B2B Bank
CMLS Financial
Canadian Western Bank
DUCA
Equitable Bank
First National
Home Trust
ICICI
Lendwise
Manulife
MCAP
MERIX Financial
Radius Financial
RFA
RMG Mortgages
Scotiabank
Strive Financial
TD Bank
XMC Mortgage Corporation
A mortgage broker is a licensed professional who helps you connect with lenders and find the best mortgage offer based on your financial situation and goals. According to the 2021 CMHC Consumer Survey, 42% of Canadians arranged their mortgage through a mortgage broker and the top reason for doing so was to get a better rate.
Some of the specific tasks that mortgage brokers assist with are:
Mortgage brokers can be a useful service for those who don’t have the time to call around and comparison shop with multiple lenders. They can be particularly helpful to those who are first-time home buyers or new to Canada, and are unfamiliar with the mortgage application process. More complex deals such as a real estate investor owning multiple properties or someone who is self-employed is also best handled through a mortgage broker. Their job is to help you through your mortgage pre-approval process (which sets your strategy from the beginning) and submit your mortgage application to the right lender to help you close on your mortgage. They will convey details of your mortgage, like the terms, conditions, penalties and prepayment flexibility. Luckily with online mortgage brokers, the process is faster and easier than ever before, since the applications can all be done online.
Based on your financial situation and goals, your mortgage broker can help you find the best mortgage rates available to you. With access to all lenders’ rates and requirements, digital mortgage brokers can help you save time by comparing the different mortgage rates between lenders and work with you to build a strategy that fits your unique situation, or where you can compare the latest mortgage rates yourself.
Mortgage brokers will compare mortgage rates from multiple lenders on your behalf and can ask lenders to match lower interest rate offers. You are more likely to get a better deal from certain lenders with a mortgage broker when they are the ones negotiating for you. That’s because they do large volumes with that lender and you benefit from the discounted pricing that broker gets access to. In addition to that, certain brokers will “buy down” the rate, meaning they cut their commission to get you an even lower rate.
With complex borrowing scenarios, you’ll have a better chance of obtaining a mortgage with a mortgage broker since they have access to more lenders, including alternative or private lenders who will only deal with brokers. Banks have a very specific list of things they look for when approving a mortgage and unfortunately a lot of Canadians don’t fit that profile. If you are in a special financial situation where banks will not provide you with a mortgage, the broker can work with private lenders to get your deal funded.
Mortgage Brokers | Real Estate Agents |
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Helps buyers and lenders connect | Helps buyers and sellers connect |
Helps their clients find the financing for their property | Helps their clients with submitting a purchase offer or with reviewing offers when selling |
Advises on financing strategy | Advises on bidding strategy or listing price |
Mortgage brokers work for their clients rather than the bank or other lenders, which means it’s in their best interest to ensure you are always happy throughout the entire process. If a client funds a mortgage with that lender, they are paid a commission (also known as a finder’s fee) by the lender or mortgage provider. Most mortgage brokers do not charge a service fee to the borrower, however it is best to clarify this before working with them.
There are many differences between working with a mortgage broker or getting a loan from the bank directly. One huge difference between working with a bank and mortgage broker is that banks are only able to offer their own products, while a mortgage broker has access to multiple lenders and different mortgage rates. Here are some differences between working with a mortgage broker and a bank:
Mortgage Broker | Bank |
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Access to multiple mortgage products from a wide variety of lenders | Allow you to consolidate your services and possibly offer discounts for bundling products |
Possibly offer mortgage rates not available on the market | Only have the ability to offer their own mortgage products |
Provide personalized, independent advice | May offer a discount on their posted mortgage rates, which you will be responsible for negotiating on your own |
Will help you negotiate for a better rate | Bank mortgage specialists are not required to be licensed |
Must be licensed and are required to take continuing education to upkeep their license |
Looking to buy a home, refinance or renew your mortgage? Connect with a Perch Mortgage Advisor today to discuss all of your options. You can also sign up for a free Perch profile and instantly compare hundreds of mortgage rates available to you, all with a few clicks.
TIPS + TRICKS
Starting in 2019, Canadian first-time home buyers were able to apply for a special incentive.
BUYING + SELLING
We break down the entire home buying process step-by-step.