How we are helping realtor partner's clients create more listings and deals by creatively solving problems.

Joel Olson • March 23, 2022

In busy markets, the average consumer will assume that it's like a gravy train for us, but you and I know that couldn't be further from the truth...

In busy markets, the average consumer will assume that it's like a gravy train for us.


Money's constantly coming in, followed by days of long lunches and endless leisure activities as we make the easiest money we've ever made in our lives.


In reality, both you and I know that a busy market is not easy.


In fact, it's very hard work.


The challenges that we face today are much different than a different market climate and the challenges that we face today, some of them can become even more challenging and more frustrating than what we've encountered before.


I know it, and we hear it from realtors we talk to daily that the crucial lack of inventory makes a huge impact on their business.


Many of our buyers who are pre-approved for months on end, finally leave the market finding nothing to suit their needs after countless multiple offers.


After countless situations where they're outbid feeling frustrated and some never return to the market to purchase a home

Lately, I've been noticing from the clients we talk to that they are keenly unaware of some strategic ways that they can take advantage of the seller's market.


In fact, there's clients that we have right now that have things that you could be listing, that they don't even realize.


Below, I've articulated a few different ideas that I've found lately with clients that you may not have thought about and should give you a great opportunity to reach out to some of those clients, to see if you can find a few more listings to fill up the inventory that we're all lacking.


Number one:

Any buyer with an acreage, or maybe a lot that could be subdivided are potentially people that have not thought about selling off part of their lot.


Many people are daunted by what they assume is cost prohibitive for them to subdivide.


What if I told you that we offer mortgages that don't require income or credit, but short term loans specifically to allow somebody to subdivide their lot and to take the cost of which to pay out when they sell off the lot .


You could be approaching your clients that have bigger lots that could be subdivided with the idea that you could sell off their lot for them, and also arrange the cost of the subdivision in order for them to profit off the lot.

This is truly something that most people haven't even thought of.


Especially if you have buyers that maybe are feeling like they don't need that much more area to their property.

Number two  


A very interesting thing that I saw last year was a lot of clients who typically have seen opportunities such as buying suited homes.


Of course, it makes sense. We all talk about the holy grail of buying a property with a mortgage helper that enables the cost on a monthly basis to go down and how much that increases your qualifying and makes it more appealing to the average buyer.


However, a new, a strategy evolved last year that we thought many of our clients taking advantage of.


That strategy was to split their house into two, essentially making it a duplex, selling off that one side.


And for most of our clients... becoming absolutely mortgage free, especially with the house price increase in the market.

We saw people paying for the cost to simply stratify their house into a duplex, being able to go from having a mortgage, to being mortgage free completely.


For many of these clients, they were not near retirement and were easily in their early thirties and now have a completely different financial picture.


If you have clients that have a house that could be split into a duplex and they are talking to you about not needing all that space, we offer loans that will give them the cost of both renovating and the legal cost to subdivide their property into two, without them them needing any income or credit.


Again, a short term loan where they are able to do that and end up in a much better financial picture.


And of course you have one more listing that you can sell in this busy market and actually a listing that probably is something that's easier to move and is something that is in the price range of many of the people that are being priced out of the market.

Number three


The folks that want to downsize, but don't know how.


It dawned on me a few weeks ago when we had a client call talking about his fear that he would sell his house and not find another house and essentially be homeless because he knew his house would sell fast, but he also knew it'd be very difficult to find a house and he could not put himself in that position.


But with his health failing and with his situation turning where his house was certainly not what he needed to be in.


And the idea where he'd have to go into something a lot smaller making complete sense, he was at a crossroads.


How would he do that?


He was a senior with a lower income.


Most of his wealth was tied up in his house as is often the case.


How would he be able to arrange that time period?


Did you know that we offer bridge loans for clients that have a home that they need to sell and are buying another home that they want to buy?


These loans have no payments and we pay them off when the home is sold.


So if you have clients that are downsizing, we can offer them the money to go into that home and wait to make all the timing work, so they have not one night of being homeless.

Certainly these are just a few of the ways that we are seeing realtors come up with listings where it seems like there isn't any.


I would always welcome the opportunity to sit down for a coffee with you and see if there's any way we can help make your business better.


As always, I'm available to help any of your clients at any point

A man with a beard and a suit is smiling for the camera.
Joel Olson
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Collateral vs. Standard Mortgage: Pros and Cons Explained

By Joel Olson • January 20, 2026
Mortgage Registration 101: What You Need to Know About Standard vs. Collateral Charges When you’re setting up a mortgage, it’s easy to focus on the rate and monthly payment—but what about how your mortgage is registered? Most borrowers don’t realize this, but there are two common ways your lender can register your mortgage: as a standard charge or a collateral charge . And that choice can affect your flexibility, future borrowing power, and even your ability to switch lenders. Let’s break down what each option means—without the legal jargon. What Is a Standard Charge Mortgage? Think of this as the “traditional” mortgage. With a standard charge, your lender registers exactly what you’ve borrowed on the property title. Nothing more. Nothing hidden. Just the principal amount of your mortgage. Here’s why that matters: When your mortgage term is up, you can usually switch to another lender easily —often without legal fees, as long as your terms stay the same. If you want to borrow more money down the line (for example, for renovations or debt consolidation), you’ll need to requalify and break your current mortgage , which can come with penalties and legal costs. It’s straightforward, transparent, and offers more freedom to shop around at renewal time. What Is a Collateral Charge Mortgage? This is a more flexible—but also more complex—type of mortgage registration. Instead of registering just the amount you borrow, a collateral charge mortgage registers for a higher amount , often up to 100%–125% of your home’s value . Why? To allow you to borrow additional funds in the future without redoing your mortgage. Here’s the upside: If your home’s value goes up or you need access to funds, a collateral charge mortgage may let you re-borrow more easily (if you qualify). It can bundle other credit products—like a line of credit or personal loan—into one master agreement. But there are trade-offs: You can’t switch lenders at renewal without hiring a lawyer and paying legal fees to discharge the mortgage. It may limit your ability to get a second mortgage with another lender because the original lender is registered for a higher amount than you actually owe. Which One Should You Choose? The answer depends on what matters more to you: flexibility in future borrowing , or freedom to shop around for better rates at renewal. Why Talk to a Mortgage Broker? This kind of decision shouldn’t be made by default—or by what a single lender offers. An independent mortgage professional can help you: Understand how your mortgage is registered (most people never ask!) Compare lenders that offer both options Make sure your mortgage aligns with your future goals—not just today’s needs We look at your full financial picture and explain the fine print so you can move forward with confidence—not surprises. Have questions? Let’s talk. Whether you’re renewing, refinancing, or buying for the first time, I’m here to help you make smart, informed choices about your mortgage. No pressure—just answers.
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Everything You Should Know Before Buying a Home

By Joel Olson • January 13, 2026
Thinking About Buying a Home? Here’s What to Know Before You Start Whether you're buying your very first home or preparing for your next move, the process can feel overwhelming—especially with so many unknowns. But it doesn’t have to be. With the right guidance and preparation, you can approach your home purchase with clarity and confidence. This article will walk you through a high-level overview of what lenders look for and what you’ll need to consider in the early stages of buying a home. Once you’re ready to move forward with a pre-approval, we’ll dive into the details together. 1. Are You Credit-Ready? One of the first things a lender will evaluate is your credit history. Your credit profile helps determine your risk level—and whether you're likely to repay your mortgage as agreed. To be considered “established,” you’ll need: At least two active credit accounts (like credit cards, loans, or lines of credit) Each with a minimum limit of $2,500 Reporting for at least two years Just as important: your repayment history. Make all your payments on time, every time. A missed payment won’t usually impact your credit unless you’re 30 days or more past due—but even one slip can lower your score. 2. Is Your Income Reliable? Lenders are trusting you with hundreds of thousands of dollars, so they want to be confident that your income is stable enough to support regular mortgage payments. Salaried employees in permanent positions generally have the easiest time qualifying. If you’re self-employed, or your income includes commission, overtime, or bonuses, expect to provide at least two years’ worth of income documentation. The more predictable your income, the easier it is to qualify. 3. What’s Your Down Payment Plan? Every mortgage requires some amount of money upfront. In Canada, the minimum down payment is: 5% on the first $500,000 of the purchase price 10% on the portion above $500,000 20% for homes over $1 million You’ll also need to show proof of at least 1.5% of the purchase price for closing costs (think legal fees, appraisals, and taxes). The best source of a down payment is your own savings, supported by a 90-day history in your bank account. But gifted funds from immediate family and proceeds from a property sale are also acceptable. 4. How Much Can You Actually Afford? There’s a big difference between what you feel you can afford and what you can prove you can afford. Lenders base your approval on verifiable documentation—not assumptions. Your approval amount depends on a variety of factors, including: Income and employment history Existing debts Credit score Down payment amount Property taxes and heating costs for the home All of these factors are used to calculate your debt service ratios—a key indicator of whether your mortgage is affordable. Start Early, Plan Smart Even if you’re months (or more) away from buying, the best time to start planning is now. When you work with an independent mortgage professional, you get access to expert advice at no cost to you. We can: Review your credit profile Help you understand how lenders view your income Guide your down payment planning Determine how much you can qualify to borrow Build a roadmap if your finances need some fine-tuning If you're ready to start mapping out your home buying plan or want to know where you stand today, let’s talk. It would be a pleasure to help you get mortgage-ready.