Will a HELOC Prevent You from Getting a Second Mortgage?

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It may be easy for a lot of homeowners to apply for a second mortgage but those who have an existing HELOC may have a bit of a challenge. A few months ago, the leading HELOC provider in Canada, Toronto-Dominion Bank changed their rules for those applying for a second mortgage. Part of their new changes is that they now require people with a HELOC who are applying for second mortgage and other financing methods to prove that they can pay. The proof that they want is not based on the actual balance rather it is based on a theoretical monthly limit. A lot of lenders are now implementing this change including the Royal Bank of Canada.

Industry experts think that the change discussed above is going to have a significant impact on both rental and second home markets as well as may affect those who want to borrow money using their home equity.

One Small Step Equals Huge Changes

With the above, getting a new loan or another second mortgage means that the borrower will be subjected to a stress test – a test that will determine what credit limit can work for you for a HELOC. The lender will add an assumed payment (that is based on the government’s benchmark) to your application and determine your capacity to pay from there. This means that when you decide to get a HELOC in 2019 onwards, banks will subject you under a stress test. This will not affect those who will be renewing their mortgage. This is only meant for those who have an existing HELOC and wishes to get another second mortgage.

What the Numbers Say

With the above changes, someone who has a HELOC of $200,000 need to prove that he or she has the capacity to pay $1,202 per month based on current rates. This will no doubt negatively affect those who are turning to a second mortgage for financial elbow room. The good news is that it looks like only major banks are going to implement the new policy for 2019, which means that other lenders may be more forgiving and easier to borrow from.

Is This a Sign of Bank Hypocrisy?

It is difficult to say but the fact is, the banking industry generates a lot of income from HELOCs to the point that borrowers are actually offered a HELOC without even applying if the bank deems them to be credit worthy. It seems to be an unfair system when the bank persuades you to get a HELOC and then proceeds to fence you in once you’ve signed up for it. The situation is as such that renewing a mortgage or even switching from one bank to another comes with a lot of challenges. Note that banks often push for the maximum HELOC amount when a borrower files an application, a practice that some industry insider deem shady because it serves to trap borrowers in debts that they don’t truly need.

Is There a Solution?

If you have an existing HELOC, applying for a second mortgage from private mortgage lenders and other institutions might be a better option than trying to borrow from banks. Contact us and let’s discuss what financial options may work for you.

 

Get to Know Home Equity Loans in Canada

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Financial stress is a real challenge for many homeowners in Canada. There are home expenses, work, living expenses, possible maintenance medications, and other expensive needs. No wonder homeowners are getting more interested with the idea of tapping their home equity to give them financial relief when needed. But how can home equity be used this way? What makes this possible?

Using Home Equity for a Loan

Home equity is the value that a homeowner owns in a home. If a homeowner has been making payments towards a home, then over time, a larger portion of the home is truly owned by the homeowner. This value can be computed as the difference between existing debts and the home’s current market value.

If there has been a recent development in the area, then the home equity could be a lot larger than the sum paid over the years. Home equity loans allow homeowners to use their home equity for expenses that they cannot cover with their income or savings.

A home equity loan in Canada means any type of loan that makes use of the home’s equity as collateral. Compared to unsecured loans such as credit card loans, home equity loans have higher limits and lower interest rates plus offer better payment options.

To get a home equity loan in Canada, you can either approach a mortgage professional to connect you with private lenders or go to banks in your area. Note that applying to banks will often require more work as well as a great credit score whether you’ll be applying for a second mortgage or a HELOC.

Types of Home Equity Loans

Home equity loans are usually divided into reverse mortgage, second mortgage, and HELOC. We will only tackle HELOCs and second mortgages in this article.

A second mortgage is a home equity loan that is second in position to a primary mortgage. In the event that the homeowner fails to make payments and the home goes to foreclosure and sold, the primary mortgage will be the first mortgage to get paid followed by the second mortgage. This is why second mortgages have higher interest than primary mortgages. People who have a bruised credit or in a financial bind have an easier time getting a second mortgage than to qualify for a personal loan same as those with an excellent credit score; hence, homeowners opt for a second mortgage when they need extra funds. Funds are released as a lump sum for a second mortgage.

A HELOC is a home equity loan where a borrower is given a revolving credit with a certain limit. The funds can be accessed when needed and can be re-accessed after payment until the terms of the loan are up. Interest is only charged for the actual amount borrowed for any given month. Generally speaking, a HELOC is the most challenging to qualify for among all the types of home equity loans. There is a possibility that you can still get a HELOC even with a bruised credit if you borrow from private lenders with the help of mortgage professionals.

Do you want to know more about second mortgages and HELOCs? Are you still on the fence about applying for a home equity loan? Contact us and our mortgage professionals will be happy to answer your questions.