Brokering isn't a job - but a passion

MortgageBrokerNews is continuing its series of features on the finalists for Broker of the Year in both categories -- the under 25 employees and the 25 and over. This year’s group is the most diverse, spanning the country. Winners in both categories will be named at the upcoming Canadian Mortgage Awards on May 10 at the Liberty Grand in Toronto.

 

MortgageBrokerNews is continuing its series of features on the finalists for Broker of the Year in both categories -- the under 25 employees and the 25 and over. This year’s group is the most diverse, spanning the country. Winners in both categories will be named at the upcoming Canadian Mortgage Awards on May 10 at the Liberty Grand in Toronto.
 
Finalist in the Mortgage Broker of the Year (Fewer than 25 Employees) category
 
Sandy Higgins, The Mortgage Centre – Island Properties, Victoria, B.C.
 
The key to success for Sandy Higgins is not going to work – but going to a place where she loves to be.
 
“I cannot call this a job, as I enjoy coming to the office every day,” says Higgins, who is now in her seventh year as a mortgage broker with The Mortgage Centre – Island Properties. “I have more than 35 years in the lending industry, and I enjoy what I do each day.”
 
Those years in the lending industry include 29 years at a credit union, where she left in 2006 as manager to enter the mortgage broker channel.
 
“As the owner of my own franchise with The Mortgage Centre, I feel it is my broad base of knowledge of the lending industry that gives me success,” she says. “It is always important to keep up-to-date with lending policy knowledge of the many lenders to choose from to put my clients into the best rates and products to fit their needs.”
 
Higgins’s philosophy is to “always put the client first and work with them to save them both time and money,” citing years of hands-on experience – including building houses – which has provided her with “a solid knowledge base for construction financing mortgages” for her clients.
 
“Commercial property building and subdivision of properties – all this has given me knowledge to be able to walk my clients through the process and where to take them for the right types of mortgage financing products,” she says. “This has been an invaluable tool in this industry.”
 
A point of pride for Higgins is the low turnover in her office.
 
Higgins says she has a total of six brokers on her team, and in 2012 she was awarded Top Three Mortgage Professional (Owner) in the Pacific Region and received a Top Franchise Growth Award (under $100 million) nomination.
 
For a full list of finalists and to reserve your place at the industry’s biggest night visit www.canadianmortgageawards.com - hope you don't miss out this year!
 
The awards sell out every year and with only 3 tables left, we hope it’s not you missing out this year!