You can refinance a house as soon as your current loan terms and lender allow, but most lenders typically require a waiting or "seasoning" period of around six months after you close your original mortgage before you can refinance, especially for cash-out refinances. For conventional loans, refinancing may be possible almost immediately for rate-and-term refinancing, but cash-out refinancing typically requires at least six months of ownership. Government- backed loans like FHA, VA, and USDA generally have waiting periods ranging from about 7 months (FHA streamline) up to 12 months or more for cash-out refinancing. There is no legal limit on how often you can refinance, but lender rules and closing costs mean refinancing too often might not be practical. Refinancing usually takes 30 to 60 days to complete after you apply. Here is a summary based on loan type:
Loan Type| Typical Minimum Waiting Period for Refinance
---|---
Conventional loan| No wait for rate-and-term; 6 months for cash-out refinance
FHA loan| 210 days + 6 payments for streamline; 6 months for rate-and-term; 12
months for cash-out
VA loan| 210 days or 6 on-time payments (whichever is later)
USDA loan| 6–12 months depending on streamline or other refinance types
Jumbo loan| Usually 6–12 months, varies by lender
Requirements and timelines can vary depending on specific lender policies and loan types, so it's best to check with your lender for precise guidance based on your mortgage situation.
