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

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…

We’re bringing a bit of the Victoria Market to The Mortgage Life, in this conversation with Matthew Traynor from The Traynor Group. A driven entrepreneur for most of his life, in 2010 Matthew had the excitement of co-founding what would become a nationally recognized nutrition bar company. All of this while using his free time training as a paid vo…

NEW series alert! DAM! stands for design and mortgages! With products available in the mortgage world to help make home renovations possible, on this episode we chat with interior designer, Nicole Verbeke. She shares her journey into her industry, some thoughts around design trends, and how working with a professional can save you money in the long…

In today's Bank of Canada announcement we finally get a pause! The Bank of Canada has decided to leave the policy rate unchanged at 4.5% which means that variable rate mortgages, home equity lines of credit, and unsecured lines of credit will not see any increases. For the first time in a year people with variable rates can breathe a sigh of relief…

From the new recission period, to the foreign buyer ban, to discussing our stress test requirements when it comes to mortgage financing - we had another interview with Brendon Ogmundson about some of the new housing rules as of January 2023.Brendon Ogmundson is the Chief Economist for the BC Real Estate Association. He holds an MA in Economics from…

As mortgage brokers, we have helped many many clients through the financial side of their spousal separation. Every circumstance is different, but the end goal remains the same; a peaceful resolution where all parties can afford their path forward. In this episode, we interview Christina Vinters. She is a wealth of knowledge, and adds her depth of …

In this informative episode, hosts Pete, Sue, and Mindy chat with Jess Patterson about saving, budgeting, smart financial decisions, and so much more. With interest rates rising, and a new year starting, make sure you're setting and working towards your financial goals.Born and raised in Victoria, British Columbia, Jess Patterson has established a …

Another rate hike today of 0.25%, and the Bank of Canada has indicated a pause... we think. With 8 consecutive rate hikes in the past year, we've been waiting for a bit of reprieve so that they can actually assess the impact on the Canadian economy. Let's see if it actually happens! In the meantime, make sure you're looking at your long term plans,…

While foreign investors have been restricted within Canada, as Canadians we do still have the ability to purchase abroad. Join us for our chat with Texas broker Dustin Carlson about brokering in the states, and helping foreign nationals purchasing real estate there. Dustin has been in the financing business in the USA for over 20 years. He is marri…

We got together in person, for the first time in 5 months, to record our final episode of 2022. All the best of the holiday season to you and yours!We allude to some to some great new content for next year, so come back in listen in 2023.

Home Inspector Kendall Kinnear joins us to talk about the importance of having your home inspected. Prior to a purchase or for simple home maintenance, home inspectors carry a wealth of knowledge!

Another rate hike today of 0.50% and the Bank of Canada is 'considering' a pause. Next rate annoucement will be on January 25, 2023. Stay tuned!

They’ve seen it all! Appraisers have a very interesting spot in the real estate market. Check out this episode with appraiser Adam Lawrenson of Adlaw Appraisals. Adam Lawrenson, is owner / operator at Adlaw Appraisals which focusesses on residential appraisals for mortgage brokers in the GVA and Okanagan. Adlaw Appraisals is approved with most lend…

The Mortgage Life hosts chat with Jessey Camara from Better Mortgage Insurance about life and disability coverage. Jessey started BMI Advisory Services Ltd. with his partner Rosy Jallad in February 2020 with the purpose of being able to provide Mortgage Broker clients the opportunity to get various choices for life insurance. Jessey has been life l…

Once your mortgage has funded, and money has changed hands, our job as your mortgage broker is not over!

Another rate hike today of 0.50%. We are in uncharted territory, and no one really knows what will happen next. How fitting for a Halloween episode!