Christine Buemann, Co-Owner of The Collective Mortgage Group, has always been drawn to mortgages and real estate because she enjoys solving problems and assisting others. She sits on the Northern BC Real Estate Board (3rd 2 year term) and the national board for Brokers Who Care. She also serves on the Mortgage Professionals Canada – BC chapter. She is a coach for the I Love Mortgage Brokering Academy and is assisting in teaching a course with CMBA-BC for Brokerage owners.
She shares, “Since we are a small boutique brokerage, I do a little bit of everything from supporting our payroll to helping brokers with their files—all the way to planning our events.” Christine spends the majority of her time creating and nurturing lender and supplier connections, as well as answering queries and coordinating the team’s weekly calls. She is often referred to as an industry disruptor, which she appreciates since she is constantly challenging the status quo.
Below are highlights of the interview:
Tell us about your journey. Describe your background and what you did before you started The Collective Mortgage Group?
I have been a mortgage broker since 2010, but the past 5 years have been pivotal for me. For longer than I care to admit, my personal and business lives were ungraciously intertwined as I navigated through the early years of motherhood. In early 2016, the small brokerage where I was comfortably content merged with Canadian Mortgage Experts—who at the time was the largest DLC franchise in Canada.
Around that time, I was starting to find my footing and settled into a pursuit of personal and professional harmony. As my flicker of passion reignited back into flames, I found myself completely immersed in the industry. I quickly moved into the role of Director of Broker Relations for CME and reveled in the new and interesting responsibilities that I had assumed with the 107 brokers on our team. I explored event planning opportunities with the CME Summit and Evolve conferences as well more intimate events such as the MP working group I created, to raise awareness surrounding issues with mortgage financing in smaller communities. As I progressed through my journey, it became increasingly clear to me that I needed to feel in alignment with the work I was pouring my heart and soul into. Through the guidance of several inspiring business veterans, I made the uncomfortable decision to step down from my role as a director. Armed with our knowledge, experience, and partnership, we decided to start our own company.
Our vision was to create a safe and transparent environment to encourage collaboration while continuing to maintain a focus on our individual businesses, families, and ideas. The transition was far from peaceful but proved to be an exceptional opportunity for growth. Although our plan has always been to focus on quality over quantity, our vision quickly started attracting likeminded brokers.
Tell us more about The Collective Mortgage Group.
Our team has grown considerably since we started the brokerage in early 2020. We now have 10 primary brokers (24 team members in total). We funded just over $700 million in our first full year and are proud to have an 85-95% funding ratio with our top lenders. Since we pay out the lender incentives to our brokers (we are the only ones in Canada who I know of doing this), they have a vested interest in maintaining our relationships and the higher professional standards we have come to expect from them. Our group is rich in culture and eager to contribute and collaborate. I organize weekly educational meetings for our team and strive to provide value and tangible benefits derived from my own experiences. We also empower the team to lean on each other, which they often do.
How do you motivate people to go the extra mile?
I’m a huge believer in leading by example and also have an obsession with quality. Holding ourselves to a higher standard of living and engaging often naturally results in motivation for exceptional service. I’m on a mission to demonstrate the effectiveness of empathy and kindness in leadership, and that definitely contributes to how we motivate ourselves and others.
What are the most significant changes in the mortgage industry since the pandemic?
The most important change is that we have become acutely aware of how quickly and unexpectedly everything can change. The mortgage landscape itself has evolved dramatically over the years, but our ability to embrace and encourage change has become vital for success.
What do you consider to be your greatest achievement so far, and why?
My goal is simply to be better tomorrow than I am today, so I don’t have a distinct accomplishment which I feel defines any moments in my life. If I had to choose something, it would be the resilience required to navigate the trenches of the early years with babies and running businesses. I’m also very proud of the company we have built and the community we have created.
What advice would you give to the emerging women mortgage leaders and enthusiasts considering a career in today’s advanced world?
Find something you love and become your best at it. Understand the effectiveness of kindness and empathy in leadership. The way you treat those who can do nothing for you is the truest test of character. If you are not offered a seat at the table, make your own. You are worthy, capable, and enough.
Where do you see yourself and The Collective Mortgage Group in upcoming years?
Hopefully, healthy, happy, and thriving in a peaceful and supportive environment.
