Are you leveraging relationships to scale your mortgage business? In this episode of The Canadian Private Lenders Podcast, we sit down with Cyrus Habibi—a top-producing mortgage broker with Premier Mortgage, consistently ranked #1 in volume in Atlantic Canada for five straight years. From humble beginnings in life insurance to dominating $350M+ in mortgage volume with the Premier Private Client Group, Cyrus shares how building relationships, not budgets, fuels growth. This episode is your roadmap to reputation-driven success.

Show notes:

01:43 - How Cyrus transitioned from insurance into real estate finance
02:45 - Got his start thanks to Don McFicker's mentorship
04:43 - Why mortgage brokering is more service-based than sales
06:01 - Met his future business partners through a shared love for cars
10:22 - Mentorship saved him from early mistakes in brokering
15:14 - Premier team closed over $350M in mortgage volume last year
17:42 - Atlantic Canada market is stronger and more resilient than expected
20:28 - Referral-based growth beats cold leads and ads every time
21:45 - Their team acts as a “walking brand”—authenticity matters
23:14 - What Cyrus loves most about this business and lifestyle
25:52 - What’s next? Cyrus shares how the team plans to grow further
27:04 - Bonus question: Cyrus’s favorite pizza spot and dream car

Resources:

• Keystone Capital Group
• CPLP Instagram: @cplpodcast
• Keystone Instagram: @keycapgroup

Find Cyrus on:
Instagram: @cyrushabibi

Find Neal On:
Instagram: @neal.andreino
LinkedIn

Find Ryan on:
LinkedIn
E-mail: ryan@keycap.ca

Do you want to scale your lending business without the risk of losing millions of dollars? This episode is for you! In it, Neal and Ryan discuss the strategic ways private lenders can grow their business sustainably and profitably without taking on undue risk. They also discuss growing a business through geographic expansion and diversification. Listen and enjoy the show!

Show notes:

02:51 - Ryan shared John Love's speech at the RHP Nova Scotia Awards Gala
05:00 - The need for some industrialization
05:51 - Slowing down the expedited growth
07:44 - Starting a business from scratch
10:22 - Growing business by geographic expansion
13:28 - Diversification of portfolio
21:19 - Building a book of repeat borrowers
22:54 - Always track your KPIs, margins, default rates, and repeat borrower ratio

Resources:

• Keystone Capital Group
• CPLP Instagram: @cplpodcast
• Keystone Instagram: @keycapgroup

Find Neal On:

• Instagram - @neal.andreino
• LinkedIn

Find Ryan On:

• LinkedIn
• E-mail - ryan@keycap.ca

What will be the impacts of the election results for private lenders, builders, and real estate investors? In this episode, Neal and Ryan do an election special by doing a recap on the election results and giving a highlight on the Liberal Party and Conservative Party's platforms in the housing sector. They talked about the Liberal's plan of making the government act as a developer to build affordable housing and cutting the GST for first-time homebuyers on homes up to $1 million. In addition, Neal and Ryan shared their insights on the impacts of these plans on lenders, builders, and investors. Listen and enjoy the show!

Show notes:

01:33 - Neal and Ryan share their insights about the election
03:19 - Failure of marketing on the Conservative Party
04:50 - Develop a better and stronger party after a failure
05:34 - Recap of the election results
07:40 - The Carney Effect and the Liberal Party
11:30 - Liberal Party's housing platform for Canada
12:30 - Concerns about the government acting as a developer on public lands
14:30 - Bringing back the MURB program
16:51 - Neal's insight about the impacts of proposed housing programs on private lenders, investors, and builders
22:10 - Overview for the next 12 months or more

Resources:

• Keystone Capital Group
• CPLP Instagram: @cplpodcast
• Keystone Instagram: @keycapgroup

Find Neal On:

• Instagram - @neal.andreino
• LinkedIn

Find Ryan On:

• LinkedIn
• E-mail - ryan@keycap.ca

What if you could accelerate your construction project without the red tape of traditional banks? In this episode Neal and Ryan reveal why private lending is often the smarter, faster option for construction financing. They break down the complex world of construction financing, explaining how private lenders offer quicker, more flexible funding options compared to traditional banks. They also discuss the benefits of fast approval times and how these advantages can streamline your project.

Show notes:

• 01:08 - Neal shares his experience with a new peptide treatment.
• 02:45 - Stock market volatility and its impact on construction loans.
• 05:32 - Challenges of traditional construction loans and long documentation processes.
• 08:09 - The requirement for high liquidity and assets when applying for traditional loans.
• 09:28 - Why private lending is gaining popularity in construction projects.
• 10:48 - Understanding loan-to-value and loan-to-cost ratios for construction loans.
• 11:55 - Key differences between private lending and traditional banking processes.
• 13:09 - The impact of slow bank approval processes on construction timelines.
• 15:28 - How Keystone simplifies construction loans with flexible draw schedules.
• 16:28 - Fast approval times and the advantages of private lending for builders.
  
  

Resources:

• Keystone Capital Group
• CPLP Instagram: @cplpodcast
• Keystone Instagram: @keycapgroup

Find Neal On:

• Instagram - @neal.andreino
• LinkedIn

Find Ryan On:

• LinkedIn
• E-mail - ryan@keycap.ca

What would happen if I can't pay out this loan at maturity? Why is the maturity process crucial for a borrower, broker, or investor? These are the questions that will be answered in this episode of the Canadian Private Lenders Podcast.

Ryan, a seasoned expert at Keystone Mortgage Investment Corp., will walk you through the ideas of renewal, repayments, and potential default consequences in tougher situations on your mortgage. He will also discuss the importance of reviewing your mortgage terms well before maturity and working with your broker to explore renewal or refinance options early.

You must have good communication with your lenders to avoid last-minute complications, as well as consider all your exit strategies when entering a private mortgage to prevent issues at maturity. Listen and enjoy the show!

Show notes:

• 00:52 - Ryan introduces the episode about the maturity process
• 01:56 - What is mortgage maturity?
• 02:10 - Difference between mortgage lending and private lending
• 03:56 - When the lender negotiates new terms with the borrower
• 08:47 - Be a bit more flexible in terms of the payout
• 09:47 - Importance of starting the refinance process early
• 13:54 - Always review your mortgage terms well before maturity

Resources:

• Keystone Capital Group
• CPLP Instagram: @cplpodcast
• Keystone Instagram: @keycapgroup

Find Neal On:

• Instagram - @neal.andreino
• LinkedIn

Find Ryan On:

• LinkedIn
• E-mail - ryan@keycap.ca

Are you confident that you understand the essential mortgage terms in private lending? In this episode Ryan MacNeil and Neal Andreino break down the most important mortgage definitions you need to know to succeed in the private lending and real estate investment world. They tackle crucial concepts such as amortization, appraisals, bridge loans, loan-to-value ratios, and more, providing clarity on how these terms impact real estate transactions in Canada.

Ryan and Neal, both seasoned experts at Keystone Mortgage Investment Corp., walk you through the complex world of private lending, offering valuable insights for brokers, lenders, and investors. Whether you're just starting or already have experience in the industry, this episode will help you solidify your understanding of key mortgage terminology.

With the private lending market constantly evolving, understanding these terms is essential for making sound lending decisions and navigating the real estate investment landscape. Tune in and learn how these definitions directly affect the industry and your investment strategy.

Show notes:

• 01:12 - Ryan and Neal introduce the episode and discuss mortgage definitions
• 03:10 - Why appraisals are critical in private lending.
• 05:30 - Neal talks about bridge loans for property transitions in real estate.
• 07:45 - Explanation of collateral charges and their role in lending agreements.
• 10:00 - Discussion on construction draws and how private lenders facilitate projects.
• 12:20 - Debt service ratios and their importance in lending.
• 15:00 - How equity plays a pivotal role in private lending.
• 17:40 - Discussion on fix-and-flip loans and their benefits for investors.
• 19:30 - The key distinctions between open and closed mortgage terms.
• 22:00 - Discussion on LTV ratios and their importance for private lenders.
• 24:30 - Neal discusses refinancing and the role of private lenders in it.

Resources:

• Keystone Capital Group
• CPLP Instagram: @cplpodcast
• Keystone Instagram: @keycapgroup

Find Neal On:

• Instagram - @neal.andreino
• LinkedIn

Find Ryan On:

• LinkedIn
• E-mail - ryan@keycap.ca

What makes a successful private lending company thrive for over 50 years? In this episode Ryan and Neal are joined by Jesse Bobrowski, the Vice President of Calvert Home Mortgage Investment Corporation. With over four decades in the industry, Calvert has built a reputation for providing short-term lending solutions for real estate investors in Alberta and Ontario.

Jesse delves into the company’s history, explaining how it transitioned from a mortgage brokerage to a mortgage investment corporation. He offers valuable insights into Calvert’s strategic approach to lending, focusing on residential urban markets and catering to real estate investors looking to buy, renovate, and sell or refinance properties. The conversation also covers Calvert’s unique corporate structure, their commitment to shareholder transparency, and how they’ve navigated market challenges while maintaining consistent growth.

This episode provides listeners with a detailed understanding of the private lending sector, how Calvert operates, and the key factors contributing to its success in the ever-evolving real estate market.

Show notes:

• 02:08 - Jesse introduces Calvert’s 50-year history and transition from brokerage to lender.
• 04:01 - Jesse explains their focus on short-term lending and residential properties.
• 06:30 - The advantages of sticking to residential markets for lending.
• 08:44 - How Calvert manages growth and stability in Alberta and Ontario.
• 13:01 - The impact of Ontario’s affordability challenges on lending strategies.
• 16:23 - The unique structure of Calvert's mortgage investment corporation.
• 19:49 - Why transparency with shareholders is crucial to Calvert’s success.
• 25:39 - Jesse discusses how they manage capital and optimize investments.
• 31:45 - Understanding Calvert’s strategic lending approach in Ontario’s urban markets.
• 34:55 - The importance of aligning with industry best practices through CAMLA.
• 38:37 - Alberta’s population growth and the potential for business-friendly opportunities.
• 43:34 - Jesse’s thoughts on the best pizza spot in Calgary.

Resources:

• Keystone Capital Group
• CPLP Instagram: @cplpodcast
• Keystone Instagram: @keycapgroup

Find Jesse on:

• Linked - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-bobrowski/?originalSubdomain=ca

Find Neal On:

• Instagram - @neal.andreino
• LinkedIn

Find Ryan On:

• LinkedIn
• E-mail - ryan@keycap.ca

What does it take to succeed in Ontario’s competitive private lending market? In this episode of The Canadian Private Lenders Podcast Ryan and Neal are joined by James Grantis, Co-Founder and Director of Investments at Hosper Mortgage. James shares his journey from banking to private lending, offering insights into building a strong business.

He discusses the value of broker relationships, effective branding, and focusing on smaller residential loans for long-term growth. James also highlights how technology and automation can streamline operations, manage risk, and drive efficiency. Tune in to learn key strategies for scaling a private lending business and staying resilient in the ever-changing mortgage industry.

Show notes:

02:10 – James’s transition from TD Bank to private lending career.
04:10 – How James’s early exposure to real estate shaped his career.
06:00 – The value of relationships in private lending and trust.
08:20 – The decision to go all-in on private lending full-time.
10:10 – Initial challenges and growing pains faced when starting Hosper Mortgage.
12:30 – Importance of not betting the business to protect stability.
14:50 – How branding evolved and the importance of rebranding Hosper.
16:00 – Overcoming legal challenges, including trademark issues with the company's name.
18:10 – How starting as a syndicate helped prove the concept.
21:00 – Using a Mortgage Investment Corporation (MIC) for long-term growth.
23:30 – Focus on residential single-family homes as core lending strategy.
26:00 – Why loans under $1.5M are central to their business.

30:00 – Balancing larger loans with smaller, high-volume residential deals.
35:00 – Managing risk through diversified but smaller loan sizes.
40:30 – The value of working with brokers to source consistent deals.
45:00 – Technology and automation transforming how private lenders operate.
52:50 – Why mortgages are still an exciting industry despite being a “commodity”

Resources:

• Keystone Capital Group
• CPLP Instagram: @cplpodcast
• Keystone Instagram: @keycapgroup

Find James on:

Linked - https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-grantis/

Website - https://hospermortgage.com/

Find Neal On:

• Instagram - @neal.andreino
• LinkedIn

Find Ryan On:

• LinkedIn
• E-mail - ryan@keycap.ca