Explore the flowchart below. Click any box to see exactly which documents you'll need — and why. Build your personalized checklist as you go.
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Click any box to see its documents on the right. Hover for a quick summary. Select everything that applies to you — your checklist builds automatically.
Your Mortgage Journey
Click the boxes below to build your document checklist
1 · What Are You Doing?
Buying a home — first-time or repeat. Need purchase agreement, MLS listing, and property tax info.
✓
🏠
Buying
3 docs
Mortgage coming up for renewal. Need current statement, renewal offer, and tax notice.
✓
🔄
Renewal
3 docs
Refinancing for equity access, debt consolidation, or a better rate. Need mortgage statement, tax notice, and possibly an appraisal.
✓
💰
Refinance
3 docs
Get pre-approved before you start shopping. Just need a price range and preferred area to get started.
✓
✅
Pre-Approval
2 docs
Reverse mortgage for homeowners 55+. Access your home equity with no monthly payments required. Need proof of age, property ownership, and current mortgage info.
✓
🏡
Reverse Mortgage
5 docs
2 · How Do You Earn Income? (select all that apply)
Steady paycheque — need employment letter (dated within 30 days) and most recent pay stub.
✓
💼
Salaried
2 docs
Hourly or part-time — need employment letter, pay stub, and 2 years of T4s to show income history.
✓
⏰
Hourly
3 docs
Own your business or freelance — need 2 years of T1 returns, NOAs, and business licence. Don't worry — Shawn has lenders for this.
✓
🧑💻
Self-Employed
3 docs
Commission-based (real estate, sales) — need employment letter (if applicable), T1 returns, and NOAs.
✓
📈
Commission
3 docs
CPP, OAS, company pension, or RRIF — need pension statement and CPP/OAS confirmation.
✓
🏖️
Pension
2 docs
Child support, rental income, disability, EI, investments — need documentation of source plus 2 years of tax returns.
✓
📋
Other
3 docs
3 · Where's Your Down Payment Coming From? (select all)
Personal savings — need 90 days of bank statements showing the funds have been sitting there (not borrowed recently).
✓
🏦
Savings
1 doc
Gift from family — need a signed gift letter, donor's bank statement, and proof of transfer. Shawn has the letter template.
✓
🎁
Gift
3 docs
RRSP Home Buyers' Plan — withdraw up to $60,000 tax-free. Need RRSP statement, HBP form, and proof of transfer.
✓
📊
RRSP HBP
3 docs
First Home Savings Account — up to $40,000 tax-free. Need account statement and withdrawal docs.
✓
🏡
FHSA
2 docs
Selling current home — need listing agreement, mortgage statement, signed waivers, and statement of adjustments.
✓
📜
Home Sale
4 docs
Using HELOC or line of credit — this debt counts against qualification. Need statement and terms.
✓
💳
Borrowed
2 docs
4 · What Type of Property?
Standard house — no extra property docs needed beyond the basics.
✓
🏡
House
No extras
Condo or townhouse — need status certificate, condo financials, and building insurance certificate.
✓
🏢
Condo
3 docs
Acreage or rural property — may need well test, septic compliance, and property survey.
✓
🌾
Acreage
3 docs
Investment/rental — need lease agreements, T776 rental income statement, and proof of deposits.
✓
🔑
Rental
3 docs
New construction — need builder's agreement, deposit receipts, and new home warranty certificate.
✓
🏗️
New Build
3 docs
5 · Does Any of This Apply? (optional)
Never owned a home (or not in last 4 years) — may qualify for FHSA, HBP, and first-time buyer incentives.
✓
⭐
First-Time
2 docs
New to Canada — need work permit/PR card, international credit reference. Some lenders specialize in newcomer programs.
✓
🌍
Newcomer
4 docs
Separation or divorce — need separation agreement and support orders. Support payments affect qualification both ways.
✓
📑
Divorce
2 docs
Applying with someone — every co-borrower needs their own complete set of documents and credit check.
✓
👥
Co-Borrower
2 docs
Past bankruptcy, consumer proposal, or credit issues — need discharge papers and an explanation letter. Don't give up — options exist.
✓
📉
Credit Issues
3 docs
Own other properties (rental, vacation, investment)? Need current mortgage statements, property tax notices, and lease agreements for each property.
✓
🏘️
Own Other Properties
3 docs
👈
Click a Box to Begin
Select any box on the flowchart to see which documents you'll need and why the lender asks for them.
This checklist is a comprehensive general guide — it covers what may be required across a wide range of lenders and situations. Not every lender requires every document listed here. Some lenders ask for more, some ask for less. Your specific requirements depend on your lender, your financial situation, and the type of mortgage product. This is a starting point — not a final list. Sit down with Shawn to review your specific situation and confirm exactly what's needed for your file.
Shawn Selanders — RECA-Licensed Mortgage Broker · 25+ Years
Your Local Mortgage Professionals · High River · Okotoks · Calgary · Southern Alberta 403-703-6847 · Shawn@ShawnSelanders.ca
This checklist is a general guide. Every mortgage situation is unique — Shawn will confirm exactly what's needed for your specific file.