A mortgage broker works on your behalf to shop the market for the best available mortgage rate and terms, rather than tying you to a single bank. Because brokers have access to many lenders at once, including big banks, credit unions, monoline lenders, and private lenders, they can compare offers and negotiate on your behalf in a single application. Brokers are typically paid a commission of 0.5% to 1% of the mortgage amount by the lender, so their service is usually free to you. In Canada, mortgage brokering is a licensed profession, and in Quebec, brokers and agencies are overseen by the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF). You can confirm any broker's licence and disciplinary history on the AMF public register before signing a mandate.
Founded in Montreal in 1982, Multi-Prets Mortgage is one of the largest mortgage brokerages in Canada. The brokerage is a part of the M3 Financial Group and operates as Mortgage Alliance Group in all provinces except Quebec. The brokerage has over 6300 mortgage brokers across Canada, of which 500 are in Quebec. The brokerage works with over 35 lenders across the country.
The brokerage has 12 offices on the Island of Montreal and many others in the suburbs of Montreal. Borrowers can find the office closest to them through the brokerage’s website. Alternatively, borrowers can fill out their online application to get mortgage offers. Apart from helping you get a new mortgage, the brokerage can help you renew, refinance or renegotiate your mortgage. Those looking to make real estate investments, make home improvements, consolidate debt or buy a second home can also contact the brokerage. The brokerage also offers a prequalification service.
Headquartered in Montreal, Hypotheca offers mortgage brokering services across Quebec. The brokerage has over 25 years of experience and offers all kinds of mortgage solutions to its clients. Hypotheca operates through a network of independent broker offices across Quebec, and borrowers can find the nearest one through Hypotheca’s website.
Borrowers can meet with a broker, call one of them or apply online on Hypotheca’s website. The brokerage offers a pre qualification service and an online mortgage calculator through its website. Borrowers can also look up the latest rates through the website.
True North Mortgage is a Calgary-based brokerage founded in 2006. It operates 12 physical locations across Canada, one of which is in Brossard, along with a handful of mobile brokers. Borrowers can visit their office, give them a call, request a callback, send in an online inquiry, or apply online through their website. According to the brokerage, their clients save $3,000 in interest on average.
The brokerage provides its clients with a 'lowest rate guarantee,' assuring them that they will match or better any lower rates offered by other brokerages. In case they are unable to fulfill this guarantee, they compensate clients with $500 at the time of closing.
Through its in-house lender THINK Financial, True North is currently offering a unique mortgage product called ‘Rate Relief’ to provide a temporary respite from the increased interest rates. This product provides borrowers with a low fixed rate for a duration of six months. Following this period, borrowers have two options: they can either renew their mortgage with THINK Financial or choose to pay a 1% fee. Apart from mortgages for new homes, True North also offers the following:
CanWise is a Canadian lending company that offers its mortgage rates only through its own brokerage arm, Ratehub.ca. CanWise registers the mortgage as a standard charge and not a collateral one. The mortgage solutions borrowers can get from them include
Their mortgage products have features such as mortgage porting, bridge financing, annual additional lump-sum payment options, and increasing regular payment.
Nord Est is both a real estate agency and a mortgage brokerage. The company can help homebuyers find a new home and then finance it. The company also offers other financial services, such as investments and insurance.
The brokerage arm of the company has over 15 brokers. The brokerage provides mortgage services for new purchases, renewals, refinance, reverse mortgages, solutions for multi-unit properties, commercial mortgages, and more. Borrowers can get pre-qualified in less than two minutes by completing their online form. Borrowers can connect with the brokerage through online inquiry, over the phone, or by visiting their office.
Based in downtown Montreal, Team Levine is a local brokerage that offers mortgage, real estate, and insurance services under one roof. The brokerage’s licensed mortgage brokers shop hundreds of public and private lenders, including major banks, credit unions, and trust companies, to find competitive rates for purchases, renewals, and refinancing. Borrowers can start with a pre-approval, apply online, or contact the team directly. Apart from mortgages, Team Levine also offers insurance and investment services.
Continental Mortgage has two offices, one in Dorval and the other one in Saint-Laurent. The brokerage has a team of over 60 brokers and offers all kinds of mortgage solutions, including mortgages for non-standard properties, multi-unit property mortgages, commercial mortgages, and debt consolidation. Borrowers can directly call or email one of the brokers to seek consultation. Alternatively, they can visit one of the offices, call the brokerage or submit the online inquiry form through their website.
Formerly known as Équipe Lupien, apoint Hypothèque is a brokerage located in Delson. The brokerage offers mortgage solutions for new purchases, renewals, refinancing, renovations, second mortgages, investment properties, and more. The brokerage has a team of over 20 brokers and has access to over 25 lenders.
Borrowers can contact the brokerage by booking an appointment, through the phone, or by sending an online inquiry. Borrowers can also check the latest mortgage rates on their website.
There are several mortgage broker networks in Canada that comprise independently operating brokerages with access to the rates, resources, and tools the network provides. By being a part of a broker network, brokerages can gain access to rates from many lenders without having to partner with each of them individually. Additionally, they can get other kinds of support from the network, such as support with website building and marketing. Some of these networks are affiliated with larger financial groups, such as DLCG and M3 Financial Group.
One of the largest broker networks in Canada, Dominion Lending Centres works with over 90 lending partners and has more than 2,900 mortgage professionals under its flagship brand nationwide. Its parent, DLC Group, spans roughly 500 offices and around 9,000 agents across its combined networks. To stay current, network members can access various resources, tools, training programs, and industry updates. The network also offers the 'My Mortgage Toolbox' mobile app to borrowers, which they can use to begin planning their mortgages.
Verico, established in 2005, is a mortgage broker network that operates nationwide across Canada. With a network comprising over 230 mortgage business owners and roughly 2,300 mortgage advisors, Verico helps more than 45,000 Canadian families finance their homes each year, originating over $18 billion in mortgages annually. Verico is part of the M3 Group.
Mortgage brokers in Quebec are regulated by the Autorité des marchés financiers. Individuals need to pass four stages of certification before becoming a licensed mortgage broker. This includes mortgage broker training, training on professional practice and ethics, and related exams.
Looking to become a mortgage broker in Montreal or Quebec? Quebec mortgage brokers are licensed by the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) There are a few requirements to getting a mortgage broker license in Quebec, including:
The AMF requires the completion of the Mortgage Brokerage Qualification Program (MBQP) before being eligible to write the final examinations. All courses are available only in French. Courses in English are expected to be added in the coming years.
AMF in-person course providers in Montreal include Collège CEI and Académie de l'entrepreneurship québécois. Online course providers include Collège CEI, Académie de l'entrepreneurship québécois, and Mortgage Professionals Canada.
The MBQP consists of two modules: Professional conduct and professional practice (F-116) and Mortgage brokerage (F-611). Mortgage Professionals Canada structures their program into two sub-programs: CHQ101 for those new to the industry and CHQ201 for those with at least two years of experience. CHQ101 lasts nine weeks while CHQ201 lasts four weeks.
After completion of two final exams, candidates will undergo a probationary period where they will work at least 28 hours per week for 12 weeks. After the probationary period is over, candidates can apply for their Quebec mortgage broker license.
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