An alternative to getting a mortgage directly from a bank is to get one through a mortgage broker. A mortgage broker is an individual who has access to mortgage rates from multiple lenders in the market and can find you the best deals in the market. In fact, sometimes you may get a specific lender's rates lower through a brokerage than what you can get directly if the brokerage cuts its commission (also known as buy down). Brokers receive a commission from the lender for every transaction, and their services to borrowers are free of cost.
The Toronto-based brokerage has been operational in Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta for over 25 years. Butler Mortgage is a full-service brokerage that has one branch in Hamilton. The brokerage suggests that it tracks mortgage rates from over 350 lenders to provide the lowest rates in the market to its clients.
Butler Mortgage offers several rate guarantees to its clients. The ‘up-front rate guarantee’ guarantees that the brokerage will match or beat a lower rate advertised by a competing brokerage. The ‘after-approval rate guarantee’ means that the brokerage keeps looking for a lower rate for you even after a rate has been locked in. If a lender advertises a rate that is at least 0.1% lower, the brokerage asks your lender to match the rate. If the lender refuses to do so, the brokerage allows you to switch lenders for free.
Types of mortgages and financing options offered by Butler Mortgage include:
Another feature of Butler’s mortgages is RateGuard Approval. If the interest rate drops during the 120-day lock-in period, the brokerage ensures that you get the new lower rate.
nesto is a digital brokerage platform that is headquartered in Montreal. The brokerage offers mortgage services across many Canadian provinces, including Ontario. The brokerage stands out due to its broker compensation model. The brokerage pays a fixed salary to its brokers instead of a commission to ensure that the brokers always remain unbiased. The application process is fully-digital, requiring no branch visits. However, borrowers in need of advice may speak to an agent over the phone.
For the assurance of clients, nesto gives them a low-rate guarantee. If any clients discover a lower rate at another brokerage, nesto promises to match or beat the rate. If they fail to do so, the brokerage pays $500 to the client at the time of mortgage closing.
nesto also offers a solution for those who are looking for a rate lock-in period longer than the traditional 120 days offered by banks. They offer some special rates that have a 150-day lock-in period.
Another one of nesto’s special offerings is the cash-back mortgage. This product offers borrowers a cash incentive of 1% on their mortgage amount, up to a maximum of $9,250 for a 5-year term. Borrowers seeking additional funds for renovations or furniture purchases may benefit from this product.
CornellMortgages.ca is led by Cornell K. Haynes, an Independent Mortgage Agent, Level 2 with NCompass Financial Inc., licensed under R.D.M. Financial Consultants Ltd. Cornell Mortgages specializes in commercial real estate mortgage lending and also provides detailed guidance on residential mortgages across Ontario. With office locations in Scarborough and Oakville, the firm focuses primarily on the GTA, Hamilton/Niagara, and Southwestern Ontario.
Clients can apply online or use the My Mortgage Centre mobile app to plan their mortgage, compare scenarios, and submit applications digitally.
Cornell works with banks, monoline lenders, credit unions, life companies, and private lenders, allowing for tailored solutions across a wide range of borrower profiles.
For residential borrowers, access to rate specials and strong lender relationships helps secure competitive terms, while also prioritizing important features such as portability, assumability, and flexible prepayment options. On the commercial side, Cornell focuses on income-producing properties, typically with a minimum deal size of $500,000, and is committed to exploring all viable lending avenues before stepping away from a file.
Joe Purewal Mortgages is a brokerage with over 20 years of industry experience, serving clients across Mississauga, Toronto, and the Greater Toronto Area. The brokerage has a client-first approach, providing personalized solutions including mortgage pre-approvals, refinancing, renewals, and credit strategies. Backed by strong lender relationships, the brokerage helps clients secure optimal mortgage terms—even those turned down by banks. He leads a high-performing, service-oriented team and stays engaged with clients long after closing. As of June 2025, the brokerage has a Google rating 4.9 after over 800 reviews. Joe Purewal Mortgages is committed to helping its clients save money and build long-term wealth through thoughtful mortgage planning.
Based in Toronto, Ontario, Frank Mortgage is a digital mortgage brokerage that provides mortgage solutions across Canada. Founded in 2019, the company aims to simplify the mortgage process by combining technology with licensed mortgage advisors. Frank Mortgage helps borrowers access a range of mortgage options from multiple lenders, including first-time homebuyer mortgages, refinancing, and investment property financing. The brokerage focuses on offering competitive rates and a streamlined online experience that allows borrowers to compare options and complete much of the application process digitally. Customers can also connect with mortgage advisors for guidance throughout the process.
True North Mortgage is a national brokerage based out of Calgary that has several offices across Canada. Although True North Mortgage doesn’t have a physical location in Hamilton, borrowers can apply online through their website. Borrowers also have the option of visiting one of their offices in Toronto. Alternatively, they can request a callback, give them a call, or send an email inquiry to the brokerage.
Mortgages offered by True North Mortgage include:
True North Mortgage claims to save an average of $3,000 for its clients with the low mortgage rates offered by them. They also offer a low-rate guarantee to back their low-rate claim. Through this guarantee, the brokerage offers to match or beat a better rate offered by any other brokerage.
The brokerage also has an in-house lender, THINK Financial. Through its in-house lender, the brokerage is currently offering a unique mortgage product called ‘Rate Relief,’ which aims to provide temporary relief from the high mortgage rates in the market. The product offers a low fixed-rate mortgage for six months. However, after the six-month period, borrowers can either renew their mortgage with THINK Financial or must pay them a 1% administration fee on choosing to renew with another lender.
Synergy Mortgage Group is a prominent brokerage based out of Hamilton with a team of over 20 mortgage brokers. The brokerage has access to mortgage rates from over 60 lenders and offers a quick online application. Borrowers can submit applications through their website and check the status of their applications online. Borrowers can alternatively meet with an agent to apply in person or get mortgage advice.
Mission35 Mortgages is a Hamilton-based brokerage with its agents spread across Hamilton, Oakville, Burlington, Stoney Creek, St. Catharines, and Niagara Falls. The brokerage has a team of over 50 mortgage brokers and agents. Apart from new purchases, renewals, and refinance, their mortgage products include bridge financing, closed mortgages, convertible mortgages, hybrid mortgages, open mortgages, and more. Borrowers can apply online through their website or meet one of the agents to start their application.
Empire Mortgage Group is a brokerage headquartered in Hamilton that was founded in 2019. The brokerage has a team of over 15 mortgage brokers, agents, and underwriters; and over 60 lending partners. The brokerage offers an online application process. Borrowers can also submit an application with an agent of their choice through the website. Borrowers can also download the brokerage’s mobile application, EMG App, and use it to compare options, take a mortgage stress test, estimate closing costs, and more.
The Hamilton-based brokerage Bold Mortgage Group, was founded in 2012. With a team of highly experienced mortgage professionals, the brokerage provides several mortgage solutions, including debt consolidation, net worth lending, and private mortgages. The brokerage offers its own mobile app that can be used in five different languages. Borrowers can apply through the website or contact one of the brokers directly.
The Personal Mortgage Group is a local Hamilton brokerage established in 1992. The brokerage offers mortgage solutions for all stages of life - from mortgages for first-time homebuyers to reverse mortgages for retirees. The brokerage also offers solutions for those going through a divorce/separation, investors looking to expand their real estate portfolio, and self-employed borrowers. Borrowers looking to contact the brokerage can send an e-mail message or call one of the team members directly using the contact information posted on the website. They can also schedule an appointment with one of the team members. The brokerage also offers online applications.
Mortgage broker networks comprise many independently operating brokerages that are franchisees of the network. These brokers have access to the rates offered by the network, along with other tools and resources provided by them. Some of these networks are also part of larger financial groups. For example, Mortgage Intelligence, Invis, and Verico are all part of the M3 Financial Group.
With a network of over 1,800 brokers, 127 franchises, and 259 offices, The Mortgage Centre is one of Canada’s largest broker networks. Over 50 network brokers are working within Hamilton across four offices, and the network has many more brokers servicing the areas around Hamilton. The network provides several tools to its brokers to help them offer better services to clients. Meanwhile, the network’s training programs help the brokers stay up to date.
With a team of over 3,000 mortgage experts, Dominion Lending Centres is one of the largest broker networks in Canada. They have over 400 offices across Canada and work with more than 90 lenders. Dominion Lending Centres strives to provide their clients with exceptional service and the best mortgage rates. They provide access to numerous tools and resources via their mobile app, 'My Mortgage Toolbox.’ The brokers in the network are offered various training programs to help them stay up-to-date with industry standards.
Mortgage brokering is a licensed profession in Canada, and individuals must get licensed in their province of residence to become mortgage brokers. In Ontario, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) is responsible for issuing licenses to mortgage brokers. Before applying for a license, individuals must complete an FSRA-approved course and its examination.
The course is offered by Mortgage Professionals Canada (MPC) and is called Ontario Mortgage Broker Education Program (OMBEP). There are two phases of the course, the first of which is online and the second one is in-person. Another important requirement is that individuals must have held a mortgage agent license for at least 24 months in the immediate 36-month period before applying for a mortgage broker license.
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