In Ottawa, Payotte selected one verified mortgage broker for 2026 in each of the 5 covered sectors: Chris Allard (Barrhaven–Nepean, 93/100); Andrew Thake (Downtown Ottawa, 92/100); Ross Taylor (Kanata–Stittsville, 82/100); The Mortgage Advisors (team) (Westboro–Hintonburg, 56/100); Centum Bank Street Mortgage (team) (Glebe–Old Ottawa South, 53/100). The selection rests on public data — Google reviews, years of experience, licence or membership, local presence — with no commission or advertising; each one's credential can be checked at the issuing body's register.
A mortgage broker shops your financing across several lenders rather than tying you to one bank: securing a realistic pre-approval, assembling your file, comparing rates and terms, then explaining penalties, portability and prepayment privileges before you commit. The lowest posted rate rarely tells the whole story. Before choosing, verify an active provincial licence, access to a broad panel of lenders rather than a single source, and a candid explanation of the penalty clauses. Payotte verifies the licence and track record of the single mortgage broker it recommends in each Ottawa sector — no ads, no paid placement.
The Ottawa real estate market
As of September 2026, the MLS benchmark price in Ottawa stood at $623,500, down 0.3% year-over-year. The average home, all property types combined, traded near $685,640. Inventory sat at roughly 4.8 months of supply, and homes took about 27 days to sell.
Scope: Region de la chambre OREB (National Capital Region) · OREB · Sep 2026. — Source : OREB
The other verified professionals in Ottawa
- Real Estate Broker — Ottawa 5 sectors covered
- Home Inspector — Ottawa 3 sectors covered
- Real Estate Lawyer — Ottawa 6 sectors covered
- Certified Appraiser — Ottawa 5 sectors covered
Frequently asked questions
The Ottawa real estate market
As of September 2026, the MLS benchmark price in Ottawa stood at $623,500, down 0.3% year-over-year. The average home, all property types combined, traded near $685,640. Inventory sat at roughly 4.8 months of supply, and homes took about 27 days to sell.
How many Ottawa sectors have a verified mortgage broker?
5 of 6 sectors listed in Ottawa. Payotte publishes ONE professional per sector and trade: the table above lists every covered sector, with the selected name and its score out of 100.
How do you find a good mortgage broker in Ottawa?
Check their licence with the provincial regulator, ask how many lenders they work with, and read their reviews: a good broker shows you several written offers and explains penalties, not just the rate. In Payotte's 2026 Ottawa selection, the top-rated is Chris Allard (Barrhaven–Nepean, 93/100).
Mortgage broker or bank: which should you choose?
Your bank only offers its own products; a broker compares several lenders, including banks, credit unions and specialized lenders. On a standard file, the broker is paid by the chosen lender: the service costs you nothing.
How is the Ottawa mortgage broker selected?
Payotte applies an independent 100-point scoring protocol: Google reviews (35 pts), total experience (30 pts), active provincial licence (15 pts), declared local presence (15 pts), and verifiable bonus (5 pts). No commission, no advertising. The licence number is published so you can check it yourself at the regulator's register.
Does Payotte earn a commission?
No. Payotte is a free, independent, ad-free service. No commission is earned and no professional pays to appear on the site.
How much does a mortgage broker cost?
In most standard residential files: nothing for the borrower. According to the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC), mortgage brokers generally don't charge fees for their services and usually receive a commission from the lender when they arrange a transaction. As an order of magnitude, a market estimate (Ratehub, 2026) puts that commission around 0.5% to 1.2% of the mortgage amount.
Fees can apply for private mortgages, alternative lenders or hard-to-place credit files — they must be disclosed in writing up front. Always ask how your broker is compensated and confirm their licence with the provincial regulator before signing.
Sources: FCAC — Getting preapproved for a mortgage (how brokers are paid) · Ratehub — market estimate of the commission (not an official source)