Should you refinance your mortgage to pay off debt? This Finance Fridays episode compares the monthly payment relief with the borrowing costs, repayment timeline, and risks Canadian homeowners should understand before deciding. Request a debt-and-mortgage review with Anthony Venuto at InTouch Mortgages: https://www.intouchmortgages.ca Email: info@intouchmortgages.ca Phone: 905.266.9986 HOW MORTGAGE REFINANCING FOR DEBT CONSOLIDATION WORKS Refinancing may allow a qualifying homeowner to replace an existing mortgage with a larger one and use part of the funds to repay other debts. This can simplify payments and potentially improve monthly cash flow. However, the debt hasn’t disappeared. Moving unsecured credit card debt into a mortgage makes that borrowing secured against your home. The decision should account for interest rates, refinancing costs, any mortgage penalty, and how long you’ll take to repay the consolidated debt. A MORTGAGE REFINANCING EXAMPLE Consider a hypothetical household with: • A $400,000 mortgage at 4.50%, with 20 years remaining: approximately $2,522 monthly. • A $50,000 loan at 12%, repaid over five years: approximately $1,112 monthly. • Combined monthly payments of approximately $3,634. Adding those balances and $5,000 in assumed refinancing costs produces a new $455,000 mortgage. With a 25-year amortization and an illustrative three-year fixed rate: • At 4.50%, the payment is approximately $2,518 monthly. • At 5.00%, the payment is approximately $2,646 monthly. That represents approximately $1,116 or $988 in monthly payment relief, respectively. These figures describe lower required payments—not equivalent interest savings. 20-, 25-, OR 30-YEAR AMORTIZATION? On the same $455,000 mortgage at an illustrative 4.50%, monthly payments are approximately: • 20 years: $2,868. • 25 years: $2,518. • 30 years: $2,294. A longer amortization lowers the required payment but slows principal repayment and generally increases total interest. Availability depends on the lender and borrower’s qualification. The video also compares the debt remaining after three years, when the mortgage rate must be reassessed. PAYING FASTER WHEN FINANCES IMPROVE A 25-year amortization doesn’t necessarily mean taking 25 years to repay. Depending on your contract, you may increase regular payments, make permitted lump-sum payments, or discuss a shorter amortization at renewal. In the 4.50% example, paying approximately $350 more monthly from the beginning follows the 20-year payment schedule. Starting extra payments later requires a new calculation. Check prepayment limits, and make today’s payment affordable without relying on a future raise. CREDIT UTILIZATION AND HIGH BALANCES A $9,500 reported balance on a credit card with a $10,000 limit represents 95% utilization on that card. High revolving utilization can affect credit scores even when payments are on time. Paying down balances through an approved refinance may help if high utilization contributes to a weak score. However, weak credit can limit refinancing options, and no score improvement is guaranteed. Keep paid-off balances from building again. WHEN A REVIEW MAY HELP Debt may have accumulated during a past job loss, family illness, caregiving, or time away from work after having children. A review should consider current income, ongoing expenses, and a sustainable repayment plan. Home equity planning may also support future goals such as builder deposits or renovations. Before committing, compare refinancing with a HELOC or other funding options, including qualification, fees, and payment deadlines. COMPARE YOUR OPTIONS BEFORE COMMITTING For homeowners in Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area, a debt-and-mortgage review can help clarify monthly affordability, total costs, and alternatives. Contact Anthony Venuto at InTouch Mortgages: Level 2 Broker https://www.intouchmortgages.ca info@intouchmortgages.ca | 905.266.9986 Subscribe to Finance Fridays for weekly Canadian mortgage guidance—renewals, rate choices, and real examples. What would you like covered next: HELOCs, refinancing costs, or mortgage prepayments? Share your topic in the comments without posting personal financial information. IMPORTANT INFORMATION Examples are hypothetical, not client results or available offers. Approval, rates, fees, amortization options, and prepayment privileges depend on lender requirements and individual circumstances. Refinancing may increase total borrowing costs. Failure to repay borrowing secured against your home can put the home at risk. Calculations assume monthly payments, Canadian semi-annual mortgage compounding, and monthly compounding for the separate loan. Figures are rounded. Future mortgage rates are unknown. SOURCES FCAC — Debt consolidation: https://www.canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency/services/debt/debt-consolidation.html FCAC — Borrowing against home equity: https://www.canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency/services/mortgages/borrow-home-equity.html FCAC — Improving your credit score: https://www.canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency/services/credit-reports-score/improve-credit-score.html #MortgageRefinance #DebtConsolidation #CanadianMortgages
