If you haven't already gone through the mortgage pre-qualification process, you will need to find a good lender to assist you during the purchasing process and for as long as you have your mortgage.

Remember that many different institutions lend money for mortgages, such as banks, trust companies, credit unions, caisses populaires, pension funds, insurance companies and finance companies. It's a good idea to shop around and speak with more than one lender because terms and options will vary.

Some people find it helpful to use a mortgage broker. Mortgage brokers don't work for any specific lending institution. Their role is to find the lender with the terms and rates that will best suit the buyer.

To find a lender or mortgage broker, you can:

• Get a referral from your real estate agent, family members, friends or other professionals.
• Look in the Yellow Pages^TM under Banks, Credit Unions or Trust Companies for a lender and under Mortgage Brokers for a broker.
• Contact the Canadian Institute of Mortgage Brokers and Lenders at 1 888 442-4625 or visit their website at http://www.cimbl.ca.