Lending Thoughts

10: Why AI is the Ketchup to Your CRM Fries with BluMortgage's Tom Hall

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EPISODE DESCRIPTION
In this episode, Bekim is joined by Tom Hall. Tom is the Co-Founder & Co-CEO of BluMortgage from Toronto, Ontario, one of the top independent CRMs for mortgage brokers in Canada. Used by 3 of the top 5 brokers in the country and over $11.5B in mortgage volume managed annually, BluMortgage is leading the transition from a historically manual-process to a digital-first experience for agents and their customers, and was named one of the Globe & Mail's Top Growing Companies in 2024. Tom is also the host of the Mortgage Tech Talks podcast, which covers the latest in mortgage technology, and was named one of the CMPs Rising Stars of 2024.
 
Tom is here to discuss:→ What led him to BluMortgage, what BluMortgage is and who's their avatar client, and how BluMortgage has evolved from a diagnostic to a prescriptive business.→ How to implement good CRM habits, separating your customer journey process from a system, and building a good business foundation with data & open source frameworks.→ Where AI fits in the mortgage industry, predictions on the future of mortgage tech, and what's coming from BluMortgage in 2025.
 
BluMortgage Website: www.blumortgage.ca
BluMortgage Instagram: @blumortgage
BluMortgage LinkedIn: @BluMortgage
Tom Hall's Instagram: @mortgage_tech_tom
Tom Hall's LinkedIn: @TomHall
Tom Hall's YouTube: @mortgagetechtom
Mortgage Tech Talks Podcast: @mortgagetechtalks
***
 
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CONNECT WITH BEKIM
📸 Bekim Merdita's Instagram: @bekim_merdita
📋 Bekim Merdita's LinkedIn: @BekimMerdita
***
 
CONNECT WITH ROCKET PRO CANADA
🔗 Rocket Pro Canada Website: www.rocketpro.ca
📸 Rocket Pro Canada Instagram: @rocketprocanada
📋 Rocket Pro Canada LinkedIn: @RocketProCanada
👥 Rocket Pro Canada Facebook: @RocketProCanada
***

9: How Great Property Data Saves Everyone Time and Money with Scott Larter

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EPISODE DESCRIPTION
In this episode, Bekim is joined by Scott Larter. Scott is the VP of Business Development at OPTA Information Intelligence, and is also the VP of Data Solution Sales at FCT (First Canadian Title). OPTA and FCT entered a partnership in 2020 to focus on building data products for the mortgage industry, amassing a database of 18 million residential and 7 million commercial properties across Canada. In 2024, Scott became the Co-Founder and CEO of BrokerBot, a lead conversion and customer engagement solution with monthly real estate market values sent directly to a customer's email, putting a spotlight on the Broker.
 
Scott is here to discuss:→ The path he took to get to where he is today, the lessons he learned from bartending and cold-calling, and what keeps him motivated in his career.→ The importance of property data in the mortgage and insurance industries, why individual brokers should be investing in data, and how you can leverage it for a better client experience.→ What automated valuation models (AVMs) are, the difference between an AVM and an appraisal, and how hybrid appraisal solutions can lead to faster approvals.
 
OPTA Information Intelligence Website: www.optaintel.ca
FCT Website: www.fct.ca
BrokerBot Website: www.thebrokerbot.ca
BrokerBot LinkedIn: @BrokerBot
BrokerBot Instagram: @brokerbot_canada
Scott Larter's Email: scott@thebrokerbot.ca
Scott Larter's LinkedIn: @ScottLarter
***
 
CONNECT WITH THE SHOW
🎙️ Lending Thoughts Podcast: @lendingthoughts
📺 Lending Thoughts Podcast YouTube: @LendingThoughtsPod
📸 Lending Thoughts Podcast Instagram: @lendingthoughtspod
⏰ Lending Thoughts Podcast TikTok: @lendingthoughtspod
👥 Lending Thoughts Podcast Facebook: @LendingThoughtsPodcast
***
 
CONNECT WITH BEKIM
📸 Bekim Merdita's Instagram: @bekim_merdita
📋 Bekim Merdita's LinkedIn: @BekimMerdita
***
 
CONNECT WITH ROCKET PRO CANADA
🔗 Rocket Pro Canada Website: www.rocketpro.ca
📸 Rocket Pro Canada Instagram: @rocketprocanada
📋 Rocket Pro Canada LinkedIn: @RocketProCanada
👥 Rocket Pro Canada Facebook: @RocketProCanada
***

8: Creating Scalable Business Systems with Rocket Pro's Brendan Woodfull

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EPISODE DESCRIPTION
In this episode, Bekim is joined by Brendan Woodfull. Brendan is the Divisional VP of Sales for Rocket Pro, a Division of Rocket Mortgage Canada. Rocket Pro is a team dedicated to helping broker partners submit deals to the Rocket Mortgage Canada lending channel. A former NCAA athlete who has worked for Rocket Mortgage in both Canada and the US, Brendan uses his experiences to partner with mortgage agents and brokers from across the country.
 
Brendan is here to discuss:→ His journey to and within the NCAA playing soccer, the impacts a team's culture has on success, and the skills he's been able to transfer from high-performance sport to a high-performance career.→ How much every day tasks are actually worth, building error-free and efficient processes, and streamlining tasks for productivity.→ What Agents actually need from lenders, communication as a necessity for client care, and the generational wealth he wants to leave his future kids.
 
Brendan Woodfull's LinkedIn: @BrendanWoodfull
***
 
CONNECT WITH THE SHOW
🎙️ Lending Thoughts Podcast: @lendingthoughts
📺 Lending Thoughts Podcast YouTube: @LendingThoughtsPod
📸 Lending Thoughts Podcast Instagram: @lendingthoughtspod
⏰ Lending Thoughts Podcast TikTok: @lendingthoughtspod
👥 Lending Thoughts Podcast Facebook: @LendingThoughtsPodcast
***
 
CONNECT WITH BEKIM
📸 Bekim Merdita's Instagram: @bekim_merdita
📋 Bekim Merdita's LinkedIn: @BekimMerdita
***
 
CONNECT WITH ROCKET PRO CANADA
🔗 Rocket Pro Canada Website: www.rocketpro.ca
📸 Rocket Pro Canada Instagram: @rocketprocanada
📋 Rocket Pro Canada LinkedIn: @RocketProCanada
👥 Rocket Pro Canada Facebook: @RocketProCanada
***

7: Funding Mortgages in 24 Hours with FundMore.ai's Chris Grimes

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EPISODE DESCRIPTION
In this episode, Bekim is joined by Chris Grimes. Chris is the Co-Founder & CEO of FundMore.ai, and has worked in the financial industry for 20 years. Gaining experience in wealth management, credit lending, and mortgage origination, he is passionate about advancing the mortgage industry through technology and forward-thinking initiatives. FundMore.ai is an automated underwriting system that uses machine learning to streamline the pre-funding process for loans. The mission? To make home-ownership more accessible.
 
Chris is here to discuss:→ What Fundmore.ai is and the problem it's trying to solve, how Chris got to where he is today, and the legacy he wants to leave.→ The industry working together for more accessible home ownership, what's frustrating about the current home-buying experience, and the dream of funding a mortgage in less than 24 hours and the challenges in executing that vision.→ How AI will improve the future of mortgages, consumers' growing comfort with AI, and what's exciting about the industry's future.
 
Fundmore.ai Website: www.fundmore.ai
Fundmore.ai Instagram: @fundmore.ai
Fundmore.ai LinkedIn: @Fundmore.ai
Chris Grimes' LinkedIn: @ChrisGrimes
***
 
CONNECT WITH THE SHOW
🎙️ Lending Thoughts Podcast: @lendingthoughts
📺 Lending Thoughts Podcast YouTube: @LendingThoughtsPod
📸 Lending Thoughts Podcast Instagram: @lendingthoughtspod
⏰ Lending Thoughts Podcast TikTok: @lendingthoughtspod
👥 Lending Thoughts Podcast Facebook: @LendingThoughtsPodcast
***
 
CONNECT WITH BEKIM
📸 Bekim Merdita's Instagram: @bekim_merdita
📋 Bekim Merdita's LinkedIn: @BekimMerdita
***
 
CONNECT WITH ROCKET PRO CANADA
🔗 Rocket Pro Canada Website: www.rocketpro.ca
📸 Rocket Pro Canada Instagram: @rocketprocanada
📋 Rocket Pro Canada LinkedIn: @RocketProCanada
👥 Rocket Pro Canada Facebook: @RocketProCanada
***

6: Why a Great Real Estate Process is Like "The Bear" with Deeded's Reuven Gorsht

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EPISODE DESCRIPTION
In this episode, Bekim is joined by Reuven Gorsht. Reuven is the Founder & CEO of Deeded from Toronto, Ontario, who's an entrepreneur with a passion for solving big, challenging problems. Reuven has helped transform and evolve multi-billion dollar corporations into new business models, products, and paradigms, and also built a very successful startup from the ground up. Deeded is a technology platform that provides a virtual real estate and mortgage closing experience, whose mission it is to make real estate transactions frictionless, affordable, and transparent.
 
Reuven is here to discuss:→ His journey from corporate to entrepreneurship, building and exiting his first company, MoveSnap, and what inspired the founding of Deeded and how it took off during the pandemic.→ AI reducing friction in the mortgage process and what the future holds, modernizing the outdated home closing process, and why the government has backtracked on digital regulations post-pandemic.→ Streamlining the real estate journey, improving the client experience, and eliminating the emotional rollercoaster of home buying. 
 
Deeded Website: www.deeded.ca
Deeded LinkedIn: @Deeded
Deeded Instagram: @deeded.ca
Reuven Gorsht's LinkedIn: @ReuvenGorsht
Reuven Gorsht's TikTok: @reuvengorsht
Reuven Gorsht's Instagram: @rgorsht
***
 
CONNECT WITH THE SHOW
🎙️ Lending Thoughts Podcast: @lendingthoughts
📺 Lending Thoughts Podcast YouTube: @LendingThoughtsPod
📸 Lending Thoughts Podcast Instagram: @lendingthoughtspod
⏰ Lending Thoughts Podcast TikTok: @lendingthoughtspod
👥 Lending Thoughts Podcast Facebook: @LendingThoughtsPodcast
***
 
CONNECT WITH BEKIM
📸 Bekim Merdita's Instagram: @bekim_merdita
📋 Bekim Merdita's LinkedIn: @BekimMerdita
***
 
CONNECT WITH ROCKET PRO CANADA
🔗 Rocket Pro Canada Website: www.rocketpro.ca
📸 Rocket Pro Canada Instagram: @rocketprocanada
📋 Rocket Pro Canada LinkedIn: @RocketProCanada
👥 Rocket Pro Canada Facebook: @RocketProCanada
***

5: Professionalism Over Politeness with Rocket Mortgage Canada's Alex Meloche

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EPISODE DESCRIPTION
In this episode, Bekim is joined by Alex Meloche. Alex is the Divisional VP of Sales at Rocket Mortgage Canada. He has been with the company since May of 2020. Born and raised in Windsor, Ontario and coming from a big family, Alex picked up strong communication and story-telling skills from a young age, and has parlayed that into a very successful career in sales. With a professional life spanning the past 2 decades in industries such as debt and legal collections, dental, office & furniture, and now mortgages, Alex has continued to build his sales and leadership skills from amazing mentors, and hopes he can open the doors for the next generation.
 
Alex is here to discuss:→ His professional career and why he wanted to join Rocket Mortgage Canada, the legacy he wishes to leave, and staying motivated with 1, 100, and 1000 day goals.→ What makes a great salesperson, transferable sales skills across all industries, and the building blocks of sales and leadership, effective communication and confidence.→ The importance of running a professional process/system, using conversion metrics through your process to level up your skills, and why professionalism over politeness is the way to win clients and be a great friend.
 
Alex Meloche's LinkedIn: @AlexMeloche
***
 
CONNECT WITH THE SHOW
🎙️ Lending Thoughts Podcast: @lendingthoughts
📺 Lending Thoughts Podcast YouTube: @LendingThoughtsPod
📸 Lending Thoughts Podcast Instagram: @lendingthoughtspod
⏰ Lending Thoughts Podcast TikTok: @lendingthoughtspod
👥 Lending Thoughts Podcast Facebook: @LendingThoughtsPodcast
***
 
CONNECT WITH BEKIM
📸 Bekim Merdita's Instagram: @bekim_merdita
📋 Bekim Merdita's LinkedIn: @BekimMerdita
***
 
CONNECT WITH ROCKET PRO CANADA
🔗 Rocket Pro Canada Website: www.rocketpro.ca
📸 Rocket Pro Canada Instagram: @rocketprocanada
📋 Rocket Pro Canada LinkedIn: @RocketProCanada
👥 Rocket Pro Canada Facebook: @RocketProCanada
***

4: Building Lasting Referral Relationships with 8Twelve Mortgage's Gary Fooks

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EPISODE DESCRIPTION
In this episode, Bekim is joined by Gary Fooks. Gary is the Co-Founder & CEO of both 8Twelve Mortgage & 8Twelve Financial Technologies from Toronto, Ontario, who stumbled across the mortgage industry at the end of 2014. From working on Wall Street to scaling sales organizations with technology, it only took Gary 3 years to hit $100M in yearly mortgage volume, with 99% of it coming from referrals. Gary parlayed that success into Co-Founding 8Twelve Mortgage in 2018, leveraging technology and automation to implement his proven, proprietary 8-step process, and usher along a new era of mortgage professionals.
 
Gary is here to discuss:→ What brought him to mortgages and the founding of 8Twelve, opening their network to and supporting independent Agents, and how he finds the right fits for the brokerage.→ How to build a referral based business with lifelong relationships, the biggest mistake people make when pitching potential referral partners, and building mutually beneficial Broker and lender partnerships.→ Tech's purpose in your business, what AI is going to transform in the mortgage industry, and how AI can be used to find holes in your client journey process and lead to improvement.
 
8Twelve Mortgage Website: www.8twelve.mortgage
8Twelve Mortgage Instagram: @8twelvemortgage
8Twelve Mortgage LinkedIn: @8TwelveMortgage
8Twelve Mortgage YouTube: @8twelvemortgage
8Twelve Financial Technology Website: www.8twelve.tech
Gary Fooks' Instagram: @gfooksy
Gary Fooks' LinkedIn: @GaryFooks
***
 
CONNECT WITH THE SHOW
🎙️ Lending Thoughts Podcast: @lendingthoughts
📺 Lending Thoughts Podcast YouTube: @LendingThoughtsPod
📸 Lending Thoughts Podcast Instagram: @lendingthoughtspod
⏰ Lending Thoughts Podcast TikTok: @lendingthoughtspod
👥 Lending Thoughts Podcast Facebook: @LendingThoughtsPodcast
***
 
CONNECT WITH BEKIM
📸 Bekim Merdita's Instagram: @bekim_merdita
📋 Bekim Merdita's LinkedIn: @BekimMerdita
***
 
CONNECT WITH ROCKET PRO CANADA
🔗 Rocket Pro Canada Website: www.rocketpro.ca
📸 Rocket Pro Canada Instagram: @rocketprocanada
📋 Rocket Pro Canada LinkedIn: @RocketProCanada
👥 Rocket Pro Canada Facebook: @RocketProCanada
***

3: Leading Your Tribe with Tribe Financial’s Frances Hinojosa

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EPISODE DESCRIPTION
In this episode, Bekim is joined by Frances Hinojosa. Frances is the Co-Founder, Principal Broker, and CEO of Tribe Financial Group from Oakville, Ontario, who's won numerous accolades over her 30 years in the mortgage industry. A seasoned leader whose career spans from starting in the bank to running a firm and her own practice, Frances has always been a trusted resource for mortgage advice, sitting on many advisory boards, including MPC, and been featured across all forms of media, including the Globe and Mail and CP24. Possessing integrity, transparency, & heart, her passion for her craft can be seen not only in her excellent client care and impressive business numbers, but also in her efforts to mentor those across the mortgage industry.
 
Frances is here to discuss:→ Her journey into the mortgage industry, banking vs brokering, and her time on the board of MPC.→ The mission she has with her team/brokerage, how she's created company culture and applied core values, and the legacy she wants to leave behind.→ How we can bring change to the industry with tech & innovation and new business cycles, the difference in the next generation of consumers, and what new Agents should be looking for when they pick a brokerage.
 
Tribe Financial Website: www.tribefinancial.com
Tribe Financial LinkedIn: @TribeFinancial
Tribe Financial Instagram: @tribe_financial
Frances Hinojosa's Website: www.franceshinojosa.ca
Frances Hinojosa's LinkedIn: @FrancesHinojosa
Frances Hinojosa's Instagram: @frannahinojosa
***
 
CONNECT WITH THE SHOW
🎙️ Lending Thoughts Podcast: @lendingthoughts
📺 Lending Thoughts Podcast YouTube: @LendingThoughtsPod
📸 Lending Thoughts Podcast Instagram: @lendingthoughtspod
⏰ Lending Thoughts Podcast TikTok: @lendingthoughtspod
👥 Lending Thoughts Podcast Facebook: @LendingThoughtsPodcast
***
 
CONNECT WITH BEKIM
📸 Bekim Merdita's Instagram: @bekim_merdita
📋 Bekim Merdita's LinkedIn: @BekimMerdita
***
 
CONNECT WITH ROCKET PRO CANADA
🔗 Rocket Pro Canada Website: www.rocketpro.ca
📸 Rocket Pro Canada Instagram: @rocketprocanada
📋 Rocket Pro Canada LinkedIn: @RocketProCanada
👥 Rocket Pro Canada Facebook: @RocketProCanada
***

2: Launching & Learning with BRX Mortgage & ILMBs Scott Peckford

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EPISODE DESCRIPTION
In this episode, Bekim is joined by Scott Peckford. Scott is the Founder and CEO of BRX Mortgage and both the I Love Mortgage Brokering Podcast and Facebook Group from Kelowna, BC. Being in the mortgage industry since 2006, Scott has never been scared to take risks and try new things. He's also built multiple successful businesses including the VIP Club and the 10 Loans a Month Training Academy, and is one of the most influential people in the Canadian mortgage industry.
 
Scott is here to discuss:→ Scott's journey in the mortgage industry, how copying businesses is actually a positive thing, and his inspirations for founding the I Love Mortgage Brokering community.→ The power of building a community and sharing knowledge, optimism as a weapon for overcoming failures, and the importance of rapid execution of ideas. → Improving the future of lending, and the impact he wishes to leave on the mortgage industry.
 
BRX Mortgage Website: www.brxmortgage.com
BRX Mortgage Instagram: @brxmortgage
Scott Peckford's LinkedIn: @ScottPeckford
Scott Peckford's Instagram: @scottpeckford
ILMB Podcast: www.ilovemortgagebrokering.com
***
 
CONNECT WITH THE SHOW
🎙️ Lending Thoughts Podcast: @lendingthoughts
📺 Lending Thoughts Podcast YouTube: @LendingThoughtsPod
📸 Lending Thoughts Podcast Instagram: @lendingthoughtspod
⏰ Lending Thoughts Podcast TikTok: @lendingthoughtspod
👥 Lending Thoughts Podcast Facebook: @LendingThoughtsPodcast
***
 
CONNECT WITH BEKIM
📸 Bekim Merdita's Instagram: @bekim_merdita
📋 Bekim Merdita's LinkedIn: @BekimMerdita
***
 
CONNECT WITH ROCKET PRO CANADA
🔗 Rocket Pro Canada Website: www.rocketpro.ca
📸 Rocket Pro Canada Instagram: @rocketprocanada
📋 Rocket Pro Canada LinkedIn: @RocketProCanada
👥 Rocket Pro Canada Facebook: @RocketProCanada
***

1: Why Building a Mortgage Business is Like Building a Tesla with Rocket Mortgage Canada President Hash Aboulhosn

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EPISODE DESCRIPTION
In the inaugural episode, Bekim is joined by Hash Aboulhosn. Hash is the President and Co-Founder of Rocket Mortgage Canada from Vancouver, BC, which originally launched as Edison Financial in 2020. Edison Financial rebranded to Rocket Mortgage Canada on August 8, 2022, doing business under the brand Rocket Mortgage™️ throughout the country. The company’s mission is to simplify the home loan process, just as sister company under the Rocket Companies (NYSE: RKT), Rocket Mortgage, LLC, has done successfully in the U.S.
 
Hash is here to discuss:→ Challenges of mortgage technology in Canada, what's holding back innovation in the finance sector, and if consumers actually want a fully-automated "push button, get mortgage" model.→ How disruption and innovation are not just nice to have, they are a necessity.→ Why building a mortgage business is like building Tesla.
 
Hash Aboulhosn's LinkedIn: @HashemAboulhosn
***
 
CONNECT WITH THE SHOW
🎙️ Lending Thoughts Podcast: @lendingthoughts
📺 Lending Thoughts Podcast YouTube: @LendingThoughtsPod
📸 Lending Thoughts Podcast Instagram: @lendingthoughtspod
⏰ Lending Thoughts Podcast TikTok: @lendingthoughtspod
👥 Lending Thoughts Podcast Facebook: @LendingThoughtsPodcast
***
 
CONNECT WITH BEKIM
📸 Bekim Merdita's Instagram: @bekim_merdita
📋 Bekim Merdita's LinkedIn: @BekimMerdita
***
 
CONNECT WITH ROCKET PRO CANADA
🔗 Rocket Pro Canada Website: www.rocketpro.ca
📸 Rocket Pro Canada Instagram: @rocketprocanada
📋 Rocket Pro Canada LinkedIn: @RocketProCanada
👥 Rocket Pro Canada Facebook: @RocketProCanada
***