If you’re planning to buy a new home and your bank says you need to sell first, it might feel like a setback — but they may not be wrong. When it comes to upgrading your own home, your borrowing capacity is based solely on your income. And if you’re still paying off your current home, that debt limits what you can afford next.

However, what your bank might not be telling you is that the rules are different when it comes to investment properties. If you rent out your existing home, that rental income can be used to help service the loan. This means your borrowing power could be significantly higher than what your bank suggests.

That’s why it’s important not to rely on advice from just one bank. Speak with one of our mortgage brokers — they can assess your full financial picture and tell you exactly what you can borrow, both as a homeowner and as an investor.

You may not need to sell at all. With the right finance strategy, you could keep your current home, buy your next one, and grow your long-term wealth.