I am a reporter for a financial website geared to consumers. I’m looking to interview mortgage lenders, property attorneys, and other housing experts on the following topic:

CASH-OUT REFI VS. HELOC VS. HOME EQUITY LOAN: Which is the better option for homeowners seeking extra cash for a home improvement project or other major purchase? This story would dissect the pros and cons of pursuing a home mortgage refinance involving taking extra cash out at closing compared to obtaining a home equity line of credit or home equity loan. Below is a list of questions I’m seeking answers to for this story. Please respond with your interest, availability and phone number. My deadline is noon central time, Wednesday, August 6.

QUESTIONS:

Please describe what is involved with each of the following, and how each is different from the other: (a) a cash-out home mortgage refinancing; (b) a home equity loan; and (c) a home equity line of credit.
Who are the best candidates for each of these 3 options and why? Please provide a real world or hypothetical example taking us through each of the 3 options, and indicate how the numbers change for each option. (e.g., John Smith makes $70,000, needs $40,000 for a home improvement project; if he pursued a HELOC, he would be changed xx interest and would need to….etc.)
Are all three choices viable options for most homeowners today, or is one or more of the options more difficult to obtain and why?
In your opinion, which is the best of the 3 options for most homeowners today, and why?
Where can a homeowner go to pursue a cashout refi, HELOC or HEL? Where should they shop? Should they asked trusted friends/relatives for referrals?
What will a homeowner need to know and prepare for prior to applying for any of these 3 options? What homework/due diligence needs to be done?
What advice would you offer to help guide a homeowner through this decision of which option to pursue and how?
Are there any worthy alternatives to consider instead of these 3 choices? What alternatives can a homeowner pursue if they are denied a HELOC/HEL or refinance?
Do you have any data, statistics or research related to cashout refis, HELOCs or HELs that illustrate how popular/common they are today or which is more preferred? Any data at all on this topic to share?
Any other thoughts, tips, suggestions on this topic that I failed to ask about?
What is your full name, title, company, and location where you are based?