For the past 18 months, brokers have been told the same story: a massive renewal wave is coming, and it’s your big chance to cash in.
But here’s the truth: it’s a mirage. Waiting for renewals to drive business is a losing bet. By the time a client’s mortgage is almost up, the banks already have them locked in.
Why renewals don’t deliver
The incumbent lender holds an unfair advantage (to say the least). Renewing is the path of least resistance for clients, and lenders’ deep pockets let them go on the offensive. They’ll outspend you on marketing, and undercut the rate you spent hours negotiating. By the time renewal rolls around, the deal is often already gone.
Where brokers should focus
The real opportunity is mid-cycle, long before renewal. That’s when changes in clients’ lives (divorce, a new baby, a move) and fluctuations in the market create fresh mortgage needs or opportunities.
The challenge? Most Canadian homeowners don’t see these openings. They may not realize that rising equity could let them upgrade from a condo to a townhouse, or they may not understand what a Bank of Canada rate cut actually means for them. They’re not going to run the math themselves, and they don’t want to book a meeting just to find out.
Like you, your clients are busy, but unlike you, they don’t spend their days thinking about mortgages! And because most brokers aren’t staying top of mind in a meaningful way, these opportunities are left on the table.
Why generic tactics fail
The answer isn’t another birthday card or rate-change email. Those tactics don’t cut through the noise. What homeowners really respond to are personalized insights that help them make smarter financial decisions about their biggest asset.
In the age of AI, data-driven personalization isn’t just nice to have: it’s what clients expect.
And because banks aren’t incentivized to provide this kind of advice, it’s exactly where brokers can win.
How Ownwell changes the game
That’s where Ownwell comes in. Our automated monthly Homeownership Reports surface opportunities long before renewal season. They’re opportunities the banks don’t see (or more realistically, don’t want your clients to see).
Each report delivers the most valuable and engaging insights a homeowner can get from their mortgage advisor: home value, interest savings, buying power, and equity. These insights spark curiosity, which naturally lead to conversations where you can demonstrate your value.
In other words, Ownwell creates ongoing engagement around real estate and mortgages, keeping you top of mind automatically, while turning your client database into a deal engine.
And it works. Brokers across Canada are already proving it:
- Jeff McGinn, Indi Mortgage: “Since launching Ownwell in August 2024, I’ve been blown away by the results. I started with a relatively small book of clients (just 175 clients who had purchased in the last five years). Fast forward to today, and we’ve already completed 13 refinances/transfers and 7 sell-and-buy transactions with those same clients.”
- Tyler Wilson, Pilot Mortgage Group: “In just a month on Ownwell, we had over 10 calls with clients for interest savings. Ownwell paid for itself in less than a day.”
- Amanda Walczyk, Saltbox Mortgages: “Back in February 2025 I loaded 75 clients into Ownwell, and since then I’ve already closed 10+ deals, some from clients who reached out after getting their reports, and others from opportunities the system uncovered for me.”
These aren’t one-off wins. They’re the new playbook.
The dual payoff
Ownwell delivers both:
Immediate ROI + Long-Term Retention = Sustainable Growth
By surfacing hidden equity, interest savings, and move-up opportunities now, you generate business today. By sending ongoing, personalized reports, automatically each month, you stay top of mind so clients never drift back to the banks.
The real gold
The so-called renewal gold rush won’t save your business. The real gold is already in your database, and the brokers mining it today are the ones who will still be winning tomorrow.
By consistently delivering relevant, personalized insights to clients post-closing, you stay top of mind, demonstrate your value, and uncover opportunities long before renewal season. That’s exactly what Ownwell helps you do: turn every client relationship into an engine for repeat and referral business.
Want to see it in action?
Visit Ownwell at Booth 75 at the National Mortgage Conference October 18-20 in Ottawa. Get a free Ownwell report and enter to win a dream round of golf at any course in North America. Or email me anytime at [email protected].
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Last modified: October 16, 2025