📅 Last Updated: October 4, 2021
✏️ Written By Bryan Daly
🕵️ Fact-Checked by Caitlin Wood

HELOC London - Compare Providers

ProviderLoan AmountRateTerm (Months)Rating
00 Up to $50,000Prime – 46.96%3 - 120
Up to $50,000
1001709683200 Dashloansup to $1,250 12%-32% 90 - 150 days
up to $1,250
231700524800 Parachute$5,000 - $25,000 24.99% - 29.99% 30 or 60
$5,000 - $25,000
211700524800 AimFinance$1,000 - $5,000 46% 9-24
$1,000 - $5,000
151695254400 GoLoans$1250 16.06% (nominal) - 31.99% (effective) 3 - 5
$1250
111692748800 BreeUp to $250 0% Up to 61 days
Up to $250
81688083200 City Lending Centers (CLC)$150 - $1,600 10 - 35% 3 - 6
$150 - $1,600
1001686182400 Northstar Brokers$300 - $3,000 18% + fees 6
$300 - $3,000
1001686182400 Deposit My Cash Now$300 - $3,000 18% + fees 6
$300 - $3,000
1001686182400 My Next Pay$300 - $3,000 18% + fees 6
$300 - $3,000
61683676800 Windmill Microlending$15,000 6.7% Up to 60 months
$15,000
11670889600 Fora$1,000 - $10,000 19.9% - 46.9% -
$1,000 - $10,000
71666051200 Nyble$150 0% -
$150
1001643932800 FlexMoney$500 - $15,000 +18.9% APR 6 - 60
$500 - $15,000
1001642723200 Pay2Dayup to $1,500 - -
up to $1,500
131639094400 Loanz$1,000 - $15,000 29.9% - 46.9% APR   12 - 60
$1,000 - $15,000
301637280000 Symple Loans$5,000 - $50,000 5.75% - 22.99% Up to 84
$5,000 - $50,000
1001623369600 AfterpayVaries 0% 6 or 8 weeks
Varies
21620777600 Spring FinancialUp to $35,000 9.99% - 46.96% 6 - 60
Up to $35,000
171607558400 Helium Loans$500 - $50,000 6.99% - 46.99% 12 - 36
$500 - $50,000
1001600646400 Iceberg Finance$1,000-$7,500 12.99% - 29.99% 24 - 60
$1,000-$7,500
1001598918400 LM Financial$1,000 - $15,000 - -
$1,000 - $15,000
1001598832000 LM Credit$500 – $15,000 + 25.99% 9 - 60
$500 – $15,000
1001595980800 FlexiLoans$200 - $1,200 25% - 32% -
$200 - $1,200
1001551830400 Prudent Financial ServicesUp to $500,000 5.75% – 9.9% negotiable
Up to $500,000
1001594684800 Lendle$100 - $2,000 0% -
$100 - $2,000
1001593561600 PayBright- 0+ 2 - 60
-
1001589155200 Moves Financial$2,500 15.65% AIR 13 - 26
$2,500
1001582243200 LendCare- - Up to 60
-
1001581033600 X-bankers$5,000+ - Up to 60
$5,000+
1001580947200 ECN Capital- - -
-
1001580860800 SimplyBorrowed$500 - $5,000 - 12 - 24
$500 - $5,000
1001580860800 Pebble Cash$350 - $1,000 - 2 - 12 weeks
$350 - $1,000
91580860800 Refresh Financial$1,600 - $25,000 19.99% APR 36 - 60
$1,600 - $25,000
161580774400 goPeer$1,000 - $25,000 7.5% - 31.5% APR 36 - 60
$1,000 - $25,000
1001579478400 North’n Loans$100 - $1,500 - -
$100 - $1,500
1001579478400 MDGUp to $5,000 29.78% - 44.8% 36 months
Up to $5,000
1001579219200 Loan or Credit$100 - $25,000 +4.9% -
$100 - $25,000
1001579219200 Instant Payday Canada- 15% - 19% -
-
1001576713600 Flexiti Financial- Up to 35% -
-
181576713600 Financeit$500 - $100,000 6.99% - 14.99% 12 - 240
$500 - $100,000
1001575590400 Climb1800- 2900 15.99% 23 - 36
1800- 2900
1001562198400 Pylo Finance$500 - $15,000 15.99 - 39.99% 6 - 60
$500 - $15,000
1001560124800 Fresh Start FinanceUp to $15,000 29.99% - 46.96% 9 - 60
Up to $15,000
171545955200 MarbleUp to $20,000 18.99% - 24.99% 36 - 84
Up to $20,000
191552262400 Money Mart$1,000 - $15,000 29.9% or 46.90% 6 - 60
$1,000 - $15,000
1001551830400 Payday King$100 - $1,000 546% APR 14 days
$100 - $1,000
1001569974400 Private Loan Shop$500 - $50,000 15 - 30% -
$500 - $50,000
1001551830400 Progressa$1,000 - $15,000 19% - 46.95% 6 - 60
$1,000 - $15,000
1001551398400 My Canada PaydayUp to $1,500 15% - 19% 14 days
Up to $1,500
1001551398400 Mr. Payday$100 - $1,500 15% - 17% 14 -31 days
$100 - $1,500
1001551398400 Money Provider$500 - $1,000 28% - 32% -
$500 - $1,000
1001551398400 Loan Express- - 14 days
-
181546128000 Loan AwayUp to $5,000 19.9% - 45.9% APR 6 - 36
Up to $5,000
1001551139200 Loan & Go$250 -$1,250 29% 3 - 6
$250 -$1,250
1001551139200 Lendful$5,000 - $35,000 9.9%+ 6 - 60
$5,000 - $35,000
151551139200 LendDirectUp to $15,000 19.99% APR Open-end
Up to $15,000
1001550534400 Health Smart Financial Services$300 - $25,000 7.95%+ 36 - 60
$300 - $25,000
1001550534400 GoDay$100 - $1,500 - 14 days
$100 - $1,500
1001569974400 iCashUp to $1,500 15% - 23% -
Up to $1,500
1001550534400 Focus Financial Inc.Up to $1,500 Up to 59% APR 14 days
Up to $1,500
191550534400 FlexFi$2,500 + - -
$2,500 +
1001550534400 Eastern Loans$500 - $1,000 28% - 32% 3 -5
$500 - $1,000
1001550534400 DMO Credit$300 - $1,000 38% APR 3 - 4
$300 - $1,000
1001549411200 Capital Cash$100 - $1,000 546% APR 14 days
$100 - $1,000
1001549411200 Cash 4 You$1,000 -$15,000 46.93% 12 - 60
$1,000 -$15,000
1001567555200 Cash Depot$300 - $3,000 18% + fees 6
$300 - $3,000
1001549238400 Credit 700$500 - $1,000 28% - 32% 4 - 5
$500 - $1,000
1001549238400 Credit Club$100 - $1,500 90% - 390% APR 14 days
$100 - $1,500
1001549238400 Credit2Go$250 - $1,000 29% APR 3 - 4
$250 - $1,000
201548720000 Ledn$500 - $1,000,000 7.9% 12
$500 - $1,000,000
1001548720000 Amber Financial$1,000 - $50,000 4.6% – 49.96% 3 - 60
$1,000 - $50,000
1001548633600 Affirm Financial$300 - $7,500 29.9% - 39.9% 6 - 60
$300 - $7,500
1001548633600 310 Loan$50 - $1,500 - 14 days
$50 - $1,500
1001545955200 Newstart CanadaUp to $20,000 19% - 49% 36 - 48
Up to $20,000
161545264000 Ferratum$2,000 - $10,000 18.9% - 54.9% 12 - 60
$2,000 - $10,000
51545264000 SkyCap Financial$500 - $10,000 12.99% – 39.99% 9 – 36
$500 - $10,000
1001545264000 Fast Access Financial$500 – $10,000 Starting at 9.90% 12 - 36
$500 – $10,000
21543622400 Fairstone FinancialUp to $50,000 19.99% - 39.99% 6 - 120
Up to $50,000
1001545177600 LendingMate$2,000 – $10,000 34.9% - 43% 12 - 60
$2,000 – $10,000
101545264000 Consumer Capital Canada$500 - $12,500 19.99%+ 12 - 60
$500 - $12,500
1001545350400 LaminaUp to $1000 30% 3 - 5
Up to $1000
1001545350400 Loans SOSUp to $5,000 60% 6 - 60
Up to $5,000
1001545350400 514 LoansUp to $3,000 22% - 35% 3 - 4
Up to $3,000
1001545350400 Cashco FinancialUp to $7,000 - 6 – 60
Up to $7,000
1001545350400 UrLoan$500 - $2,500 29% - 46.95% 6 - 36
$500 - $2,500
51545350400 LoanMeNow$500 - $1000+ 28%-32% 3
$500 - $1000+
1001545350400 Captain Cash$500 – $750 28% – 34.4% 3
$500 – $750
1001545350400 BC Loans$500 – $750 23% - 34.4% 3 – 12
$500 – $750
1001545350400 Urgent Loans$300 - $1500 27% - 35% 3 - 4
$300 - $1500
41545264000 easyfinancial$500 - $100,000 Starting at 29.99% 9 - 84
$500 - $100,000
31545264000 Mogo FinanceUp to $3,500 47.72% -
Up to $3,500
21568937600 Cash Money$1,500 – $10,000 Varies by province Varies
$1,500 – $10,000
101545177600 Borrowell$1,000 - $35,000 5.99% - 29.19% 36 - 60
$1,000 - $35,000
181545177600 Magical Credit$100 - $20,000 Up to 46.8% Up to 60
$100 - $20,000
ProviderLoan AmountRateTerm (Months)Rating
00 Up to $50,000Prime – 46.96%3 - 120
Up to $50,000
31697414400 SafeBorrowUp to $800,000 9% - 49.99% 3, 6, 9, or 12
Up to $800,000
21669852800 Driven$5,000 - $300,000 - 3 - 24 months
$5,000 - $300,000
1001648512000 2M7 Financial Solutions$10,000 - $250,000 Varies 6-12
$10,000 - $250,000
1001620345600 TD Bank- - 12 - 60
-
1001611878400 Accord Financial$5,000 - $30,000,000 - Up to 18
$5,000 - $30,000,000
171607558400 Helium Loans$500 - $50,000 6.99% - 46.99% 6 - 36
$500 - $50,000
1001603756800 Accelerated Payments- - -
-
1001598918400 Loop- - -
-
1001592438400 Core Capital Group Inc- - -
-
1001585612800 BarterPay- 0.9% - 12% 6 months - 5 years
-
1001581984000 Clearbanc$10,000 - $10,000,000 6% - 12.5% -
$10,000 - $10,000,000
1001581292800 SNAP Financial Group- - -
-
1001581033600 GE Capital- - -
-
1001581033600 We Can Financial- - -
-
1001581033600 Wajax Equipment- - -
-
1001580947200 Key Equipment Financing- - -
-
1001580947200 Corl$10,000 - $1,000,000 - -
$10,000 - $1,000,000
1001580860800 Yellowhead Equipment Finance Ltd- - -
-
1001580860800 Toronto Truck Loan Ltd- - -
-
1001580860800 Specialty Truck Financing- - -
-
1001580860800 Travelers Financial- - -
-
1001580860800 Peel Financial- - -
-
1001580860800 Pioneer Financial Services$5,000 - $1,000,000 - -
$5,000 - $1,000,000
1001580860800 Polaris Leasing- - -
-
1001580860800 Patron West- - -
-
1001580860800 Payabilityup to $250,000 - -
up to $250,000
1001580860800 Planet Financial- - -
-
1001580688000 RiseUp to $10,000 - -
Up to $10,000
1001580256000 Merchant Growth$5,000 - $500,000 - 6 - 18 months
$5,000 - $500,000
1001579478400 Onesta- - -
-
1001579478400 Lionhart Capital$10,000- $30,000,000 Min 4.95% -
$10,000- $30,000,000
1001579478400 Lift Capital- - 12 - 120
-
1001579478400 Leaseline- - 24 to 60
-
1001579478400 Lease Direct- - -
-
1001579478400 John Deere- - -
-
1001579046400 Hitachi Capital Canada- - -
-
1001578873600 Guardian Leasing- - -
-
1001577059200 Export Development Canada- - -
-
1001577059200 Essex Lease Financial Corporation- - -
-
1001577059200 Equilease- - -
-
1001575849600 Alliance Financing Group LTD$5,000 - $150,000 15% + 6 - 24
$5,000 - $150,000
1001575849600 CanaCapUp to $250,000 - -
Up to $250,000
1001575590400 CLE Capital- - -
-
1001575590400 Canada Equipment Loan- - -
-
11545955200 SharpShooter Funding$5,000 - $150,000 Fee-Based: Starting at 9% 12 - 60
$5,000 - $150,000
1001552262400 First West Credit Union$500,000 - $10,000,000 - -
$500,000 - $10,000,000
1001552262400 PACE Credit Union- Competitive -
-
1001552262400 DUCA Credit Union- - -
-
1001552262400 Laurentian Bank of CanadaUp to $250,000 - Up to 10 years
Up to $250,000
1001552262400 HSBC Bank Canada- - -
-
1001552262400 National BankUp to $1,000,000 - -
Up to $1,000,000
1001551830400 DesjardinsUp to $100,000 - -
Up to $100,000
1001551830400 Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC)$10,000+ - Up to 15 years
$10,000+
1001551830400 ScotiabankUp to $1,000,000 -   Up to 15 years
Up to $1,000,000
1001551830400 Bank of Montreal (BMO)Up to $500,000 - Up to 10 years
Up to $500,000
1001551830400 Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)$5,000 - $10,000 - Up to 7 years
$5,000 - $10,000
1001551398400 CWB National Leasing$3,500+ - -
$3,500+
1001551398400 Money Line Capital$5,000+ 4.9% - 24.99% 18 - 48
$5,000+
1001551398400 Money in Motion$10,000 - $1,000,000 4% - 14% 12 - 84
$10,000 - $1,000,000
1001551139200 Lease LinkUp to $75,000 - Up to 18
Up to $75,000
1001550534400 FundThrough$500-$50,000 0.5% weekly 12 week cycles
$500-$50,000
1001550534400 Econolease Financial Services Inc.$1,000 - $1,000,000 6% - 20% -
$1,000 - $1,000,000
1001550534400 Easylease CorpUp to $5,000,000 4.5% 24 - 72
Up to $5,000,000
1001550534400 Capify$5,000 - $200,000 - -
$5,000 - $200,000
1001549411200 Canadian Equipment Finance$50,000 - $12,000,000 - 24 - 96
$50,000 - $12,000,000
1001549411200 Capital Key$5,000 - $1,000,000+ - 1 - 60
$5,000 - $1,000,000+
1001549238400 Cashbloom$5,000 - $1,000,000 - 3 - 24
$5,000 - $1,000,000
1001548720000 BFS Capital$5,000 - $5,000,000 - 4 - 18
$5,000 - $5,000,000
1001548720000 BDCUp to $100,000 6.05% + 60
Up to $100,000
1001548720000 Baron Finance$10,000+ 18% - 22% -
$10,000+
1001548720000 B2B Bank$10,000 - $300,000 4.70% - 5.45% -
$10,000 - $300,000
1001548633600 AOne Financial SolutionsUp to $5,000,000 5% - 10% 12 - 60
Up to $5,000,000
101545177600 Borrowell$1,000 - $35,000 5.6% – 25.5% 36 – 60
$1,000 - $35,000
1001545264000 iCapital$5,000 - $250,000 - 3-18
$5,000 - $250,000
1001545264000 Lendified$5,000 - $150,000 - 3 - 24
$5,000 - $150,000
61545350400 IOU Financial$5,000 – $100,000 15% + 12 – 18
$5,000 – $100,000
1001545264000 Company Capital$5,000 – $100,000 Starting at 6.87% 3 – 18
$5,000 – $100,000
51545177600 OnDeck$5,000-$250,000 8% - 29% APR 6 - 18
$5,000-$250,000
41545177600 Lending Loop$5,000 – $500,000 Starting at 5.9% 3 – 60
$5,000 – $500,000
51545264000 SkyCap Financial$500 - $10,000 12.99% – 39.99% 9 – 36
$500 - $10,000
1001561507200 Thinking CapitalUp to $300,000 - -
Up to $300,000
ProviderLoan AmountRateTerm (Months)Rating
00 Up to $50,000Prime – 46.96%3 - 120
Up to $50,000
21679529600 ClutchVaries 8.49% + 24 - 96 months
Varies
1001643846400 Fix4 Capitalup to $10,000 19.99% 12 - 36
up to $10,000
31632960000 SafeLendUp to $50,000 15.99% + 12 -72
Up to $50,000
81624233600 Auto Credit DealsUp to $50,000 29.99% – 46.96% 12 - 96
Up to $50,000
1001610409600 Advantagewon- - -
-
171607558400 Helium Loans$500 - $50,000 - 24 - 60
$500 - $50,000
71606435200 Go To Loans$500 - $10,000 29.95%+ up to 48
$500 - $10,000
1001600646400 Iceberg Finance$1,000-$7,500 12.99% - 29.99% 12 - 84
$1,000-$7,500
1001594339200 Alphera Financial Services- - -
-
1001582761600 Go Auto- - 12 - 96
-
61582761600 Eden Park- 11.9% - 22.9% Up to 84
-
1001582761600 Auto Loan Solutions- 0% - 29.5% -
-
1001581033600 WeFinanceCars- + 4.9% -
-
1001581033600 Walker Financial Services- - -
-
1001580688000 Rifco- - -
-
1001579478400 National Powersports Financing- - -
-
1001579478400 LMG Finance- - -
-
1001579478400 Loans2Go- - -
-
1001579219200 Leisure Trailer Sales- - -
-
1001578873600 iA Auto Finance- +8.99% -
-
1001578873600 Gamache Group- - -
-
1001551830400 Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)$5,000 - $10,000 - up to 84
$5,000 - $10,000
1001552262400 Laurentian Bank of CanadaUp to $250,000 - 12 - 60
Up to $250,000
1001552262400 National BankUp to $1,000,000 - up to 96
Up to $1,000,000
1001551830400 DesjardinsUp to $100,000 - 6 - 96
Up to $100,000
1001551830400 Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC)$10,000+ - 12 - 96
$10,000+
1001551830400 ScotiabankUp to $1,000,000 - up to 96
Up to $1,000,000
1001577059200 Daimler Truck Financial- - up to 72
-
1001577059200 DealerPlan Financial- - -
-
1001575849600 Coast Capital Savings- Starting at 4% Up to 84
-
1001575849600 Canada Auto Finance$5000 - $45,000 4.90 % - 29.95% APR 36 - 72
$5000 - $45,000
1001575849600 Credit River Capital Inc- - -
-
1001575590400 Capital Trust Financial- - -
-
1001575504000 Canada Car Loans- - -
-
61569974400 Car Loans Canada$7500 - $59,995 3.95% + 12 - 96
$7500 - $59,995
1001562112000 Car Creditex- Up to 49.9% -
-
1001561507200 Auto Capital Canada- - -
-
1001561507200 Carfinco- - Up to 84
-
11560124800 Canada DrivesUp to $100,000 3.99% - 19.9% 24 -96
Up to $100,000
1001551830400 Prefera FinanceUp to $30,000 - -
Up to $30,000
1001551830400 Prudent Financial ServicesUp to $500,000 5.75% – 9.9% negotiable
Up to $500,000
1001550534400 Dixie Auto Loans- - -
-
1001548720000 Approve Canada- - -
-
1001548633600 2nd Chance Automotive- 4.2%+ -
-
1001545955200 Newstart CanadaUp to $20,000 19% - 49% 36 - 48
Up to $20,000
51545264000 SkyCap Financial$500 - $10,000 12.99% – 39.99% 9 – 36
$500 - $10,000
1001545177600 Splash Auto Finance by RifcoUp to $50,000 - -
Up to $50,000
1001545177600 Carloans411$5,000 – $40,000 - 12 – 72
$5,000 – $40,000
1001545177600 AutoArriba- - Maximum 84
-
ProviderLoan AmountRateTerm (Months)Rating
00 Up to $50,000Prime – 46.96%3 - 120
Up to $50,000
1001578873600 Instant Loans Canada$1,000 - $35,000 - 24 - 60
$1,000 - $35,000
1001545955200 Newstart CanadaUp to $20,000 19% - 49% 36 - 48
Up to $20,000
1001545264000 BHM FinancialUp to $25,000 - 12 - 60
Up to $25,000
ProviderLoan AmountRateTerm (Months)Rating
00 N/AN/AN/A
N/A
71708473600 Blue Pearl MortgageVaries Varies 1 - 10 years
Varies
51700524800 Rocket Mortgage- - -
-
61696377600 Mortgage Maestro- 5.69% + -
-
1001695945600 Mortgage Intelligence- - -
-
1001695772800 QuestMortgage- - -
-
41690934400 Neo MortgageVaries 5.54%+ Varies
Varies
21688601600 nestoMin $100,000 5.34%+ 2 - 10 years
Min $100,000
31679616000 Frank Mortgage$100,000 - $2 million Fixed, variable, or adjustable rates 1 - 5 years
$100,000 - $2 million
41541030400 Meridian Credit Union- Varies 6 months - 5 years
-
1001627344000 Peoples Bank- 1.94% - 2.45% 12 - 60
-
21620777600 Spring FinancialUp to $35,000 - -
Up to $35,000
1001551830400 Prudent Financial ServicesUp to $500,000 5.75% – 9.9% negotiable
Up to $500,000
1001581033600 Mortgage Alliance- 2.74% - 6.30% 12 - 120
-
1001580947200 Paradigm- - -
-
1001580860800 Verico- - -
-
1001580860800 True North Mortgage- 2.64% - 4.45% 12 - 120
-
1001580860800 Tangerine$50,000+ 2.74% - 3.49% 12- 120
$50,000+
1001580860800 Think Financial- - 36 - 60
-
1001580860800 Turnedaway- - -
-
1001580860800 REICO- - -
-
1001580688000 Motusbank- 2.79% - 6.00% 6 - 60
-
1001580688000 Northwood Mortgage- 2.74% - 4.45% 12 - 120
-
1001580688000 Matrix Mortgage Global- - -
-
1001579478400 Mortgage Architects- 2.74% - 3.70% 6 - 120
-
1001579132800 Finser Mortgages- 2.79% - 4.45% -
-
1001578873600 IntelliMortgage- - -
-
1001578873600 Invis- 2.69% - 3.95% 6 - 120
-
1001578268800 Manzilup to 4,000,000 3.49% - 5.49% 12 - 300
up to 4,000,000
1001577059200 Equitable Bank$25,000 - $800,000 4.59% - 5.64% 6 - 60
$25,000 - $800,000
1001577059200 Dominion Lending Center- - -
-
1001577059200 Fisgard Asset Management- -- -
-
1001577059200 First National Financial LP- 2.84% - 7.30% -
-
1001574985600 CMLS Financials$100,000 - $750,000 - 12 - 120
$100,000 - $750,000
1001574899200 CHIP Reverse Mortgagemin 25,000 3.89.% - 4.84% 12 - 60
min 25,000
1001574899200 CanWise- 2.23% - 4.45% -
-
1001560124800 Centum- 2.89% - 3.79% -
-
1001548806400 Capital Direct$10,000 - $1,500,000 Varies 12 - 24
$10,000 - $1,500,000
1001548720000 Broker Financial Group Inc.- 2.41% - 3.84% -
-
1001548720000 Bridgewater Bank- - -
-
11517097600 Alpine Credits$10,000+ Based on equity -
$10,000+
ProviderServicesRating
00 Debt Consolidation Program, Debt Settlement Program, Consumer Proposal, Bankruptcy Consultation
N/A (Referrer)
1001576540800 BDO Credit Counselling, Bankruptcy, Consumer Proposal
1001576540800 Raymond Chabot Bankruptcy, Consumer Proposal
1001576540800 Full Circle Debt Solutions Inc Credit Counselling, Debt Management Program
1001576368000 Consolidated Credit Credit Counselling, Debt Management Program
1001576454400 4Pillars Debt Restructuring, After Care - Credit Rebuilding Program, Corporate Debt Restructuring

Being a Canadian home buyer comes with plenty of different benefits, especially if you live in a busy city like London. Though the cost of housing can be substantial across Ontario due to the province’s popularity, the more money you invest toward your mortgage, the more home equity you will build over time.

Once you have enough equity built up in your property, most lenders will allow you to take advantage of several credit products, one of them being the HELOC. For more information about how to gain access to a HELOC in London Ontario, keep reading.

What is Home Equity?

Let’s start with a basic explanation of home equity. As mentioned, home equity is a type of asset that you can build, typically by paying down your mortgage or adding value to your home through additions and/or renovations. Home equity can also accumulate by itself when the homes in your neighborhood are subject to a real estate boom.

For more information about building home equity, click here.

Essentially, your home equity relates to how valuable your property is estimated to be on the real estate market, minus the balance remaining on your primary mortgage (if any).

For instance, if your mortgage is $350,000 and you have a $250,000 balance remaining on your primary mortgage, you’ve now built $100,000 (just under 30%) in equity ($350,000 – $250,000 = $100,000).

However, when you decide to tap into your home equity, your property will first need to be appraised by an expert to get a more exact calculation, which is a standard part of the lending procedure. Once you’ve accumulated 20 – 25% equity, most lenders will permit you to apply for a number of credit products.

Canadian Credit ScoreInterested in learning about what affects your credit score? Take a look at this.

How Does a HELOC Differ From a Home Equity Loan?

Although you can also choose to refinance your primary mortgage, many Canadian homebuyers will apply for either a ‘HELOC’ or a ‘home equity loan’ once their property has accumulated a sufficient amount of equity.

These two products are similar in certain respects but are quite different when it comes to their overall costs and repayment processes, so be sure to consider the descriptions below before you apply for either.

Apply For a HELOC in London

Short for ‘home equity line of credit’, this product can be found through select lenders in London and allows you to access 65% – 85% of your available equity. Similar to the way a personal line of credit or credit card functions, a HELOC is a revolving credit line of equal or lesser value to your home equity balance.

You can withdraw from this credit line whenever you need and repay your outstanding balances on a monthly basis, usually with the option to make minimum payments whenever you can’t afford full sums, which many home buyers prefer.

This option is also appealing because, like all revolving products, you would only have to pay a variable interest rate on any amounts that remain unpaid. This rate would fluctuate according to Canada’s prime rate, so it will occasionally be lower than that of the average home equity loan, potentially helping you save a bit of money over time.

So, if you only plan to use your HELOC in London as a rainy day fund, you won’t have to pay anything. While the terms and conditions of your credit line will also vary from lender to lender, some HELOCs can last 20 – 30 years.

Generally, a HELOC in London Ontario is a better option when dealing with lengthy expenses that require financing over time, as well as unexpected events, such as:

  • Long home improvements (renovations, additions, etc.)
  • Lease or purchase of a new vehicle
  • Reduction of work hours/income or unemployment
  • Consolidation of high-interest debt
  • You or a family member’s education
  • Recurring bills (utilities, internet, taxes, etc.)

Applying For a Home Equity Loan in London

More commonly known as a “second” mortgage, a home equity loan is closer to a personal loan than it is to a credit card and allows you to access up to 80% of your available equity. This means that, soon after you’ve been approved, your equity lender would send you a lump sum of money via direct deposit to your bank account.

You would then repay that sum over a number of years through divided installments with interest. Although many home buyers prefer to make equally sized payments at the same time every month (other frequencies are available), some lenders will permit larger or more frequent payments without charge, so your debt ends earlier.

Rather than a revolving credit line, the loan sum will be liquid cash that you can withdraw physically or use up with your debit card. Most lenders will offer you a fixed interest rate, which may be higher than some variable rates but won’t fluctuate during your loan term and will, therefore, be easier to factor into your home budget.

Once again, every lender has a different way of doing business. That said, some home equity loans can also last up to 30 years in Canada. Perhaps the biggest difference between the two products is that your regularly occurring home equity loan payments will be mandatory, while you can choose whether or not to use a HELOC.

All this makes the home equity loan a better choice when you have large but preferably singular expenses and situations to cover, such as:

  • Home maintenance (repairs, decoration, etc.)
  • Purchase of a less-expensive recreational vehicle (ATV, boat, etc.)
  • Temporary loss of employment due to medical issues
  • Big purchases (furniture, appliances, etc.)
  • Vacations and unexpected travel
  • Floods, fires, and other home emergencies

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When is a Second Mortgage the Right Choice?

As mentioned, a home equity loan is often called a second mortgage. This is due to its resemblance to the traditional mortgaging process. However, a HELOC can also technically qualify as a second mortgage when it comes to the products that are listed on your credit report.

Like with any credit product, lenders will send information about your mortgage payments to Canada’s main credit bureaus (Equifax and TransUnion). Your report will then retain said information over the course of the mortgage (and for several years following).

Secondary Mortgage Position

So, if you’re approved for a HELOC or home equity loan while your primary mortgage is still in effect, said product will be placed in secondary mortgage position. Typically, this will lead to a higher interest rate for that product, because the lender is taking more risk by approving a home buyer that already has one mortgage on their property. That rate would only go down once you’ve fully paid off your primary mortgage and your home equity product is moved into first position.

With second mortgage products, you’ll also have the option of applying with either your original lender or another source if you’re searching for better terms and conditions. Watch out, if you already hold a primary mortgage with one lender but apply for a HELOC or home equity loan with another, the rate you pay for that product is sure to be higher. This is because, if you default on your upcoming payments, the second lender would be last in line to receive compensation following any debt collection procedures.

Essentially, applying for a HELOC or home equity loan during your primary mortgage means that you’ll wind up with two sets of recurring payments to keep up with. The more financially qualified you are to handle both payments, the more favorable the results will be when you apply, meaning more credit, lower rates, and more adjustable payment plans.

Should you use your home equity to pay off credit card debt? Find out here.

To be safe, you should only apply for a second mortgage when:

  • You want to increase your credit score through timely/full payments.
  • You want to add value to your home through renovations, additions, etc.
  • You’ve already checked your credit report for errors, fraud, or identity theft.
  • You currently have decent credit, a low amount of outstanding debt, and a household income that can support all costs involved.

It’s probably a bad idea to apply for a second mortgage when:

  • You plan to buy unnecessary items (gifts, subscriptions, clothes, etc.)
  • You’re already having trouble affording your primary mortgage.
  • You currently have bad credit, a large amount of outstanding debt, and/or a low household income.

Trying to Find a HELOC? Try Our Network!

Loans Canada can help match you with a third-party license mortgage professional in your area who can help you determine if a HELOC is the right choice for your needs.

Note: Loans Canada does not arrange, underwrite or broker mortgages. We are a simple referral service.

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