Mortgage Broker in Hamilton
Century homes, duplex conversions and files the banks turned down

That decline is usually driven by insurance, not by you: most insurers refuse coverage on knob-and-tube or 60-amp service, and no lender funds an uninsured property. The workable route is a short-term private mortgage that funds the purchase and the electrical upgrade, then a refinance into A-financing once the ESA certificate is issued and full coverage is in place. It's one of the most common Hamilton files we handle.

Generally not until it's legal. Lenders want the unit to comply with the fire code and municipal zoning before rent counts toward qualifying income, and an appraiser will flag a non-conforming unit. Many Hamilton investors use a private mortgage to buy and complete the retrofit, then refinance with the rental income recognised — which typically improves both the appraised value and the qualifying amount.

Private mortgages in Hamilton are arranged through a licensed FSRA mortgage brokerage (we're #10874). You provide a recent appraisal or property details, mortgage statement, government ID, and an exit strategy. With Hamilton's average home value around $750,000, most Hamilton homeowners qualify based on equity rather than income. Approvals typically come in 24–48 hours and funding in 5–10 business days.

As of April 2026, private 1st mortgages in Hamilton start at 5.89%, second mortgages from 9.24%, and construction financing from 9.99%. Your actual rate depends on loan-to-value (LTV), property type, and the exit strategy. We compare offers from 80+ lenders to find the lowest rate that approves your file.

A bank decline in Hamilton doesn't mean you can't get financing. We work with B-lenders, credit unions, MICs, and private investors who underwrite differently than the big banks. Common reasons for decline — self-employment, recent credit events, unconventional property, or short time in Canada — are routinely approved through our alternative-lender network. Most files close within 7–14 business days.

Yes. Bridge financing in Hamilton lets you close on a new home before your current property sells. Given Hamilton's Hamilton-Wentworth market, we structure bridge loans for 30–180 days against your equity. Approval is often same-day with funding in 48 hours once your purchase offer firms up.

Usually no. Bank renewal letters in Hamilton are often 0.75%–1.50% above broker-channel rates. On a typical Hamilton mortgage of $600K–$900K, shopping the renewal can save $3,000–$8,000 per year. We compare your renewal against 80+ lenders for free — there's no obligation if your current bank ends up being competitive.

Yes. Self-employed borrowers in Hamilton can qualify through bank-statement programs (6–12 months of business deposits), stated-income programs, or B-lender and credit-union products that add back write-offs to your declared income. Sole proprietors, incorporated business owners, contractors and commission earners all qualify. Hamilton self-employed rates start around 4.89% with A and near-prime lenders, and private options remain available if the file needs speed rather than the lowest rate.

Most self-employed programs in Hamilton lend up to 80% of the property value on a refinance and up to 90–95% on a purchase with the right insurer program. With Hamilton's average home value near $750,000, that typically means $600K–$850K of available financing depending on existing mortgage balances. Lenders look at your business's gross deposits, your CRA notices of assessment, and how long you've been operating — not just line 150.

A second mortgage in Hamilton is a registered lump-sum loan behind your existing first mortgage, usually interest-only for a 12-month term, and it's approved on equity rather than income — so it works when a bank HELOC gets declined. A HELOC is a revolving line from a bank at a lower rate, but it requires full income qualification and a stress-test at the qualifying rate. Second mortgages in Hamilton start from 9.24%; the trade-off is speed and approval odds over rate.

Most Hamilton second mortgages go to 75%–80% combined loan-to-value (CLTV), and select lenders will consider 85% on strong urban properties. On a Hamilton home worth $750,000 with a $450,000 first mortgage, an 80% CLTV would leave roughly $150,000–$390,000 in accessible equity depending on the appraised value. There's no income verification on the private side — approval is driven by equity, property type and your exit plan.

Yes. Homeowners 55+ in Hamilton can access tax-free equity through a reverse mortgage with no monthly payments — the balance is repaid when the home is sold or the last borrower moves out. It's often a better fit than a second mortgage for retirees on fixed income because there's no payment to carry and no income qualification. We compare CHIP, Equitable Bank, Bloom and private alternatives side by side before recommending one.

Private lenders in Hamilton — MICs, mortgage funds and individual investors — generally don't deal directly with the public; they fund through licensed brokerages. We're FSRA-licensed brokerage #10874 and submit your file to 80+ lenders, including private lenders active in the Hamilton-Wentworth market, then present the offers with all costs disclosed: rate, lender fee, broker fee, legal and discharge. That's how you compare real Hamilton private mortgage costs rather than advertised teaser rates.