In this insightful episode of Real Life Mortgage Solutions, Len Lane sits down with Rachel Rogerson, Director of Business Development at Bloom, to uncover the real benefits and myths surrounding reverse mortgages. Rachel shares her expertise on how reverse mortgages can provide financial relief to Canadians aged 55 and older, tapping into home equi…

From policy changes to interest rates to home values, this in an enlightening chat with Dustan Woodhouse, author of Be the Better Broker book series. After a challenging couple of years in the mortgage and real estate industry, and following the most recent drop in the Bank of Canada interest rate, we hope that you enjoy the extra perspective in th…

Get ready for an eye-opening journey into the heart of Western Canada's mortgage landscape. Len Lane, Founder of Brokers for Life Inc., teams up with MCAP’s dynamic Director of Sales, Lee-Ann McEllister, to tackle the market’s biggest challenges—from soaring housing costs in BC to steady trends in the Prairies. Lee-Ann shares her wealth of knowledg…

Today, the Bank of Canada announced another rate cut - the fourth consecutive rate cut for the Bank this year. And, to top it off, today's rate cut is twice the size of previous cuts at 1/2 percent! Tune in to get Pete and Mindy's take on the rate cut, why it was a jumbo sized rate cut, and what might happen at the Bank of Canada's next announcemen…

In this episode of Real Life Mortgage Solutions, Len Lane, Founder of Brokers for Life, dives deep into the crucial topic of credit with Sandra Landry, Senior VP at MNP Bankruptcy. They explore the "5 C's of Credit" (Character, Capacity, Capital, Collateral, and Conditions), explaining how lenders evaluate creditworthiness and what influences your …

The beginning of a broker / client relationship is warm and encouraging as we discuss the client's goals and how we can achieve them...then we ask for supporting documentation... Quite often a client may feel like we're asking for too much information, and it can be quite a bit of home work for the client finding all the pieces! In all cases each l…

Facing financial hardship can feel overwhelming, but understanding your options is the first step toward relief. Len Lane speaks with Sandra Landry, Senior Vice President and Licensed Insolvency Trustee at MNP, to discuss how Canadians are dealing with increasing debt following the pandemic. Sandra explains the significant rise in bankruptcy and co…

Effective December 15, 2024 there are some MAJOR changes to insured mortgages. One big change is that purchases of up to $1.5M can now be insured mortgages which means your down payment can be less than 20%. Another change is bringing back 30 year amortizations on insured mortgages. Buyers who are considered first-time home buyers or buyers of newl…

Join Len Lane, Founder of Brokers for Life, as he sits down with Dave Ford from Fastkey Technology to discuss a groundbreaking tool transforming background and financial screening. With increasing complexities from the CRA in document verification and the rising risks of fraud, Fastkey steps in to simplify and secure the mortgage documentation proc…

What DOES a mortgage broker do? Good question! And turns out Pete and Mindy could speak about it for days! In a nutshell, mortgage brokers are independent, licensed, regulated and educated professionals who are absolutely determined to understand their clients financing needs! Have a listen to Pete and Mindy' chat!…

The Bank of Canada dropped the overnight lending rate by 1/4 % today. Check out this episode for our analysis of the rate drop and what's coming for possible future cuts.

In this insightful episode, Len Lane, founder and president of Brokers for Life Inc., dives into the world of mortgage technology with Heather Cermak, Regional Vice President of Prairies at DLCG. They discuss the drastic changes in mortgage submission processes over the past 17 years, highlighting the shift from manual, paper-based systems to sophi…

In this informative episode, Len Lane, founder and president of Brokers for Life Inc., sits down with Kyra Wong, Senior Vice President of Insurance Products for DLCG, to discuss the importance of Mortgage Protection Plans (MPP). They highlight the significant differences between MPP and bank insurance, emphasizing the portability and comprehensive …

For the second time in a row, the Bank of Canada has dropped their rate!

Check out this episode where Pete and Mindy discuss some of the things you might want to think about as a first time home buyer.

In this episode, Len Lane sits down with Teresa Ferbey, Sagen Account Manager, to discuss a range of mortgage solutions available through Sagen. They delve into the critical role of Mortgage Default Insurance, making homeownership accessible even with less than 20% down payment. Teresa shares insights on popular programs like the First-Time Home Bu…

In this insightful episode of Real Life Mortgage Solutions, host Len Lane is joined by Shauna Vandenbroek, Business Development Manager for Residential Lending Solutions at FCT (First Canadian Title). Shauna dives deep into the often-overlooked topic of title insurance, explaining its critical role in protecting homeowners from various risks. From …

We chat with Brendon Ogmundson, the chief economist for the BC Real Estate Association, to find out what he thinks about the current state of interest rates. Brendon explains the recent Bank of Canada rate drop and the potential for future rate decreases. Does the Bank of Canada have any effect on fixed rates? And how do these rates affect the real…

Have you considered buying a house to renovate or building your own home from the ground up and wondered how a mortgage can cover that? In this episode, Len discusses the three types of construction project mortgages (Purchase Plus Improvement, Completion, and Draw Mortgages), how they’re different, and what they cover. After listening, you’ll have…

In this engaging episode, Len Lane welcomes back Cheryl Wilkes, an award-winning mortgage broker and real estate expert. Cheryl shares her extensive experience managing rental properties, including the challenges and rewards of being a landlord. From dealing with problematic tenants to navigating property management companies, Cheryl offers invalua…

In this episode, Len Lane chats with Reaza Ali, a mortgage expert, about private lending and Mortgage Investment Corporations (MICs). They explain how private lending and MICs work differently from traditional banks, providing options for people who may not qualify for bank loans. Reaza clarifies the risks involved and emphasizes the importance of …

In this episode, Len Lane, founder and president of Brokers for Life Inc., sits down with Cheryl Wilkes, a seasoned mortgage broker and one of the founding members of Brokers for Life. Cheryl shares her journey from working part-time to embracing full-time commitment in the mortgage industry. The conversation delves into Cheryl's transition, highli…

In this episode of Real Life Mortgage Solutions, Len Lane discusses his process for obtaining mortgages for self-employed Canadians. Len provides invaluable insights into recent shifts in tax regulations impacting self-employed mortgage applicants, emphasizing the importance of strategic tax planning. He discusses the challenges self-employed indiv…

In this episode of Real Life Mortgage Solutions, Len interviews Ray Meredith, a seasoned mortgage broker with a rich background in the banking and real estate industries. Ray shares valuable insights into the key differences between the banking and mortgage brokerage sectors, highlighting the advantages of being an independent contractor and the ar…

In this episode of the Real Life Mortgage Solutions podcast, Len Lane delves into the critical yet often overlooked process of mortgage renewals. With a staggering statistic that 85% of Canadians auto-renew their mortgages without exploring better options, Len breaks down the implications of this decision and why it's crucial for individuals to rea…

In this episode, Len Lane, founder and president of Brokers for Life Inc., sits down with Amy Wilson, a founding team member of the organization, to delve into her journey into the world of mortgage brokerage. From her background in finance to the pivotal decision to transition into mortgage brokering, Amy shares her insights, experiences, and the …

Mortgage Solutions for the every day Canadian mortgage consumer. Are you thinking about becoming a mortgage broker learn first hand what you should look for in a brokerage and what you need to be successful. — Contact Len Lane | Brokers for Life: BrokersForLife.ca Linkedin: Len Lane LinkedIn: Brokers for Life Facebook: Brokers for Life X: @Brokers4…

Welcome to our podcast! We have created this library of episodes to help educate our clients on some of the most important and most asked about topics relating to the mortgage process. Stay tuned for more captivating topics in the future, and in the meantime, please enjoy the 62 episodes published to date.…

You might be surprised at some of the unique topics uncovered in this episode! Have a listen as Pete, Sue, and Mindy chat with Terence Tait, broker/owner at REMAX Action Realty in Whitehorse, YT.

Murray Smith from KPMG in Vernon joins Pete, Sue, and Mindy for a riveting chat about working with an accountant, and how an accountant can add to your trusted team of advisors. From financial reporting, to tax advice, to business strategy, an accountant can add an in depth financial perspective to your portfolio.…

Reflections on some of our key episodes since the launch of The Mortgage Life in January 2021. - episode 1: Curious about BC Assessment? - episode 2: Don't burn your mortgage statement! - episode 6: What is Alternative Lending? - episodes 14-16, 19, 20: the GAM! Series - getting a mortgage - episode 17: First Time Home Buyers - episode 25: Thinking…

Another hold! The Bank of Canada has given us a bit more time with the current rate. Have a listen to our chat about it, and we have a little announcement! **check out episode 40 - Insights of a CEO for the full conversation with Gary Mauris, as mentioned in this Special Feature.

Do you have a great rate on your mortage, want to make a change, but don't want to incur a penalty? Have a listen to this episode on how to avoid the penalty box, and contact your broker to see if there are options for you.

A person's capacity in a mortgage transation is the amount of mortgage they qualify for given their verified income. What does that mean for you? Have a listen to this episode where Pete, Mindy, and Sue tackle the extensive world of income qualification to break it down into understandable and bite sized pieces. Also! Check out our RAM! series, epi…

The Bank of Canada leaves its rate unchanged! Are we at a precipice? Are we at a place where inflation might continue to decrease? Will we stay level, or decrease in the near future? We'll have to wait and see!

Your down payment represents your 'skin in the game' - it is an equity injection at the time of your purchase. It also represents the biggest barrier to getting into the real estate market. Listen in as Pete, Sue, and Mindy talk down payment.

Pete, Sue, and Mindy have an in depth conversation with Gary Mauris, co-founder and President & CEO of Dominion Lending Centres; CEO of Mortgage Centre Canada; and Chairman of Mortgage Architects. They chat about everything from the Canadian economy to the concept of imposter syndrome, both in business and in life in general. Together, the DLC Grou…

A chattel mortgage is a loan for a manufactured home or other movable piece of personal property, such as machinery or a vehicle. On this episode, Pete, Sue, and Mindy chat about what these loans look like in the mortgage industry.

The Bank of Canada held it's interest rate this morning. After 10 increases over the past couple of years, Canadians are faced with higher mortgage payments than ever before. So what does this mean for us now? What is the Bank of Canada looking for between now and the next annoucement on October 25, 2023? Have a listen to this morning's brief conve…

We are interrupting our regular podcast flow for a bonus episode on preparing for a natural disaster. Whether you're in the Okanagan, on Vancouver Island, or somewhere else in the world, this episode is meant to get you thinking about how to prepare for fires, floods, earthquakes, and whatever else Mother Nature brings.…

How does your mortgage broker choose your lender? Why do some lenders have a branch location, while others do not? What is a Monoline lender? On this episode, Pete, Mindy, and Sue find answers to these questions in their chat with Sarah Almond from First National Financial. Sarah has been working in the mortgage industry since the early 2000's and …

In the third and final episode of the RAM! series, The Mortgage Life hosts discuss the basic parameters, common misconceptions, and the risks involved with building an empire (i.e. your rental investment portfolio). What is your purpose? How many properties will you own? Do you have the time and a solid financial plan? Check out the conversation!…

Mindy, Sue and Pete talk with Brendon Ogmundson, chief economist from the BC Real Estate Association, about the Bank of Canada’s 0.25% rate increase this morning. Brendon gives his insights about the latest rate increase, what the Bank of Canada is trying to do with all these increases, and when we might see rate increases stop… or even start to go…

Check it out! In this episode, we discuss short term rentals, and Mindy talks about her experience in ownership.

It’s another series! RAM is for Rentals And Mortgages! Are you curious about real estate investment? This series kicks off with a knowledgeable property manager sharing his experience with managing rental properties. Aaron Piva is the Owner and Managing Broker of Real Property Management Executives in Kelowna, BC. Born and raised in Metro Vancouver…

Mindy, Sue and Pete discuss the Bank of Canada's rate announcement this morning and... here we go again! Another rate increase today of 0.25%. How does the Bank of Canada deal with inflation that is made up of increasing housing costs? And how do you handle those increasing costs? Tune in to find out!…

Pete, Sue, and Mindy talk about locking in interest rates on this episode, along with the process and procedure for making it happen. Your decision to lock in or stick with your variable rate depends entirely on your personal situation. And so, this has been a popular discussion over the past year while the Bank of Canada rates (and those variable …

Join Pete, Sue and Mindy as they discuss construction financing. They also interview builder-turned-realtor Mark Imhoff about the builder/developer perspective. In 1983 Mark was bitten by the entrepreneurial bug, purchasing the first of two restaurants he would own. In 1988 Mark sold the restaurants to pursue a new career in the building industry. …

Welcome to part 2 of the DAM! series - design and mortgages! In this episode, Pete, Sue and Mindy chat with home designer Matt Lunde. Matt is principal at the award winning design studio 925R Design Inc. He has 20+ years in the design world, 925R Design Inc being incorporated for 14 years. Matt has a structural steel detailing background, and then …

Pete and Mindy discuss today's Bank of Canada rate announcement with Professor Tom Davidoff from UBC Sauder School of Business. Thomas Davidoff holds a BA from Harvard, an MPA/URP from Princeton, and a PhD from MIT. He holds the Stanley Hamilton Professorship in Real Estate Finance and is the Director for the UBC Centre for Urban Economics and Real…