In this insightful episode, Len sits down with Cyndy Morin, founder of Resolve Legal Group, to explore her holistic and client-centered approach to family law. Cyndy shares how her personal journey shaped the unique structure of her firm, including the development of the Client Support Coordinator role—an integral position that ensures clients rece…

In this timely episode of The Mortgage Life Podcast, we break down the Bank of Canada’s latest rate announcement. We explain possible reasons why, despite ongoing inflation concerns, the central bank chose to hold the key interest rate steady. Whether you're a homeowner, buyer, or just mortgage-curious, this episode will help you make sense of the …

Len Lane sits down with Bart Paterson, Business Development Manager at Manulife, to explore the often-overlooked importance of life and disability insurance in the mortgage process. While many clients are familiar with default and title insurance that protect the lender and the property, Len and Bart emphasize that life and disability insurance pro…

Renewal time doesn't have to be confusing — and it definitely shouldn't be rushed. In this episode of The Mortgage Life Podcast, your broker hosts break down five clear options you have when your mortgage comes up for renewal. From simple renewals with your current lender to full refinancing strategies, we get into the technical details, numbers, a…

In this episode of the podcast, Len sits down with lawyer Brandon Hans to discuss the complex world of foreclosure. They break down the foreclosure process, explaining how it begins when a borrower defaults on their mortgage and the lender takes legal action to recover the debt. Key triggers for foreclosure include missed payments, failure to maint…

In this episode, host Len welcomes Shane Parker, partner at PDS Law—Parker Dubrule Szaskiewicz LLP—to discuss the rising land title registration fees in Alberta and the challenges facing real estate lawyers today. Shane explains how these fee increases and evolving document requirements impact homebuyers, emphasizing the importance of clear communi…

NO CHANGE from The Bank of Canada! The key overnight rate has remained the same. What does this mean for our your mortgage? For our economy? What pressures are influencing today's decision to hold steady? Check out this episode to hear our take.

Host Len chats with Reuven Gorsht from Deeded to discuss the challenges and innovations in the real estate closing process. Reuven shares his personal experience of a disastrous and disorganized closing that inspired his mission to modernize the closing experience for homebuyers. The conversation explores how Deeded’s virtual closing platform track…

In this episode of the Brokers for Life Podcast, host Len Lane sits down with condo expert Brian Fischer of KDM Management to demystify the world of condominium ownership. Brian explains that condos are not just about apartments—they represent a specific ownership structure dating back to Roman times. He dives into the importance of reviewing condo…

In this episode of Brokers for Life, host Len Lane sits down with Elena Robinson, VP of Residential Sales at First National, to discuss her 35-year journey in the mortgage industry. Elena shares how she witnessed First National’s incredible growth from a small startup to a powerhouse with 1,700 employees, all while maintaining a strong commitment t…

The Bank of Canada dropped rates by 1/4% on March 12, 2025. This is the 7th straight interest rate drop and it falls in amongst some very turbulent economic and political times. Our guest, Professor Thomas Davidoff, from UBC explores the interest rate decrease and its effects on you, the mortgage consumer. We also discuss the impacts of tariffs and…

Len Lane, founder of Brokers for Life Inc., sits down with Shawn Jewers, Business Development Manager for MCAP Mortgages, to discuss the massive wave of mortgage renewals coming between 2025 and 2027. They break down the two types of mortgage transfers—standard and collateral—and why understanding the differences is crucial for brokers and homeowne…

The start of a new year is a great time to take stock of everything that happened in the past year... with your mortgage! In this episode, we break down two important documents that you'll be receiving shortly - your BC Assessment and your mortgage statement. Find out why you'll want to review these documents and listen for important tips to ensure…

Len Lane, founder of Brokers for Life Inc., discusses the rising divorce rates in Alberta and how the CMHC Spousal Buyout Program can help individuals retain ownership of their homes post-divorce. This program allows a spouse to qualify for a mortgage independently, covering up to 95% of the property's value to settle outstanding mortgages and othe…

In this episode, Len Lane, founder of Brokers for Life Inc., chats with Wayne Kainu from Neo Financial about Neo's impressive journey and innovative approach to financial services. Wayne shares his personal story, moving to Calgary in the 1990s as a speed skater, and how he eventually joined Neo Financial, founded by the creators of Skip the Dishes…

The Bank of Canada has once again dropped their key policy rate, this time by .25%. This rate drop will most likely cause Canadian banks to drop their prime rate by .25%, which would bring prime to 5.2%. For those with Variable Rate mortgages, Adjustable Rate mortgages, and Home Equity Lines of Credit - you will see a change to your mortgage (eithe…

In this episode of Brokers for Life, host Len Lane and his guest, Gerhardt Klann, president of Northern Lights Real Estate Consulting, dive into the critical role appraisals play in real estate transactions, especially for buyers putting down over 20%. Gerhardt shares his journey from real estate investing in the late 1990s to becoming a seasoned a…

Host Len Lane welcomes special guest Dan Akowuah from Amansad Financial to discuss the intricacies of private lending and its role within the mortgage industry. Len and Dan break down the differences between private lending, syndicated mortgages, and mortgage investment corporations (MICs), a topic that is often misunderstood. Dan provides insight …

Christmas presents being given out by the Bank of Canada? Yup, that's right! The Bank of Canada announced today that they're cutting the overnight rate by 1/2% to 3.25% today. That means variable rate mortgage clients and those with lines of credit should see some relief in their rates shortly. Tune in to get our take on what happened and where we'…

In a critical update for the mortgage industry, Dave Teixeira joins host Len Lane to clarify the recent AML regulations. Dave highlights the importance of these rules in strengthening the role of mortgage brokers in Canada’s financial system and explains the operational challenges of ongoing compliance. He illustrates how DLCG is supporting brokers…

Co-Signers and Guarantors – what exactly are they and when would you need them? In this episode we chat about potential options of including cosigners or guarantors when you can’t qualify for the mortgage on your own. We also review what is required, their legal obligations, and how easy (or difficult) it is to remove them at a later date. If you h…

In this episode, Len Lane, founder of Brokers for Life Inc., sits down with Mike Ayub from Home Trust to discuss the ins and outs of alternative lending. With over 30 years in the business, Home Trust specializes in serving clients who don’t fit traditional A-lender criteria, such as self-employed individuals and those with unique income sources. M…

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.…