Every question we get asked weekly.

Nothing on standard residential deals — we're paid a finder's fee by the lender on closing. On private or B-lender deals where the lender doesn't pay, we disclose any fee in writing before any work begins.

48 hours for a clean file (employed, T4 income, decent credit). Same day is possible if you can get documents to us quickly. Self-employed and complex files often take 5–7 business days.

Within 24 business hours: an introductory call from a broker, a personalized document checklist, and an outline of the rate brackets you should expect.

Once, at pre-approval, with your written consent. We use that single pull to shop multiple lenders. Multiple lender inquiries from a single mortgage application count as one inquiry on your bureau.

5% of the first $500,000 of the purchase price, 10% of the portion between $500K–$1.5M, 20% on anything above $1.5M. Properties under $500K need 5% minimum total. Investment properties always need 20%.

Yes — the Home Buyers' Plan (HBP) lets first-time buyers withdraw up to $60,000 (each, if buying together) from RRSPs tax-free, with 15 years to repay. Funds must be in your RRSP at least 90 days before withdrawal.

First Home Savings Account — newer than the HBP. Up to $40,000 lifetime, $8,000/year contribution. Contributions deductible from income (like RRSP), withdrawals tax-free for a first home (like TFSA). You can stack FHSA + HBP on the same purchase.

Two ratios: GDS (housing costs ÷ gross income) max 39%, and TDS (housing + all debt ÷ gross income) max 44%. Both are calculated at the stress-test rate (your contract rate + 2%), not your actual rate.

OSFI Guideline B-20: lenders must qualify you at the higher of your contract rate + 2% or 5.25% (whichever is greater for new originations). This means your maximum loan is set assuming a higher payment than you'll actually make.

Yes if you switch lenders. As of 2024, OSFI removed the stress test for straight renewals at the same lender (loan amount and amortization unchanged). Switching lenders still triggers it.

Prime A-lenders typically require 680+. Most lenders prefer 700+. Below 680, B-lenders accept down to ~620 with slightly higher rates. Below 620, you're looking at private mortgages with materially higher rates.

Yes, but the file is more involved. Lenders look at 2 years of T2125s (or T1 + Statement of Business Activities), often with 'add-backs' for non-cash deductions like CCA. Expect a ~0.10–0.30% rate premium at A-lenders, or look at 'stated income' programs at B-lenders.

Yes. Several lenders have new-immigrant programs that don't require Canadian credit history if you can show a year of stable income, 35%+ down payment (or 10% with international credit verification), and Canadian banking history.

Two years of consistent 1099 / T4A income is the bar. We average the income, not take the most recent year. Bonuses are usually counted at 50% unless they're contractually guaranteed.

Yes. We're licensed in Ontario (FSRA #13456) and British Columbia (BCFSA #M-187654). For other provinces, we'll refer you to vetted partner brokers.

Residential only — primary residences, second homes, investment properties up to 4 units. For commercial, multi-residential 5+ units, or development, we refer to specialists.

Yes. 1-888-MAPLE-CR. We answer Mon–Sat 9am–7pm ET. After hours, we have an answering service that pages on-call brokers for offer-night emergencies.