How long have you been in the mortgage industry?

Eight years in September.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

My two boys are the non-mortgage answer. I love everything they’re becoming, and I’m so proud to be their dad. From a mortgage standpoint, I’m incredibly proud and grateful to have cracked the CMP Top 75 over the past couple of years. The Google reviews are a close second.

What was the most difficult lesson learned in your career?

That family and friends aren’t always going to be a great source of business. Even when you have their best interests at heart, people don’t always feel comfortable sharing their income or debts with someone close to them. It’s a little like having a doctor in the family and needing to ask them about something private. Family and friends can still be great cheerleaders and referral sources, though.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?

It’s cliché, but the nice messages I get from first-time buyers after they close are the most rewarding. I still remember how daunting it was buying my first home, and the people who helped me through it. It’s great to know I get to be part of that journey for others and, hopefully, make it a little easier. If I had to choose a second rewarding aspect, it’s the paycheque. (hahaha)

If you could change one thing you did from when you started, what would it be?

I’d set better boundaries around the files I want to take on, and the ones I have no interest in doing. When you first start, it’s tempting to take every deal. But when you specialize and set boundaries, you become more efficient and enjoy the work more. I wish I had said “no” to some files sooner.

If you had 4 additional hours in a day, how would you spend them?

With my family. Sometimes they get the short end of the stick, and it would be great to have that extra time with them.

What’s one practical time management tip you’d give someone looking to improve?

Try to touch your emails once a day. If you open it and can answer it, answer it. You’ll impress your clients with how fast you are, keep a cleaner inbox, and buy back a lot of time.

What’s your most memorable client success—and what made it stand out?

A young couple bought firm on a property that I can best describe as something out of The Hills Have Eyes. They reached out after being shocked that their deal was turned away by the bank, despite being pre-approved. I remember showing pictures at a CMBA event, trying anything to get the file approved. Finally, one lender said yes. They were so relieved, and that realty brokerage still uses me to this day.

What’s one major industry shift you foresee?

Isn’t AI going to take over everything? I think the brokers and agents who win will be the ones who are the best communicators. The experts at the human touch are going to separate from the pack.

What is the one piece of advice you would offer to a new broker?

Put in the work and focus on the activities that actually make you money. If someone puts in an honest eight hours a day, five days a week, and keeps up with phone and email on weekends, they’ll have a fantastic career.

What do you most value in your friends?

Loyalty. I’ve had the same group of buddies almost my entire life, and the ones who came into my life later have always stuck around.

What is your motto?

I say “Manners make the man” to my two kids at least once a week. If you’re polite and respectful to others, it comes back tenfold. I think the actual saying is “Manners maketh man,” but I’d feel silly saying that to a 13-year-old, or just about anyone.

If you could have any superpower, which would you choose?

Reading minds would be fantastic. Flight might be fun too, but I’d need Gravol.

What do you appreciate most about MERIX as a lender?

I love the speed and willingness to help move quickly to get a file over the line. I deal with a lot of conditions of finance, and the quicker I can get a file completed, the better it is for the client and my realtor partner. MERIX also has some of the best people in the business.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Four to five deals a week is perfect happiness. It’s not too many to feel stressed, and not too few that I start thinking I should downsize the house and get the kids a paper route. Because the market loves to come in waves, I’m happy approximately three weeks per year and miserable the rest of the time.