The split usually gets discussed early. It is easy to compare, easy to remember, and it affects what you take home. But it will not tell you what happens when a lender asks a question you cannot answer and your client is waiting for a call back.
Choosing a mortgage brokerage means choosing the people and systems you will rely on while building your business. Whether you are getting started in Alberta or BC, or moving an established practice, here are the conversations worth having before you sign.
Ask to see the training calendar
“We offer training” can mean quite a few things. It might be a folder of recordings. It might be live sessions where someone walks through a file with you. Ask what your first month will look like, who teaches it, and how you get help between sessions.
For a new broker, look for time spent on client conversations, collecting documents, preparing submissions, and working through lender conditions. Experienced brokers may need more help with a new system, an unfamiliar lender, or a different type of file. A useful program should have room for both.
At Mortgage Force, every agent joining the office receives more than 20 hours of live onboarding. We also hold weekly Mortgage Broker Academy meetings in person, with a Zoom option. That is office training; your provincial licensing education is a separate requirement.
Find out who picks up the phone
Ask a specific question: if I am stuck on a file at 11 a.m. on a Tuesday, who do I call? Then ask what happens if that person is away. A clear answer is more useful than a general promise that everyone is supportive.
Meetings are valuable, but questions do not wait for the next meeting. You want access to someone who can help you understand the issue, decide what information is missing, and work out the next step. Ask whether that help is included or billed separately.
Get the whole cost picture in writing
Compare the amount you retain after all brokerage charges, using the same assumptions for each offer. Ask which amount the split applies to and whether network charges come off before the split. Two identical percentages can produce different results.
You should also understand the agreement before you join. Ask about notice periods, commission payments after departure, client records, and any costs associated with leaving. An office should be comfortable explaining its terms in plain language.
- What are the monthly, transaction, credit check, and insurance charges?
- Which technology, training, marketing, and file-support services are included?
- Are there production thresholds, changing splits, or extra conditions?
- Is there a long-term commitment, and what happens when I leave?
Look at how the office works with lenders
A long lender list is a starting point. Ask how the brokerage helps you understand those lenders, find the right contact, and present a file properly. Access is much more useful when you know how to use it.
Pay attention to the office’s expectations around documents and submission quality. An approach that encourages complete, well-explained files gives you something practical to build on. Be wary of anyone suggesting that a relationship can guarantee an approval or remove the need to meet a lender’s requirements.
Spend an hour with the team
Ask to attend a meeting or speak with a broker who joined recently. Notice whether people ask questions comfortably, share useful information, and explain things without making newer agents feel awkward.
If you are considering an Edmonton mortgage brokerage, an office visit can tell you more than another recruiting call. If you will be working remotely, ask how you join meetings and get day-to-day support. The arrangement needs to work for the way you will actually practise.
Choose for the work you need to do next
Write down the three things you most need help with over the next year. They might be learning to structure files, developing referral relationships, or making your existing process more efficient. Ask each brokerage how it would help with those exact needs.
A strong fit should be easy to explain: you understand the costs, know who supports you, and can picture yourself doing good work there. If you are comparing Mortgage Force, bring your questions to Sunny or Dustin. We can walk through the training, fees, and expectations together.
