One licensed point of contact
You speak with Meshesha from first call to funding — and again at renewal. No hand-offs to processors you never meet.
Licensed Ontario Mortgage Agent Level 2
Private mortgages, arranged personally.
Work directly with Meshesha Robel — the licensed agent who reviews your file, vets the lender, negotiates the terms and stays your contact through renewal. GTA and across Ontario.
Meshesha Robel, Mortgage Agent Level 2 (FSRA Mortgage Agent License #M15001135). Mortgage Alliance (FSRA Brokerage #10530).
Lenders vetted before you meet them
Every private lender is reviewed for registration, fee practices, renewal behaviour and how they treat borrowers at maturity.
Case-by-case underwriting
Files are built around the real story — equity, property, and a written exit — not a credit-score cutoff.
Fast, plain-language answers
An honest read on feasibility, typical pricing range and timeline, usually after one conversation.
The short answer
What is a private mortgage agent?
A private mortgage agent is a licensed mortgage professional who arranges loans from private lenders — individuals, mortgage investment corporations and private lending firms — for borrowers whose situation doesn't fit bank rules. In Ontario, arranging private mortgages requires an FSRA Mortgage Agent Level 2 licence held under a licensed brokerage.
When working directly with an agent matters
Private lending is relationship-driven. The same file can be declined by one lender and approved by another depending on how clearly the equity, the borrower's story and the exit are presented. Meshesha's role is to make that case precisely, to the right lenders, and to tell you honestly when private money is not the right answer.
- Self-employed or commission income the bank won't count
- Bruised credit, a past consumer proposal or bankruptcy
- Mortgage or property-tax arrears, or a maturing private loan
- Bridge financing between purchase and sale closings
- Equity take-out to consolidate high-interest debt
- Speed: a closing date the bank can't meet
| Bank (A) | B / alternative | Private | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary focus | Income & credit | Income & credit, flexible | Equity & exit |
| Typical term | 1–5 years | 1–2 years | 6–24 months |
| Rate (general range) | Lowest | Moderate | Higher, ~7–15% |
| Fees | Usually none | ~1% lender fee | ~1–3% lender + broker |
| Max loan-to-value | Up to 80% (95% insured) | Up to ~80% | ~65–80% |
| Approval speed | Days–weeks | Days–weeks | Often days |
| Payment type | Amortized | Amortized | Often interest-only |
General ranges for illustration only; not a rate quote. Actual terms depend on the lender and individual file.
Process
How Meshesha takes a private file from first call to funding
- 01
Confidential call
15–20 minutes on the property, the amount, the timeline and why the bank said no (or why you're not going to the bank).
- 02
File assessment
Meshesha estimates loan-to-value, flags issues (title, arrears, property type), and drafts the exit strategy with you.
- 03
Lender matching
The file is presented only to private lenders that fit — by region, property, position and size — not blasted to a list.
- 04
Written terms
You receive the commitment with rate, fees, term and annual percentage rate disclosed, and a side-by-side if more than one lender bids.
- 05
Appraisal & legal
Meshesha coordinates the appraiser and both law firms; you receive independent legal advice before signing.
- 06
Funding & exit plan
Funds are advanced through your lawyer. The exit plan and renewal date go on the calendar on day one.
Tool
Private mortgage cost calculator
See the interest-only payment, combined loan-to-value, fees and the true annualized cost of a private loan before you speak to anyone.
Illustrative only. Inputs are placeholders, not a quote. Actual rate, fees and legal/appraisal costs depend on the property, LTV, position and lender.
Estimate
- Interest-only monthly payment
- $1,250
- Combined loan-to-value (CLTV)
- 66.7%
- Lender + brokerage fees
- $5,250
- Approx. net funds (before legal/appraisal)
- $144,750
- Interest over 12 months
- $15,000
- All-in annualized cost
- 13.50%
CLTV at or below ~75% generally gives the widest choice of private lenders.
Purchase with a private mortgage
Closing on a home, investment or bridge purchase when the bank can't commit in time.
Read moreRefinance, second mortgage & renewal
Equity take-out, debt consolidation, arrears, and private mortgages coming due.
Read moreToronto, GTA & Ontario markets
How lender appetite and loan-to-value limits vary from Toronto to Hamilton to Durham.
Read moreCommon questions
What is a private mortgage?
A private mortgage is a loan secured against real estate that is funded by a private lender — an individual investor, a mortgage investment corporation (MIC), or a private lending company — rather than a bank or credit union. Private lenders focus mainly on the property's equity and the borrower's exit plan, so they can approve files that don't meet bank income or credit rules, usually for a 6–24 month term at a higher rate than bank mortgages.
What does a private mortgage agent do?
A licensed private mortgage agent assesses your file, identifies which private lenders are a realistic fit, packages and presents the file, negotiates rate and fees, explains the commitment and costs in writing, and coordinates appraisal and lawyers through funding. In Ontario, agents must be licensed by FSRA and work under a licensed brokerage. Meshesha Robel is an FSRA-licensed Mortgage Agent Level 2, which permits arranging private mortgages.
Why work directly with Meshesha instead of a call centre or lead form?
You deal with one licensed agent from first call to funding. Meshesha reviews your file personally, speaks to lenders himself, and is the person you call at renewal. There is no hand-off between a sales rep, a processor and an underwriter you never meet.
What are typical private mortgage rates in Ontario?
As a general range, private first mortgages in Ontario are often priced roughly in the 7%–12% annual range and second mortgages roughly 9%–15%, plus lender and brokerage fees commonly around 1%–3% each of the loan amount. Pricing moves with market rates and depends on the loan-to-value, property type, location, mortgage position and exit strategy. These are typical ranges, not quotes.
How fast can a private mortgage close?
Many straightforward private files can close in roughly one to two weeks once documents, appraisal and lawyers are in place; urgent files are sometimes faster. Timing depends on the appraisal, title, the lender's review and how quickly documents are provided, so no timeline is guaranteed.
How much can I borrow with a private mortgage?
Most Ontario private lenders cap total financing (all mortgages combined) at around 65%–80% of the property's appraised value, depending on location, property type and position. Urban GTA freehold homes typically sit at the higher end; rural, unique or commercial-adjacent properties at the lower end.
Have a file that doesn't fit the bank's box?
Send the basics. Meshesha reviews it personally and tells you plainly whether private financing makes sense — and what it would likely look like.