When it comes to borrowing against the equity in your home, a second mortgage can be a valuable way to leverage what is likely your largest financial asset. Whether you’re looking to make home improvements, consolidate debt, or invest in another property, understanding the financial implications of higher second mortgage rates will help you weigh your options when considering which second mortgage rates are suitable for you. 

This post will help you understand everything you need to know about obtaining a second mortgage in Canada. We’ll cover what is a second mortgage, how it works, and how to get one. We’ll also examine what you need to qualify and how much you can borrow. 

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Key Takeaways

• A second mortgage allows you to borrow against the equity in your home, providing access to additional funds. 
• Second mortgage rates are typically higher than rates for first mortgages, but they can still be more affordable than unsecured lending or other forms of credit facilities. 
• A second mortgage can be a HELOC, term loan (a shorter/smaller mortgage) or home equity loan offered through prime, subprime, or private lending.

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What is a Second Mortgage?

A second mortgage is when you take out a second loan on an already mortgaged property, allowing you to borrow against the equity built up behind your first mortgage. 

It is called a “second” mortgage because it falls behind the original mortgage (first position). If a borrower defaults on their mortgage payments, the first mortgage lender has priority in recovering their funds. 

These types of mortgages can be set up as a home equity line of credit (HELOC) or a home equity loan (secured term loan). Borrowing amounts are typically lower than your first mortgage, and interest rates are higher to compensate the lender for the risk associated with the mortgage being in second position. 

Often, they are used to consolidate debts and pay for major purchases like home improvements or investment purposes like a down payment on a second property. 

Such mortgage types are best suited for goals with a shorter timeline, so they are paid off before your first mortgage comes up for renewal.

Note: Before you decide to arrange a second mortgage, you’ll need authorization from your first mortgage lender, as there may be a clause on your mortgage contract to protect your lender’s interest in these situations.

Types of Second Mortgages: HELOC vs. Home Equity Loan

If you already have a mortgage with 20% or more equity and good credit, you may be able to tap your home equity line of credit (HELOC) for a secondary mortgage. 

A HELOC is a revolving line of credit that allows you to borrow money when you need it up to a specified limit. 

Most major banks will offer a HELOC to those who are approved, and you can access and repay the borrowed funds similar to a credit card or line of credit.  

A home equity loan is secured against your property, which is being held as collateral. It is paid out in a lump sum amount that you are required to pay back in monthly installments, just like your first mortgage. 

This type of loan is easier to qualify for those with lower credit scores or not enough equity in their property. 

These loans are also suitable for borrowers looking for shorter-term solutions that don’t require as much capital and can come with shorter amortizations (as low as 60 or 84 months) and minimums (as low as $1,000 or $5,000). Private and other subprime lenders typically offer these loans at much higher rates than HELOCs. 

HELOC	Home Equity Loan
Best with prime lending	Best with subprime or private lending
Revolving (can borrow and reuse any amount up to the limit at any time)	Term (one-time lump sum amount)
It may automatically affect your credit rating negatively on missed payments or high utilizations.	It won’t affect your credit rating unless multiple payments go into arrears – requiring the issuer to report the delinquency on your credit file.
May require a higher minimum limit – usually as low as $10,000	Comes in lower limits – usually as low as $1,000
Lower interest rates	Higher interest rates
Maximum 65% loan-to-value (up to 80% when combined with a mortgage)	Maximum combined 95% LTV (depending on lender’s guidelines)
A credit score of 680 or above is required	Lenders may work with bad/lower credit scores
No penalty repayment	May have an early prepayment penalty
Doesn’t need to be discharged/renegotiated when paid in full	Discharged once paid in full – will need to renegotiate if you want to access again

Second Mortgage in the form of a HELOC

A home equity line of credit (HELOC) is a revolving loan allowing homeowners to borrow money against their home’s equity. With a HELOC, borrowers can access funds up to the predetermined credit limit as needed. The interest rate is typically variable, meaning it will fluctuate based on market conditions and will be higher than the rate on the first mortgage. 

When you have a HELOC separately registered against your home from your mortgage, the HELOC will be considered a second mortgage. You would always need to make separate payments on each credit facility – in this case, your mortgage and your HELOC. 

Some banks or leaders will offer a HELOC as part of a readvanceable mortgage. This type of mortgage combines a HELOC with your existing mortgage. The credit limit on your HELOC would automatically increase as you make payments to your mortgage. A readvanceable mortgage is more commonly known as a collateral charge mortgage.

Maximum loan size for a HELOC

With a HELOC, you can borrow up to 65% of the value of your home to a combined total of 80% with your mortgage. The amount you can borrow for a second mortgage will depend on the equity you have in your home. 

Example calculation for a HELOC loan:

If you have a home valued at $500,000 and a remaining mortgage balance of $300,000. Since you can borrow up to 80% of your home’s value, you can take up to $400,000 equity out of your home if the mortgage is fully paid off. 

$500,000 x 80% = $400,000

In this scenario, since you still have a mortgage remaining on the home, you can only access up to $100,000 of your home’s equity as a revolving credit today. 

$400,000 – $300,000 = $100,000 

Note: With a HELOC, you cannot exceed 65% LTV on the revolving credit portion; you can only ever borrow up to a maximum of $325,000 as revolving credit, even if the mortgage was fully paid off. To utilize the full 80% LTV, the remaining 15%, or $75,000, would need to be set up as a mortgage or a secured term loan. 

$500,000 x 65% = $325,000 

$500,000 x 15% = $75,000

$325,000 + $75,000 = $400,000 or 80% LTV

Second Mortgage in the form of a Home Equity Loan

These loans provide borrowers with a lump sum amount repaid over a fixed term. Unlike a HELOC, which allows for ongoing borrowing, a home equity loan is a one-time loan. The interest rate on the loan can be fixed or variable, meaning it remains the same throughout the term or fluctuates with the lender’s prime rate.  

Maximum loan size for a Home Equity Loan

Loans with private or subprime lenders may allow you to access up to 95% of your home’s equity. However, the lender will determine the amount of equity you can access, which may vary depending on the lender’s criteria. 

As with a HELOC, the amount you can borrow for a second mortgage will also depend on the amount of equity you have in your home. 

Note: if your home equity loan is with a prime lender, you will be limited to 80% LTV. 

Example calculation for a Home Equity Loan:

A private lender that allows you to access up to 95% of your home’s equity on a $500,000 valued home could allow you to access up to $475,000 if the mortgage was fully paid off. 

$500,000 x 95% = $475,000

Since you still have $300,000 remaining, you can access up to $175,000 as a home equity loan today.

$475,000 – $300,000 = $175,000

Note: As with all credit applications, the lender’s risk assessment of your application will determine how much equity you may be able to access. 

Second Mortgage in the form of a Private Mortgage

Borrowers can also obtain a second mortgage from a private lender. Companies, individuals or non-traditional lending institutions typically offer private second mortgages. These lenders may be more flexible in their lending criteria but often charge higher interest rates alongside set-up fees to compensate for the increased risk and costs. 

Maximum loan size for a Private Mortgage

The maximum loan size for a private mortgage can vary significantly depending on the lender and the specific circumstances. Most private lenders will use 80% LTV as they will want to avoid taking on the additional risk of lending more. However, depending on their lending criteria, some lenders may be willing to go higher than 80% LTV. 

Example calculation for a Private Mortgage:

If you choose a private mortgage that allows you to borrow 80% of your home’s equity, you could borrow up to $400,000 if the mortgage was fully paid off. 

$500,000 x 80% = $400,000

Since you have $300,000 remaining, you can borrow up to $100,000 as a second mortgage. 

$400,000 – $300,000 = $100,000

Note: As with all credit applications, the lender’s risk assessment of your application will determine how much equity you may be able to access. 

Why Would I Need a Second Mortgage?

There are several reasons why a homeowner may choose to take one out: 

• Debt consolidation: A second mortgage can be used to pay off other higher-interest debts like credit cards by consolidating them into a single payment. Grouping these debts may help pay them off faster and at a lower interest rate. 
• Home improvements: Second mortgages can be a good way to borrow money for major home improvements, increasing the value of your home. 
• Buying a second home: If you’re considering buying a second property, a downpayment of 20% will be required. This is where a second mortgage can be useful to access the funds necessary for the downpayment on a second property. 
• Other major expenses: Funding education expenses like college/university tuition can be a significant financial burden. A second mortgage can provide the necessary funds to cover these costs. 
• Power of Sale or Foreclosures: To avoid selling your property for less than it is worth, you could work with a licensed mortgage broker to arrange a private second mortgage to pay off your loan arrears and fix up your property before putting it on sale. This way, your lender could re-coup their loaned funds while you walk away with some of your equity. You must be proactive when approaching missed payments on your mortgage past 90 days. Otherwise, this may not be a viable remedy.

Note: Before considering secondary financing with a different lender than where your first mortgage is located, you should be aware that you may have to refinance (higher rates) instead of renewing (lower rates) if you decide to switch while you have multiple active liens registered against your property. Secondary financing will have to be paid off or a postponement granted by your new lender to have your switch approved.

How do I Qualify for a Second Mortgage?

To qualify for a second mortgage, lenders will assess the following:

• Equity: This is the difference between your property’s value and the amount you owe on your mortgage (or the combined limits of all your credit facilities secured against your home). The greater your equity, the better your chances of qualifying for a second mortgage. 
• Income: Lenders will look at your income to ensure you can keep up with the repayments on your current mortgage and the second mortgage. Lenders need to be comfortable that you can handle the additional debt. 
• Credit Score: A credit score of 680 or higher will help you qualify for better rates at prime lenders on their HELOCs and home equity loans. Good credit shows your lender that you’re able to manage debt responsibly. If you have less-than-ideal credit, private or subprime lending may still be an option for a second mortgage.  

Note: Meeting the above criteria does not guarantee approval for a second mortgage but increases your chances of qualifying. Shopping around and comparing offers from multiple lenders is recommended to find the best fit for your financial situation.

Which Lenders Offer a Second Mortgage?

Depending on the type of second mortgage product you want to take, there are different lenders providing an array of solutions. Typically, major lenders like the Big 6 offer HELOCs. BMO and RBC are the only major banks that offer home equity loans, though you can get a secured term loan under any of Canada’s big lender’s collateral charge mortgages. 

Private and subprime lenders are more likely to focus on offering home equity loans.  Each lender may have different second mortgage criteria, rates, and terms. It is advisable to consult with a licensed mortgage professional to determine which mortgage solution and lender is the best fit for your specific needs.

If you’re interested in discovering more about what HELOCs are available to you and at what rates, take a look at our HELOC rates comparison. Alternatively, you can check out our refinancing calculator and see whether refinancing your mortgage might be a better fit for you.

Is a Second Mortgage Worth It? 1st vs. 2nd Mortgages Explained

The mortgage you first obtained when you purchased your home is considered the first mortgage registered in 1st position. If you choose to leverage the equity in your home through a HELOC or home equity loan and your first mortgage hasn’t been fully paid off, this loan would be considered a second mortgage and is registered in 2nd position behind your first mortgage. Should you ever default on your payments, the order in which they would be repaid depends on their position in line with the collateral. 

If you already have 20% or more equity in your home and want to free up some extra cash, a HELOC or home equity loan could be the right option. Besides being a great way to consolidate debt, one of the main benefits of a second mortgage is that you can borrow money without changing the terms of your first mortgage (as you would with refinancing, for example). If you secured a low-interest rate with your first mortgage, taking out a second mortgage will not affect the interest rate. 

Note: If your property taxes go into arrears, your municipality could move into first position; whenever this happens, your lender will issue the arrears amount and capitalize it back to your mortgage balance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to our Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQ) section, where we answer the most popular questions designed and crafted by our in-house mortgage experts to help you make informed mortgage financing decisions.

Final Thoughts

Getting a second mortgage comes with a number of potential pros and cons. Second mortgages allow you to free up the equity in your home to use for goals like debt consolidation, home improvements, or to finance the downpayment on a second home. 

It’s equally important to remember that a second mortgage is a significant financial responsibility on top of existing payments that will affect your debt-to-income ratios. Second mortgages are likely to come with higher interest rates than your first mortgage since lenders need to price in the risk of being in second position. 

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