Mortgage Broker in Ottawa
Federal contractors, posting relocations and rural east-end acreage

Usually yes. Most A-lenders accept term public-service income when there's a history of renewals and a letter from your department confirming your position and rate of pay. A first term with no renewal history is treated more cautiously and may land you at a near-prime lender for one term. Consultants billing through a corporation are assessed as self-employed and should bring T2s and business bank statements.

Yes, though the lender pool narrows. Income paid in foreign currency, or through an international organisation, needs a lender that accepts non-Canadian pay sources and can verify them — several credit unions and B-lenders do. Expect additional documentation on the posting terms and the source of your down payment, plus extra time for signing arrangements from abroad. Building that timeline into your offer conditions prevents most of the trouble.

Private mortgages in Ottawa 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 Ottawa's average home value around $650,000, most Ottawa 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 Ottawa 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 Ottawa 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 Ottawa lets you close on a new home before your current property sells. Given Ottawa's National Capital Region 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 Ottawa are often 0.75%–1.50% above broker-channel rates. On a typical Ottawa 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 Ottawa 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. Ottawa 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 Ottawa 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 Ottawa's average home value near $650,000, 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 Ottawa 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 Ottawa start from 9.24%; the trade-off is speed and approval odds over rate.

Most Ottawa second mortgages go to 75%–80% combined loan-to-value (CLTV), and select lenders will consider 85% on strong urban properties. On a Ottawa home worth $650,000 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 Ottawa 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 Ottawa — 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 National Capital Region market, then present the offers with all costs disclosed: rate, lender fee, broker fee, legal and discharge. That's how you compare real Ottawa private mortgage costs rather than advertised teaser rates.