By: Thrive Locally
For more than two decades, Marci Deane has built her career around helping clients work through mortgage decisions at different stages of homeownership, from first purchases and renewals to investment properties, refinancing, reverse mortgages, and more complex financial circumstances.
After more than 10 years in banking and five years in real estate, Marci founded Ask Marci About Mortgages Inc. in 2007 to work directly with consumers and use her experience to find financing solutions based on their individual needs.
Today, her approach is rooted in a belief that a mortgage decision involves much more than finding an interest rate.
“Getting a mortgage is rarely just about finding an interest rate,” Marci says. “It is about understanding the person, the property, and the bigger financial picture.”
That philosophy has shaped a hands-on approach centered on asking questions, explaining options in plain language, and helping clients understand not only what they may be able to do, but what may make sense for their circumstances.
Personal Advice in an Increasingly Digital Industry
Technology has changed considerably throughout Marci’s career, and she says she has consistently tried to embrace that change.
At the same time, she continues to prioritize personal service and straightforward communication.
With financial information widely available, Marci believes there remains value in speaking with a real person, receiving advice tailored to individual circumstances, and having mortgage rates and terms explained in a way that is easier to understand.
Human connection and relationships built on trust are especially important to her when clients make significant financial decisions.
“Experience matters in this business, but so does accessibility,” Marci says. “Our clients know they can ask questions, get straight answers, and have someone in their corner from the first conversation through to closing and well beyond.”
Thinking Outside the Branch
Another part of Marci’s approach is what she calls “thinking outside the branch.”
Ask Marci About Mortgages works with a range of lenders and financing solutions to support clients across a variety of mortgage needs. Services include home purchases, mortgage renewals and refinancing, reverse mortgages, investment properties, first-time homebuyers, self-employed borrowers, debt consolidation, and financing related to life changes such as divorce or separation.
The firm also works with clients purchasing their next home, newcomers to Canada, and parents helping their children purchase their first homes.
Working with a range of lenders gives Marci the ability to explore different financing options when a client’s circumstances may not fit neatly into a traditional box.
“Some files are straightforward. Others require a little creativity. We love both,” Marci says.
For Marci, the independence to offer choice and options while working through complex financing problems remains one of the aspects of the business that keeps her motivated.
From First Homes to the Next Generation
After 20 years, Marci says much of her business now comes from repeat clients and personal referrals. Some of those relationships have grown alongside the families themselves.
She has worked with clients through initial mortgage financing, renewals, reverse mortgages, and investment property purchases, and later assisted the next generation as they became first-time homebuyers.
Working with multiple generations of the same family is an evolution of her business that Marci says she is particularly proud of and cherishes.
She also continues to enjoy learning about her clients’ goals and helping create mortgage plans designed around those goals.
Experience and Leadership In The Mortgage Industry
Beyond her work with clients, Marci has also taken an active role within Canada’s mortgage industry. She has been recognized multiple times as a Woman of Influence in the Canadian mortgage industry, most recently in 2022.
Her industry involvement has also extended into leadership. Marci has served as President of the Canadian Mortgage Brokers Association of British Columbia (CMBA-BC), as a board member, and as part of the association’s first all-woman executive committee.
That industry experience complements the emphasis Marci places on helping clients understand their mortgage options and the broader context behind the financial decisions they are making.
Clarity and Confidence in Mortgage Decisions
For Marci, a successful mortgage outcome doesn’t look the same for every client.
Sometimes it means helping someone purchase a first home. Other times, it may involve restructuring debt, finding a different solution at renewal, accessing equity, or simply confirming that staying exactly where they are is the right decision.
“The biggest outcome is clarity and confidence,” Marci says. “Mortgages can feel overwhelming, particularly when clients are making one of the largest financial decisions of their lives.”
Her objective is straightforward: “Ultimately, I want clients to walk away feeling informed rather than sold to.”
For Marci, a mortgage is not simply a transaction. It is one part of a much larger financial picture, and her role is to lay out the options clearly and build a plan that makes sense for the individual client.
Looking Ahead in Vancouver’s Real Estate Market
Looking toward the next five years, she remains positive and optimistic about the real estate market. She plans to continue building her practice and working toward being a first choice for first-time buyers and others seeking mortgage advice.
As the mortgage industry continues to evolve, Marci’s focus remains on the elements that have shaped Ask Marci About Mortgages from the beginning: understanding individual needs, offering choice and options, explaining the financial details clearly, and keeping personal relationships at the center of the business.
Connect With Ask Marci About Mortgages
Ask Marci About Mortgages Inc. is based in North Vancouver, British Columbia, and serves clients in Vancouver.
To learn more about Marci Deane and Ask Marci About Mortgages, visit the company’s website or connect with Marci through Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute mortgage, lending, or financial advice. Loan products, rates, and eligibility requirements vary by lender, borrower qualifications, and location, and are subject to change. Consult a licensed mortgage professional for guidance specific to your situation.
