Broker on the value of building the right professional network

The best teams provide valuable guidance and insights, Saskatoon-based broker says

Broker on the value of building the right professional network

Clocking in at nearly half a decade now in the mortgage industry, Saskatoon-based Bradyn Anderson of TMG The Mortgage Group (pictured) underscored the value of working with an extensive network right at the beginning of his mortgage career.

“I found my home at TMG The Mortgage Group and have never looked back,” Anderson told Canadian Mortgage Professional. “We’ve created an office environment where everyone problem solves and helps one another, as opposed to looking at each other as competition. I never imagined that I’d be in a position where I spend my weekends looking forward to getting back to work on Monday.”

Finding the right organization to collaborate with also ensures that a broker gets in touch with seasoned professionals who can provide valuable guidance and insights.

“I was so fortunate to cross paths with one of the best mentors in the industry, whom I lean on for advice in business and life almost every day,” Anderson said.

In his case, capable mentorship built up on an already robust foundation in the financial services sector.

“Prior to being involved on the lending side of the transaction, I started investing in real estate at a young age,” Anderson recounted. “I bought my first two properties at 21 and 22, which ignited a passion for the industry and a drive to one day become deeper involved in it.”

“After weighing between being a realtor and a mortgage broker, I felt being a broker would be a better fit as I enjoy working with numbers and creating long-term financial plans for my clients.”

This personal approach was something built over time, as Anderson described his pre-mortgage industry self as “fairly reserved, wasn’t one to start a conversation with strangers.”

“I have learned to love meeting new people,” Anderson said. “I now have a genuine interest in getting to know people, and find that taking at least one thing away from each conversation you have turns you into a more well-rounded person. This has helped my business grow exponentially.”

Anderson stressed that challenging himself to step out of his comfort zone was a valuable step in his personal and professional development.

“I’m a firm believer in setting high goals for myself – I would rather fall slightly short of a challenging goal than achieve an easy one,” Anderson said.

Over the years, Anderson said that he has learned to fully appreciate the value of communication.

“I like to have an open conversation with my clients at the beginning, try to obtain a clear understanding of what they’re looking for, what their future plans look like, and address any questions or concerns they may have, as I understand the process can be daunting,” Anderson said. “This creates a high comfort level and understanding between my client and myself as we navigate through the transaction together.”

Ultimately, the data that can be gleaned from such open exchanges ensures that Anderson the necessary framework to understand lender policies thoroughly, “which provides various advantages for my clients.”

“As a broker, we have many lender options and it pays dividends to stay educated on them, study them, and truly know which programs and products are available to us, so we can hopefully find the perfect fit for every client’s needs,” Anderson said.