Mortgage Refinance Calculator

What is a mortgage refinance?

Refinances can occur for many reasons. Let’s outline the top ones now:

• Extending your mortgage balance or amortization would be considered a refinance.
• Changing a mortgage covenant, such as adding or removing someone from the property’s land title, would be considered a refinance. 
• Adding a HELOC by changing the registered charge on the property would be considered a refinance.
• Combining a HELOC and mortgage that are separately mortgaged on the same property’s title but with different lenders will be considered a refinance.
• Combining two separately registered collateral charges on the same property may be considered a refinance. 
• Transferring a mortgage to a prime (A) lender from an alternative (B or private) lender will be considered a refinance.

Also read: Here’s How You Can Benefit from Refinancing Your Mortgage

Three Main Reasons to Refinance

Lower your borrowing costs

When interest rates are low, it might be time to re-examine your borrowing strategy.  A borrowing strategy involves making a financial decision through cost analysis.  Comparing the costs involved in the current scenario versus the costs involved if you go through a refinance. 

These costs can include interest-carrying costs for the replacement mortgage, penalties and fees to discharge your current mortgage, and costs (i.e. legal and appraisal fees) to take on a new mortgage. Speaking to one of our commission-free mortgage experts to get specific numbers that apply to your situation will help you make this decision quickly.

Access home equity

Equity is the residual ownership of your home – meaning there is no mortgage on that portion. It’s the portion of the mortgage that you have already paid down alongside any growth in the value of your property. In the context of equity, a mortgage implies any leveraging such as a mortgage, second mortgage, secured charge, secured loan or even a secured line of credit against which a credit facility is secured. You can borrow up to 80% of residential equity that you may have built up in your property since you purchased it.

In the example below, you could leverage up to $100K in an additional mortgage which is part of the 80% of your equity in your $500K property.

Property Value (estimated $500K) less Mortgage (balance $100K) less HELOC (balance $50K with limit $200K note that you must use the limit amount)

= ($500K x 80%) – $100K – $200K = $100K

Additionally, it is important to note that HELOCs and any other revolving credit facilities (as some mortgages even allow for large secured credit cards) have limitations, as their total limits cannot exceed 65% of the total property valuation.

Consolidate Debts / Increase Cash Flow

Consolidating debts with higher interest carrying costs into a single payment at a lower interest rate can be a great way to get ahead by making your home’s equity work for you. Since real estate is a very safe long-term investment, your mortgage, which is secured against it, will generally have the lowest interest rate.

Taking advantage of paying out higher-interest debts such as student loans, car loans, personal loans, credit cards, and lines of credit and moving the balance over to a mortgage will generally save you money for the shorter term. Discuss your situation with one of our commission-free mortgage experts to validate if it will save you money over the short or long term.

Moreover, consolidating can have other side effects, such as freeing up your cash flow. This increased cash flow can be used to build your savings, save for a specific goal or purpose, pay down your mortgage faster – or put it towards your longer-term investment goals, such as contributions to your RRSPs or TFSAs.

How to use the Mortgage Refinance Calculator

Plug your details into nesto’s Mortgage Refinance Calculator and see what you can save. If refinancing your mortgage makes sense, reach out to one of our commission-free mortgage experts at nesto to find you the most suitable mortgage solution with the lowest rate.

How nesto works

At nesto, our commission-free mortgage experts hold professional designations from one or more provinces concurrently. We believe that our clients will receive the best advice and care when they speak with specialists that exceed the industry status quo.  

Unlike the industry norm, our agents are not commissioned but salaried employees. This means you’ll get free, unbiased advice on the most suitable mortgage solution for your unique needs.  Our advisors are measured on the satisfaction and quality of advice they provide to their clients. 

nesto’s working hard to change how the mortgage industry functions. We start with honest and transparent advice, followed by our best rates upfront.  We can offer you these best rates by using technology by providing a virtual and 100% online process to reduce our overhead costs.  

By working remotely across Canada, all our advisors and staff spend less time commuting to work and more time with their friends and family. This makes for more dedicated employees and, in turn, contributes to our success with happy and satisfied clients.

nesto is on a mission to offer a positive, empowering and transparent property financing experience, simplified from start to finish.