Owner Spotlight: Bernie Harpell
I’m Bernie Harpell, a mortgage broker in Kingston, Ontario.
I look forward to sharing my story. I hope that you will enjoy getting to know me better.
I’ve always been a people person, so I decided to get into the customer service industry. For more than a decade, I enjoyed the direction in which my career was heading.
However, as I started to climb the corporate ladder, I found that my schedule was getting busier. It meant that I saw less and less of my family, which was challenging as they are an essential part of my life.
Therefore, in 2005, I started to consider other avenues. I was passionate about real estate, and finance, so I spoke to a friend who was an established mortgage broker.
Our conversation sparked my interest, and I realized that getting into the mortgage sector would be the perfect fit for me, as I would be able to continue in a customer service capacity and get to spend quality time with family. From day one, I loved my new role.
Subsequently, after learning the ropes and gaining valuable insights through my interactions with peers, I decided to open a company of my own in 2013.
Over the past seven years, I’ve noticed that the mortgage industry is evolving. There have been significant amendments regarding the regulations set out by the CMHC and the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI).
It’s created new underwriting services, lender products, and rate changes are introduced almost daily. It’s meant that I’ve had to adapt to stay relevant, which is exciting as I like to continuously learn and work hard.
Consequently, I work with integrity, and as an individual, I believe what sets me apart is my honesty, respect, accountability, and compassion. It’s enabled me to empower my employees by creating a positive and healthy work environment to achieve success.
My core values nurture long-lasting relationships with clients, and I make sure that I’m always available for them. I often have clients that either have no knowledge of mortgages, have credit concerns, or have limited job experience.
It’s a great feeling to help these clients devise a plan for future goals and then watch them achieve them. Whether it’s helping a couple receive the keys to their new home or assisting a client with refinancing, I love working with diverse people at different stages of their lives.
As a result, I’m grateful to all the loyal clients that have been with me since purchasing their first home. They have played an integral role in my business success, and many have become my referral partners.
When I’m not liaising with lenders, I enjoy playing soccer for a men’s league, coaching competitive soccer, and participating in a round of golf. I also volunteer in my community with various charitable organizations.
I’m incredibly passionate about supporting cancer research. I’ve lost important people to different types of cancers, and I feel it’s essential to work towards finding a cure.
I have enjoyed sharing my story about the things which matter to me and how they influence the way I do business.
If you or someone you know could benefit from my expertise as a mortgage broker in Kingston, Ontario, I invite you to get in touch. Please visit my website at www.mortgageswithbernie.com.
Sincerely,
Bernie