Refinancing questions
What does it mean to refinance a mortgage?
Refinancing replaces your existing mortgage with a new one, usually to take advantage of a lower rate or to access the equity you have built up.
How much equity can I access when I refinance?
In Canada you can generally refinance up to 80% of your home's appraised value, less what you still owe.
Is it worth refinancing to pay off other debt?
It can be, because mortgage rates are typically far lower than credit card or unsecured loan rates. The saving has to be weighed against any penalty for breaking your current mortgage.
What is the penalty for breaking my mortgage early?
On a variable rate it is usually three months' interest. On a fixed rate it is normally the greater of three months' interest or the interest rate differential, which can be substantially more.
What can I use the money from a refinance for?
Common uses are paying off high-interest debt, renovating, buying an investment property, funding education, or freeing up monthly cash flow.