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.

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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.

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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.

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Published mortgage guidance

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

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Answer

How much should I save for closing costs when buying an Ontario home?

A first-home plan is ready only when the borrower and the exact property have both been reviewed. A pre-approval, savings balance or online calculator cannot confirm the appraisal, condominium, insurer or final lender conditions. Set a comfortable household budget, verify the down-payment trail and closing costs, keep a financing condition where appropriate, and avoid new debt before closing. Rajiv can then compare suitable A, alternative/B and, only where necessary, carefully planned equity-based options.

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

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Answer

Should I include a financing condition in my offer?

A first-home plan is ready only when the borrower and the exact property have both been reviewed. A pre-approval, savings balance or online calculator cannot confirm the appraisal, condominium, insurer or final lender conditions. Set a comfortable household budget, verify the down-payment trail and closing costs, keep a financing condition where appropriate, and avoid new debt before closing. Rajiv can then compare suitable A, alternative/B and, only where necessary, carefully planned equity-based options.

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

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Answer

Should a first-time buyer choose an insured or conventional mortgage?

A first-home plan is ready only when the borrower and the exact property have both been reviewed. A pre-approval, savings balance or online calculator cannot confirm the appraisal, condominium, insurer or final lender conditions. Set a comfortable household budget, verify the down-payment trail and closing costs, keep a financing condition where appropriate, and avoid new debt before closing. Rajiv can then compare suitable A, alternative/B and, only where necessary, carefully planned equity-based options.

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

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Answer

What is the difference between a purchase deposit and my mortgage down payment?

A first-home plan is ready only when the borrower and the exact property have both been reviewed. A pre-approval, savings balance or online calculator cannot confirm the appraisal, condominium, insurer or final lender conditions. Set a comfortable household budget, verify the down-payment trail and closing costs, keep a financing condition where appropriate, and avoid new debt before closing. Rajiv can then compare suitable A, alternative/B and, only where necessary, carefully planned equity-based options.

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

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Answer

Should I buy my first home with family or a friend?

A first-home plan is ready only when the borrower and the exact property have both been reviewed. A pre-approval, savings balance or online calculator cannot confirm the appraisal, condominium, insurer or final lender conditions. Set a comfortable household budget, verify the down-payment trail and closing costs, keep a financing condition where appropriate, and avoid new debt before closing. Rajiv can then compare suitable A, alternative/B and, only where necessary, carefully planned equity-based options.

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

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Answer

My mortgage approval is higher than my comfortable budget. How much home should I buy?

A first-home plan is ready only when the borrower and the exact property have both been reviewed. A pre-approval, savings balance or online calculator cannot confirm the appraisal, condominium, insurer or final lender conditions. Set a comfortable household budget, verify the down-payment trail and closing costs, keep a financing condition where appropriate, and avoid new debt before closing. Rajiv can then compare suitable A, alternative/B and, only where necessary, carefully planned equity-based options.

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

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Answer

What extra mortgage and closing risks come with a new-build home?

A first-home plan is ready only when the borrower and the exact property have both been reviewed. A pre-approval, savings balance or online calculator cannot confirm the appraisal, condominium, insurer or final lender conditions. Set a comfortable household budget, verify the down-payment trail and closing costs, keep a financing condition where appropriate, and avoid new debt before closing. Rajiv can then compare suitable A, alternative/B and, only where necessary, carefully planned equity-based options.

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

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Answer

What should a first-time buyer check before financing a condo?

A first-home plan is ready only when the borrower and the exact property have both been reviewed. A pre-approval, savings balance or online calculator cannot confirm the appraisal, condominium, insurer or final lender conditions. Set a comfortable household budget, verify the down-payment trail and closing costs, keep a financing condition where appropriate, and avoid new debt before closing. Rajiv can then compare suitable A, alternative/B and, only where necessary, carefully planned equity-based options.

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

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Answer

Do I qualify for Ontario’s first-time homebuyer land-transfer-tax refund?

A first-home plan is ready only when the borrower and the exact property have both been reviewed. A pre-approval, savings balance or online calculator cannot confirm the appraisal, condominium, insurer or final lender conditions. Set a comfortable household budget, verify the down-payment trail and closing costs, keep a financing condition where appropriate, and avoid new debt before closing. Rajiv can then compare suitable A, alternative/B and, only where necessary, carefully planned equity-based options.

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

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Answer

How is financing different for a 2–4 unit property versus a 5+ unit building?

Rental income may help, but the result depends on the property, occupancy, documents and the selected lender’s current calculation. A lender may add part of gross rent to income, offset rent against carrying costs or use another worksheet. Those methods can produce very different purchasing power. First confirm whether the property is the home being financed or an existing rental, then verify leases, market rent, expenses and legal use. The right answer comes from running the complete file—not applying one rental percentage everywhere.

Reviewed by Rajiv Verma, Mortgage Broker · Sep 1, 2026

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