Mortgage Broker Okotoks, Alberta — Shawn Selanders
RECA-Licensed Mortgage Broker | 25+ Years Experience | Okotoks Resident for 21 Years | Updated February 2026
I didn't just work in Okotoks — I raised my family here for 21 years.
I moved to Okotoks in 2004 and lived there until 2025. My kids went to school here. I coached here. I built my mortgage practice here. I know the neighbourhoods, the builders, the Realtors, and the market — because I lived it every single day for two decades.
I've since moved to nearby High River — 15 minutes south — but Okotoks is still home turf. I still serve clients here every week. And I still have the largest personal network of any mortgage broker serving this town.
21 Years in Okotoks. 25+ Years in Mortgages.
I've arranged mortgages for hundreds of Okotoks families — from first-time buyers in D'Arcy to long-time homeowners in Cimarron renewing their fifth mortgage with me. Many of my clients are people I know personally from 21 years of living in this community.
When you call me, you're not talking to a call centre or a big-bank advisor reading a script. You're talking to someone who shopped at the same Sobeys, whose kids played on the same teams, and who has done this for over 25 years.
My service is free to you. I compare 40+ lenders. The lender pays my fee. You get the best rate and the right mortgage — at no cost.
What's on This Page
1. Why Okotoks Residents Choose Me
21 years in this community. I moved to Okotoks in 2004 when it was still a small town. I watched it grow from under 15,000 people to over 34,000. I've seen neighbourhoods go from bare fields to fully built-out communities. That history matters when I'm advising you on a mortgage — because I understand what you're buying into.
A massive local network. After two decades, I know more people in Okotoks than most. Many of my clients come from referrals — friends telling friends, neighbours telling neighbours. That reputation isn't built on marketing. It's built on results, year after year.
40+ lenders — not just one bank. Okotoks has banks and credit unions in town. They each offer their products at their rates. I compare all of them — plus monoline lenders, alternative lenders, and specialty programs they don't offer — to find the best fit for your situation. One credit check, dozens of options.
I know Okotoks property values. When a lender needs to understand why a home in Crystal Shores is worth more than a comparable home in an older area, or why an Air Ranch property commands a premium — I can speak to that. Local knowledge helps get files approved.
Free to you. Always. The lender pays my fee. Whether you're buying your first home or renewing your fifth mortgage, my service costs you nothing. The only cost is what you're leaving on the table if you don't call.
2. Okotoks Real Estate — What You Need to Know
Okotoks isn't a hidden gem anymore. It's one of the fastest-growing communities in Alberta — now over 34,000 people — and the real estate market reflects that demand.
Okotoks Market Snapshot (Early 2026):
- Average home price: Approximately $570,000–$610,000 (all property types)
- Market conditions: Tight inventory, strong demand, seller's market trending toward balanced
- Why buyers choose Okotoks: 15 minutes south of Calgary's city limits, excellent schools, strong community feel, Sheep River valley, walkable downtown, new and established neighbourhoods
- Population growth: Over 34,000 (up from ~15,000 when I moved here in 2004)
- Property types: Detached homes, townhomes, condos, estate lots, and some acreage properties at the edges of town
Market data is approximate and changes frequently. Contact me for current information or connect with a local Realtor.
What Your Dollar Gets You in Okotoks (Approximate, February 2026):
- $350,000–$450,000: Condos, townhomes, and smaller starter homes in established areas
- $450,000–$600,000: Family-sized detached homes (3–4 bed) in most neighbourhoods — the sweet spot for first-time and move-up buyers
- $600,000–$800,000: Larger homes, premium lots, newer builds in D'Arcy, Crystal Shores, and Mountainview
- $800,000+: Estate properties in Cimarron Estates, Air Ranch, and custom builds on premium lots
3. Okotoks Neighbourhoods — I Know Them All
After 21 years, I don't need a map. Here are the communities I've done mortgages in — many of them dozens of times over.
No matter which part of Okotoks you're buying in — or selling from — I understand what properties are worth and how to position your mortgage file for the smoothest approval possible.
4. Who I Help in Okotoks
🏠 First-Time Home Buyers
Okotoks is a top choice for first-time buyers priced out of Calgary. I'll walk you through FHSA, HBP, the stress test, 30-year amortization, and every program available. Read the guide →
🔄 Mortgage Renewals
Don't sign that renewal letter yet. I've saved Okotoks homeowners thousands by shopping their renewal. Even 0.20% saves $2,300+ over 5 years on a $400K mortgage. Read the guide →
💼 Self-Employed
Business owners, tradespeople, independent contractors — I know which lenders are flexible with self-employed income. Read the guide →
💰 Debt Consolidation
Credit card debt at 20% when your mortgage rate is 4.5%? Use your equity to eliminate high-interest debt. Read the guide →
🏡 Refinancing
Access equity for renovations, consolidate debt, or restructure for lower payments. Okotoks home equity has grown significantly — let's put it to work.
🏦 Reverse Mortgages (55+)
For homeowners 55+ who want to access equity without selling or monthly payments. Read the guide →
📋 Pre-Approvals
In Okotoks's competitive market, you need a pre-approval before you start looking. Done in 24–48 hours with a rate locked for up to 120 days. Free. Read the guide →
5. Why Use a Broker Instead of Your Bank
Okotoks has plenty of banks — RBC, TD, BMO, Scotiabank, ATB, Servus Credit Union, and more. They're all fine. But they can only offer you their own products at their own rates.
The Broker Difference — In Real Dollars:
Your bank offers you 4.69% on a 5-year fixed.
I find you 4.39% with a monoline lender — same terms, same security, fully regulated.
On a $500,000 mortgage, that 0.30% saves you $4,350 over 5 years.
Plus I compare prepayment privileges, portability, penalty structures, and flexibility — the features that save or cost you money down the road. Your bank isn't comparing those. I am.
6. How Working With Me Works
Step 1: We Talk (15 Minutes)
Call, text, or email. Tell me what you need — buying, renewing, refinancing, consolidating. I'll give you a straight answer right away.
Step 2: I Run the Numbers
Credit check, ratios, lender shopping across 40+ options. I find the best rate AND best mortgage features for your situation.
Step 3: You Get a Clear Answer
Exactly how much you qualify for, what rate, what payments. Pre-approval typically done in 24–48 hours.
Step 4: I Handle Everything Until Closing
Lender submissions, conditions, appraisal, lawyer handoff — I manage the entire process. You'll always know where your file stands. I don't disappear.
Cost to you: $0. The lender pays my fee. Every time.
7. What Clients Say
"Shawn has helped us with our last 4 mortgages and has worked very hard to get us the most competitive rates possible. I would highly recommend Shawn to my family and friends as he will go above and beyond to get the best rate out there."
— Michelle & Richard Straat
"Shawn was a pleasure to deal with. He did things in a timely and professional manner. He responded to texts and emails almost instantaneously. He answered all my questions and concerns. I highly recommend Shawn for your future mortgage needs."
— Peter Lor
"Shawn has been excellent with securing two mortgages for us and I have no hesitation with recommending him."
— Derek McIntyre
8. Okotoks Mortgage Questions
Q: How much do I need for a down payment to buy in Okotoks?
A: Minimum is 5% on the first $500,000 and 10% on the portion above $500K. For a $550,000 Okotoks home, that's $30,000 minimum. But 10%–20% gives you better options. Full breakdown →
Q: Is Okotoks a good investment right now?
A: Okotoks has seen consistent price growth and strong demand. The population has more than doubled since 2004, inventory is tight, and proximity to Calgary keeps attracting buyers. The fundamentals are solid. The key is getting the right mortgage structure.
Q: My renewal is coming up. Should I just sign what my bank sends?
A: No. Banks count on you being too busy to shop around. I've saved Okotoks homeowners thousands by comparing their renewal offer to competing lenders. Takes me 15 minutes. Renewal guide →
Q: Do you still meet clients in Okotoks?
A: Absolutely — I'm 15 minutes away in High River. Most clients prefer phone, text, and email. But I'm happy to meet in person anytime. I'm in Okotoks regularly.
Q: Can I get pre-approved before I start house hunting?
A: You should — especially in Okotoks where good homes sell fast. Done in 24–48 hours with a rate locked for 120 days. Free. Learn how →
Q: I'm self-employed. Can I still buy in Okotoks?
A: Yes — I specialize in self-employed files. Different rules, more documentation, but excellent programs available. Self-employed guide →
9. Talk to Shawn — Free, No Obligation
I've been helping Okotoks families with their mortgages since 2004. One call is all it takes to get started.
Your Okotoks Mortgage Broker — One Call Away
I'll tell you what you qualify for, which rate I can lock in, and what comes next. 15 minutes. Free. No pressure.
Call/Text: 403-703-6847
Email: ShawnSelanders@gmail.com
Office: 614 High View Park NW, High River, AB T1V 1E5
Hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00 – 7:00 | Saturday & Sunday: 12:00 – 5:00
Also serving communities across the Foothills and Calgary region:
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Shawn Selanders — RECA-licensed mortgage broker
Your Local Mortgage Professionals — Independent Mortgage Professional
Serving Okotoks, Calgary, High River, Diamond Valley, and all of Alberta since 1999
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Mortgage approval is subject to lender criteria and conditions. Market data is approximate and subject to change. O.A.C. E.&O.E.