When the bank says no: 14 situations we solve
Pick the one closest to yours. Each page shows the timeline, the real cost and the way back to a bank.
Written and reviewed by Asim Ali, Mortgage BrokerUpdated 5 November 2026
Licensed: BCFSA (BC) · RECA (Alberta) · FSRA (Ontario) · check our licences
Self-employed, bank won't renew
"Nine years on time, and they won't renew me."
B-lender on bank statements, or a 12-month private first.
Read the plan →Mortgage renewal denied
"My lender sent a letter. They won't renew."
What to do in the weeks before maturity.
Read the plan →Bridge loan, no firm sale
"We close in 10 days and our buyer walked."
Private bridge on one or both homes, 5-10 days.
Read the plan →Foreclosure or power of sale
"A red notice came by registered mail."
Pay the arrears and costs inside the window.
Read the plan →CRA tax debt or lien
"CRA put a lien on the house."
The lawyer pays CRA at funding. The lien comes off.
Read the plan →Consumer proposal and renewal
"Will the proposal stop my renewal?"
Both numbers: pay it out, or keep paying.
Read the plan →Bad credit mortgage
"My score is under 600."
Which lender says yes at which score.
Read the plan →B-lender mortgage
"The bank said no, but my credit is OK."
6-8.5% on bank statements, often cheaper than private.
Read the plan →Second mortgage / equity take-out
"I need $120,000 against the house."
Borrow to 80% combined without touching your first.
Read the plan →Debt consolidation mortgage
"Three cards at 21% and a car loan."
Roll it into one payment, with a plan to clear it.
Read the plan →Retired, equity, no income
"House-rich, cash-poor at 68."
Reverse mortgage, HELOC, private or downsizing.
Read the plan →Spousal buyout
"I can't lose the kids' home."
Buy out your ex, keep the cheap first mortgage.
Read the plan →Construction and land loans
"The house is 70% built and the draws stopped."
Completion, draw and land financing.
Read the plan →New to Canada
"We just got PR. Can we buy yet?"
5% down, no Canadian credit needed, the rules explained.
Read the plan →Stated income mortgage
"My tax return doesn't show what I earn."
Insured and B-lender programs that take your stated income.
Read the plan →Third mortgage
"There are already two mortgages on the house."
Who lends third, the real cost, and what to try first.
Read the plan →Land and lot loans
"We bought the lot. The bank won't lend on it."
Lots, raw land and farmland: who lends and how much.
Read the plan →Mobile or manufactured home
"Our home sits on a pad in a park."
Owned land, leased land or a pad: what lenders will do.
Read the plan →Commercial property
"The bank wants 60 days. The seller wants 15."
Mixed-use, industrial, retail and small apartment buildings.
Read the plan →Already private, need a way out
"My private mortgage ends in 3 months."
The 12-month plan back to a bank.
Read the plan →Quotes are illustrative of the calls we get. They are not client testimonials.
Most files are a mix
A self-employed owner with a CRA balance and a renewal in three weeks is three situations at once. That is normal. Tell us the deadline and the equity, and we work out the cheapest route.
Which situations need a private mortgage, and which don't?
A private mortgage fits when there is a deadline or a document problem and enough equity: a refused renewal, a bridge with no firm sale, a CRA lien, a notice of sale. If you have 2-3 weeks and decent credit, a B-lender is usually cheaper.
How much equity do I need for any of these?
About 25% for a private first mortgage in big cities, and 20% for most B-lenders. A second mortgage can go to 80% combined in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, the GTA and Ottawa.
Do you handle all three provinces?
Yes. BC, Alberta and Ontario, from our Surrey office, with local appraisers and lawyers in each province.
Tell us three things. A licensed broker calls you today.
No credit check. No ID. No date of birth. We ask what a lender decides on: the property, the equity and the deadline.
- 1Same-day call from Asim Ali or a licensed colleague
- 2A range for rate, fees and APR on the call
- 3Written commitment in 1-2 business days if you go ahead
- 4Nothing to pay until the mortgage funds
Asim Ali, Mortgage Broker
Licensed in BC, Alberta and Ontario · (604) 591-3590