For Rishel Tomlinson, mortgages are all about creating a bond between her company and her community.

Dedicated to the Heights, Custom Mortgages, which opened six years ago and is run by Rishel and her staff, is a one stop shop for mortgages. They work directly with mortgage and chartered banks and credit unions to secure loans and money for real-estate purchases and re-financing. “I got into this industry because mortgages are a person’s number one largest debt, and it needs to be well-managed. Being a mortgage broker has allowed me to sit with clients one-on-one and ensure that they get the best rates possible, all while helping them achieve their financial goals,” states Rishel. In fact, their services are completely free. All you need to do is fill out an application form.

“Besides being a free service, we’re all about building long-term relationships, which means that when clients need help, they come back to the same person,” says Rishel. “We really want clients to ‘know their options,’ like whether they should choose fixed or variable mortgages.” With a focus on educating their customer, Custom Mortgages has created various tools online that ensure that you’re making the right decision for your situation, something that others don’t offer.

With a strong commitment to her clients, Rishel established her business here to create long-term relationships and build roots in the neighbourhood. She also lives and shops on the Heights. She appreciates the area because it is a convenient location for her clients, who are all over Greater Vancouver, and because of the variety of the merchants, the feeling of community and the commitment of the Business Improvement Area (BIA) to the neighbourhood.

With a strong emphasis on giving back to the community, Rishel serves on the Heights Merchants Association’s board of directors. Apart from work and volunteering, Rishel enjoys spending time with her two dogs and taking them to the dog park, gardening, running, and relaxing at a café in the Heights neighbourhood.

Custom Mortgages is located at 220 – 4411 Hastings Street, one block west of Willingdon Avenue. For more information, visit www.custommortgages.ca, or call 604-319-2825.