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How long have you been a Mortgage Broker?
8 years.
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When did you decide to become a Mortgage Broker and why?
I decided after finding the mortgage process very frustrating for myself and learning about the benefits of brokers from a good friend of mine in the business. I wanted to assist those people that I felt were not being provided a good level of service by their bank, a story I had heard about all to often.
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What jobs did you have before becoming a Mortgage Broker?
I have been involved in senior management levels of a number of businesses, primarily in the consumer goods and manufacturing sectors.
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What type of education or training have you received for your profession?
I have received my licensing through the Real Estate Division of the Sauder School of Business at UBC. I am also an Accredited Mortgage Professional or AMP as designated by the Canadian Association of Accredited Mortgage Professionals.
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What professional designations do you have?
I hold a Diploma of Marketing & Sales Management from the Sauder School of Business at UBC.
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Where do you live and how long have you lived there?
I was born and raised in Vancouver and have lived here all my life other than a three year transfer to Alberta in the late 1980′s.
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How has your family life helped you in your profession?
My family has been very supportive of my efforts in this business providing me with leads and opportunities to help their friends and co-workers.
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What geographical area do you specialize in and why?
All of British Columbia.
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Which geographical area do you get most of your business from and why?
Greater Vancouver.
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What type of product or service do you specialize in and why?
Residential and Commercial Mortgages – Salaried, Self Employed, New to Canada
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Do you work alone? Or are you part of a team and why?
Our team at Vancouver Mortgage Corp consists of 20 mortgage professionals. In addition, we are affiliated with TMG The Mortgage Group Canada Inc with brokers from Coast to Coast. No matter what type of mortgage requirement you may have, we have the depth of knowledge to solve the most challenging financing situation.
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Since you first entered the profession, how has it changed to this point?
The business has grown from a handful of lenders, primarily the big banks, to many many mortgage only companies from all over the globe. In addition the number of mortgage options has mushroomed to the point the average consumer has no idea what types of products may be the best fit for his or her specific needs. This is the key reason that a home buyer today is best served by a licensed mortgage professional. We maintain a high degree of product knowledge and work with a multitude of lenders and mortgage solutions on a daily basis.
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What part of your job provides you with the most fulfillment and why?
Solving a challenging mortgage problem for a client.
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Why should a customer choose to work with you?
The business has grown from a handful of lenders, primarily the big banks, to many many mortgage only companies from all over the globe. In addition the number of mortgage options has mushroomed to the point the average consumer has no idea what types of products may be the best fit for his or her specific needs. This is the key reason that a home buyer today is best served by a licensed mortgage professional. We maintain a high degree of product knowledge and work with a multitude of lenders and mortgage solutions on a daily basis.
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What would be your best advice to a new customer?
Before you make any move into the real estate market, meet with a mortgage professional. They will discuss your situation and ask questions you may not have considered regarding the availability of financing for what you have in mind. This is the first step whether you are buying for the first time, moving up or perhaps renovating or consolidating some high interest debts.
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How are you different from your competition?
With our affiliation through TMG The Mortgage Group Canada Inc, we have a depth of knowledge and lender relationships second to none. We have brokers that specialize in all types of properties from Canada’s largest list of lenders in virtually any language you wish to do business in.
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How will you be able to help a new client?
We will work with them to determine the best possible solution to their mortgage requirements. We will discuss their short and long term real estate ownership goals.Providing them with advice on how to maximize their buying power as well as illustrating ways in which to pay down their mortgage debt most efficiently. We will be their advocate through the entire process, start to finish.
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What type of services do you offer?
Mortgages for purchases, refinances, equity take-outs, switches, construction and commercial.Institutional lenders as well as many private options. Firsts, Seconds, Thirds, LOC’s, etc.
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Where do you advertise and why?
We have moved primarily to the internet as the majority of consumer research into mortgage and banking solutions now begins there.
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Do you use the Internet for your business and why?
Yes. All our transactions and the majority of our client and lender communications are done over secure internet connections. This speeds the process and allows a high level of convenience to the client who may only actually need to attend the solicitor’s office for final signatures in order to complete the mortgage documents.
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How has the Internet helped your business?
Speed, convenience, accuracy, security.
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What hobbies, sports, TV programs, or activities do you like?
I am an avid golfer, photographer, and amateur chef. A fan of Stephen Colbert, John Stewart and Tina Fey.
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What charities are you interested or involved with?
World Vision is a favorite of our family.
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What do you do in your spare time?
I enjoy reading, cooking, golfing and enjoying the great outdoors of Vancouver!
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What inspires you in life and in work?
My father was a self employed businessman and he left an indelible impression on me regarding service and client loyalty. I have learned many things about business over the years but the ones I learned from my father have endured more than anything else.
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What makes you different?
Having grown up in a family where the household income was dependent upon the family business, I learned at an early age that the customer is the ultimate boss. Satisfy your clients and they will employ you, pay you and promote you. Thanks Dad!
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How can you help a customer?
We handle every client as a unique situation. Whether it be first time buyers, empty nester’s a person who may all of a sudden find themselves single after years as part of a couple, we use the utmost empathy and consideration in our approach. Our client’s are our single best source of ongoing business. We treat them with the respect, value and care that we would give our family and closest friends.
