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Borrowing Against Your Home Equity: A Lendworth Guide for Ontario Homeowners

When life gets expensive or unexpected expenses hit, your home equity can be one of the most powerful financial tools available.
November 12, 2025 by
Borrowing Against Your Home Equity: A Lendworth Guide for Ontario Homeowners
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At Lendworth, we specialize in fast, flexible, equity-based financing designed to help Ontario homeowners access cash—without the stress, delays, or complicated hurdles of traditional bank lending.

Whether you need to consolidate debt, renovate, invest, or simply get ahead, here’s everything you need to know about home equity and how you can put it to work.

What Is Home Equity?

Home equity is the portion of your home that you truly own. It’s calculated as:

Appraised Home Value – Total Amount Owed on Mortgages or Secured Loans

Example:

If your home is worth $250,000 and you owe $150,000, your home equity is $100,000.

Your equity increases as:

  • You pay down your mortgage or HELOC
  • You pay off any other secured loans
  • Property values rise in your area

Lenders—especially equity-based lenders like Lendworth—use your available equity (not your credit score) to determine how much you can borrow.

How Borrowing Against Home Equity Works

Borrowing against home equity means using your property as security for a new loan. In Ontario, homeowners can typically access up to 80% of the home’s appraised value.

Example:

Home value: $250,000

80% loan limit: $200,000

Mortgage owed: $150,000

Available equity to borrow: $50,000

Because the loan is secured by your property:

  • Interest rates are often lower than unsecured loans
  • Approvals are faster and more flexible
  • Your home is used as collateral—meaning timely repayment is essential

You may also need to cover standard fees such as appraisals, title searches, title insurance, and legal costs. Lendworth keeps these costs transparent and moves your file quickly.

Types of Home Equity Solutions

Every homeowner’s situation is different. Here are the most common equity-based lending options available in Ontario—and how Lendworth helps you choose the right one.

1. Second Mortgages

A second mortgage is a new mortgage registered behind your first mortgage. It’s ideal when you need a lump sum for:

  • Debt consolidation
  • Home renovations
  • Investment opportunities
  • Paying tax arrears
  • Covering short-term cash needs

Rates are typically higher than a first mortgage due to lender risk, but approvals are faster and more flexible—especially with equity-based lenders.

2. Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOCs)

A HELOC works like a revolving credit line secured by your property. You can borrow, repay, and borrow again—up to 65% of your home’s value.

Key features:

  • Variable interest rate
  • Borrow only what you need
  • Interest-only payment options

HELOCs are usually offered by banks with stricter income and credit requirements. If you don’t qualify at the bank, Lendworth offers alternative equity-based solutions.

3. Reverse Mortgages

Designed for older homeowners (typically 55+), reverse mortgages allow you to access up to 55% of your home’s value with:

  • No monthly payments
  • No income or credit requirements
  • Funds released as lump sum or instalments

Interest accumulates over time, and repayment happens when you sell, move, or settle the estate.

4. Home Equity Loans

A home equity loan provides a one-time lump sum—up to 80% of your home’s value. Payments are fixed, predictable, and structured over a set term.

Great for homeowners who prefer:

  • Straightforward repayment
  • Fixed interest rates
  • No revolving credit line

Once it’s paid off, the loan cannot be re-borrowed.

5. Re-Borrowing Prepaid Amounts

If you’ve made extra mortgage payments (prepayments), some lenders may allow you to re-borrow those funds. This increases your mortgage balance and interest costs but gives quick access to cash.

Not all lenders offer this feature, but it can be useful for certain borrowers.

Comparing Your Options

Here is a simplified comparison to help you choose the right solution:

ProductCredit LimitInterest RatesAccess to FundsTypical Fees
Second MortgageUp to 80% minus your mortgage balanceFixed or variable; higher than first mortgageLump sumAppraisal, title search, title insurance, legal
HELOCUp to 65% of home valueVariableBorrow anytimeAppraisal, title search, title insurance, legal
Reverse MortgageUp to 55% minus any existing mortgageHigher than HELOC/mortgageLump sum or instalmentsAppraisal, title search, title insurance, legal
Home Equity LoanUp to 80% of home valueFixed or variableLump sumAppraisal, title search, title insurance, legal
Re-Borrowing Prepaid AmountsTotal amount prepaidSame as existing mortgageLump sumUsually none

How Lendworth Helps Ontario Homeowners

Lendworth specializes in fast, flexible, equity-based financing, including:

  • First & second mortgages
  • HELOC alternatives
  • Bridge loans
  • Debt consolidation loans
  • Pre-paid interest mortgages
  • Equity take-out solutions

We approve applications even when banks say no:

✔ No minimum credit score

✔ No income requirement in many cases

✔ Approvals in 24–48 hours

✔ Funding across Ontario

Whether you need $25,000 or $1,000,000+, we make the process simple, transparent, and tailored to your needs.

Thinking About Using Your Home Equity?

Talk to a Lendworth mortgage specialist today.

Call 905-597-1225, or apply online at www.lendworth.ca.

Unlock the equity you’ve built—and get the financial breathing room you deserve.

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