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True North Mortgage at a glance
True North Mortgage is a mortgage brokerage offering a wide variety of home loan options via salaried brokers.
- Online and in-person service.
- Employs unified, salaried brokers, rather than working with independent, commissioned brokers.
- Excellent rating on Trustpilot; was named top brokerage of 2021 by Canadian Mortgage Professional Magazine.
- Offers a ‘rate guarantee’ that promises to beat any advertised rate, or you get $500.
- High ratio and conventional mortgages
- Closed and open mortgages
- Fixed and variable rate mortgages
- Renewals and refinances
- Renovation mortgages
- Investment property loans
- Vacation and second home loans
- Newcomer and non-resident mortgages
- Bad credit mortgages
- Mortgages for the self-employed
- Home equity loans and lines of credit
- Reverse mortgages
- Cash-back mortgages
Pros
- Working with a mortgage broker means more loan options than a direct lender.
- Province-specific rates listed online.
- You can easily look for an agent who speaks your language.
Cons
- Mortgage features vary by lender, and you can’t easily browse them online.
- Limited in-person locations.
- APRs not listed online.
True North Mortgage review
True North Mortgage is Calgary-based mortgage brokerage founded in 2003. Though it’s headquartered in Alberta, True North has multiple office locations throughout Canada, and provides mortgages online, in-person and via phone across the country.
True North Mortgage partners with large public banks and small private trust companies to provide mortgages. A unique feature of True North Mortgage is that unlike many firms, its brokers do not receive a commission from whatever lender you choose. Rather, True North brokers are paid a salary so that they can provide objective guidance and help you find the right mortgage for your budget.
One of the mortgage options offered by True North brokers may be that of its own in-house lender, called THINK financial.
True North offers a wide variety of mortgage products, including fixed-rate, closed, variable-rate, reverse mortgages, home improvement loans, and mortgages for investment properties and vacation homes — though some might only be available at certain times.
True North also provides services to Canadians looking to buy a home abroad, as well as mortgages for newcomers and non-residents (if allowed by the Canadian government).
Who is True North Mortgage best for?
True North Mortgage may be a good choice for any home buyer or refinancer who is interested in comparing loan offers from multiple lenders, or who would like objective guidance to help them make a mortgage decision.
True North mortgages feature overview
Variety of mortgages available
- Fixed-rate mortgages.
- Variable-rate mortgages.
- Home equity lines of credit.
- Bad credit mortgages.
- Renewals and refinances.
- Mortgages for new construction.
- Mortgages for newcomers to Canada.
- Mortgages for investment properties and second homes.
- Vendor take back mortgages.
- Renovation mortgage financing.
- Mortgages for self-employed people, or those with non-traditional income sources.
- International home purchases.
Ease of application
You can find online pre-qualification and pre-approval forms on True North’s website, or you can apply in person.
- Online pre-qualification: Yes. You can submit pre-qualification paperwork online.
- Online pre-approval: No. True North doesn’t have a pre-approval form on its website.
- Online mortgage application: No. The “apply now” button on True North’s website leads to a form that is closer to a contact form.
- In-person option: Yes. True North has 11 locations to choose from.
Mortgage rate transparency
True North’s website displays rates unique to each province, which can be helpful when shopping for mortgages online.
- Posted rates: Unlike lenders that have standalone posted rates, True North shares a range of rates for different mortgages listed on its site. For example, once you expand the entry for 5-year fixed rates, you may see “4.74% – 5.39%.”
- Special rates: True North does not cite discounted rates on its website.
- APR: True North doesn’t share annual percentage rate information, which may limit your ability quickly compare the cost of different mortgages, including fees.
Other details
Because True North is a broker, it has access to mortgage products from multiple lenders. Features will vary by mortgage option and the lender providing it. The examples below show features of at least some of the products True North offers; the features you are presented may differ.
- Increase your payments: You can increase your standard payment by up to 20% without penalty.
- Make lump-sum payments: You may be able to pay down up to 20% of your original loan on some fixed-rate closed mortgages up to once per year.
- Range of terms: True North has rates for 6 months through 10 years, though not for every province.
- Rate hold: You may see rate holds of 120 days, which is standard in the mortgage industry.
- Programs for newcomers: Newcomers to Canada with limited or no credit history may be able to get a mortgage with True North. The company’s website lets you search for a mortgage agent who speaks your language — there are 37 languages listed as of April 2024.
- Fee disclosure: When considering a broker, it can be helpful to know how they get paid. True North discloses that their agents are salary-based (not commissioned). However, it’s important to note that even when mortgage brokers are commission-based, it’s typically the lender — not the borrower — who pays these commissions.
- Rate relief: True North’s Rate Relief program offers eligible customers a six-month mortgage with a lower-than-average rate. Upon completion of the six-month term, you can renew the mortgage with THINK Financial (True North’s in-house lender) for an additional term. Failing to renew with them will result in a 1% charge.
True North Mortgage eligibility requirements
Eligibility requirements will vary according to the lender True North pairs you with. In general, your eligibility will be based on a combination of the following:
- Minimum credit score: Typically 680, but lower-score options exist.
- Credit history: Established accounts in good standing, no recent negative marks.
- Income: Amount of income needed will vary depending on how much you want to borrow.
- Down payment amount: At least 5% for a home under $500,000. For homes between $500,000 and $999,999, you need 5% of the first $500,000 and 10% of the amount above $500,000.
- Debt service ratios: For an insured mortgage, your gross debt service ratio must not exceed 39%; your total debt service ratio must not exceed 44%.
- Type of employment and employment history: You must be able to demonstrate at least two years of consistent employment.
How to apply for a mortgage with True North Mortgage
You can begin the mortgage application process on True North’s website.
To start your online application, click or tap on the blue “apply online” button.
To begin your application, select the “Purchase” option. If you are just beginning your home search and are wondering what rates you might qualify for, you may want to choose “pre-qualify” instead.
Next, you’ll need to share the amount of the mortgage you’ll need. Remember, the mortgage amount is not the purchase price; it’s only the amount you’ll need to borrow.
Your expected timeline can inform variables like potential rate locks.
If you’re applying with somebody else, you’ll each need to provide financial information and documentation.
Where you live now can affect the home buying process. For example, if you currently own a home and plan to sell it, those expected proceeds will be factored into your financing needs.
If you’re already working with a mortgage specialist at True North, you can state so on your application. If not, someone will be assigned to you.
Alternatives to True North Mortgage
You can compare other Canadian lenders and brokers to find the best mortgage rate for your needs if True North Mortgage is not checking off all your boxes.
| First National Mortgage | RBC Mortgage | Butler Mortgage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lender type | Non-bank lender. | Big Bank lender. | Mortgage brokerage. |
| Service area | National. | National. | National. |
| In-person service? | Yes. | Yes. | Yes. |
| Ease of application | Must use a mortgage broker. | Easy (online, phone, in-person). | Moderately easy (start online, via phone, or by fax). |
| Mortgage variety | Above average. | Average. | Average. |
Frequently asked questions about True North Mortgage
True North Mortgage is a mortgage brokerage; its salaried mortgage brokers can help you compare loan offers from a variety of lenders. True North Mortgage also has an in-house lending division, known as THINK financial.
True North was founded in Calgary in 2003, by Dan Eisner.
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