Second Mortgage Loans in Canada

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In Canada, second mortgage loans are an additional loan that a homeowner can take on a property on top of a primary mortgage. Because a second mortgage is an additional loan, the risks for the lender are quite high, prompting them to charge higher interest rates for second mortgages as compared to a primary mortgage to mitigate their possible loses should the homeowner fail to make payments.

Defining a Second Mortgage

Second mortgages technically come in 2 forms, the lump sum home equity loan, and the revolving credit HELOC which stands for a home equity line of credit. These 2 loans sound similar but they are not the same in terms of format, interest rates, and payment terms. Usually, the term ‘second mortgage’ applies to home equity loan to avoid confusion with a HELOC.

A good credit score is most certainly needed when trying to get a second mortgage from a bank or similar huge financial institutions. This is because the risks of nonpayment are higher for second mortgages due to the fact that paying for them is on top of an existing mortgage. For individuals who do not qualify for a second mortgage with banks, going the private lender route with the help of professional mortgage brokers is possible.

Who Needs a Second Mortgage?

People with a lot of credit card debts from various providers are ideal candidates for a second mortgage as the most popular use for it is to consolidate debt. With a second mortgage, you can access a part of your home equity as a lump sum and pay off your high-interest debts so that you end up with just one bill to pay instead of a few. By using a second mortgage to consolidate debt, you’ll save up on interest fees and more of your payment will go towards paying your actual loan than just struggling to cover interest fees. Other people who may need a second mortgage are people who need to fund a huge project (such as a much-needed home renovation). Consolidating debt and financing home improvement are great ways to use a second mortgage to improve your credit score too.

How to Qualify for a Second Mortgage?

Qualifying for a second mortgage means passing the lender’s requirements on 4 key areas, your credit score, your ability to pay, your property location and status, and your existing home equity.

Lenders are looking for people who have a great property with a substantial enough equity and have the means to pay. Credit score is negligible depending on the lender’s specific requirements.

The best way to find lenders with whom you might qualify for is to reach out to a professional mortgage broker. Good mortgage brokers have years of industry experience and have a huge network of lenders that they can match with specific borrowers based on the factors mentioned above. At Mortgage Central, we’d be happy to discuss your options with you as well as help you get approved for a second mortgage. Contact us soon!

 

Get a Second Mortgage with Bad Credit

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Bad credit may get in the way of getting a second mortgage but it is still possible to get approval even with a less-than-desirable credit score. This is definitely worth a consideration because a second mortgage can be used to improve one’s credit score. A strong application is a must and you must shop for the best interest rate to reap the most benefits.

Dealing with Bad Credit

Getting a second mortgage with a bad credit comes with certain disadvantages. First of all, a second mortgage already comes with a higher interest rate than a first mortgage but with a bad credit, the lender will surely ask for a higher interest to cover the risk of lending to you. This is because a second mortgage is subordinate to the first mortgage and the lender for the second mortgage runs a higher risk of not getting paid if financial troubles arise. It is therefore only logical to be given higher interest rates for a second mortgage if you have bad credit but you can still get a good deal by shopping for the right lender.

Apply for a Second Mortgage with Bad Credit

The first step that you must do before applying for a second mortgage if you have bad credit is to find ways to improve your credit score. It is possible that there are some mistakes that can improve your score once corrected. By getting a copy of your credit history and reporting wrong entries, you may be able to get a great boost in your credit score for a relatively short span of time.

The second step that you must take to get a second mortgage despite having bad credit is to actively work towards reducing your debt, particularly the high-interest ones such as credit card debt. If it is possible, pay them off in full or make sure that the balance is below 30% of your credit card limit. Don’t fall for converting your credit card debt into new lower-interest card debts because this won’t help you in getting approval for a second mortgage. It will look like you have multiple credit applications which will make it seem that your finances are in worse shape than it really is.

Find the Best Lenders in Canada

Getting help from a mortgage professional will make your second mortgage application a lot smoother if you have bad credit. Mortgage professionals know which lenders are more lenient and which lenders will give you a better interest rate. Mortgage professionals can also share some tips for faster approval such as having a co-signer with a good credit score.

Getting a second mortgage with terms that you can manage within a short span of time will drastically improve your credit history and open the possibility of qualifying for other loans in the future. Contact us if you have bad credit and need help with applying for a second mortgage in Canada. We’ll be more than happy to discuss possible solutions with you at Mortgage Central Canada!