What is a cash-out refinance?
A cash-out refi lets you tap your home equity in cash. See if it’s right for you.
7 min read
Sep 12, 2025
Allison Martin
Contributor, Personal Finance
EXPERTISE
- Personal finance
- Taxes
- Mortgages
- Auto loans
- Small business loans
EDUCATION
- Bachelor’s, University of South Florida
- Master’s, University of South Florida
Allison Martin is a contributor to Bankrate covering personal finance, including taxes, mortgages, auto loans and small business loans. Martin’s work began over 10 years ago as a digital content strategist, and she’s since been published in several leading outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, MSN Money, MoneyTalksNews, Investopedia, Experian and Credit.com. Martin, a Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFE), also shares her passion for financial literacy and entrepreneurship with others through interactive workshops and programs.
Allison's latest articles
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Bank of America personal loans: 2025 alternatives
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Empower
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How your mortgage affects your credit score
Does it ding it? Increase it? It can do both. Here’s what to expect.
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OnDeck
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Rates, fees, terms and other important details aren't available until you prequalify - but it may be worth the time.
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Is unemployment taxed? What you should know about unemployment benefits and taxes
Your unemployment benefits generally are taxable at the federal level, but your state may or may not give you a tax break. Here’s what you should know.
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Itemized deductions: What they are, how they work and how to decide if they’re right for you
Itemized deductions are IRS-approved expenses that can reduce your tax bill. But claiming the standard deduction instead can mean a lower tax bill for many taxpayers.
4 min read Aug 27, 2025