Consolidate other debt
Most unsecured debt is priced by your bank at a higher rate than your mortgage in order to compensate them for the higher risk of loss if you default. For many people it only makes sense to use available home equity to pay out this debt, as it typically reduces interest costs significantly. If the total of the existing mortgage and the debt to be refinanced is less than 80% of the value of your home, and you qualify in terms of income and credit standing, refinancing your first mortgage should be a breeze.
Renovations and home improvements
If you want to spend a significant amount of money on improving your home, you may be able to take out a lot more equity than you realized! We can advise you through this process. Both insurers — GE Capital and CMHC, will insure new mortgages which are "topped up" for this purpose, and the total of your current mortgage and the new funds exceeds 80% of the current home value. Not all improvements are eligible, however. Pools and spas are typical "over-improvements" which may not qualify for a high-ratio equity take-out. Of course, if the total requirement is less than 75% of your home's current value, you should have little trouble getting the "top up" you need — regardless of the degree of luxury you plan to add.
Combining existing mortgages
Where the combined mortgages result in a new "conventional" mortgage:
High ratio insurance is not required. As long as you qualify with your income and credit standing, We will help you achieve this quickly and conveniently.
In this case there is one critical consideration which causes the failure of many such refinances. The new mortgage often requires a fraction of the cash flow previously needed to service the now consolidated debt. Many who go through this process not only absorb the cash flow savings into an improved lifestyle — they either re-incur debt that they paid out, or incur debt for which they now qualify — or both. It is important to approach such a consolidation/re-combination of obligations with the clear and focused goal of applying all savings toward paying down the mortgage. Otherwise, the new mortgage will be a burden, rather than a solution. For more information contact us today.
Breaking a closed mortgage to transfer to a new lender
Many closed mortgages have the feature that allows the balance to be paid out with a penalty after a certain time has elapsed on the mortgage. Check the "prepayment" clause in your mortgage to determine your own situation, or better still, call your institution and ask them the cost of paying out in full.
Mortgage Renewing
If your mortgage is coming up for renewal don't be too quick in just signing the form and sending it back to your existing lender. Over 70% of mortgage holders do just that, and the usual result is a higher rate and a mortgage product that might not be best suited to your interests. Let us do all the legwork for you - we will find you the best possible rate and product to suit your interests.