Ontario Mortgage Decision Centre

Start with what is making the mortgage difficult.

Choose the concern closest to yours. The useful answer may depend on the documents, property, timing and lender policy—not simply whether one lender said yes or no.

Choose My SituationGet a Mortgage Second Opinion

Find the answer from your problem

Which situation sounds closest to yours?

How the answer is built

Understand the obstacle before comparing solutions.

  1. 01Identify the pain pointWhat changed, what was declined and what deadline applies?
  2. 02Separate facts from assumptionsWhich documents, calculations and property facts were actually reviewed?
  3. 03Compare executable routesWhich suitable A, alternative/B, MIC or private options may exist—and at what cost?

Buying, selling or investing?

The mortgage plan and property plan should meet before the offer.

Property type, legal use, insurance, appraisal, taxes, condo information and closing dates can change the mortgage answer. Connect both sides before the transaction becomes difficult to reverse.

Open Real Estate HelpBuild My Property Journey

Need a focused review?

A definition cannot see your income, credit, property or deadline.

Tell Rajiv what you are trying to accomplish and what the lender has already said. He can help identify the questions and responsible options worth exploring next.

Ask My Question PrivatelyBook a Mortgage Strategy Discussion

Published mortgage guidance

Search the complete Mortgage Centre

Use the guided situations above or search every published answer, concept and strategy.

Reset

Answer

Can I remove my parent or co-signer from the mortgage later?

Clients often hear that a co-signer can be removed after one year. Removal normally requires the remaining borrower to qualify and the lender to approve a refinance, release or renewal change; time alone does not create that right. Disclose the change before relying on an earlier approval. Rajiv can rebuild the file using the current legal obligations, income and ownership plan, then compare the existing lender, A and alternative lenders, or a temporary MIC/private option only where it solves a defined transition.

Reviewed by Rajiv Verma, Mortgage Broker · Sep 2, 2026

Read the practical answer →

Answer

Can parents and an adult child buy a home together without creating future problems?

Combined income may secure approval today, yet every borrower can remain fully responsible for the mortgage. Future refinancing, sale, relationship changes and the parents’ own borrowing plans need attention now. Disclose the change before relying on an earlier approval. Rajiv can rebuild the file using the current legal obligations, income and ownership plan, then compare the existing lender, A and alternative lenders, or a temporary MIC/private option only where it solves a defined transition.

Reviewed by Rajiv Verma, Mortgage Broker · Sep 2, 2026

Read the practical answer →

Answer

Should I use my home equity to help an aging parent with housing?

Helping a parent can solve an urgent family need, but it may increase the child’s mortgage payment, reduce retirement flexibility and put the family home at risk if repayment depends on an uncertain future sale. Disclose the change before relying on an earlier approval. Rajiv can rebuild the file using the current legal obligations, income and ownership plan, then compare the existing lender, A and alternative lenders, or a temporary MIC/private option only where it solves a defined transition.

Reviewed by Rajiv Verma, Mortgage Broker · Sep 2, 2026

Read the practical answer →

Answer

How can we structure a mortgage for a multigenerational home with an aging parent?

Combining family income can improve qualification, but ownership, monthly contributions, future care, estate wishes and an eventual sale must be discussed before everyone signs one mortgage. Disclose the change before relying on an earlier approval. Rajiv can rebuild the file using the current legal obligations, income and ownership plan, then compare the existing lender, A and alternative lenders, or a temporary MIC/private option only where it solves a defined transition.

Reviewed by Rajiv Verma, Mortgage Broker · Sep 2, 2026

Read the practical answer →

Answer

I went on medical leave before closing. Is my mortgage approval still valid?

A pre-approval or commitment was based on the employment and income disclosed at application. Medical leave can change current earnings or return-to-work timing, and hiding it creates more risk than addressing it early. Disclose the change before relying on an earlier approval. Rajiv can rebuild the file using the current legal obligations, income and ownership plan, then compare the existing lender, A and alternative lenders, or a temporary MIC/private option only where it solves a defined transition.

Reviewed by Rajiv Verma, Mortgage Broker · Sep 2, 2026

Read the practical answer →

Answer

Can disability income be used to qualify for an Ontario mortgage?

The client may receive reliable benefits but worry that a lender will treat the income as temporary or focus only on employment. The answer depends on the source, documentation, amount and expected continuation of each benefit. Disclose the change before relying on an earlier approval. Rajiv can rebuild the file using the current legal obligations, income and ownership plan, then compare the existing lender, A and alternative lenders, or a temporary MIC/private option only where it solves a defined transition.

Reviewed by Rajiv Verma, Mortgage Broker · Sep 2, 2026

Read the practical answer →

Answer

How do child support or spousal support payments affect mortgage qualification?

A client may qualify comfortably on gross income until monthly support obligations are included. Omitting them creates a disclosure problem and can change debt-service ratios late in the file. Disclose the change before relying on an earlier approval. Rajiv can rebuild the file using the current legal obligations, income and ownership plan, then compare the existing lender, A and alternative lenders, or a temporary MIC/private option only where it solves a defined transition.

Reviewed by Rajiv Verma, Mortgage Broker · Sep 2, 2026

Read the practical answer →

Answer

Can child support or spousal support help me qualify for a mortgage?

Support may be a dependable part of the household budget, but a lender may require a court order or signed agreement, evidence of receipt and enough remaining duration before using it as qualifying income. Disclose the change before relying on an earlier approval. Rajiv can rebuild the file using the current legal obligations, income and ownership plan, then compare the existing lender, A and alternative lenders, or a temporary MIC/private option only where it solves a defined transition.

Reviewed by Rajiv Verma, Mortgage Broker · Sep 2, 2026

Read the practical answer →

Answer

Can I buy another home while separated but not yet divorced?

A separated client may be ready to move forward, but the old matrimonial home, joint mortgage, support obligations and unfinished property settlement can still affect qualification and closing. Disclose the change before relying on an earlier approval. Rajiv can rebuild the file using the current legal obligations, income and ownership plan, then compare the existing lender, A and alternative lenders, or a temporary MIC/private option only where it solves a defined transition.

Reviewed by Rajiv Verma, Mortgage Broker · Sep 2, 2026

Read the practical answer →

Answer

Can I obtain a construction mortgage as an owner-builder?

Confirm that the lender permits an owner-builder and prove both construction experience and enough cash to carry the project between draws. Renovation and construction financing depends on today’s value, supported completed value, permits, contractor budget, inspections, borrower qualification and the lender’s draw rules. Rajiv compares the existing lender, A and alternative programs, and an MIC or private bridge only when the cost and exit fit the project.

Reviewed by Rajiv Verma, Mortgage Broker · Sep 2, 2026

Read the practical answer →