Fast & Free Mortgage Application
Alex Lavender works for you not the banks.
Our mortgage broker services are 100% free for traditional mortgages.
Ensuring that you get the lowest rate and the best service is our #1 priority.
Serving Halifax, Dartmouth, Bedford and anywhere in Nova Scotia. Get in touch today or see below for what options we offer.
Want to learn more about mortgages?
Alex Lavender is one of the top rated mortgage brokers in Halifax & Dartmouth and the author of the free book Mortgages for Millennials. This book is your quick and easy way to learn everything about mortgages for Canadians.
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Mortgage Options
Bad Credit Loans
- All credit scores accepted
- $200,000 minimum property value
- Purchases – 20% down payment
- Refinances – up to 80% of house value
Learn more about our bad credit mortgages here.
Pre-Approval
- Fast pre-approval letters
- Find out what you qualify for
- Discuss different options
- Guidance for improvement if you can’t qualify
Learn more about our mortgage approval process works.
Top Rates
- Minimum credit score of 600
- Down payment starting at 5%
- Employment required
- House must be at least $200k+
Contact Alex today or download Alex’s mortgage information pdf to learn more about getting the best rates. Or learn about our private mortgages here.
Self-Employed
- Stated income verification when tax return income is not sufficient
- 20% minimum down payment
- All credit scores accepted
Learn more about our self-employed mortgages.
Purchase + Improvements
- Roll your renovation costs into your loan
- Up to $40,000 of renovations
- 120 days to complete the work
- Not available for appliances
Read more about our mortgage plus improvements here.
Refinancing
- Lock in a better rate
- Take out equity
- Reduce your monthly payments
Contact Alex Lavender to learn about your refinancing options.
Mortgage Calculator
How Brokerages Work:
- FREE to use, we work for you, not the banks. Giving you the ability to choose between multiple lenders and compare rates side by side.
- Mortgage specialist, we have helped thousands of Nova Scotians buy their first home. We’ll do the heavy lifting to let you choose the loan that is the best for you!
- Efficient, we use your information to pull real mortgage approvals from multiple lenders. You can use Alex as your mortgage specialist and get rates from banks and lenders all in one place.
Meet Alex Lavender:
Alex Lavender is and Accredited Mortgage Professional (AMP) the author of “Mortgages For Millennials” and has been providing services in Halifax as a mortgage broker for years.
He takes pride in helping Nova Scotians purchase their first homes, refinance their current homes, or obtain a loan when no other options are available.
Alex listens to your situation and uses the necessary information to provide you with a variety of options from different lenders, including the big banks.
Alex’s Testimonials
They went above and beyond to get us our first home right when we needed it. We are more than grateful for our beautiful home. Alex was there throughout the... read more
George TurekMarch 7, 2022
Alex and his team can be trusted for impeccable service tailored to your individual needs. With have current knowledge and access many lenders so they can help you evaluate which... read more
Patti LeclercFebruary 16, 2022
Alex was incredibly helpful throughout the whole home buying process and extremely responsive when we were working with tight timelines. He provided fantastic advice upfront while we were planning, and... read more
Andrew BellettiOctober 16, 2021
Mortgage Types
Fixed
A fixed mortgage provides you the security of locking in an interest rate for the term of your loan. You will know exactly how much principal and interest you will be paying on the mortgage during the term.
Terms range from 6 months to 10 years, and most offer additional payments to pay down the principle.
Variable
A variable-rate mortgage allows you to take advantage of the current low interest rates. Most variable loans are below prime and can range from 1 – 5 years.
However the interest rate will fluctuate as the bank of Canada’s prime rate changes.
Open
An open term mortgage allows you the flexibility to pay off a portion or the full principle amount at any time. Interest rates are usually higher for open mortgages and are tied to the bank’s prime rate.
There are no penalties for paying off the full outstanding amount with this type.
Pros And Cons
Mortgages are a major financial decision and it should not be taken lightly. While searching for the lowest rates may save you thousands of dollars, it’s important that you understand what you’re getting into. That’s why talking to a mortgage expert is a great place to start. Here are some of the pros and cons to help you understand the impact:
Pros
Cons
Mortgages Explained – Latest Posts
Alex Lavender helps Nova Scotians get high mortgages for your dream home. Whether you need a self employed mortgage or are looking to do construction with a mortgage plus improvements program, Alex can help. Or if you’re just looking for more information on mortgages checkout these blog posts for helpful tips.
How to calculate interest rate differential (IRD)
The IRD is a financial penalty that may apply if you pay off your mortgage early, pay down the principal beyond what your terms allow, or break your mortgage for any reason before the term ends. The interest rate differential (IRD) is the difference between the interest rates on your current mortgage vs the interest…
Monoline Lenders Vs The Big Banks
When it comes to “A” level mortgage financing, there are two main types of lenders: monoline lenders and the big banks. There are also others like private lenders and credit unions but we won’t focus on those here as they vary between provinces. What Is A Monoline Lender? A monoline lender is considered a broker…
Should You Renew Your Mortgage Early?
Mortgages in Canada are commonly issued on five-year fixed terms. When the term ends you will need to renew your mortgage. Sometimes you may want an early mortgage renewal. In this post I’ll break down the pros and cons of renewing your mortgage early so you know what your best options are. The Early Mortgage…
What does it mean to refinance a mortgage?
Many Canadians wonder what it means to refinance a mortgage. Alex Lavender – Mortgage Broker will tell you exactly what a mortgage refinance means, the penalties involved, and the pros and cons. What is a mortgage refinance? A refinance is when you obtain a new mortgage for a higher amount to pay off your existing…
Fixed vs Variable Mortgage Rate Guide
Mortgages in Canada come in 2 main types, fixed rate and variable rate. At any point in this official mortgage rate type guide you can jump to a section: Table of Contents Variable Rate MortgageDo not confuse fixed vs “closed”Deciding Between Fixed vs Variable Mortgage RatesThe Fixed-Rate Mortgage DilemmaFixed Rate Example:How to Think About Interest…
Official First Time Home Buyer’s Guide
Congratulations! You’re finally at a place in your life where buying your first home seems achievable. You’re scared but excited, intimidated but optimistic, nervous but determined. Buying your first home can be a huge rollercoaster of emotions with so many moving parts. Fear not! This first time home buyer’s guide will walk you through the…
What Is The New Mortgage Stress Test?
On May 20, 2021 Canada’s department of finance announced new qualifying rates for all uninsured mortgages. The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) announced that effective June 1, 2021 new minimum qualifying rates will be applied for all insured and uninsured mortgages. What does that mean for you? This means the new mortgage…
Should you use a mortgage broker?
You are probably reading this article because you have a general idea of what a mortgage broker is, but are wondering why use one? What value does a mortgage broker provide? And how much does a mortgage broker cost? This article will answer all of these questions and show you the pros and cons of…
How To Avoid The Mortgage Stress Test
In late 2017 the federal government introduced a mortgage stress test for Canadians that are applying or renewing a mortgage. Again on April 6, 2020 the stress test changed for insured mortgages. In this post we’re going to break down the top 5 ways to avoid mortgage stress test. Even if you have amazing credit…
How long does it take to get approved for a mortgage in Canada?
In this blog post we’re going to answer a very common question; how long does it take to get approved for a mortgage in Canada? Alex Lavender has been one of the top rated mortgage brokers for years. When it comes to getting a mortgage approval they can be done relatively fast, sometimes within 24hrs….
How long does a mortgage pre-approval last?
It is important to know the difference between an approval and a pre-approval for a mortgage. A pre-approval is based on estimates using theoretical figures for a property. An approval is for a specific property once an offer is made and is backed up with documentation to prove the information in the application. I am…
Commonly Asked Questions
Why should you use a broker instead of a bank?
Mortgage brokers are extremely common among first time home buyers. They work with many lenders including major banks, small lenders and private lenders. Which means they have access to better rates, and more variety of mortgage types.
What exactly does a mortgage broker do?
Brokers act as a resourceful intermediary on behalf of individuals. They will research and present to you a variety of different mortgages. From big banks to private lenders, which will let you compare the best rates that you can get.
What should you look for in a mortgage broker?
You should look for and get to know the average time to closing, third party fees and lender fees, and the cost or timeline to lock in your mortgage rate. We highly recommend reaching out and talking to someone before you commit. That way you can learn more about their services and give you a good idea if you want to work with them.
Meet Alex
Alex Lavender is one of Halifax and Dartmouth’s top mortgage brokers. Known for his kindness and flexibility he provides you with the tools to make the best decision and get the best rates!
Get Help With Your First Home Purchase
Mortgages For Millennials is one of Canada’s most helpful books on mortgages. Sold on Amazon and Kindle this book breaks down EVERYTHING you’ve ever wanted to know about mortgages.
Alex has a unique ability to make buying homes and mortgages easy to understand.
Buying your first home can be a very intimidating and scary process. For most people it’s going to be the single biggest purchase of your life.
When looking at financing options there is a lot of bank jargon that can be difficult to understand.
Alex has had the same struggles you’re having. Trying to learn the ins and outs of mortgages is stressful and overwhelming.
That’s why Alex wrote Mortgages For Millennials. This book answers all your questions, and help you understand exactly what you’re getting into, and which types of mortgages are the best for your situation.