Discover why combining real estate and mortgage expertise under one broker simplifies your first home purchase in Montreal and Laval.

Buying your first home in Montreal or Laval already comes with plenty of unknowns. You have to find the right neighbourhood, the right price, and the right offer. You also have to convince a mortgage broker, satisfy a bank, and coordinate a notary. The whole project can start to feel like a puzzle with four different players. At Landmark, we believe there’s a better way. We offer one team that carries your file from the first call to the day you get your keys.

The problem: juggling an agent, a bank, a mortgage broker and a notary

In a typical home-buying journey, every step has its own contact. Every contact also has its own priorities. Here’s what that usually looks like in practice:

• Your real estate agent finds you a property. However, they can’t tell you exactly how much the bank will agree to lend you.
• Your financial institution assesses your borrowing capacity using its own strict criteria. This is often more restrictive than what an independent broker can secure.
• A separate mortgage broker only learns about the file after you submit an offer. This leaves little room to adjust the down payment or financing structure.
• The notary has to reconcile documents from three different sources at the very end. They often have to do this under tight deadlines.

The result is avoidable back-and-forth and stretched timelines. This creates stress that almost always lands on the buyer right before closing.

What changes when both areas of expertise live under one roof

When the same team masters both the real estate market and mortgage financing, the order of things changes completely:

You know exactly what your financing allows from day one. You shop with real numbers instead of estimates, so you avoid falling in love with a property out of reach.

We build a solid mortgage pre-approval to back your offer. This reassures the seller and strengthens your position in a negotiation.

You have one single point of contact who already has the full picture. We handle everything from down payment changes to term adjustments.

We plan all deadlines together. There are no surprises for your inspection, final financing, or signing at the notary’s office.

How it works at Landmark, from your first call to your keys

3 questions to ask your next broker

• Do you work with multiple lenders, or just one institution? An independent mortgage broker compares rates on your behalf. A bank advisor can only offer their own bank’s products.
• Who coordinates the file once you accept an offer? Expect delays if the answer involves multiple people who don’t talk to each other.
• Can you tell me what I can afford before I start viewing properties? You should take it seriously if their answer is vague.

Ready to simplify your first purchase?

Get our free first-time buyer guide for Montreal and Laval. You can also book a no-obligation consultation with our real estate and mortgage team.

Buying your first home is exciting, and it’s normal to feel a little overwhelmed too. Here’s the process in plain language, so you know what’s coming.

Start with your real number, not your dream number

Before you fall in love with a listing, find out what you can actually afford. This isn’t just the purchase price — it includes your mortgage payment, property taxes, condo fees (if any), heating, and insurance, all measured against your income and existing debts.

A quick online calculator gives you a rough idea, but a mortgage broker can give you your real number in about 15 minutes, for free, and explain exactly why.

Get pre-approved before you start visiting homes

A pre-approval tells you, and sellers, how much a lender is willing to lend you, and locks in a rate for a set period, often 90 to 120 days.

• You’ll know your price range with confidence
• Your offer will be taken more seriously
• You’re protected if rates go up while you’re searching

Budget for costs beyond the down payment

Many first-time buyers are surprised by costs that show up after the down payment:

• Welcome tax (“taxe de bienvenue”) — a one-time municipal tax, due a few months after closing
• Notary fees — for the legal transfer of the property
• Home inspection — recommended, even for newer homes
• Moving costs, adjustments, and immediate repairs or furniture

A good rule of thumb: set aside an extra 1.5–4% of the purchase price for these costs.

Understand fixed vs. variable, in plain terms

Fixed rate: your rate stays the same for the whole term. Predictable payments, easier to budget.

Variable rate: your rate can move with the market. Payments may go up or down.

Neither is “better” — it depends on your comfort with uncertainty and your financial cushion. A broker can walk you through real numbers for both, based on your situation.

Compare more than just the rate

The lowest rate isn’t always the best deal. Also compare:

• Prepayment flexibility — can you pay extra without penalty?
• Portability — can you transfer your mortgage if you move?
• Penalty for breaking the mortgage early — this can be a big number if your plans change

Work with a mortgage broker — it doesn’t cost you more

A broker shops your file across multiple lenders, not just one bank, and negotiates on your behalf. In most cases, this service costs you nothing, because the lender pays the broker’s fee.

Ask questions, always

A good broker explains the “why,” not just the numbers. If something isn’t clear, that’s a sign to ask, not a sign you’re behind.