Updated: April 2025  |  bremo.io financial guides

Mortgage Refinancing in Canada — When It Makes Sense

Mortgage refinancing means replacing your current mortgage with a new one — either at the same lender or a different one. It's not the same as renewal: refinancing can happen mid-term. Done right, it can save you significant money or unlock equity for other purposes. Done wrong, it can cost you thousands in penalties. Here's how to evaluate it.

What Is Mortgage Refinancing?

When you refinance, you essentially pay off your existing mortgage and take out a new one, typically with different terms. The new mortgage can be larger than the original (cash-out refinance) or the same size at a lower rate (rate-and-term refinance). Refinancing mid-term means paying a prepayment penalty on your existing mortgage.

Common Reasons to Refinance

• Access home equity: Use equity built up through appreciation or payments for renovations, debt consolidation, investing, or major expenses
• Consolidate high-interest debt: Roll credit card or personal loan debt into your mortgage at a much lower rate
• Lower your rate: If rates have dropped significantly since you locked in, a lower rate might justify the penalty
• Change your term or payment structure: Switch from variable to fixed, extend amortization to reduce payments, or vice versa

The Break-Even Calculation

The fundamental question when refinancing is: do the long-term savings exceed the cost of breaking your existing mortgage? The formula is straightforward:

Monthly savings from lower rate × months remaining in new term = Total savings
Compare against: Prepayment penalty + legal fees + appraisal costs

If total savings exceed total costs before your next renewal, refinancing likely makes sense. If you'd need several years just to break even and you might sell before then, it probably doesn't.

Example Calculation

In this example, if you plan to stay in the home for more than 4 years, refinancing makes financial sense.

Costs of Refinancing

• Prepayment penalty: The biggest cost. Can be 3 months interest (variable) or Interest Rate Differential / 3 months interest, whichever is higher (fixed). Fixed-rate penalties at major banks can be very large.
• Legal fees: A new mortgage requires new mortgage documents registered by a lawyer. Typically $800-$1,500.
• Appraisal: The lender may require an updated property appraisal. Typically $300-$600.
• Discharge fee: Your current lender may charge an administrative fee to discharge the existing mortgage. Typically $200-$350.

Refinancing to Access Equity (Cash-Out)

Canadian homeowners can refinance up to 800% of their property's current value (this is the maximum loan-to-value for a refinanced mortgage). If your home has appreciated, you may be able to access substantial equity. This money can be used for:

• Home renovations (which may increase property value further)
• Paying off high-interest debt (credit cards at 200%+ replaced by mortgage at 4-5%)
• Down payment on an investment property
• Education costs or other major expenses

Refinancing vs. Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)

If you want to access equity without replacing your mortgage, a HELOC may be a better option. A HELOC is a revolving credit facility secured by your home, available up to 65% of your home's value (combined with your mortgage, up to 800% LTV). Interest is charged only on what you draw. No prepayment penalty to access the credit. However, HELOC rates are typically variable and higher than mortgage rates.