Mortgage Refinancing

How to Refinance Your Mortgage

By Yahia Nour Eddine KenouchePublished on February 10, 2026 7 min read
Mortgage refinancing documents

Refinancing replaces your current mortgage with a new one, often larger, up to 80% of your property's value.

Good reasons to refinance

Consolidating high-interest debt, funding renovations, investing or freeing up cash for a family project.

The real cost

Break penalty if you refinance mid-term, appraisal, notary and discharge fees. The math must always weigh those costs against the savings.

The 80% limit

As a general rule, a mortgage refinance is limited to 80% of your property's market value. This limit comes from the federal rules that apply to conventional mortgages.

If you need additional funds, other solutions may be considered depending on your situation, such as a second mortgage or other forms of financing. A home equity line of credit (HELOC) is also subject to regulatory limits and does not automatically allow you to exceed the overall 80% threshold.

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