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Mortgage pre-approval

Before you shop: real pre-approval, not the online simulator.

A serious pre-approval means an AMF broker validates your documents (income, debts, credit history) with a real lender and holds you a rate for 90 to 120 days. It's not a final credit approval — the lender confirms that at the accepted-offer stage — but it's what reassures sellers and gives you a precise maximum amount before you shop.

Start my pre-approval (3 questions)

Who this is for

You want to shop seriously in the next 1 to 4 months. The quick online simulation isn't enough: you need a max amount validated by a human, a rate held for 90 to 120 days, and a letter your real estate agent can show.

  • You want to buy in 1 to 4 months and have a precise amount before shopping.
  • It's your first property and you don't know how much you can really borrow.
  • You saw a quick online simulation and want a real human validation.
  • You're shopping in a competitive market (Montreal, Quebec City, Sherbrooke) and want a pre-approval letter to reassure sellers.
  • You want to lock a rate for 90-120 days against rate increases during shopping.

What brokers in the Courteo network look at

A rigorous pre-approval verifies 5 pillars — not just your credit score.

  • 24-month stable income (employee: T4 + employment record; self-employed: 2 latest tax returns + financial statements).

  • Credit score (ideally 680+) and history without recent late payments.

  • Existing debts (car, lines, cards, student loans — weigh on GDS/TDS ratios).

  • Real down payment (amount + source — savings, RRSP HBP, family gift).

  • Capacity to pass the federal stress test (contract rate +2% or benchmark rate, whichever higher).

Quick estimate

How much can I borrow?

Indicative estimate using Canadian rules (GDS 39% / TDS 44%, stress test 5.25%). No rate offer is shown — your AMF-licensed broker will refine based on your full file.

$85,000
$50,000
$400

Approximate max price

$427,000

Estimated monthly payment

$2,259 / month

Start my file (3 questions)

Estimate for guidance only, does not constitute a pre-approval letter or loan offer. The final assessment depends on the full file (credit, employment history, lender, etc.) and remains at the broker's discretion.

FAQ — pre-approval

  • Pre-approval vs pre-qualification: what's the difference?

    Pre-qualification is a quick calculation based on what you declare (5-10 min, unverified). Pre-approval is a real validation of your documents by a lender, with rate lock and formal letter. Serious sellers often require pre-approval.

  • How long is a pre-approval valid?

    Depending on the lender: 90 days (standard), 120 days (sometimes), 180 days (rare, sometimes with fees). If you don't buy in this window, the lender re-evaluates with the day's rate.

  • Does a pre-approval impact my credit score?

    Yes slightly: it's a 'hard inquiry' (-3 to -10 points temporarily). But shopping multiple lenders within a 14-45 day window counts as ONE single inquiry ('rate shopping' rule). So having a broker query 5 lenders only costs you one inquiry.

  • Am I obligated to buy after pre-approval?

    No. Zero obligation. If you decide not to buy, or change lender after the offer, no fees or penalties.

  • How long does pre-approval take with an AMF broker?

    24 to 72 hours if you provide documents on request (income, debts, documented down payment). The broker submits to 3-5 lenders simultaneously and comes back with the scenario that fits your file best.

Start your pre-approval now.

2 minutes to start. A Courteo Prêts coordinator calls you within the day to understand your project, then connects you with an AMF broker who prepares your file in 24-72h. 100% free for you (the broker is paid by the chosen lender).

Start my pre-approval (3 questions)Start my file (3 questions)
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