This is where your mortgage professional can help provide you options, such as adding a co-signer, increasing your down payment and/or paying off debts. A Mortgage Broker/Agent has access to multiple lenders, so even if don't fit certain lender guidelines, they can shop around to see if another lender may approval your application.

A co-signer is typically added to your application when you don't qualify for a home on your own. We add their income and debts to your application, to see if it increases your overall approval numbers. When someone cosigns for you, they will be added to the title of the mortgage and mortgage documents. This new mortgage debt will also appear on their credit bureau, which can affect their future credit score & loan affordability.

A guarantor is typically added to your mortgage application when you have poor credit repayment or little to no credit history. Sometimes lenders will request a guarantor when your application is slightly weaker than they would want to see to approve you on your own. In most cases, the mortgage will not show on the guarantor's credit bureau, but this can vary from lender to lender.

Most people refer to this as CMHC fees. That said, there are actually 3 companies that provide this insurance to Canadians, CMHC, Sagen and Canada Guaranty.

This is insurance is mandatory for those who purchase a home with less than 20% down. Default insurance is then added to your mortgage and increases your overall mortgage amount.

Even though this is an added cost to buying a home, it's still a great way to get into the market when you don't have a 20% down payment. Default insurance is meant to protect your lender, in the event you stop making your mortgage payments & the lender has to foreclose on you.