Knowing Your Options For A Home Equity Line Of Credit (HELOC)

When it comes to understanding how to consolidate your debt, knowing all of your options is a good start. Many Canadians struggle with debt, be it credit card, car payments, student loans, and especially mortgage payments. We understand how difficult it can be to manage all of this all while taking care of yourself and your family

RESTRUCTURING

The first step in understanding how to get back on track by organizing your life to make your debt payments manageable. For this a mortgage advisor is the best place to start. If the option is right for you, they can help you obtain your home equity in order to help pay off your debt. They can also help you restructure your spending habits to make sure you can stay out of debt and make your home equity line of credit (HELOC) count.

Your HELOC will still need to be repaid; however, when you are only paying one payment, with one interest rate, it can drastically reduce stress. Causing things to be less overwhelming, not having multiple bill payments with various interest rates coming in.

WHAT IS A HOME EQUITY LINE OF CREDIT (HELOC)?

• Maximum loan-to-value (LTV) = 65% of appraised value
• It is a line of credit secured by way of a collateral mortgage on the title to your home/property. The interest rate is set by the Prime Rate and is much lower than a personal unsecured line of credit. Maximum Loan-to-Value (LTV) is 65% of appraised value.

DETERMINING YOUR EQUITY

Your home Equity is based on the difference between your home’s value and the unpaid balance of your existing mortgage. Home equity has the potential to raise in worth by one of two ways, either you pay your mortgage down and the difference grows, or the value of your home increases.

A stand-alone HELOC has a maximum Loan-to-Value (LTV) of 65%, and a mortgage has a maximum LTV of 80%. You can have a mortgage and HELOC under one charge on a title, going to an LTV of 80%. Just remember, you will need to subtract the amount still owing on your mortgage!

HOW TO QUALIFY FOR A HOME EQUITY LINE OF CREDIT

According to the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada, in order to qualify for a home equity line of credit you will require:

A minimum down payment or equity of 35% if you want to use a stand-alone home equity line of credit as a substitute for your mortgage.

Lender Requirements

Your lender will have requirements before you can be approved for a home equity line of credit which include:

•  A Satisfactory Credit Score
• Proof Of An Appropriate & Stable Income
• A Suitable Level Of Debt Compared To Your Income

In order to qualify for a Home Equity Line Of Credit, you will need to pass a stress test. This is to ensure that you can afford payments at a higher rate than the rate of your contact to avoid problems if rates increase. The lender wants to be sure you can pay it off.

Rates

HELOC’s are not necessarily subject to the same rate fluctuations as mortgages. HELOC’s are always set with a prime, which means that they fluctuate, but your mortgage can either have a fixed or variable rate.

POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF A HELOC:

One of the main benefits of debt consolidation is that it will buy you time and emotional release from current debt pressures. Studies have shown that the stress of too much debt can impact more than your mental health, and it can also be affecting other parts of your life.

HELOC Requirements:

• Minimum Payments Required = Interest Only. Can Be Paid In Full At Anytime With No Penalties.
• Readvanceable – The HELOC Can Be Paid In Full & Used Again At
• Anytime As Needed- Maximum Flexibility
• Low Interest Rate

A HELOC only has a minimum payment requirement of the interest and will allow you to address your budget and free up your cash flow before making principal payments. By refinancing and being serious about making and keeping to your budget, you can achieve a debt-free lifestyle! While refinancing can extend your mortgage’s life, it can get you onto the path of being debt-free a lot sooner.

For more information on a home equity line of credit (HELOC), talk to a mortgage professional. They can help way your options to determine the best course of action for getting your bills and various payments under control with a HELOC. Here at The Mortgage Group, we are here to help you with all of your mortgage questions and concerns. Including, those regarding home equity. Contact us today to better understand how we can help you obtain your home equity line of credit.