Not many are aware that a home mortgage can be turned into an asset builder with the right mindset and know-how. Most people view their mortgage as an obligation or a money pit, not seeing the fact that paying mortgage is similar to building a huge savings fund.

The above is true because the more a homeowners pay towards their mortgage, the bigger their equity becomes. Equity can be turned into cash that can be  used for further growing one’s assets without having to sell one’s home. Below are the common ways of accessing home equity.

Get a Second Mortgage

Do you know that a second mortgage can get you access to as much as 80% of the home equity you’ve built up? That is quite a substantial amount that can be funneled to finance major home renovations (that can drive up your home’s value) or perhaps spend for a much-needed large expense (such as debt consolidation) that can improve your overall finances.

Getting a home equity loan (another term for a second mortgage) may prove to be quite challenging if you do not have good credit.Professional mortgage brokers can help you get one from other lenders if banks decline. The most important thing to remember is that applying for a second mortgage means having two mortgages instead of just one and that both have to be paid on a monthly basis.

Get a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)

Just like a second mortgage, a HELOC is a loan secured by your property but instead of a lump sum, you’ll be given a line of credit that you can use for a specified length of time as long as you do not exceed the approved ceiling amount.

As much as 65% of a home’s value can be tapped for a HELOC. Payment is usually just for the interest for a period of time and once that time is up, the repayment must be done. A HELOC is perfect for paying recurring big expenses such as medical treatment or university tuition.

Get a Mortgage Refinance

A mortgage refinance is a way to overhaul your current mortgage contract and convert it to a mortgage that more manageable for you while also giving you access to your home equity.

Penalties might be incurred for certain reasons and so a refinance isn’t for everyone unless refinancing will result to significant savings in the long run. It is best to talk this through with a mortgage professional to ensure that you’ll be making the right financial decision.

Get a Private Loan

80% is usually the highest percentage of tappable equity you can get access to by going through traditional lenders. If you are in need of more than that, you might be able to get access to as high as 90% of your home equity with a private lender more so if your property is in a desirable location and in good shape.

Are you thinking of tapping your home equity to fund possible investment opportunities? Talk to us at Mortgage Central Canada and we’ll be more than happy to explore possible options for you. Be it about getting a mortgage loan or the things you must be aware of before getting a home equity loan, feel free to contact us soon!