In most files, you pay nothing
On an ordinary residential mortgage (purchase, renewal, refinancing, consolidation, a building of one to four units), the lender that grants the financing pays me when the mortgage funds. You receive no invoice for the meetings, the preparation of the file, the comparisons between lenders, the follow-ups, or the revisions when your situation changes.
That compensation does not depend on the rate you get. A lender does not pay me more because your rate is higher, and I gain nothing by steering you toward one rather than another.
When fees can apply
| Type of file | What can be added |
|---|---|
| Private financing | Brokerage fees, on top of the private lender’s fees and sometimes interest withheld at funding |
| Commercial loan | Fees depending on the structure, on top of the lender’s underwriting fees |
| Specialized structure (flip, file outside the usual frame) | Possible fees, depending on the lender chosen |
In those cases, you know the amount before we start, in writing. It is part of the real-cost calculation I put in front of you, not an extra discovered at funding. If a traditional or specialized file is possible, I tell you that first: it is almost always cheaper.
The costs that are not mine
Financing comes with costs paid to people other than me. The most common: the property appraisal, the notary’s fees, the inspection, the transfer duty, the mortgage insurance premium when the down payment is under 20%, the fees to register a security for a home equity line, and the independent legal advice required for a reverse mortgage. I name them from the first scenario so they enter your budget, not afterwards.
How to check
The brokerage agreement you sign states where my compensation comes from. My licence can be verified in the public register of the Autorité des marchés financiers, using the certificate number shown on the legal notice page.