Origination Fee – Definition, Meaning, and Examples in Canadian Real Estate
Understand origination fees in Canadian real estate — what they cover, when they apply, and how they impact the total cost of mortgage financing.
May 22, 2025
What is an Origination Fee?
An origination fee is a charge imposed by a lender or broker for processing and setting up a new mortgage loan.
Why Origination Fees Matter in Real Estate
In Canadian real estate, origination fees are more common in private or alternative lending and cover administrative tasks such as underwriting, document preparation, and funding coordination.
Typical features include:- Expressed as a percentage of the loan amount (e.g., 1%)
- May be bundled with broker or legal fees
- Disclosed in the mortgage commitment or fee agreement
Lenders may waive origination fees in competitive markets, but they are standard for non-traditional loans. Buyers should review these fees before signing any financing agreements.
Understanding origination fees helps borrowers assess the full cost of obtaining a mortgage and compare options across lenders.
Example of an Origination Fee
A borrower pays a 1% origination fee on a $400,000 private mortgage, totalling $4,000 added to their closing costs.
Key Takeaways
- Charged for setting up a new loan.
- Common in private or complex financing.
- Disclosed in advance.
- Increases upfront cost.
- Can vary by lender or broker.
Related Terms
- Mortgage Broker Fee
- Private Lending
- Lender Disclosure
- Closing Costs
- Loan Origination


Canada residential unit sales by month, actual, 2019 and 2024-2026. Data through June 2026. Source:
Canada residential sales-to-new-listings ratio, actual, January 2025 to June 2026. Source:
Canada residential months of inventory, actual, January 2025 to June 2026. Source: Source:
Year-over-year change in residential average sale price for Canada, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta, January 2022 to June 2026. Average price is shown here as a regional mix measure, not a substitute for HPI or local comparable sales. Source:
Year-over-year change in residential unit sales for Canada, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta, January 2024 to June 2026. Source: 






15284-15296 Fleetwood Drive in Surrey. (Flat Architecture, 1098261 BC Ltd.)
Renderings of the tower proposed for 15284-15296 Fleetwood Drive in Surrey. (Flat Architecture, 1098261 BC Ltd.)

Goldberg Group 
10-storey apartment building currently occupying 525 Eglinton Avenue East/WND Associates
Rendering of 525 Eglinton Avenue East/Wallman Architects
The Mayfair West site and its surrounding context. (Grosvenor, Arcadis, Hariri Pontarini Architects)
Renderings of Mayfair West. (Grosvenor, Arcadis, Hariri Pontarini Architects)
