If the words “refinance home equity” and “mortgage refinance” seem very strange for you, here are a few things you should find out in order to shed some light on this field.The first thing you need to understand is the reason for needing refinancing. Either one wants to reduce the monthly payments or to tap built-up home equity, refinancing is the key solution to your problems. Other people might want to consolidate outstanding debt, which means combining a first and second mortgage into a new first mortgage. Last, but not least, a very large number of people simply want to give up a mortgage product which is too expensive for their incomes.There are a few common rules that any person should consider before getting into such a business. Well, the most traditional rule of a mortgage refinance is getting an interest rate at least 2% below the interest rate you are paying at that certain moment. The bad thing about this rule is that this two percent difference from your rate can cost you even more, as these low rates usually don’t come up that often. Therefore, the best idea behind getting a more suitable mortgage refinance is taking the time and properly analyzing the time and the cost factors.The central point of interest when investigating a mortgage refinance option is the amount of money that you will need to borrow. The most common practice of the lenders is allowing you to borrow an amount of up to 80% of the current value of your home. Of course, there are lenders who let you lend more money, that is in case you simply want a refinance for your existing loan.For those of you who want to free up cash in your home, the only way of avoiding a mortgage refinance is choosing a refinance home equity loan. Home equity loans also have their own set of risks. The fact is that all refinance home equity loans provide adjustable rates. They are very similar to the way a credit card works.You will have to consider the fact that the lenders will generally offer you not more than 75% of the equity in your home. Of course, lenders also offer refinance home equity loans having a fixed rate, but the main idea is that they work much like a first or second mortgage on your home.Therefore, you must be very careful when taking such a decision!