A mortgage broker works for you, not the bank.
Access to dozens of lenders, negotiation on your side, end-to-end support — and it is free for you. Here is everything a broker can do to help you reach your goal.
The broker is paid by the lender that funds your file — you pay absolutely nothing.
Banks, credit unions, online lenders, alternative lenders — a broker shops for you with one application package.
One inquiry on your file even when several lenders are consulted. Your score is protected.
From pre-approval to signing at the notary — your broker is with you at every step.
Broker vs bank: the real difference
When you go to your bank, their advisor offers products from that bank only. A broker is different.
Bank representative
Bank employee
- cancel Access to products from one institution only
- cancel Goal: sell their employer’s products
- cancel Each institution runs its own credit check — multiple hard credit inquiries
- cancel Little flexibility if your file is non-standard
- cancel Not available outside business hours
Mortgage broker
Works for you — AMF-licensed
- check_circle Access to 50+ lenders: banks, credit unions, online lenders, alternative lenders
- check_circle Goal: find the best product for your profile, not for a bank
- check_circle One file, one credit inquiry, several options
- check_circle Solutions for complex files: self-employed, imperfect credit, etc.
- check_circle Available on your schedule — evenings, weekends
- check_circle Free for you — paid by the lender
What a broker can do for you
Wherever you are in your homeownership journey, there is a service that fits your situation.
First purchase
Buying your first home? A broker helps you understand your true borrowing power, optimize your file, and find the right financing.
- ›Borrowing capacity analysis
- ›Mortgage pre-approval
- ›FHSA & HBP guidance
- ›Rate shopping across 50+ lenders
- ›Support through to signing
Renewal
Is your term coming up? Do not sign automatically! A broker can often negotiate a better rate than your bank’s renewal offer.
- ›Current rate market analysis
- ›Comparison with your bank’s offer
- ›Transfer without penalty when it makes sense
- ›Fixed vs variable strategy for your context
- ›Potential savings over 5 years
Refinance
Need cash to renovate, consolidate debt, or fund a project? Refinancing lets you use your home equity.
- ›Available equity calculation
- ›Renovations & real estate projects
- ›High-interest debt consolidation
- ›Buying a rental property
- ›Penalty vs savings analysis
Complex files
Did your bank say no? A broker knows alternative lenders and can often find a solution even for non-standard files.
- ›Self-employed & contract workers
- ›Imperfect or rebuilding credit
- ›Non-traditional income
- ›Newcomers to Canada
- ›Financial recovery plans
Real estate investment
Buying a duplex, triplex, or income property? Investment financing has its own rules — brokers know them.
- ›Plex financing (2 to 4 units)
- ›GDS/TDS calculations for rentals
- ›Tax optimization strategy
- ›Multi-property financing
- ›Network of specialized partners
Preparation & education
Not ready yet? That is okay. A good broker helps you prepare for 6 or 12 months from now — improve your credit, optimize debt, plan your down payment.
- ›Review of your current file
- ›Credit improvement plan
- ›Down payment savings strategy
- ›Future qualification simulation
- ›Ongoing personalized follow-up
How it works in practice
From your first message to signing at the notary — each step explained.
forum First meeting (free & no obligation)
Your broker talks about your project, finances, and goals. It is a conversation — not an interrogation. The point is to see where you are and where you want to go. In person, by phone, or video call.
fact_check File review
Together, you and your broker look at your credit score, income, debts, and available down payment. We calculate your GDS/TDS ratios, your realistic budget, and anything that could be improved before submitting an application.
search Shopping lenders
With your file ready, your broker submits to several lenders at once — a single credit inquiry. They compare offers: rates, terms, penalties, prepayment flexibility. This is where a broker’s value really shows.
handshake Presenting options & recommendation
Your broker presents the best offers with a clear recommendation. They explain the pros and cons of each option. You decide — the broker advises, not the other way around. No pressure.
verified Approval & conditions
Once you choose an offer, your broker completes the full file for the lender. They manage conditions (inspection, appraisal, insurance) and make sure everything is ready for closing.
Signing at the notary — the keys are yours!
The broker stays available after the deal. Renewal, questions, future refinance — it is a long-term relationship.
Why is it free for you?
Many people hesitate because they think a broker will cost them money. The reality is simple:
The lender that funds your mortgage pays the broker a commission — similar to a client acquisition cost for them.
This model is regulated by the AMF (Autorité des marchés financiers) to limit conflicts of interest.
The broker has a legal duty to recommend the product that best fits your interests — not the one that pays them the most.
AMF licensing: your protection
Frequently asked questions
The questions we hear most often.
Yes, absolutely. It is even a good idea to have both options to compare. Keep in mind the bank will run its own credit check (hard credit inquiry), which can slightly affect your score. The broker, meanwhile, uses one inquiry for all the lenders they shop.
As early as possible — ideally before you start house hunting. A pre-approval gives you a real budget and stronger negotiating power. If you think you will buy in 6 months or a year, it is a good time to start the conversation and prepare your file.
Yes — and that is often when a broker helps the most. Alternative (B) lenders accept profiles that traditional banks turn down. A broker knows which lenders fit your profile and can build a plan to improve your credit before you apply. A bank rejection is not the end — it is often a starting point.
It takes more paperwork, but it is absolutely doable. Lenders usually use a two-year average of income based on your notices of assessment. A broker knows exactly which documents to prepare and which lenders are most open to self-employed borrowers. Some lenders even have dedicated programs for declared self-employment.
Pre-qualification is based on approximate information you provide — a quick estimate without formal verification. Pre-approval involves checking your credit and documents. It is much stronger, and sellers take it seriously. Most brokers aim straight for pre-approval — that is where the concrete value is.
Often yes — for several reasons. First, brokers have access to online and alternative lenders with very competitive rates. Second, brokers bring lenders significant volume, which gives them negotiating power you do not have alone. Finally, competition between lenders works in your favour when a broker shops for you. It is not guaranteed, but statistically borrowers who use a broker pay less interest overall.
Stay informed about mortgages
Sign up to get our new guides and rate updates — an occasional email, never spam. This site is informational: it is neither a loan application nor personalized mortgage advice.
Your project starts
with a conversation.
Tell us your situation — first purchase, renewal, refinance, or just questions. We reply personally, with no pressure and no obligation.
Free · No obligation · Personal reply within 24h