Home / How it works
Seven steps from the first conversation to your next renewal. You can stop after step one if the numbers do not work yet. That is still a useful meeting.
Book a free 30-minute call, send a WhatsApp, or start the Apply form, whichever is easiest for you.
We talk through what you are trying to do: buy, renew, refinance, pull equity, or find a path after a bank said no.
I ask about income, debts, down payment or equity, and your timeline so I can map realistic options.
There is no hard credit pull at this stage and no fee to talk. You leave knowing your likely next step, even if that step is to wait.
After the call you get a checklist built for your file, not a generic list of everything you own.
Salaried clients usually start with recent pay stubs, an employment letter, and their latest T4s and Notices of Assessment.
Self-employed clients typically add two years of T1 Generals, Notices of Assessment, and business financials or bank statements.
Proof of down payment, ID, and statements for any property you already own round it out. Documents go through a secure channel I name after first contact, never through the website form.
With your written okay, I pull your credit and review it with you, including anything that could slow an approval.
If you are buying, we then seek a pre-approval so you can shop with a realistic budget, often with a rate hold from the lender.
A pre-approval is based on the information and documents available at that time. It is not a guarantee that a specific property or mortgage will be approved.
If you are renewing or refinancing, this is where we size up your options before your maturity date. If credit needs work first, I will say so and suggest practical next steps.
Through Clover Mortgage I compare options from banks, credit unions, monoline lenders, B lenders and private lenders.
A lenders usually offer the lowest cost when income and credit fit their guidelines.
B lenders can help with self-employed income, past credit issues or other non-standard files, usually at a higher cost.
Private lenders are generally short-term, equity-based solutions with higher rates and fees, so we plan the exit from day one. I show you the trade-offs in plain language, and you choose.
Once you choose an option, I submit your application and the lender issues a conditional approval or commitment.
Conditions often include an appraisal, final income or down payment confirmation and, on some purchases, mortgage default insurance approval.
I track each condition and tell you exactly what is still needed, so nothing is left to the last week.
On a purchase, this work usually happens during your financing condition period. When every condition is met, the file is ready for your lawyer.
Your real estate lawyer receives the mortgage instructions from the lender, meets with you to sign, and handles title and registration.
Before closing you will need funds for closing costs such as land transfer tax, legal fees and adjustments.
I stay in contact with the lawyer and the lender so closing day does not bring surprises.
On closing day the lender advances the funds and the lawyer registers the mortgage. On a purchase, that is when you get your keys.
My work does not stop at closing.
I check in once a year to see whether your goals, income or plans have changed.
Well before your term ends, I review renewal options with you so you can compare your lender’s offer against the wider market instead of signing the first letter.
If your plans change mid-term, such as a move, a renovation or a large expense, we look at the cost of each option before you decide.
A free call is the easiest start. If the numbers do not work yet, you will know why and what to do next.
