What is property refinancing?
You have some great projects in mind, but don’t have the cash. Have you ever thought about refinancing your property? By borrowing against the equity you’ve accumulated in your home, you can obtain the funds you need. Here’s what you need to know about mortgage refinancing and how to use it.
What is property refinancing?
Even you are still paying off the mortgage, a percentage of your home’s value belongs to you.
Mortgage
refinancing involves borrowing against your home’s equity. This value is calculated by
estimating the market value of your property minus the amount
you have left to pay on your mortgage. For example, if your home is worth
$500,000 and your mortgage is $300,000, then your equity is $200,000.
If the
estimated value of your property has increased since you bought it, the equity
includes the amounts you have paid back plus the appreciation on your property.
What is the borrowing limit?
You can
borrow up to 80% of the appraised value of your property, less the balance
owing on your mortgage.
If you wish
to obtain a second mortgage, perhaps to buy a rental property, the limit is also 80%. However, if
you wish to obtain a home equity line of credit (HELOC) for renovation work,
you can borrow from 65% to 80% of your home’s appraised value depending on the
financial institution.
Mortgage
refinancing can also be used to obtain a reverse mortgage, but the credit limit
is only 55%. A reverse mortgage allows you to withdraw money from your
property, in particular to finance your retirement.
Is mortgage refinancing advantageous?
Using the
accumulated equity in your home can be a great way to carry out various
projects. However,
you must be careful and remember that you must repay this loan.
- Refinancing your property can be used in several ways:
- for major repairs or renovations
- to buy a cottage
- to consolidate your debts and take advantage of a better rate.
You can
also use the equity for investments, particularly in RRSPs. Obviously, it is
advisable to consult a specialist before carrying out this type of transaction
to ensure its financial viability.
A line of credit
A home equity line of credit gives you the flexibility to carry out your projects, such as:
- redoing your roof
- replacing the old rotting porch
- carrying out urgent repairs
- building a new room above the garage for your teenager (and their electric guitar)!
- enlarging the kitchen, etc.
Mortgage
refinancing is a simple way to free up the funds needed for a down payment on a
second property
How does
it work?
To
refinance your property, you must first be eligible. If your project involves
the purchase of a secondary residence or improvements to your current property,
there are clear benefits to teaming up with a real estate
broker.
Your broker
will help you assess the feasibility and profitability of your project. For
instance, they can advise you as to which renovations add the most value to
your home at the time of resale. Your broker can help you weigh your options
and make prudent choices.
They can
also help you prepare your file, particularly with regard to your home’s market
value. It is
therefore advisable to consult a broker before filing an application with your
financial institution.
To learn more, consult a broker today.
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