Krystal Smith and Kaela Fraser join the Mortgage Architects Broker Network

Marci • November 9, 2015

I am very happy to announce that I will be working with Krystal Smith and Kaela Fraser as they have decided to join the Mortgage Architects Broker Network. Here is the official press release by MA. Welcome ladies, and all the best!

For official release:

Vancouver, British Columbia

November 5, 2015

Mortgage Architects – is pleased to announce the recent appointments of Krystal Smith and Kaela Fraser to Mortgage Architects . Joining the North Vancouver MA team led by Marci Deane, Krystal and Kaela will be based in their hometown of Dawson Creek, representing Mortgage Architects’ first location in British Columbia’s Peace River Regional District.

Krystal and Kaela cite ‘’reputation, integrity, professionalism and support” as key factors for joining Mortgage Architects,.

“ Being newer to the industry, we wanted to align ourselves with the right people to help build our business. We spent considerable time researching and understanding the options available. After speaking with Meinhard Ickert, we felt confident that Mortgage Architects would be able to meet our goals and needs going forward. MA’s value proposition represents integrity and professionalism and provides the support we need to take our business to the next level. With Mortgage Architects’ outstanding reputation and status within the mortgage broker industry, we will be able to provide even better service. The Mortgage Industry is ever-changing and MA embraces this with innovative ideas and technology – always making decisions with the future in mind. We are more than excited to be joining Marci Deane and her team. Marci has built a great business and her industry knowledge and experience will be a definite asset to us. We appreciated her honesty and transparency when making this decision. Her down to earth and approachable personality really clicked with us.”

With just under three years of mortgage brokering experience between them, twin sisters Krystal and Kaela have already positioned themselves well for continued success, utilizing their “ The Mortgage Duo ” tag line to full advantage. Their most recent affiliation was with Verico.  

We are honoured and delighted to welcome Krystal and Kaela to our Mortgage Architects Professional Broker Network.

Meinhard (Meini) Ickert

Vice-President – Western Canada

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RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan Explained: A Smart Way to Buy Your First Home

By Marci Deane • July 22, 2026
Saving for a down payment is one of the biggest challenges first-time buyers face. What many don’t realize is that the Canadian government offers a program designed to make it easier—the Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP) . This program allows you to withdraw money from your RRSP to help purchase your first home, without immediate tax consequences. Here’s how it works: Who Qualifies? To be eligible, you generally need to be a first-time home buyer. In practical terms, this means you must not have owned a home in the past four years, nor lived in a property owned by your spouse or partner during that time. There are also special allowances if you’re living with a disability or helping a relative with a disability. In these cases, you can use the HBP even if you’ve owned a home more recently. How Much Can You Withdraw? Under the program, you can access up to $35,000 from your RRSP as an individual. Couples can combine their withdrawals for a total of $70,000 . These funds must have been in your RRSP for at least 90 days before you take them out. Paying It Back The HBP isn’t “free money”—it’s an interest-free loan from your own retirement savings. You’ll have 15 years to repay the full amount back into your RRSP, starting in the second year after withdrawal. Each year, the CRA will send you an HBP Statement of Account outlining how much needs to be repaid. If you don’t make your repayment in a given year, that amount will be added to your taxable income. Why It’s a Smart Strategy The HBP can give first-time buyers a powerful boost toward homeownership. It helps you put together a larger down payment, which can reduce your mortgage amount and monthly payments. Just remember: it’s important to balance the short-term benefit of homeownership with the long-term impact on your retirement savings. Next Steps Thinking about using the Home Buyers’ Plan? Let’s sit down and review whether it’s the right move for you. Together, we can create a strategy that gets you into your first home while keeping your future financial goals on track. 📞 Reach out anytime—it would be a pleasure to guide you through the process.

Bank of Canada Holds Rate at 2.25% — July 15, 2026

By Marci Deane • July 15, 2026
The Bank of Canada announced today that it is holding its target for the overnight rate at 2.25%, with the Bank Rate at 2.5% and the deposit rate at 2.20%. The tone of today's announcement is notably more optimistic than previous months. Here's what's changed and what it means for you.

Let’s Talk About Getting Top Dollar for Your Property

By Marci Deane • July 8, 2026
When it comes to selling your home, most people think the first call should be to a real estate agent. But the smartest first step often isn’t with your agent—it’s with an independent mortgage professional. Why? Because your mortgage plays a bigger role in your bottom line than most people realize. Planning to Buy After You Sell If selling means you’ll also be purchasing another property, you’ll want to know exactly where you stand financially before listing. Mortgage rules change regularly, and qualifying once doesn’t guarantee you’ll qualify again. Getting a pre-approval in place ensures you know what you can afford and eliminates surprises later. On top of that, reviewing the terms of your existing mortgage could uncover options you may not have considered. For example, porting your mortgage instead of arranging a brand-new one could save you thousands. Selling Without Buying Even if you aren’t planning to buy right away, there’s still an important step: understanding the cost of breaking your mortgage. Unless your mortgage is open, penalties apply—and they can be significant. By reviewing the numbers with a mortgage professional, you might find that simply adjusting your timeline could reduce or even avoid costly fees. Navigating Life Changes In situations like a marital breakdown, it can feel like selling the family home is the only path forward. But that’s not always the case. With the right guidance and a legal separation agreement, one spouse may be able to buy out the other, keeping the home and providing stability for everyone involved. The Bottom Line Selling your property is more than just putting a sign on the lawn—it’s about creating a financial plan that protects your equity and positions you for the best possible outcome. Before you take the leap, let’s sit down and review your options. 📞 If you’re ready to talk strategy and make sure you get top dollar for your property, I’d be happy to connect anytime.