Alpine Credits Reviews, Ratings And Fees June 2022

After being in business for 50 years, Alpine Credits has plenty of experience in lending, home equity products, and debt consolidation solutions. They offer a ton of different loan types and other financing options. With their speedy approval times and short waiting periods, this alternative to the banks is a solid ally for any Canadian homeowner or borrower to have on their side.   

What Can You Use An Apline Home Equity Loan For? 

An Alpine home equity loan will typically be deposited into your account as a lump sum of cash. You would then repay the borrowed amount through divided installments over multiple years, plus interest and fees. During that time, you’re free to spend the money on whatever you want. That said, a home equity loan is a serious financial commitment. As such, it’s best if you only use the money for expenses that are truly important, including but not restricted to:

• Consolidating Debt – With an Alpine home equity loan, you can consolidate high-interest debts such as credit cards, car loans and payday loans. 
• Repairs – You can use the loan to cover general home maintenance and/or essential repairs. 
• Renovations – You can use the equity in your home to make additions and/or renovations to the property. 
• Education Expenses – Want to pursue higher education? You can use Alpine’s home equity loans to finance your tuition, books and other school supplies.
• Emergencies – A home equity loan can be a low-cost way to cover your expenses during financial emergencies (medical issues, unemployment, etc.).  

How Does A Apline Home Equity Loan Work? 

Remember, whether or not you’re approved for financing will depend greatly upon the amount of equity you have in your home. The more real estate value your property has and the more of your primary mortgage you pay down, the more home equity you have.

When you apply with Alpine Credits, your home equity will act as loan security, otherwise known as collateral, to protect the lender if you default on your payment plan. If you already have an existing mortgage on your property, the home equity loan will become your “second” mortgage, as it’s commonly known. Because of the collateral involved, the loan will then be “secured”, which can allow for better conditions.  

Features Of A Home Equity Loan From Alpine Credits

• The ability to use your loan funds for whatever expenses you want 
• Adjustable interest rates and repayment terms
• The chance to secure more credit than with an unsecured loan or credit card

How To Qualify With Alpine Credits

As mentioned, the main product that Alpine Credits offers is the home equity loan.  Depending on how much equity you have and how much money you want to borrow, your loan could add up to a sizable sum. Therefore, the approval process can be a bit more complicated and more strict than with the average personal loan or credit card. 

General Approval Requirements 

• Be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident 
• Be a homeowner 
• Be a resident of British Columbia, Alberta, or Ontario
• Be the age of majority in your province. 

Overall, the conditions of your home equity loan will hinge on your ability to keep up with your future payments. The stronger your finances are and the more equity you have, the easier it will be to get approved for a large loan with an adjustable repayment term and a low-interest rate. 

What Is Home Equity And How Is It Accumulated?

Simply put, your home equity is the total real estate value of your home, minus the balance that remains on your primary mortgage (if any). You can also accumulate equity by adding value to your home through additions, renovations, or other improvements. Your total equity may even rise if your neighbourhood becomes a more desirable place to live. 

Here’s a basic example of how to calculate your home equity:

• Let’s say you have a home with a $500,000 mortgage
• You’ve managed to pay down $250,000
• $500,000 – $250,000 = $250,000 or 50% equity (plus added real estate value) 

How To Handle The Alpine Credits Application Process

Fortunately, unlike banks and credit unions, Alpine Credits seems to be less restrictive with their potential borrowers. The requirements above are just some of the standard qualifications you’ll often need when applying for a home equity loan. For instance, although it might help you earn a better interest rate, a strong credit score isn’t as important for approval as it would be with other mortgage-based lenders.   

Nevertheless, you may be asked to fill out various personal and financial information when you apply with Alpine Credits, including but not limited to your:

• Full Name
• Email Address
• Phone Number
• Property Value
• Existing Mortgage Value
• Requested Loan Amount
• Address, Province & Postal Code

While the application process can be completed online within a few minutes, you can also call Alpine Credits at 1-800-587-2161 to speak with a customer representative. If you qualify, you should be notified in as little as 24-hours and receive the funds via direct deposit.     

Costs To Consider With A Home Equity Loan From Alpine Credits

Every loan product is different. This is particularly true for home equity loans, where there are a few extra factors involved, such as the value of your property and the size of your mortgage. The associated costs could go up and down depending on a number of factors. 

If you apply for a home equity loan, here are some of the basic costs that you may encounter and must factor into your home budget:

• Principal – Perhaps the largest cost you’ll encounter is your monthly loan payments. Although they can be adjusted to suit your finances, you may have trouble covering them if you already have one mortgage on your property. 
• Interest – The interest rate that you are charged is your cost of borrowing. The interest rate you will be offered typically depends on your financial situation, credit health, etc.
• Fees –  In general, lenders charge fees like loan origination, home inspection, and late or missing payments. 

Additional Reading

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Paying Off Your Mortgage Early In Canada

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Pros And Cons Of Alpine Credits

Remember, every lender and loan product has its upsides and downsides. It’s important to weigh these benefits and drawbacks, as they can have a drastic positive or negative impact on your finances. While Alpine Credits has been around for over 50 years, it’s still a good idea to look at the pros and cons of their institution: 

Pros

• Credit is not as important for loan approval (available equity is more essential) 
• Adjustable interest rates and repayment plans are offered
• Approval and funding times are relatively quick 
• Large loan amounts can be secured and used for almost any expense
• A long-standing company with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau

Cons

• Services are only available in 3 provinces (BC, AB, ON)
• High-interest rates and loan fees could be included
• Two sets of mortgage-based payments can be tough on your finances