Getting a second mortgage isn’t as simple as marching to a bank and telling lenders that you want to take a loan against your home equity. Although a second mortgage in Toronto is just defined as a loan against the equity you’ve built up for your home, getting one is a complicated process that can result to you losing your home if you’re not careful. You should only take a second mortgage if you’re sure that you can handle the terms and that the risks will be worth it for you.
Why Get A Second Mortgage
Most people apply for a second mortgage to finance projects that they don’t have the cash for, such as an expensive home improvement project or extensive home repairs. Some do so to fund big expenses such as a dream wedding or vacation. There are also people who take a second mortgage to save money in the long run, such as when the money is used to consolidate loans with a high interest rate – effectively converting them to a low-interest single loan that is easier to handle.
How a Second Mortgage Can Help You
Whatever your reason is for trying to get a second mortgage, you need to understand how a second mortgage works to ensure that you end up helping yourself by getting it.
Know that a second mortgage gives you a one-time set amount that you have to pay on top of your first mortgage. The payments are a fixed amount monthly and is set until you’ve fully paid off your loan. The downside is that failure to make payments as agreed can lead to your losing your home to foreclosure.
How to Apply for a Second Mortgage
Getting a second mortgage follows a process that is similar to getting a first mortgage. There will likely be an appraisal as part of determining your home equity and then you connect with a lender or a bank to begin the paperwork.
Banks generally take a long time to evaluate your details to determine how much they can lend you. A private mortgage lender might be a better option if you’re not traditionally employed or if your credit score isn’t as good as banks requires it to be.
Is it Wise to Get A Second Mortgage?
Getting a second mortgage shouldn’t be your first financial option when you need cash. Ask yourself if it is possible to simply save up for the huge expense you have to fund. Try to see if your loans can be consolidated some other way. Try to see where you’ll be financially in the future to determine if you’ll be able to pay or whether you’ll be risking going homeless.
Weigh all the pros and cons before making up your mind to apply for a second mortgage. Try to find if there are any other ways to finance your needs. Once you’re sure you want to get one, don’t hesitate to ask for professional help to get the best terms possible. You need to make sure that getting a second mortgage will have a lot of benefits for your situation for it to be a truly wise decision.
If you feel that you should consult with mortgage experts before you get a second mortgage, do it! Contact us at Homebase Mortgages and we’ll be happy to discuss your concerns with you.
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