Homeowners are lucky to have a place that’s all theirs in such a hot market, but it doesn’t always feel that way. The financial burden of homeownership comes with its own stresses and anxieties. The picture becomes even more challenging when you add this to other major purchases, things like cars, education, renovations, and more.
Thankfully, you don’t need to wait until selling your home to realize its increased value. The monthly mortgage bills you pay create a value all their own, which can be unlocked to help in hard times. Here are a few ways to do that.
Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)
A HELOC is a line of credit that lets borrowers access their home’s equity. Subtract your home’s appraised value from the amount still owing on your mortgage, and that’s how much you can access.
Naturally, the more of your mortgage that you’ve paid down, the larger the line of credit available to you. HELOCs aren’t fixed-rate loans. Rather, they’re a revolving capital source that acts as a medium between a checking account and a credit card.
The amount of credit is pre-determined, so the borrower only pays interest on the amount they borrow. While borrowers can use the money to buy whatever they want, HELOCs are ideal for essential purchases. Using them to fund splurges you can’t repay risks losing one’s home. It’s best to only use them if it’s the only choice you have.
Home Equity Loan
The other popular way to leverage your home’s market value now is a home equity loan, which is like a HELOC, except the terms are fixed. A designated appraiser determines your home’s market value, which is set against the amount of the mortgage you’ve paid off — you get to borrow money against the difference.
Home equity loans can be an excellent way to access a lump sum of money at a lower interest rate to help pay off other monthly payments. Some homeowners use home equity loans to consolidate various monthly payments into one singular payment to improve their long-term finances.
Such an option is available regardless of people’s level of debt, income, or credit history. The best mortgage brokers can help you access up to 85% of your home’s equity for whatever your needs are.
Second Mortgages
If a considerable amount of time has passed since you first bought your home, its value and your financial position have probably changed. Industry-leading mortgage brokers can help homeowners save over $1,000 each month by connecting them with a second mortgage lender.
Buying a home is the most expensive purchase you’re likely to make. Revisiting the terms of your mortgage by leveraging what you’ve already invested and taking out a second one can be an excellent way to stabilize your finances and get a much-needed boost.
Paying for a home takes years but isn’t necessarily a straightforward path. Paying off your mortgage can help make credit or other forms of financial assistance more available. If you’re a homeowner who could use a surge of cash, look for an Ontario mortgage broker to help you find the right option.