit and existing home equity are taken into account to qualify for a HELOC.

If approved, buyers can use the HELOC to access money for a down payment, which could then be paid off when their house sells. Take note of the repayment terms and interest rate on the HELOC, as these can vary from lender to lender.

Taking out a bridge loan is another possibility. These short-term loans are usually structured to cover a down payment and become due after several months. Bridge loans generally have high interest rates and may require an origination fee. Sellers who cannot unload their house in time may need to request an extension or begin repaying the loan while still paying their mortgage.

Choosing a Real Estate Agent

A savvy real estate agent can help reduce the stress and uncertainty of selling and buying a house at the same time. Their expertise can come in handy for setting an accurate listing price, scheduling showings, and staging a home.

If you had a positive experience with the agent you worked with to buy your home, their familiarity with your property could help expedite the process and give you peace of mind in case you have to move out of the area before selling.

There are benefits to using the same agent for buying and selling when geography allows. For instance, they can simplify the lines of communication and more easily coordinate the closing of both homes with your ideal timeline.

Sometimes it may not be possible to use the same realtor. The obvious case is when you’re moving a significant distance to a new area.

The need to use two realtors could arise if you’ve chosen a reputable realtor who exclusively works with buyers or sellers alone. If you decide to hire such a realtor, they may be able to recommend a trusted colleague in their agency to handle your other deal.

Timing Your Closing Dates

There is a lot to consider when selling and buying a house at the same time. The timing of both deals can impact financing options, having to find temporary housing, and figuring out how to store or move your belongings.

Setting a closing date is part of the negotiating process for any real estate deal, and coordinating closings for the same date can streamline the process.

Still, closings can be delayed due to reasons outside your control. Having a back-up plan, such as a rent-back agreement, can keep you in your home while you find a new house. Putting additional contingencies in a contract can help with rescheduling closings as needed or even walking away without much financial loss.

Obtaining a Mortgage

Buying and selling houses at once may not always be easy, but it is doable.

If you cannot purchase a house with cash or home equity, you’ll need to figure out how much you can borrow.

Looking for an affordable option for a home mortgage loan? SoFi can help: We offer low down payments (as little as 3% - 5%*) with our competitive and flexible home mortgage loans. Plus, applying is extra convenient: It's online, with access to one-on-one help.

SoFi Mortgages: simple, smart, and so affordable.

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*Terms and conditions apply. Applies to conventional purchase loans only. Rate will lock for 90 calendar days at the time of pre-approval subject to payment on 60th day of the fee below. If you submit a fully executed purchase contract within 30 days of the initial rate lock, SoFi will reduce the interest rate by an additional 0.125% at no cost. If current market pricing has improved by .75 percentage points or more from the original locked rate, you may qualify for an additional rate reduction. If you have not submitted a fully executed purchase contract within 60 days of your initial rate lock, you will be charged $250 to maintain the rate lock through the 90-day period. The $250 fee will be credited back to you at the time of closing. SoFi reserves the right to change or terminate this offer at any time with or without notice to you.
*SoFi requires Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) for conforming home loans with a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio greater than 80%. As little as 3% down payments are for qualifying first-time homebuyers only. 5% minimum applies to other borrowers. Other loan types may require different fees or insurance (e.g., VA funding fee, FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums, etc.). Loan requirements may vary depending on your down payment amount, and minimum down payment varies by loan type.

SoFi Mortgages
Terms, conditions, and state restrictions apply. Not all products are available in all states. See SoFi.com/eligibility for more information.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Checking Your Rates: To check the rates and terms you may qualify for, SoFi conducts a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score. However, if you choose a product and continue your application, we will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit pull and may affect your credit.

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Most people consider a “good” mortgage rate to be the lowest average current rate available. But here’s what they may not realize: Not everyone will qualify for the best rates out there.

So what is a good mortgage rate? It can be different for every borrower, depending on their financial situation and credit score.

Many factors go into determining the mortgage rate you can get. Once you understand what these variables are, the better equipped you’ll be to navigate the mortgage market and find the best loan for your situation.

This guide will get you on your way.

What Is a Mortgage Interest Rate?

If you’re a first-time home buyer, you may have a lot of questions about mortgage interest rates. The interest rate on a loan is the cost you pay to borrow money. You pay the interest each month as part of your regular payments for your loan.

There are different types of mortgage rates. With a fixed rate mortgage, your interest stays the same over the life of the loan. This means your monthly payment will always be the same.

An adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) changes with the prime interest rate, which is influenced by the federal funds benchmark set by the Federal Reserve (the Fed). An ARM typically starts with a fixed rate for the first five to seven years, and then might fluctuate, based on the prime rate. This could potentially make your payments much higher, depending on the state of the economy.

How Do Mortgage Interest Rates Work?

So what is a good mortgage interest rate? Interest rates are always changing. A variety of factors determine mortgage rate changes. Some you have control over, and others you don’t.

One of the critical factors that’s outside your control is what’s happening in the economy. Major economic events have a significant effect on interest rate fluctuations. For instance, if employment rates are high, the interest rate typically rises as well.

Inflation, which limits consumers’ purchasing power, also plays a role. Since 2022, inflation has been on the rise, and the Fed has raised interest rates numerous times to try to tame it.

Your personal financial situation also affects the interest rate you get, as outlined below.

How Lenders Determine Your Mortgage Rate

In addition to the economic factors and the influence of the Fed, your unique financial situation will help determine the mortgage rate you qualify for.

Here are a few key factors lenders typically consider when determining your rate.

Credit Score

Most lenders review your credit history to determine if you’re eligible for a mortgage.

With this in mind, you want to make sure you check your score regularly and that you’re doing everything you can to keep your score as high as possible, like paying your bills on time and keeping your credit balances low.

Credit report agencies will assign you a credit score by evaluating these factors. The most common model is the FICO® credit score, which ranges from 300 to 850.

Usually, if you have a credit score of 800 or higher, it’s considered exceptional, whereas a credit score between 740 and 799 is considered very good.

A credit score of 739 to 670 is good, and a score between 669 and 580 is fair. A score of 579 and lower is considered poor. A low credit score indicates that a borrower represents a higher risk. Borrowers with these credit scores may have trouble getting approved for a loan.

It’s important to note that specific credit score requirements may depend on the loan you apply for.

Income and Assets

Your income is another important factor lenders use to determine if you’re eligible for a mortgage. Lenders prefer borrowers with a steady income. To determine if you qualify, lenders evaluate your income and other assets, such as investments.

Also, your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is essential information. Your DTI indicates what percentage of your monthly income is used for debt payments. This number gives lenders an idea of how well you’re doing financially.

If your DTI ratio is high, it may show that you’re not in a position to take on more debt. A lender might give you a higher interest rate or deny your mortgage application altogether.

Down Payment Amount

Sometimes your down payment amount can lower your interest rate or even determine what loans you’re eligible for. Lenders may see you as less of a risk if you put more money down.

A good standard tends to be a 20% down payment. A 20% down payment may help you get the most favorable interest rates.

However, if you’re applying for a government-backed loan, you may not need such a big down payment. For example, a Veterans Affairs mortgage requires no money down, and a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan only requires 3.5% down.

Also, some conventional home loans do not require 20% down.

Loan Term and Type

The loan term you select, such as 15 or 30 years, can also make a difference in the interest rate you receive. In general, a shorter-term loan will have a lower interest rate than a longer-term loan. However, your monthly payments will be higher with a shorter-term mortgage.

There are also several types of mortgage loan categories, including conventional, FHA, USDA, and VA loans. Each loan product may have very different rates.

Finally, as discussed, with a fixed-rate mortgage, your interest rate will remain the same for the life of the loan. But if you choose an adjustable-rate mortgage, your interest rate will vary after an initial fixed rate.

Before you take out any loan, it’s important to compare all of your options to make sure you find the best rate available.

Location

Where your property is located can also play a role in the interest rate you receive. Some real estate markets are simply more costly than others. For instance the cost of living in California is higher than it is in some other locations.

You can check the cost of living by state to see how your state ranks.

Other Factors That Determine Your Mortgage Rate

In addition to your financial situation and location, and the type of loan you’re applying for, there are some other things that may influence the mortgage rate you get. They include:

The lender you choose

Different lenders offer different mortgage rates and terms. Shop around to find the best rate you can qualify for.

Housing market conditions

This factor is out of your control, but it’s good to understand how it works. If demand for houses is strong, mortgage rates tend to rise. And the opposite is true: When demand slows, rates tend to decrease. Knowing what the housing market is doing when you’re shopping for a home loan can help prepare you for what to expect.

What Is Considered a Good Mortgage Rate

Currently, in mid-June 2023, the average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is 6.67%, according to Freddie Mac. Anything below or close to that number might be considered good.

But again, what’s a good mortgage rate for you depends on your financial situation and many other factors. A good rate is what you can qualify for. Be sure to compare rates from different lenders to get the best deal and the lowest rate you can.

As you’re comparing your options, be sure to look at the loan’s APR (annual percentage rate). An APR gives borrowers a more comprehensive measure of the cost to borrow money than the interest rate alone does.

The APR includes the interest rate, any points, mortgage broker fees, and other charges you pay to borrow money. So when you’re comparing options, you’ll want to review each lender’s APR to indicate the true cost of borrowing.

To get an idea of what your mortgage payments might be, you can use a mortgage calculator.

How to Get a Good Mortgage Rate

Now that you know the answer to the question, what is a good interest rate for a mortgage?, you’ll want to make sure you get the best rate for you. Making sure your finances are in order before you apply for a mortgage will likely help you obtain a better interest rate and loan terms. Here are some ways to do that.

•   Pay off higher-interest debt. If you have debt like credit card debt, you’re likely paying a lot of money in interest. That money could be going toward other things like a mortgage payment. Second, carrying a large amount of debt means you lower your chances of approval for a home loan. Pay off as much of your debt as you reasonably can.

•   Save more for a large down payment. Buyers who put down less than 20% may end up paying for private mortgage insurance (PMI), which typically costs between 0.5% and 1.5% of the loan amount annually.

•   Review your credit history and check for errors. You can get a free copy of your credit report from the three major credit bureaus or from AnnualCreditReport.com. If you spot any errors, be sure to alert the credit bureaus right away. Correcting any mistakes may help improve your ability to get a home loan.

The Takeaway

What is a good interest rate on a mortgage? Your financial health, the health of the economy, the loan type and term, and other factors help determine the actual rates you’re offered. What you can do is work to strengthen your credit and financial situation and pay down debt you have, such as credit card debt.

Looking for an affordable option for a home mortgage loan? SoFi can help: We offer low down payments (as little as 3% - 5%*) with our competitive and flexible home mortgage loans. Plus, applying is extra convenient: It's online, with access to one-on-one help.

SoFi Mortgages: simple, smart, and so affordable.

FAQ

What is the 30 year mortgage rate right now?

Right now, as of mid-June 2023, the average rate for a 30-year mortgage is 6.67%, according to Freddie Mac.

What is a good interest rate for a mortgage now?

A good rate for a mortgage now is anything below the average rate for a 30-year mortgage, which is 6.67% in mid-June 2023. But a good mortgage rate can be different for every borrower, depending on their financial situation and credit score, as well as the type of home loan they’re applying for, among other factors.

Is 4% a good rate for a mortgage?

Currently, in 2023, 4% is considered a good rate for a mortgage, compared to the average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, which is 6.67%.

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Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

SoFi Mortgages
Terms, conditions, and state restrictions apply. Not all products are available in all states. See SoFi.com/eligibility for more information.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

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Homeownership comes with plenty of perks, But one important financial benefit is the opportunity to build home equity, which is considered a common way to generate wealth over time.

Read on to learn how homeowners can help build equity and increase the value of their home.

What Is Home Equity?

In order to understand how building home equity works, it’s important to understand exactly what it is.

Equity is the amount of your home you actually own. More specifically, it’s the difference between how much you owe your lender and how much your home is worth.

To calculate home equity, simply subtract the amount of the outstanding mortgage loan from the price paid for the home. So if a home is worth $350,000, and the homeowner owes $250,000 on their mortgage, they have $100,000 of equity built up in their house. Their mortgage lender still has an interest in the home to the tune of $250,000 and will continue to have an interest in the home until the mortgage is paid off.

7 Smart Ways to Build Your Home Equity

1. Making a Big Down Payment

Homeowners can get a jump on building home equity when they’re buying a home by making a large down payment.

Typically, homebuyers using a conventional loan will put down at least 20% as a down payment to avoid having to pay mortgage insurance. That means that right off the bat, the homeowner has a 20% interest in their home. They can increase this amount by putting even more down. A down payment of 30%, for instance, will increase equity and potentially give the homebuyer more favorable mortgage payments and terms.

If making a large down payment means having less in emergency savings, however, the home buyer may want to use other methods to build equity.

2. Prioritizing Mortgage Payments

Each mortgage payment a homeowner makes increases the amount of equity they have in their home. Making mortgage payments on time will avoid potential late fees.

Keep in mind that a portion of each mortgage payment goes toward interest and sometimes escrow. You’ll want to take these amounts into account when calculating how much equity is accruing.

3. Making Extra Payments

Extra payments chip away at a loan’s principal, help build equity faster, and potentially save thousands of dollars in interest payments. Even if it’s only a little bit each month, paying more than your regular mortgage payment amount can help you increase how much home equity you build.

If adding some extra cash each month isn’t feasible, perhaps making one-time payments whenever possible — when you get a bonus at work, for instance — would be an option.

To ensure those payments are applied correctly, be sure to notify the lender that any extra or lump-sum payments should be put toward the loan’s principal.

Beware that some lenders may charge a prepayment penalty to borrowers who make significantly large payments or completely pay off their mortgage before the end of the term. Before making extra payments, consider asking the lender about a prepayment clause.

4. Refinancing to a Shorter Term

You may also consider refinancing with a loan that offers a shorter term. For example, a homeowner could refinance their 30-year mortgage to a 20-year mortgage, shaving off up to a decade of mortgage payments. However, doing so means they will also be increasing the amount they pay each month.

Still, shorter-terms loans may have the added benefit of lower interest rates, which could soften the blow of higher monthly payments.

Mortgage refinancing is not necessarily a simple process, nor is it guaranteed that a lender will offer a new loan. Homeowners can increase their chances of securing a refinanced mortgage by maintaining healthy credit and a low debt-to-income ratio. It may also help to have equity built up in the home already.

5. Renovating Your Home

Making home improvements typically increases the value of a home, which will likely increase equity. Renovating a home’s interior can be a good place to start.

Minor renovations like updating light fixtures and repainting can add some value to a home. Larger projects such as updating the kitchen, adding bathrooms or finishing the basement may yield good returns on the investment.

Weighing present cost against potential future gain may be a good thing to do before tackling a big project. The idea is that making these improvements now, and then being able to sell at a premium will mean recouping your expenses and then some. An online home improvement project calculator can help you estimate the cost of projects and how much value they could potentially add.

6. Sprucing Up the Outside

Similarly, adding to a home’s curb appeal may also increase its value. A fresh coat of paint, a well-maintained lawn, and tasteful landscaping could help increase a home’s desirability and the amount that buyers are willing to pay.

Mature trees, for example, can potentially add thousands of dollars to a home’s resale value. If you’re thinking of selling in a decade or more, planting a tree now could have a big effect on sale price later.

Increasing usable outdoor space by adding a deck or patio and installing good outdoor lighting may increase the value of your home.

7. Waiting for Home Values to Rise

The real estate market is always evolving, and sometimes, playing the waiting game could help you build equity. For instance, if your neighborhood becomes more popular, home prices could start to rise. If that happens, it may be worth keeping a home there longer to take advantage of the trend. Of course, the flip side is that housing prices may drop over time, which could mean a loss in equity.

Why Build Home Equity?

Building home equity is important because it gives the homeowner the opportunity to convert that equity into cash when the need arises. This is commonly done when a home is sold. But the equity in a home can also be important when taking out a home equity loan, which could allow the homeowner to use the value of their home while still living there.

For a home equity loan, a lender provides a lump-sum payment to the borrower. The amount must be repaid over a fixed time period with a set interest rate. As with a personal loan, home equity loans can be used for a variety of purposes. The loan is backed by the value of the home and typically must be repaid in full if the home is sold.

A home equity line of credit, or HELOC, is a revolving line of credit that uses the value of the home as collateral. Unlike lump-sum loans, a HELOC allows the homeowner to borrow money as needed up to an approved credit limit. That amount is paid back and can be drawn on again throughout the course of the loan’s draw period. While a person’s home is likely to be their most valuable asset, it’s also valuable purely because of its provision of shelter.

Researching and understanding all of the risks involved with loans that use a home as collateral, including that it could be lost if the loan is not paid back, is important before considering this option.

The Takeaway

There are many ways to build equity in a home. Different strategies include making a large down payment or extra monthly mortgage payments, refinancing to a shorter term, renovating your home, or waiting for home values in your area to rise. Whatever your strategy, home equity can provide you with a valuable resource that can be used when a financial need arises. Often this resource is tapped into by means of a loan that is secured by the home. However, this means if the loan is not repaid, a homeowner could lose their home.

If you want to avoid using a home as collateral for a loan, consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. And checking your rate takes just a minute.

SoFi’s Personal Loan was named NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Personal Loan overall.

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SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SoFi Student Loan Refinance
If you are a federal student loan borrower, you should consider all of your repayment opportunities including the opportunity to refinance your student loan debt at a lower APR or to extend your term to achieve a lower monthly payment. Please note that once you refinance federal student loans you will no longer be eligible for current or future flexible payment options available to federal loan borrowers, including but not limited to income-based repayment plans or extended repayment plans.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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