Seven Signs Your Mortgage Needs a Review
By Tiffany Quaye · Last reviewed 2026-08-01
The short answer
Review your mortgage if you're carrying revolving balances that aren't shrinking, your renewal is within a year, your income or household has changed, your payment has risen with rates, or you have equity you've never assessed.
The seven signals
- Your credit card or line of credit balances have been flat or rising for six months.
- Your renewal is within twelve months and you haven't compared anything yet.
- Your variable payment increased and never came back down.
- Your income changed — new job, self-employment, parental leave, retirement on the horizon.
- Your household changed — a separation, a new partner, a child, a parent moving in.
- You've owned the home for five or more years and never looked at your equity position.
- You're funding regular expenses with credit rather than cash flow.
A review isn't a commitment
Questions people ask
How often should I review my mortgage?
Annually as a habit, and immediately whenever your income, household or debt picture changes materially.
Does a review affect my credit?
A conversation doesn't. A credit check only happens when you decide to move forward with an application.
Want this applied to your actual numbers?
Articles are general. Your file isn't. Bring your balances and your renewal date and I'll tell you what I'd do in your position.
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Not sure which option fits your situation?
Bring your numbers — mortgage balance, balances you're carrying, and what's stressing you out. I'll walk you through what's realistic, including when doing nothing is the better call.