My Mortgage Journal

If you’re a client and think one of these storyies might be about you, it’s because you’re not alone. While the details are different, the experiences are real; and shared by many. These stories reflect common themes I see every day. You are in good company. Read through our client's stories. Names have been changed to protect client privacy.

These are real client stories and situations and how we were able to work together to find solutions that worked for them.

Meet Beverly & Ross: A bankruptcy does not have to be the end of the road to homeownership

16 September 2026

What Ross and Beverly Wanted Ross and Beverly had built a life together and were ready to purchase their first home. Ross was a working professional who had been self-employed when COVID arrived. His business was among those hit hard...

My Mortgage Journal: Story of Sarah and Evan. Older couple looking out over a valley, with two signs in front of them. One leading to A different path and another stating a better future.

Meet Sarah & Evan: Pay Off Debt With Home Equity

6 August 2026

What Evan and Sarah Wanted: Relief and to retire Evan and Sarah were looking for a way to move into retirement without carrying the weight of growing debt. Evan was continuing to work, while Sarah had retired early. During the...

My Mortgage Journal: The story of Laura & Philip.

Meet Laura and Philip: A mortgage decision should begin with your life, not a listing.

9 July 2026

What Laura and Philip Wanted Laura and Philip reached a point where their home no longer fit their lives. Both had stable careers, strong finances, and many options. Their home felt cramped, and they found themselves thinking more often about...

Two men smiling together while sitting on the front steps of a home they purchased together.

Meet Fred and Harold: It’s About Creating Stability

31 May 2026

What Fred and Harold Wanted Fred and Harold were not a couple. They were father and son. Fred is in his 70s. Harold is in his 40s. Together, they decided they wanted to purchase a home. Not an investment property. Not...

debt and 1 year mortgage strategy. Image shows Canadian $100 bills falling from maple tree outside a large home:

Meet Aaron & Neil: Feeling Stuck With Debt Despite Strong Income

19 May 2026

Aaron and Neil were referred through a local trustee. They had built strong equity in their home over time, but alongside that, consumer debt had grown across several areas. An expensive vehicle, a holiday trailer, everyday expenses, and rising costs...

alternative lenders: Tiffany and Brian's story

Meet Tiffany & Brian: From Pressure to Breathing Room

13 May 2026

What Tiffany and Brian Wanted Tiffany and Brian are a working family with strong careers, two kids, and a home they purchased near the top of their budget. The plan made sense at the time. Buy the home, grow into...

lesbian couple with 3 kids sitting in the living room

Meet Lisa & Amanda: When the Hard Conversation Leads Somewhere Good

28 April 2026

What They Wanted Lisa and Amanda have been married for ten years and have three young children. They wanted to get back on solid financial ground. Over the past few years, rising costs had quietly pushed Lisa toward leaning on...

ortgage solutions to manage inflation and the rising cost of life. Meet the Chen Family

Meet Lily and Cohen: When Inflation & Real Estate Prices Ruins a Plan

27 March 2026

Lily and Cohen are a working family with strong careers, two kids, and a home they bought near the top of what their budget could handle. The plan made sense at the time, buy the home, grow into the payment...

Smith family professional photo: when refinancing to afford life catches up.

Meet the Smith Family: When equity runs thin

27 February 2026

Mr and Mrs Smith had a comfortable life. They enjoyed travel, took pride in their home, and supported their kids with a generous hand. They liked living well and they were open about that. They also followed design magazines, which...

couple with two small kids, happy at home after changing lenders at mortgage renewal.

Meet Conrad and Susan: Is the lowest rate the best rate?

12 January 2026

What Conrad and Susan Wanted - renew with the lowest rate Conrad and Susan are a husband and wife team with two small children. Susan stays home with the kids, Conrad works in the trades. Life was in a good...

Jessa

2 days ago

We had an excellent experience working with Jacquie Bushell and her Licensed Assistant, Lisa, at Smart Debt Mortgage Brokerage. From start to finish, they were professional, knowledgeable, responsive, and genuinely committed to helping us find the right mortgage solution for our situation. Jacquie took the time to explain our options clearly, answer all of our questions, and make sure we understood each step of the process. Lisa was also incredibly helpful and responsive throughout, keeping things organized and helping everything move along smoothly. Buying a home and navigating the mortgage process can be stressful, but Jacquie and Lisa made the experience feel manageable and reassuring. We always felt that they had our best interests in mind and that we were in good hands. We truly appreciated their communication, attention to detail, patience, and personal approach. We would absolutely recommend Jacquie and Lisa to anyone looking for a mortgage team that is knowledgeable, approachable, and willing to go the extra mile. Thank you both for all of your help and for making the process such a positive experience!

Laura C.

4 days ago

I am so grateful Jacquie was recommended to me and I wouldn’t use anybody else in the future for my mortgage needs. I felt educated on my options and confident to make a decision that was best for me. I haven’t had this kind of experience in the past, and it meant the world to me. I have referred others to Jacquie and they’ve felt the same!

Sue C.

6 days ago

Working with Jacquie Bushell for our mortgage renewal was, once again, such a positive experience. We have come to know and trust Jacquie over the years, and she continues to make the process feel easy and stress-free. She is approachable, knowledgeable, and genuinely cares about her clients. We always feel that she has our best interests at heart, and her patience and attention to every little detail never go unnoticed. It’s such a comfort knowing my husband and I have someone we can count on when it comes to something as important as our mortgage. We are so grateful for Jacquie and wouldn't hesitate to recommend her to anyone looking for a mortgage broker who truly goes above and beyond.

Jennifer P.

1 week ago

Jacquie did an amazing job of understanding my personal needs and translating it into a solid re-financing plan. The process was clear, easy, and minimal effort on my part. When you get a professional who knows her stuff and is just fun to deal with you know you’re in good hands!

Kevin V.

3 weeks ago

Jacquie has been nothing short of great!! Any issue I had, she was quick to respond and got things dealt with. Always pleasant in conversation and I would highly recommend her and her associates to anyone looking for a hard working team to meet your mortgage needs.

Jason M.

We've worked with Jacquie for about 10 years now and there's nobody like her. It doesn't matter what's going on - she and Lisa are there to support and help figure out what the best way forward is. Everything is clear and well communicated but most importantly - it's not just business for her, she genuinely cares !

Garrett V.

4 weeks ago

Jacquie is genuinely wonderful to work with. She’s super knowledgeable, honest, and always happy to answer all of our questions without making anything feel complicated. She truly cares about the people she works with, and makes the whole process really comfortable. Thank you Jacquie!

Bunny L.

1 month ago

Working with Jacquie for my mortgage renewal was an absolute pleasure! She made the entire process completely stress-free and easy to understand. She took the time to explain my options clearly and found me a wonderful rate that fit my budget. Her communication was fast, professional, and friendly from start to finish. I felt supported the entire time and cannot thank her enough for her hard work. I highly recommend Jacquie to anyone looking for an amazing mortgage broker!

Shaun D.

Jacquie and Lisa helped us tirelessly to secure our mortgage for our first home. After being let down by our planned lender, they stepped in with short notice and went above and beyond to find a solution and put our minds at ease. They are very professional but also personal- very understanding and empathetic, but also efficient and very knowledgeable when it comes to buying a home and general financial acumen. Simply put, without them we would have really struggled to secure our first home. Jacquie helped massively to silence the anxiety demons on our shoulders through the process, and was very clear and direct with the action that was needed to move forwards step by step. We can’t recommend their services enough - they truly are exceptionally good. If your situation is a bit unusual / difficult, drop Jacquie a call - you won’t regret it.

Sarah O.

5 months ago

We have used Jacquie five times for our mortgages and renewals. She is so thorough and explained everything … clearly. Since our first mortgage to now, the process with forms is different but even though it’s easier - Jacquie has always been available to explain the required documents. We appreciate her very much and always recommend her services.

Craig F.

Jacquie and her team are outstanding. No judgements just solutions. I have enjoyed the entire process of dealing with her and Ive been through multiple mortgages and this was the most comfortable i've felt dealing with mortgages. Jacquie was very helpful kept us up to date and we never had to chase for answers. I wish more brokers put the time and effort into their clients as Jacquie and her team have. Outstanding Service !!!!

Rebecca H.

We have been working with Jacquie for almost six years, and will cry the day she decides to retire. Jacquie is not only an excellent mortgage broker, but a good person, and her warmth and friendliness makes one of life’s most stressful processes so much easier. When our mortgage lender made an error in our renewal, Jacquie immediately contacted them (her responsiveness is incredible!) and not only did she get the error fixed, but she managed to get us an even better deal than we had originally expected. Furthermore, she’s well-connected within the real estate market and has provided several recommendations, which resulted in us finding our new realtor. I can’t say enough positive things about Jacquie, if you work with her, I guarantee you’re in good hands!

Brenda G.

6 months ago

For the first few renewals of our mortgage, we white-knuckled it by handling everything on our own, simply accepting what our bank offered. BIG MISTAKE. Once Jacquie and her team got involved, the whole mortgage industry opened up to us. We got a great rate from a different lender, but more importantly, we got someone who truly had our best interests at heart. She listened to what was important to us, answered all our questions, and kept in touch after the papers were signed. I can't recommend Jacquie and her team highly enough.

Louis V.

7 months ago

This is my third time working with Jacquie and I always feel like I’m working with a super supportive best friend. She has that special touch that you don’t find anywhere anymore… she will call and talk something through, get a full picture of your situation, and tailor her approach accordingly. She’s consistently gotten me the best rates and made the process seamless each time. Lisa is a wonderful compliment to Jacquie’s team; she is sharp, responsive, and shows the same level of care and dedication to the process. I honestly wouldn’t trust my mortgage to anyone else! Thank you both!!

Claude-Andre B.

I had an outstanding experience working with Jacquie and Lisa for my mortgage renewal. From start to finish, the service was professional, efficient, and genuinely supportive. They took the time to explain every step clearly, answered all my questions with patience, and made the entire process feel smooth and stress‑free. Their expertise and dedication is second to none. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for exceptional mortgage guidance.

Vladimir H.

8 months ago

Jacquie Bushell was absolutely exceptional throughout our entire mortgage process. From the very first conversation to final approval, she was professional, responsive, and incredibly knowledgeable. She took the time to explain every step clearly, answered all our questions (sometimes more than once!), and made what could have been a stressful experience feel organized and completely under control. Jacquie went above and beyond to ensure we had the best possible outcome, advocating for us at every stage and keeping us informed the whole way through. Her attention to detail, calm approach, and genuine care for her clients truly set her apart. If you’re looking for a mortgage broker who is trustworthy, proactive, and truly has your best interests at heart, I cannot recommend Jacquie Bushell highly enough. We are incredibly grateful for her support and expertise.

Jennifer S.

10 months ago

I had an amazing experience using Jacquie Bushell for my mortgage. After a two year long divorce battle, Jacquie made it so simple to finally buy out my ex husband and I now own my house on my own! As soon as I contacted Jacquie she made everything so easy. Contacting her was so simple and everything went extremely smoothly. I had never done anything like this on my own, in regards to large financial decisions or purchases, but she answered all of my questions very quickly and was able to beat the lawyers timeframe. I would highly recommend Jacquie to anyone looking to acquire a mortgage. I will definitely use her services again in the future.

Sadman S.

Working with Jacqui Bushell has been outstanding. As a first-time homebuyer navigating a complex process, I genuinely couldn’t have asked for a more knowledgeable, patient, and supportive mortgage broker. Jacqui took the time to walk us through every step. She was incredibly responsive—no matter how many stupid questions we asked—and consistently went above and beyond to ensure everything stayed on track. She genuinely cares. She didn’t just process paperwork; she offered thoughtful guidance, and made the entire experience smooth and stress-free. Her professionalism, expertise, and warm personality made a huge difference. Truly grateful for her help and would highly recommend Jacqui to anyone looking for a mortgage broker who combines deep expertise with exceptional client care.

Maria T.

11 months ago

I've had the pleasure of working with Jacquie for over 12 years, and I truly can't recommend her highly enough. She's guided me through multiple home buying and selling journeys with unwavering professionalism, deep expertise, and genuine care. Jacquie is incredibly patient—she takes the time to walk clients through every step of the process, answering questions thoroughly and calmly, no matter how complex or repetitive. What sets Jacquie apart is her integrity. She's absolutely committed to securing the best possible rate for you, but never at the expense of what’s right for your situation. She won’t push products you don’t need, and she’ll only recommend switching to her services if it’s genuinely in your best interest. Her honesty, transparency, and client-first approach make her an exceptional mortgage broker—and a trusted partner in one of life’s biggest decisions.

Norbert G.

12 months ago

We’ve reached out to Jacquie multiple times over the years for our mortgage needs — whether it was buying a new home, renewing, or transferring. She has always been incredibly friendly, honest, and supportive. Jacquie takes the time to gather every detail, does thorough research, and always provides the best, well-informed advice. What truly sets her apart is her integrity. There have been times when she advised us not to proceed with certain actions because it wasn’t in our best interest — even though that meant all her effort went unpaid. That level of honesty and dedication is rare and deeply appreciated. Whenever things didn’t go as we expected, Jacquie was there not just as a professional but as a genuine person — offering emotional support and thoughtful guidance with future options that kept us hopeful and motivated. We’re truly grateful to have Jacquie as our mortgage broker and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her to anyone looking for someone they can completely trust.

Dara B.

1 year ago

Working with Jacquie has been so smooth, whenever we have reached out to her. This is our third time asking for her assistance regarding our mortgage and we definitely plan to keep reaching out, in the future.! She is personable, really listens to you and you really can tell that she cares about her clients. I could not recommend her more!

susan K.

2 years ago

Jacquie is the BEST person to work with you to solve your Mortgage needs. I have dealt with her for over 25 years, and everyone in my family has their mortgages booked through her, along with many friends. She is the only Mortgage Agent that I ever refer to anyone. Look no further! You have found the person that you need to help you and meet your needs.

GT T.

Jacquie is a true professional. I have worked with her on multiple property mortgage renewals. Her knowledge, experience and dedication is top notch. She takes the time to explain all scenarios and answers all questions. White glove service at its finest. She loves what she does and truly cares about her clients. Plus, she is very friendly and has a great sense of humour. I wouldn't trust anyone else with these difficult decisions especially in this economy. Highly recommend.

Rosemary

We have had the absolute pleasure of working with Jacquie for many years, spanning two generations of our family. Her expertise, dedication, and genuine care have made every step of the mortgage process seamless and stress-free. What truly sets Jacquie apart is her accessibility – she’s always just a phone call away, ready to answer questions, provide guidance, or offer reassurance whenever we need it. Her personalized service and unwavering commitment to her clients have made her an invaluable part of our family’s journey. We couldn’t recommend Jacquie more highly to anyone looking for a reliable, knowledgeable, and compassionate mortgage broker. If you have a dream, she will help make it come true!

Blair B.

Working with Jacquie was an absolute pleasure! From the very start, Jacquie was incredibly attentive and took the time to understand our needs. She worked tirelessly to find us the best rate available, and we couldn't be happier with the outcome. What really stood out was her professionalism combined with a genuinely friendly approach that made the entire process feel smooth and stress-free. Jacquie was always available to answer our questions and provided clear, timely updates every step of the way. Her expertise and dedication made a significant difference, and I highly recommend her to anyone in need of a knowledgeable and personable mortgage broker!

Chris H.

We have been dealing with Jacquie for 14 years now. She is hands down the best. Even if she’s not actively searching for a mortgage for you she will give you the best advice possible on renewals, refinancing or money in general. She has saved me money at every turn and helped me make sound financial decisions almost my entire adult life. Thanks Jacquie!!!

Natasha S.

Jacquie is wonderful and our family highly recommend her to aid in your mortgage success. She is organized, highly professional, well informed and educated. She is kind and compassionate and offers amazing service. We have had the pleasure of working with Jacquie on three home purchases and sells and the service was above and beyond. She is open and willing to work with you and give you all the best options. If we buy again, she will be the one we call!

My Mortgage Journal

Meet Beverly & Ross: A bankruptcy does not have to be the end of the road to homeownership

Meet Sarah & Evan: Pay Off Debt With Home Equity

Meet Laura and Philip: A mortgage decision should begin with your life, not a listing.

Meet Fred and Harold: It’s About Creating Stability

Meet Aaron & Neil: Feeling Stuck With Debt Despite Strong Income

Meet Tiffany & Brian: From Pressure to Breathing Room

Meet Lisa & Amanda: When the Hard Conversation Leads Somewhere Good

Meet Lily and Cohen: When Inflation & Real Estate Prices Ruins a Plan

Meet the Smith Family: When equity runs thin

Meet Conrad and Susan: Is the lowest rate the best rate?

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