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Starting fresh and finding purpose
Lori McInnis never expected her career path would lead her to mortgage brokering, but six years ago, a move from Swift Current to Saskatoon, when her husband Brent was transferred with his employer, sparked a new beginning. Originally working in Wealth Management, Lori reconnected with an old friend who encouraged her to try something new.
"She said, 'You should come work with us,'" Lori recalls. "So I took the mortgage brokering course, got mentored, and here I am today."
Although the first year was challenging, Lori stuck with it. "It was a tough gig at first, starting up through the pandemic and trying to build a business," she says. "I remember thinking, 'What am I doing here?' But then the business grows, you meet wonderful people, and it becomes incredibly rewarding."
A different kind of service
What sets Lori apart is her commitment to personalized, around-the-clock service. She answers her phone when many Institutions won’t – whether it’s Sunday morning or late at night.
"Clients often tell me one of the biggest reasons they choose me is the great service I provide, my knowledge and my availability - I answer the phone," Lori says. "I’ve taken calls at 11 p.m. in emergencies. That’s not something you usually get from a traditional bank."
With access to over 30 different lenders, Lori offers a wide range of mortgage products, far beyond the limited options typically available through one institution.
"I get all the details, shop around, and find the best fit for the client’s budget and needs," she explains. "And my service is completely free to them."
Word of mouth and repeat clients
Referrals are a cornerstone of Lori’s business. She works closely with realtors, financial planners, investment advisors, lawyers, and, most importantly, past clients.
"I get tons of referrals from people I’ve helped before," she says. "It’s the best compliment. Now that I’ve been doing this for almost five years, some of my first clients are coming back to renew."
Flexible and fast solutions
Lori prides herself on being efficient and flexible. With the right documents in hand, she can have a client pre-approved in as little as 15 minutes. Preapproval is the key first step in home ownership. It defines your budget and borrowing power, which makes you a stronger, more competitive purchaser, especially in today’s market where the inventory is at an all-time low.
"It depends on how quickly they can get their income and down payment verification to me," she says. "But once that’s in place, we can move really fast."
Understanding today’s market
Even as the mortgage landscape shifts, Lori stays ahead by staying informed. She notes that rate fluctuations and lingering effects from the COVID-19 pandemic continue to affect clients.
"Policies change constantly, and sometimes it takes a bit of research to find the best fit," she says. "But I handle all of that for my clients."
As more people look beyond traditional banks, Lori’s ability to offer convenience, transparency and personalized service makes her a standout in the field.
"You don’t have to dress up and head downtown to sign paperwork anymore," she laughs. "A lot of my younger clients appreciate being able to do it all from their phone, although I do love the personal face-to-face connection."
Additional services
She also offers specialized products like Purchase Plus Improvements, which allow buyers to roll renovation costs into their mortgage – a practical option for many homeowners.
Other product options are refinancing and consolidating your debt, HELOCs (Home Equity Lines of Credit) and Reverse Mortgages, which is tailored for Canadian homeowners aged 55+ in achieving financial freedom.
Also, another great option is purchasing your second home anywhere across Canada! Whether it’s a cabin, condo or vacation spot, Lori has you covered coast-to-coast.
How to connect
Whether you are a first-time homebuyer, have been recently separated from your spouse or have an upcoming renewal, Lori has many options for you.
To reach Lori McInnis, call or text 306-774-6606, email lori.mcinnis@mortgagegroup.com, or visit www.mcinnismortgages.ca for more information.