What our clients say
Our Clients’ Success Is Our Success
I highly recommend Stephen Thomas. He put together a very complicated deal for me that in my opinion, I wouldn’t have been able to pull off without him. The bank made us jump through many hoops and at different stages in the negotiations, I was really glad that Stephen was there at my side of the team, negotiating for us, and making those hoops disappear. He was worth every penny and more of his fee.
Mercedes Savard
Savard Properties
Stephen has the valuable combination of knowledge, experience, large network, and exemplary work ethic. I have worked with countless lenders and brokers from every major bank as well as alternative lenders while growing my real estate portfolio over the past 9 years in 5 different provinces and two different countries, and I can confidently put Stephen right near the top of my list for my preference to work with on credit applications that matter. I also had a 16 year career with CIBC and I wish all of the staff had the skills that Stephen has. When push comes to shove if I have a credit application I need to get approved and with the most favourable terms possible, Stephen is my person. If you would like further examples about Stephen’s abilities feel free to reach out to me and I will gladly elaborate further.
Brock A. Rogerson
HABO Inc.
As a new business owner I was having a very difficult time working directly with my bank to secure a small business loan. I felt they were not listening to what I was telling them about what our business did, how we operate, and hos successful other franchises in our model were.
Innovative Fitness is a premium personal training company, catering to very specific demographic, offering by appointment only, 1-on-1 and 1-on-2 personal training and coaching services to clients. We are not a gym!
Of course this meant that the delay in securing funds and the challenges my bank had, almost brought the process to halt.
Enter Stephen Thomas.
He really did deliver on every outcome we agreed upon, on time, and with guidance and patience. His fees were extremely reasonable, considering he secured our business the loan we required, and provided us with advice and guidance we desperately required to make the dream a reality.
Stephen you are truly a Rockstar! Thank you!
JAMES GREENWOOD
Bcom. Sports Management - Sport Science (Hons), CSEP-CEP, Exercise is Medicine Canada
Amidst working with numerous brokers, working with Haloadvisory(Stephen) is always a breadth of fresh or air, LaCaban immediately was assured it had the best advocate in Halo. The ownership taken is amazing as you immediately realise your deal is getting done with the best possible options. This is evident in Stephen securing LOIs from institutional enders where no the broker is able to.
Stephen always takes into account your strategic goals, positioning you for success with you future deals while he executes on the current project.
La Caban Developments
September 15, 2021, La Caban Developments
Commercial Lending Simplified
At HALO we are a highly specialized boutique mortgage brokerage and advisory firm servicing a select client base that enables them to secure the right financing for their specific needs.
Awards
- Winner – 2022 Mortgage Award of Excellence – Best Commercial Mortgage Broker of the Year
- Winner – 2021 Mortgage Award of Excellence – Best Commercial Mortgage Broker of the year
- 2020 Avison Young – Commercial Broker of the Year Finalist
- 2020 Mortgage Awards of Excellence – Commercial Broker of the Year – Finalist
- 2020 CMP Rising Stars Winner
- 2019 CMP Magazine – Hotlist Winner (Recognizes 47 of the industry’s most innovative influencers)
- 2019 Mortgage Awards of Excellence – Commercial Broker of the Year Finalist
Our Awards
Areas of Expertise
Over 75 Years Of Combined Commercial Lending Experience and Expertise
Owner Occupied Commercial Real Estate
Telling you what the banks can’t
When a company wants to buy its building, they are usually in high growth mode needing more space and looking to build equity, such as restaurateur Scott Loptson.
For others, it is not just a matter of expansion but of gaining control over the future of their business to avoid costly and unexpected rent hikes.
In each of these instances, the expert advice from HALO Advisory’s mortgage professionals in Canada provided guidance to enable these and countless other clients to successfully address their owner-occupied commercial real estate needs so they could focus on what they do best – grow their business.
HALO makes sense of a complex commercial lending market to secure the right financing with the right lenders at the right time for the right situation.
Gaining control of your commercial real estate needs is not just about securing a mortgage – it is about securing your business and its future.
Client References: Scott Loptson, P.Eng. and Dr. Kris Dorken
Land Development and Construction Financing
We do our best so that you can focus on your best
When it comes to Low and Mid Rise construction financing, the most significant challenge clients face is the extensive work required with every development or redevelopment project. There are also many unknowns that require developer attention – as the saying goes, the devil is in the details.
Having to handle arranging the project financing and navigating various zoning, entitlement, and construction issues prevalent in land development projects is an added responsibility for which most do not have the cycles.
At HALO, our mortgage professionals in Canada understand the impact of growth beyond the initial transaction, which is why we lay a solid foundation of due diligence, financing systems, and processes to streamline our developer clients’ land and development projects. The ability of our mortgage professionals to handle the financing of your business allows you to focus on what you do best once the commercial lending is committed.
Client References: La Caban Developments
Investment Commercial Real Estate
Helping you to navigate the many roads to Rome
When it comes to investing in commercial real estate, the saying, “All roads lead to Rome,” has never been more accurate.
The biggest challenges are managing the expectations and interests of all stakeholders, such as buyers, sellers, realtors, lawyers and ultimately the lender, converging into a deal that delivers optimal outcomes for all transaction participants.
“In our recent real estate acquisition, we contacted Stephen during mid-night when we were negotiating with the seller. We also had some hiccups when obtaining financing. Stephen did two rounds of work and got us the best financing deal. If you need a mortgage for your commercial property, go with Stephen. Highly recommended.” – Helen Mingyue Xu, Founder at AT International Capital Inc.
The key to commercial real estate investment success is recognizing and managing complexity beyond a simple transaction. The expertise and proven track record of HALO’s mortgage professionals in Canada in managing the diverse interests of multiple stakeholders are reflected in the success of the firm’s clients.
Client References:
Residential Mortgages
Serving sophisticated clients with sophisticated borrowing needs
Purchasing a residential home for more than $5 million has layers of complexity beyond a simple mortgage. It requires your mortgage professional in Canada to have a level of expertise and be well-versed in both retail and commercial lending practices.
Understanding the rules for how different lenders will treat self-employed income to achieve the right balance between minimizing taxes and maximizing borrowing power or leverage are just two key factors that must be considered.
At HALO Advisory, our mortgage professionals bring the necessary expertise to properly structure the deal to match the right borrower with the right (sophisticated) lender by considering various factors, including proper tax planning strategies with a licenced accountant.
Client References:
Special Use Commercial Properties
Navigating the Complexity of Special Use Properties
Behind every commercial loan application, there is a regulatory framework and risk appetite that lenders must consider and adhere to. The process is relatively straightforward if you want to acquire a property that fits within the standard regulatory and risk framework, such as an apartment building. In short, you are seeking financing within the confines of the lenders’ accepted comfort zone.
However, when you look at funding “special use” properties such as churches, hotels or gas stations, there is an increase of risk in the eyes of the lenders.
Our mortgage professionals in Canada have expertise in special use properties and understand the complexity of the financing request. We look beyond the obvious and understand the highest and best use of the special use asset. Whether you are looking to fund capital improvements, expansion, or repositioning the asset now or in the future, HALO’s mortgage professionals work with you. We match the right lender with your business or a private lender in our Mortgage Brokerage with experience in your project who may provide bridge lending to your project until the asset is stabilized to go back to the Banks.
Client References:
Business Advisory
At HALO Advisory, our Mission is your Success
With over 75 years of Canadian Banking industry experience, our MISSION is to ensure you receive the most favourable terms and conditions for your financing requirements by providing guidance and transparency throughout the various stages of the commercial lending process.
As our client, we will build a customized financial model for you based on your business goals and an understanding of the unique challenges you face or are likely to face in a rapidly evolving market.
Through our proprietary underwriting process, our mortgage professionals in Canada help you develop a lending strategy BEFORE approaching the lending market to ensure everyone involved is speaking the same “lender” language.
Whatever your specific needs, HALO Advisory’s mortgage professionals have the expertise to deliver the results you need to succeed in both business and personal financial matters.
Business Plans are the basis for all successful enterprises. We assist start-ups and existing businesses by creating a plan that articulates the business’s quantitative and qualitative goals. HALO partners with franchisees and franchisors by creating a seamless financing experience with qualified lenders.
