From Mortgage Agent to Mortgage Broker: The Next Chapter

August 26, 2026 | Posted by: Sarita Free

Same Sarita. New Title. I’m Officially a Mortgage Broker.

Another milestone I'm really proud to share: I've officially upgraded my licence from Mortgage Agent Level 2 to Mortgage Broker in Ontario.

I've been working in mortgages since 2020, and over those years I've been very fortunate to build a busy, successful mortgage business here in Norfolk County.

I've also seen a LOT of mortgage files.

Straightforward purchases. First-time buyers. Refinances. Renewals. Self-employed clients. Rural properties. Separation and spousal buyouts. Alternative lending. Private mortgages. Properties that don't quite fit into a nice little lender box.

At this point, not much surprises me anymore.

And honestly, I think that's one of the most valuable things experience gives you.

What does becoming a Mortgage Broker mean?

Mortgage professionals in Ontario are licensed and regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA).

I previously held a Mortgage Agent Level 2 licence, which allowed me to work with the full range of mortgage lenders, including traditional financial institutions as well as alternative and private mortgage solutions.

Becoming a Mortgage Broker builds on that experience and education. In addition to arranging mortgages for my own clients, a Mortgage Broker can supervise licensed mortgage agents and take on greater responsibility for guidance, compliance and the work being done within a brokerage.

You can verify my Ontario Mortgage Broker licence directly through FSRA.

I think that's important. When you're trusting someone with something as significant as your mortgage, you should be able to verify who they are and that they're properly licensed in Ontario.

Sarita Free | Mortgage Broker | Licence #M20000188

I've been doing this since 2020

There's something kind of fun hidden inside an Ontario mortgage licence number.

The first two numbers following the 'M' indicate the year the licence was originally issued.

Mine starts with M20, reflecting that I was first licensed in 2020.

A licence number doesn't tell you how many files someone has worked on or how complicated those files have been, but I'm fortunate that my business has given me exposure to a huge variety of mortgage situations over the years.

That matters.

Mortgage guidelines are important, but experience also teaches you where a file might run into trouble, what questions to ask upfront and when something that looks unusual really isn't that unusual at all.

Sometimes a mortgage is incredibly straightforward.

Sometimes we need Plan B, C and D.

Either way, I don't stress easily. We look at what we have in front of us and figure out the best way forward.

What does this change for my mortgage clients?

In some ways, not much.

I've already been helping clients throughout Simcoe, Port Dover, Waterford, Delhi, Norfolk County and Southwestern Ontario access mortgage solutions across traditional, alternative and private lending.

I'll continue doing exactly that.

What has changed is the level of responsibility I've chosen to take on within the industry.

Becoming a Mortgage Broker reflects my commitment to continuing my education, understanding the regulatory side of this business at a deeper level and becoming an even better resource for my clients and referral partners.

I never want to stop learning simply because business is going well.

My clients deserve better than that.

Becoming a better mentor, too

This milestone isn't only about my own clients.

One of the biggest reasons becoming a Broker was important to me was the opportunity to continue growing as a leader and mentor to other mortgage agents.

As my business has grown, so has my responsibility to the agents who look to me for guidance.

I want them to be able to bring me the weird file.

The complicated income.

The rural property.

The deal that doesn't fit the obvious lender.

The situation where they're staring at their screen thinking, 'Okay... now what?'

I've had people do that for me throughout my career, and I want to provide that same kind of support to the agents coming up behind me.

Being a good Broker isn't just about knowing the answer. It's about helping another agent understand why it's the answer so they're stronger the next time they see something similar.

Ultimately, that creates better mortgage professionals and better outcomes for clients.

A Norfolk County Mortgage Broker Who Actually Lives Here

While my licence allows me to work with clients across Ontario, Norfolk County is home.

I've lived here for almost 20 years and built my mortgage business here.

That means I'm familiar not only with mortgages, but with the types of properties we regularly see throughout Simcoe, Port Dover, Waterford, Delhi and rural Norfolk County.

Century home? Fine.

Well and septic? Very normal around here.

Acreage, outbuildings or something a little less cookie cutter? Send me the listing.

I've seen enough over the years that unusual doesn't automatically concern me. I just want to understand what we're working with so we can approach the right lenders from the beginning.

And if you need a local Realtor, lawyer, home inspector, financial professional or someone else to help along the way, there's a pretty good chance I know someone I'd be happy to recommend.

Still the same Sarita

The title changed.

The way I approach my clients hasn't.

I'll still tell you when I think you have a great mortgage.

I'll still tell you when I think you shouldn't move it.

I'll still explain things in normal language.

And I'll still look at the whole picture rather than simply chasing the lowest rate on the screen.

The Broker designation is really just another step in what I hope is a very long career of getting better at what I do.

I'm incredibly grateful to the clients, Realtors, colleagues and mentors who have trusted me since I first became licensed in 2020.

Now I get to put Mortgage Broker after my name.

And I'm pretty proud of that.

If you're buying a home, renewing, refinancing, consolidating debt or you've got one of those mortgage situations that you're convinced is going to shock me, feel free to reach out.

I promise, I've probably seen something weirder.

Sarita Free
Mortgage Broker | Licence #M20000188
Norfolk County, Ontario
Serving Simcoe, Port Dover, Waterford, Delhi and clients throughout Southwestern Ontario

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