Consolidating Debt With Your Mortgage

Use your home's equity to turn high-interest debt into one lower payment.

The quick version

  • If you own a home, you may be able to use your equity to pay off high-interest debt.

  • Mortgage interest is usually much lower than credit cards or personal loans.

  • You can usually borrow up to 80% of your home's value in total.

  • The result: one payment, often much lower than what you pay today.

  • The key is a plan, so the debt does not come back.

Feeling stretched by monthly payments? Book a confidential call and let us look at your options.

How it works

Debt consolidation means combining your consumer debts into a mortgage secured by your home. Because the lender has your home as security, the interest rate is usually much lower than unsecured debt.

Debts you can often consolidate:

  • Credit cards

  • Unsecured lines of credit

  • Car loans

  • Student loans

  • Personal and payday loans

Your options

  • Refinance: replace your current mortgage with a bigger one, up to 80% of your home's value. You will need to qualify, and there may be a penalty to break your current mortgage.

  • Home equity line of credit (HELOC): a flexible line of credit secured by your home.

  • Second mortgage: a separate loan behind your first mortgage. Useful when breaking your current mortgage would be too costly, but usually at a higher rate.

The right choice depends on your current mortgage, your penalty and your goals. I will compare them side by side for you. Good to know: most lenders will not pay out taxes owing to the CRA through a refinance. They usually need proof that your taxes for the previous year are paid.

Pay it off faster

Many mortgages let you make extra payments without a penalty, like increasing your payment or making a lump-sum payment each year. Extra payments go straight to your principal.

Tip: once your debts are consolidated, keep paying some of what you used to put toward them. You will be debt-free much sooner.

Our simple plan

  1. Review your debts and income together

  2. Confirm your home's value and equity

  3. Compare your mortgage options and costs

  4. Consolidate and build a written plan to stay on track

Let us lighten the load

There is no judgment here. Life happens, and the right plan can make a huge difference. Book a call anytime.

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