With lower home prices and higher interest rates, how do HELOCs fit into financial plans?

The Globe and Mail
April 7, 2026.

Home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) can be very useful to cover small or large one-time costs while someone is arranging the tax-efficient sale of investments or withdrawals from registered or corporate accounts, writes Kate Murdoch, Wealth Advisor at Richardson Wealth.

However, the calculus around HELOCs may have changed as housing prices sag in some markets and speculation swirls about interest rates rising to counter inflation.

“Interest rate fluctuations are the most obvious risk associated with HELOCs, as higher interest rates immediately translate into higher interest-only payments. That can cause a shock to cash flow.”

*Globe advisor subscription required.

Related articles

2026

Tax refund to invest? Ignore the noise and look to international stocks

April 27, 2026 - Even with markets more volatile than usual, Ida Khajadourian shares her strategy of avoiding cash in favour of focusing on companies…

2 minute read

2026

Retirement isn't a number. It's a system that must hold up over time

April 24, 2026 - Evan Riddell explains that most successful retirements aren’t defined by the largest portfolios, but rather by a plan that is clear,…

2 minute read

2026

Money Dysmorphia Is Real—Here’s What Wealth Actually Looks Like Now

April 22, 2026 - Kate Murdoch, unpacks the rise of “money dysmorphia,” the hidden role of debt, and how to redefine wealth on your own…

2 minute read