Offer accepted — 72h on the clock
Your offer just got accepted. We call back within the hour.
For first-time buyers, the right broker is not a luxury — it is what keeps your purchase offer from collapsing. 72 hours is short.
No SIN, no exact credit score. An AMF broker from the Courteo network calls you back within the hour (business days).
Why 72h is tight
Your purchase offer is almost always conditional on financing. The standard condition: 7 to 10 calendar days, sometimes 5 business days. In practice, that means 72 to 96 useful hours for a lender to say yes — no more.
If the bank drags, two scenarios. Either you ask the seller for an extension — they can refuse, especially in a tight market. Or you waive the condition without a written guarantee — and then your deposit (often $5,000 to $25,000) is on the line if financing fails.
Worst case: your file is approved, but after the deadline. The offer is technically void. The seller can accept another offer. You lose the property — and depending on how the offer was drafted, you can also lose the deposit.
What happens within the hour
- 1
The broker calls
An AMF mortgage broker from the Courteo network reaches you within the hour (business days). 15 minutes on the phone. We understand where you stand: deadline, deposit, seller, banks already approached.
- 2
They listen, no jargon
No robot questionnaire. We grasp your situation: income, down payment, property type, what the bank already told you. We explain clearly what can block and what passes.
- 3
They identify 2-3 lenders
Out of 20+ accessible lenders, the broker picks 2 or 3 that match your profile — not the ones who pay the best commission. For a first-time buyer, the right match is the difference between approved and declined.
- 4
They ask for precise documents
A short and precise list (not the generic 18-document checklist). Pay stubs, T4, notice of assessment, proof of down payment, real estate brokerage contract. We come back within 24h with a principle answer.
Why a broker rather than your bank
Your bank has one product: its own. An AMF mortgage broker has access to several. For a first-time buyer, the profile does not always fit the rigid grid of a big lender — student scholarship, recent self-employment, partly-gifted down payment, new condo without registered title. Shopping through a broker who knows multiple lender grids opens doors that a single lender does not see.
See our sources and methodology →« We had an accepted offer on a condo in Verdun on a Wednesday night. Our bank told us Thursday they needed 2 weeks to review the file. The deadline was Monday. The Courteo-referred broker called Thursday at 9am, file submitted Friday noon, principle agreement Saturday. We signed at the notary 3 weeks later. »
No SIN, no exact credit score. An AMF broker from the Courteo network calls you back within the hour (business days).
No accepted offer yet?
Start anyway — it is free, it spares you the sprint later. Real pre-approval, rate locked 90-120 days, you shop with peace of mind.
Frequent questions
- What is the minimum down payment for a first-time buyer in Quebec?
- Legally, 5% on the first $500,000 and 10% on the $500,000-$1M portion. For a $525,000 purchase: 5% × 500,000 + 10% × 25,000 = $27,500. Below 20%, CMHC insurance is mandatory and the premium is added to the loan. Not to be confused with the deposit paid to the real estate broker at offer signing (often $5,000 to $25,000), which is credited to the final down payment.
- How long does the whole process take?
- Pre-approval: 24 to 72h. Final approval on a complete file with accepted offer: 5 to 15 business days depending on the lender. Notary: 2 to 4 weeks after final approval. On an accepted offer with a 7-day condition, we target a principle agreement within 48-72h.
- Is the mortgage broker free for me?
- Yes in the vast majority of standard residential files. The broker is paid by the chosen lender, not by you. On atypical files (private loan, second mortgage), fees may apply — always disclosed in writing before you sign anything.
- Why a mortgage broker vs going directly to my bank?
- Your bank sells one product: its own. An AMF mortgage broker shops across 15-20 lenders (A and B banks, alternative lenders, credit unions, monolines). For a first-time buyer profile that does not fit a standard grid perfectly, it is often the difference between approved and declined. The broker also negotiates secondary conditions (prepayment penalty, portability, accelerated payments).
- What if my situation is atypical — self-employed, scholarship, new resident?
- Exactly the case where the broker changes the outcome. Each lender has its own grid for non-salary income: 2 vs 3 years of T1, 50% vs 100% of a scholarship, Canadian history required or not. The broker knows which one matches your profile before submitting the file — you do not burn a credit pull for nothing.