What credit score do you need for a mortgage in Canada?
The short answer: 680+ for the best A-lender rates, around 600 for B-lenders, and equity-based options with little or no score. There's a path at almost every score — here's how it works, and how to qualify with bruised credit.
Credit score by lender tier
The lowest advertised rates. Lenders compete hardest for you.
Full access to prime lenders and insured/conventional programs.
Slightly higher rate; strong file (low LTV, stable income) can still reach A.
Equity-based options fund you now, with a planned exit to A-pricing.
Your score is one input — lenders also weigh income stability, down payment / loan-to-value, and debt ratios. A lower score with a big down payment often still qualifies. For how scores are calculated, the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada is the official reference. We model your whole file, not just the number.
Bruised credit? You still have options.
No judgment — we place bruised-credit files every day. B-lenders look past a low score at the full picture; private mortgages are equity-based. The key is a plan: get in now, repair credit, and refinance to A-pricing in 12-24 months.
6 things to know about credit scores and mortgages
Why there's a path at almost every score — and how to land the best tier you qualify for.
There's a path at almost every score
680+ gets A-lender pricing; ~600 reaches B-lenders; below that, equity-based private lending can fund you with little or no score. The door is rarely fully closed.
Your file matters as much as the number
A strong file — low loan-to-value, stable income, clean recent history — can pull a 600s score up a tier. We package the whole file, not just the score.
Bruised credit has an exit
We place B or private now and map the route back to A-pricing in 12-24 months — re-establish two clean tradelines and keep payments current.
We check before we pull
Maya gives you a ballpark with no bureau pull first, so you only take the hard inquiry when you're genuinely ready to apply.
100+ lenders, every tier
A-lenders, B-lenders, and private capital all on one application — we find the lowest tier your score and file qualify for.
A plan to improve, built in
We tell you exactly which moves lift your score fastest before you apply, so you qualify a tier higher where it's worth waiting.
Why shop your file with us
- Every tier shopped — A-lender, B-lender, and private — across 100+ lenders.
- No bureau pull to start — get a ballpark before the hard inquiry.
- An exit to A-pricing mapped for bruised-credit files.
- FSRA #13737 · no judgment · the lowest tier your file qualifies for.