How Much Difference Will Extra Payments Make Towards My Mortgage?

Diane Buchanan • July 25, 2019

Have you ever wondered how much difference extra payments actually make in paying down your mortgage? Let’s take a look and maybe do a little math.

The first (and largest) factor to look at is the amortization, which is the remainder of your mortgage’s life. A majority of mortgages today start with 25-year amortizations. If you have made only regular payments for 5 years on a 25-year mortgage, your remaining amortization will be 20 years. Pretty simple, right?

Someone making an extra payment on a mortgage with 20 years left will save WAY more interest than someone making the same payment on a mortgage with 5 years left. The more years remaining on a mortgage, the more impact your extra payment will make.

The second factor to keep in mind is the mortgage interest rate. Your interest rate will change many times over the life of your mortgage, divided up by mortgage terms. If you agree to a 5-year term, you will only have that interest rate for 5 years, and then it will be time to renew at a different interest rate. At the time of this writing, mortgage rates are exceptionally low (even after some recent increases in 2018), and based on the last rate decision from the Bank of Canada on April 24/2019, they do not appear to be increasing anytime in 2019.

So what does that mean for you? Well, it depends if you are renewing this year, or 3 years from now. If you are renewing this year, you may want to consider your investment options for a lump sum amount, as opposed to paying down your mortgage. Paying down your mortgage makes the most sense when your amortization is high, and interest rates are also high (or going higher). If you’re renewing in three years time, then you may still want to consider paying down your mortgage, especially if you think mortgage rates will be higher at your renewal. The more you can pay when your mortgage is below 4%, the better payoff it will be if rates increase above 5%.

This is all conjecture and guesswork, especially when deciding between paying down your mortgage or investing more. However, mortgage rates have been abnormally low for a while now, and for whatever reason, the government of Canada selected a benchmark rate above 5% to qualify for a mortgage. Where interest rates go is anyone’s best guess, but it’s nice to be ahead of the game on your mortgage than trying to play catch-up with higher interest rates.

So let’s talk dollar amounts. For all of my examples, I’m going to use a $250,000 mortgage at 3.49% with 20 years remaining – that works out to a payment of $1445.40. If you switch to an accelerated bi-weekly, you’ll pay $722.70 every two weeks (half of the monthly amount), but you’ll save over $12,000 over the next 20 years because you will be making a couple of extra payments per year. Those payments really add up.

With the same mortgage (back on the regular monthly payment), let’s say you have $10,000 floating around your accounts, and you decide to use that money to pay down your mortgage. You’ll have saved around $9,500 in interest thanks to that payment. If you did BOTH the accelerated bi-weekly schedule and the $10,000 payment, it combines to over $20,000 of saved interest.

One more calculation with this mortgage – let’s say that, instead of any of the options described here, you decide to increase the monthly payment from $1445.40 to $1600 even. In just the 5 years time, you would save almost $6000 in interest over the life of the entire mortgage. But if mortgage rates stayed the same for the entire life of the mortgage, and you kept up the additional payment of only $154.60/month, you would pay off the mortgage 3.5 years sooner, AND save almost $15,000 in interest.

In summary, paying down your mortgage can feel good, both in your mind and in your wallet. It makes the most sense to pay down your mortgage when both amortization and interest rates are high. It can sometimes be difficult choosing between investing more and paying down your mortgage, but you can think of your mortgage interest rate as a guaranteed return, which is typically better than your GIC options.

If you’d like to discuss your financial situation and and want to review your mortgage to make sure you have the best mortgage available, contact me anytime!

DIANE BUCHANAN
 Mortgage Broker

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How to Access Your Home Equity Wisely

By Diane Buchanan • December 3, 2025
Need to Free Up Some Cash? Your Home Equity Could Help If you've owned your home for a while, chances are it’s gone up in value. That increase—paired with what you’ve already paid down—is called home equity, and it’s one of the biggest financial advantages of owning property. Still, many Canadians don’t realize they can tap into that equity to improve their financial flexibility, fund major expenses, or support life goals—all without selling their home. Let’s break down what home equity is and how you might be able to use it to your advantage. First, What Is Home Equity? Home equity is the difference between what your home is worth and what you still owe on it. Example: If your home is valued at $700,000 and you owe $200,000 on your mortgage, you have $500,000 in equity . That’s real financial power—and depending on your situation, there are a few smart ways to access it. Option 1: Refinance Your Mortgage A traditional mortgage refinance is one of the most common ways to tap into your home’s equity. If you qualify, you can borrow up to 80% of your home’s appraised value , minus what you still owe. Example: Your home is worth $600,000 You owe $350,000 You can refinance up to $480,000 (80% of $600K) That gives you access to $130,000 in equity You’ll pay off your existing mortgage and take the difference as a lump sum, which you can use however you choose—renovations, investments, debt consolidation, or even a well-earned vacation. Even if your mortgage is fully paid off, you can still refinance and borrow against your home’s value. Option 2: Consider a Reverse Mortgage (Ages 55+) If you're 55 or older, a reverse mortgage could be a flexible way to access tax-free cash from your home—without needing to make monthly payments. You keep full ownership of your home, and the loan only becomes repayable when you sell, move out, or pass away. While you won’t be able to borrow as much as a conventional refinance (the exact amount depends on your age and property value), this option offers freedom and peace of mind—especially for retirees who are equity-rich but cash-flow tight. Reverse mortgage rates are typically a bit higher than traditional mortgages, but you won’t need to pass income or credit checks to qualify. Option 3: Open a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) Think of a HELOC as a reusable credit line backed by your home. You get approved for a set amount, and only pay interest on what you actually use. Need $10,000 for a new roof? Use the line. Don’t need anything for six months? No payments required. HELOCs offer flexibility and low interest rates compared to personal loans or credit cards. But they can be harder to qualify for and typically require strong credit, stable income, and a solid debt ratio. Option 4: Get a Second Mortgage Let’s say you’re mid-term on your current mortgage and breaking it would mean hefty penalties. A second mortgage could be a temporary solution. It allows you to borrow a lump sum against your home’s equity, without touching your existing mortgage. Second mortgages usually come with higher interest rates and shorter terms, so they’re best suited for short-term needs like bridging a gap, paying off urgent debt, or funding a one-time project. So, What’s Right for You? There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. The right option depends on your financial goals, your current mortgage, your credit, and how much equity you have available. We’re here to walk you through your choices and help you find a strategy that works best for your situation. Ready to explore your options? Let’s talk about how your home’s equity could be working harder for you. No pressure, no obligation—just solid advice.

Smart Strategies to Save for Your Down Payment

By Diane Buchanan • November 26, 2025
How to Start Saving for a Down Payment (Without Overhauling Your Life) Let’s face it—saving money isn’t always easy. Life is expensive, and setting aside extra cash takes discipline and a clear plan. Whether your goal is to buy your first home or make a move to something new, building up a down payment is one of the biggest financial hurdles. The good news? You don’t have to do it alone—and it might be simpler than you think. Step 1: Know Your Numbers Before you can start saving, you need to know where you stand. That means getting clear on two things: how much money you bring in and how much of it is going out. Figure out your monthly income. Use your net (after-tax) income, not your gross. If you’re self-employed or your income fluctuates, take an average over the last few months. Don’t forget to include occasional income like tax returns, bonuses, or government benefits. Track your spending. Go through your last 2–3 months of bank and credit card statements. List out your regular bills (rent, phone, groceries), then your extras (dining out, subscriptions, impulse buys). You might be surprised where your money’s going. This part isn’t always fun—but it’s empowering. You can’t change what you don’t see. Step 2: Create a Plan That Works for You Once you have the full picture, it’s time to make a plan. The basic formula for saving is simple: Spend less than you earn. Save the difference. But in real life, it’s more about small adjustments than major sacrifices. Cut what doesn’t matter. Cancel unused subscriptions or set a dining-out limit. Automate your savings. Set up a separate “down payment” account and auto-transfer money on payday—even if it’s just $50. Find ways to boost your income. Can you pick up a side job, sell unused stuff, or ask for a raise? Consistency matters more than big chunks. Start small and build momentum. Step 3: Think Bigger Than Just Saving A lot of people assume saving for a down payment is the first—and only—step toward buying a home. But there’s more to it. When you apply for a mortgage, lenders look at: Your income Your debt Your credit score Your down payment That means even while you’re saving, you can (and should) be doing things like: Building your credit score Paying down high-interest debt Gathering documents for pre-approval That’s where we come in. Step 4: Get Advice Early Saving up for a home doesn’t have to be a solo mission. In fact, talking to a mortgage professional early in the process can help you avoid missteps and reach your goal faster. We can: Help you calculate how much you actually need to save Offer tips to strengthen your application while you save Explore alternate down payment options (like gifts or programs for first-time buyers) Build a step-by-step plan to get you mortgage-ready Ready to get serious about buying a home? We’d love to help you build a plan that fits your life—and your goals. Reach out anytime for a no-pressure conversation.