As an independent broker I work for you, not a lender. That means shopping 50+ lenders to find the rate and terms that serve your situation, not whoever pays the biggest commission.
Step-by-step guidance for buyers new to the process. We walk you through every stage, from pre-approval to closing.
Refinancing
Lower your monthly payment, tap equity, or pay off your mortgage faster. We find the structure that fits your goals.
Investment Properties
Build your real estate portfolio with financing structured around rental income and long-term asset performance.
Client Reviews
What clients are saying.
★★★★★
Google
"Working with Mack was an absolute pleasure from start to finish. He's friendly, prompt, and incredibly well-organized. Our mortgage situation wasn't exactly straightforward, but Mack handled it with complete confidence and walked us through every step without making us feel overwhelmed."
Eric A.
3 months ago
★★★★★
Google
"Mack was recommended to me by my real estate agent for a more complex situation. He is very knowledgeable, professional and responsive. He helped me identify the mortgage product that fit my needs, negotiated with the bank to get a competitive rate, and promptly answered all of my questions."
Eivan
3 months ago
★★★★★
Google
"My bank didn't give me the renewal rate until the last minute, so I had only a couple of weeks to find something better. Mack jumped on it and in a few days I had a much better offer. He went above and beyond leading me step by step and never hesitated to direct me to what served my best interest regardless of the impact on his own commission."
Tarek T.
7 months ago
★★★★★
Google
"Mack helped us with the mortgage on our second home right before the arrival of our first baby. In what could have been a stressful experience, Mack helped create a seamless situation. Excellent communication and did all the hard work despite being on a time crunch. Highly recommend!"
Jasmine H.
1 month ago
FAQ
Questions we hear often.
A bank only offers their own products. A mortgage broker like Mack has access to dozens of lenders and shops the market on your behalf. In most cases the lender pays our fee, so there's no cost to you for using our service.
Yes, absolutely, but not all lenders treat self-employed income the same way. The challenge is that most self-employed borrowers (rightfully) minimize their taxable income to reduce what they owe the CRA, which can make it harder to show the income lenders want to see on paper. The good news is there are multiple qualification paths: some lenders will use your stated or gross income with a strong credit profile and down payment, while others look at bank deposits or notices of assessment over two years. The key is matching you with the right lender for your specific situation. If your bank said no, that doesn't mean the answer is no. Book a call and we'll look at what's actually available.
Stability. A fixed rate locks in your interest rate for the full term, your payment stays the same regardless of what the Bank of Canada does. A variable rate moves with prime, so your cost can go up or down over time. Variable rates have historically been lower over the long run, but they come with uncertainty and the penalties for breaking a variable mortgage are typically much lower than fixed (usually three months interest vs. a potentially large IRD calculation). Neither is universally better. Once I understand your income, risk tolerance, and timeline. I'll tell you what I'd actually recommend for your profile.
This is one of the most common things first-time buyers underestimate. In BC, expect to budget for: Property Transfer Tax (1% on the first $200K, 2% on the balance up to $2M, first-time buyers are exempt on homes under $500K., legal or notary fees ($1,200 to $2,000), home inspection ($400 to $600), title insurance ($150 to $300), and property tax or strata fee adjustments at closing. On a $700,000 home, a non-first-time buyer should plan for roughly $15,000 to $18,000 in closing costs on top of the down payment. Use our free Closing Costs Calculator to get a detailed estimate for your specific situation.
It depends on your lender, your rate type, and how far into your term you are. Variable rate penalties are typically three months interest, which is usually manageable. Fixed rate penalties use an Interest Rate Differential (IRD) calculation that can run into the tens of thousands with major banks. There are too many variables to give you a useful number without looking at your actual mortgage details. Book a call with your statement in hand and I'll tell you exactly what it would cost and whether breaking early is worth it for your situation.
A HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit) lets you borrow against the equity you've built in your home, up to 80% of its value minus your outstanding mortgage balance. It works like a revolving line of credit: you draw what you need, pay interest only on what you use, and pay it back at your own pace. Two common use cases: renovations (access funds as the project progresses without refinancing your whole mortgage) and investing (some clients use home equity as a down payment on an investment property or to consolidate higher-interest debt). To qualify you generally need at least 20% equity, a solid credit score, and sufficient income. Use the free home value tool on this page to see where your equity stands.
Yes. There are mortgage programs specifically designed for newcomers and non-residents. Newcomers with a valid work permit or permanent resident status can qualify with as little as 5% down through several lenders, and a number of major banks have dedicated new-to-Canada programs that consider international credit history and foreign employment income. The key factors are your immigration status, employment situation, and down payment source. Metro Vancouver has a large newcomer buyer community and we work with these files regularly. Book a call and we'll walk through exactly what's available for your situation.
Absolutely not. When your mortgage term ends, your lender will send you a renewal offer, and it's almost never their best rate. Most Canadians sign it without shopping around, which is one of the most expensive financial mistakes you can make. You have every right to transfer your mortgage to a different lender at renewal with no penalty, and lenders actively compete for your business. I'll shop the full market before your renewal date to make sure no money is left on the table. Even a 0.25% improvement on a $600,000 mortgage saves you over $1,500 a year.
For most mortgages, no. The lender pays the broker's fee once your mortgage funds, so there's no cost to you. The exception is private mortgages and certain B-lender deals where the lender doesn't pay a referral fee, in those cases a broker fee applies and I'll always disclose it clearly upfront before anything is signed. No surprises.
We review your income, credit, and assets and present them to lenders to get a commitment on the maximum amount you can borrow and at what rate. Pre-approvals typically take 24 hours and are valid for 90 to 120 days. They don't affect your credit score, and having one in hand makes your offer significantly stronger when you find a property.
Most prime lenders require a score of 680+, though some will work with 620+. For clients with challenged credit, we work with alternative lenders who weigh equity and income alongside credit history. Everyone's file is different. Book a call and we'll give you an honest picture of where you stand and what's available.
In Canada, the minimum is 5% for homes under $500K, scaling to 10% for the portion between $500K and $999K. Homes over $1M require 20% minimum. Putting 20% or more down avoids CMHC mortgage insurance, which reduces your total cost meaningfully over the life of the mortgage.
Pre-approval: 24 hours. Full approval after an accepted offer: 3 to 7 business days for most files. Complex files such as self-employed or non-resident can take longer. We always give you a clear timeline upfront and work to whatever your subject removal deadline requires.
Get in Touch
Ready to save money on your mortgage?
Book a free 30-minute call with Mack. No paperwork, no pressure, just a straight conversation about your options. You won't regret finding out how much you could be saving.
Most clients are surprised by what's available to them.
