Akinola Ogundare
Straight Advice From a 33-Year Calgary Banker
Trusted Mortgage Broker in Calgary AB
I spent over three decades inside the bank before I became your broker. Straight answers, no sales pitch. Call today.
Why Me
Why Calgary Buyers and Owners Call Me First
33+ Years as a Banker Before Brokering
I spent more than three decades inside the bank before I ever brokered a mortgage. I know how lenders think, so I use that to fight for you.
8 Five-Star Reviews From Real Calgary Clients
Every review comes from someone right here in Calgary. Read what they say before you ever pick up the phone.
RECA Licensed and FCSI Certified
I hold the license and the certification that back up the advice I give you. You get a real professional, not a rate quote from a stranger.
Free Consultation, No Obligation
You do not pay a thing to sit down and talk through your options. Only when we move forward does anything change hands.
Reviews
Straight From My Clients
Marina Geronazzo
Umaru Wamala
Marion L
Qsx Kobe
Cole M
Spencer Hoerdt
Let's Talk
Start With a Free Consultation
Tell me a bit about your situation. No pressure, no pitch. I will walk you through your options and give you honest advice on the best move for you.
Prefer to talk on the phone? Call me
403-389-4915My Services
How I Can Help You
First Time Homebuyer Mortgage
Buying your first home with Calgary prices climbing feels like a lot, and I get why it feels overwhelming. I walk you through every step, from figuring out your budget to picking the right mortgage term, so nothing catches you off guard.
Most first-time Calgary buyers do not know about programs like the First Home Savings Account, land transfer rebates, or reduced down payment options, and I make sure you are not missing out on money that is already available to you. I also explain the difference between fixed and variable rates in plain language, since this is usually the first big financial decision most buyers have made on their own.
Every fee and every document gets explained before you sign anything, so nothing feels like a surprise on closing day. I know the local market well enough to tell you honestly if a mortgage payment fits your life, not just what a bank says you qualify for on paper.
Buying your first home should feel exciting, not stressful, and my job is to take the confusion out of the financing side so you can focus on finding the right place.
Mortgage Renewal
Your renewal notice does not have to mean a higher payment, even with rates moving the way they have been. I check the market before you sign anything the bank sends you.
Banks count on most Calgary homeowners just signing whatever renewal offer shows up in the mail, and that offer is almost never their best rate. I compare your current lender against other options across the market and negotiate on your behalf, so you are not leaving money on the table just because renewing felt easier than shopping around.
If switching lenders makes sense for your situation, I handle all the paperwork so it does not add stress to your plate during an already busy time. If staying with your current lender is genuinely the better move, I will tell you that too, because my job is to give you the right answer, not just a new deal.
Renewals happen every few years, so getting it right matters over the long run, not just this term. A small rate difference on a Calgary mortgage can add up to thousands of dollars, and that is money that should stay in your pocket instead of the bank's.
Second Mortgage
Need money now but do not want to touch your first mortgage? A second mortgage might be your answer, and I will tell you honestly whether it makes sense for your situation. This type of financing lets you borrow against the equity in your Calgary home while keeping your existing mortgage exactly as it is, at whatever rate you already locked in.
Most people reach for a second mortgage to cover a renovation, pay off higher interest debt, or handle a large unexpected expense without refinancing their whole mortgage and losing a good rate in the process. It usually moves faster than a full refinance too, which matters if you are working against a deadline.
The tradeoff is that a second mortgage typically carries a higher rate than your first, since the lender is taking on more risk by being second in line. I walk you through the real numbers so you know exactly what this costs you over time, not just what the monthly payment looks like on day one.
Second mortgages are not the right fit for everyone, and I will say so if that is the case. My job is to lay out every option available to Calgary homeowners so you can make the choice with full information, not pressure.
Reverse Mortgage
Want to unlock cash from your home in retirement without selling it or taking on a monthly payment? A reverse mortgage lets Calgary homeowners aged 55 and older borrow against their home equity while continuing to live there, with nothing owed until you sell, move, or pass away.
This can be a smart way to supplement retirement income, help family members, cover medical costs, or simply enjoy retirement without stretching a fixed income further than it should go. Unlike a regular mortgage or line of credit, there are no required monthly payments, which takes pressure off a lot of retirees living on a set budget.
I walk you through exactly how the interest accumulates over time, what happens to the loan when the home is eventually sold, and how much equity you can expect to have left for your estate or your family. These details matter, and I make sure you understand them before you commit to anything.
A reverse mortgage is not the right fit for every homeowner, and I will tell you plainly if I think a HELOC or another option serves you better. My goal is to make sure you understand every angle of this decision, since it affects your home and your family's future.
Mortgage Refinancing
Need extra cash or a better rate on your Calgary mortgage? I look at your current mortgage in detail and tell you straight whether refinancing actually makes sense for your situation, not just whether it is possible. Refinancing means replacing your existing mortgage with a new one, often to access equity, consolidate debt, or lock in a better rate before your term is up.
Breaking your mortgage early usually comes with a penalty, so the math has to work in your favor before it is worth doing. I calculate the real cost of breaking your current term against what you would actually save or gain, so you are making the decision with real numbers instead of a rough guess.
Refinancing can also be a smart move if you want to consolidate high interest debt into your mortgage at a lower rate, fund a renovation, or help a family member get into the housing market. I look at your full financial picture, not just the mortgage in isolation, so the plan actually fits your life.
If the numbers do not work out in your favor right now, I will tell you that too. My job is to give you an honest read on refinancing, not to talk you into a move that only benefits the lender.
About
About Gary Masur
I spent 33 years working inside a bank before I became your mortgage broker, so I know how lenders make decisions from the inside out. I am RECA licensed and FCSI certified, and I raised all four of my kids right here in Calgary. Outside of mortgages you will find me volunteering as a Scout leader, helping out with the Calgary Police, and serving as a founding member of my Kappa Sigma chapter and past president of my BNI group. My promise to you is simple: real advice based on experience, not just whatever rate happens to be trending.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to work with you?
Nothing out of your pocket. I offer a free consultation, and my fee gets paid by the lender when your mortgage closes, not by you.
How fast do you respond?
My average response time is about 30 minutes. I also take calls after hours, so you are not stuck waiting until Monday.
My income comes from oil and gas and it changes year to year. Can I still qualify?
Yes. Self-employed and commission income tied to Alberta's energy sector is something I deal with often. I know how to present that income so lenders see the full picture, not just one bad year.
I just moved to Calgary and do not have much Canadian credit history. Am I out of luck?
No. I work with newcomers regularly and know which lenders will look at your full financial picture instead of just a thin Canadian credit file.
My mortgage renewal is coming up and my payment is about to jump. What are my options?
Do not just sign the renewal your lender sends you. I check the market first and see if switching lenders or restructuring your mortgage can soften the increase before rates and payment shock hit your budget.
Are you actually licensed, or just someone selling rates?
I am RECA licensed and FCSI certified, and I spent 33 years as a banker before I ever brokered a mortgage. My advice comes from experience, not from whichever lender is paying the biggest bonus that month.
Contact Me
Ready to Talk About Your Mortgage?
Call
403-389-4915Visit
300 Manning Rd NE, Calgary, AB T2E 8K4, Canada
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8 AM - 10 PM