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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Everything You Need to Know About Second Mortgages

By Marci Deane • May 6, 2026
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By Marci Deane • April 29, 2026
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By Marci Deane • April 22, 2026
Wondering If Now’s the Right Time to Buy a Home? Start With These Questions Instead. Whether you're looking to buy your first home, move into something bigger, downsize, or find that perfect place to retire, it’s normal to feel unsure—especially with all the noise in the news about the economy and the housing market. The truth is, even in the most stable times, predicting the “perfect” time to buy a home is incredibly hard. The market will always have its ups and downs, and the headlines will never give you the full story. So instead of trying to time the market, here’s a different approach: Focus on your personal readiness—because that’s what truly matters. Here are some key questions to reflect on that can help bring clarity: Would owning a home right now put me in a stronger financial position in the long run? Can I comfortably afford a mortgage while maintaining the lifestyle I want? Is my job or income stable enough to support a new home? Do I have enough saved for a down payment, closing costs, and a little buffer? How long do I plan to stay in the property? If I had to sell earlier than planned, would I be financially okay? Will buying a home now support my long-term goals? Am I ready because I want to buy, or because I feel pressure to act quickly? Am I hesitating because of market fears, or do I have legitimate concerns? These are personal questions, not market ones—and that’s the point. The economy might change tomorrow, but your answers today can guide you toward a decision that actually fits your life. Here’s How I Can Help Buying a home doesn’t have to be stressful when you have a plan and someone to guide you through it. If you want to explore your options, talk through your goals, or just get a better sense of what’s possible, I’m here to help. The best place to start? A mortgage pre-approval . It’s free, it doesn’t lock you into anything, and it gives you a clear picture of what you can afford—so you can move forward with confidence, whether that means buying now or waiting. You don’t have to figure this out alone. If you’re curious, let’s talk. Together, we can map out a homebuying plan that works for you.