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CORY VANCE

Partner & Mortgage Broker at A Better Way Mortgages

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About Me

Relationships matter, I demonstrate this daily by assuring every step of your journey is clearly understood and that the solutions we arrive at fit your unique needs. As a licensed Mortgage Broker I offer unbiased advice via access and understanding of several top banks, credit unions, and national mortgage lender policies and programs. I distill the dozens of options available into a shortlist of the very best for you to decide upon. Twelve of my twenty years of financial services experience were spent working on the inside of one of our country’s largest banks which gives me a unique perspective on what the market offers


As Managing Partner of A Better Way Mortgages, I’ve developed my expertise in financial services working with hundreds of clients. A Better Way Mortgages is a top Dominion Lending Centres franchise with more than 80 Mortgage Brokers serving Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario.


Born and raised in Regina and a long time Riders fan, our family moved to Calgary in 2000 and we’ve never looked back…except to cheer for the Riders. When I’m not in my office building spreadsheets and analyzing ways to make finances fun (for real), I’m spending time with my wife and our two active kids.


I can also be found working with Between Friends an organization providing social and self-development opportunities for people with disabilities to connect, grow and feel a greater sense of belonging.


My passion is in tailoring a strategy that meets your needs. If you are looking to buy, build, renew, refinance or simply want an unbiased second opinion please give me a call.

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I believe that in order for clients to feel confident about the mortgage process they need to be educated on all available options. My goal is to guide you through the process so you can make an informed decision.

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If you are looking to buy or build a property, chances are you will need to get a mortgage. With so many options and mortgage products available it is hard to know where to start. I am here to guide you through the process. Why be tied to a single lender when you can have options from several at no cost to you?

RENEWAL OR REFINANCE

If you’re looking to access some of the equity in your home or you have a mortgage that is up for renewal in the next six months, you have options. Often a quick phone call can result in huge savings.

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Don’t Let Collections Derail Your Mortgage Application

By Cory Vance • September 15, 2026
Can You Get a Mortgage If You Have Collections on Your Credit Report? Short answer? Not easily. Long answer? It depends—and it’s more common (and fixable) than you might think. When it comes to applying for a mortgage, your credit report tells lenders a story. Collections—debts that have been passed to a collection agency because they weren’t paid on time—are big red flags in that story. Regardless of how or why they got there, open collections are going to hurt your chances of getting approved. Let’s break this down. What Exactly Is a Collection? A collection appears on your credit report when a bill goes unpaid for long enough that the lender decides to stop chasing you—and hires a collection agency to do it instead. It doesn’t matter whether it was an unpaid phone bill, a forgotten credit card, or a disputed fine: to a lender, it signals risk. And lenders don’t like risk. Why It Matters to Mortgage Lenders? Lenders use your credit report to gauge how trustworthy you are with borrowed money. If they see you haven’t paid a past debt, especially recently, it suggests you might do the same with a new mortgage—and that’s enough to get your application denied. Even small collections can cause problems. A $32 unpaid utility bill might seem insignificant to you, but to a lender, it’s a red flag waving loudly. But What If I Didn’t Know About the Collection? It happens all the time. You move provinces and miss a final utility charge. Your cell provider sends a bill to an old address. Or maybe the collection is showing in error—credit reports aren’t perfect, and mistakes do happen. Regardless of the reason, the responsibility to resolve it still falls on you. Even if it’s an honest oversight or an error, lenders will expect you to clear it up or prove it’s been paid. And What If I Chose Not to Pay It? Some people intentionally leave certain collections unpaid—maybe they disagree with a charge, or feel a fine is unfair. Here are a few common “moral stand” collections: Disputed phone bills COVID-related fines Traffic tickets Unpaid spousal or child support While you might feel justified, lenders don’t take sides. They’re not interested in why a collection exists—only that it hasn’t been dealt with. And if it’s still active, that could be enough to derail your mortgage application. How Can You Find Out What’s On Your Report? Easy. You can check it yourself through services like Equifax or TransUnion, or you can work with a mortgage advisor to go through a full pre-approval. A pre-approval will quickly uncover any credit issues, including collections—giving you a chance to fix them before you apply for a mortgage. What To Do If You Have Collections Verify: Make sure the collection is accurate. Pay or Dispute: Settle the debt or begin a dispute process if it’s an error. Get Proof: Even if your credit report hasn’t updated yet, documentation showing the debt is paid can be enough for some lenders. Work With a Pro: A mortgage advisor can help you build a strategy and connect you with lenders who offer flexible solutions. Collections are common, but they can absolutely block your path to mortgage financing. Whether you knew about them or not, the best approach is to take action early. If you’d like to find out where you stand—or need help navigating your credit report—I’d be happy to help. Let’s make sure your next mortgage application has the best possible chance of approval.

Bank of Canada Holds Rate at 2.25% — September 2, 2026

By Cory Vance • September 2, 2026
The Bank of Canada announced today that it is holding its target for the overnight rate at 2.25%, with the Bank Rate at 2.5% and the deposit rate at 2.20%. While Canada's economic recovery is broadening, a new layer of uncertainty has entered the picture. Here is what happened and what it means for your mortgage.

Get Unbiased Advice: Work with an Independent Mortgage Pro

By Cory Vance • September 1, 2026
Why Work With an Independent Mortgage Professional? If you’re in the market for a mortgage, here’s the most important thing to know: Working with an independent mortgage professional can save you money and provide better options than dealing directly with a single bank. If that’s all you read—great! But if you’d like to understand why that statement is true, keep reading. The Best Mortgage Isn’t Just About the Lowest Rate It’s easy to fall for slick marketing that promotes ultra-low mortgage rates. But the lowest rate doesn’t always mean the lowest cost . The best mortgage is the one that costs you the least amount of money over time —not just the one with the flashiest headline rate. Things like: Prepayment penalties Portability Flexibility to refinance Amortization structure Fixed vs. variable terms …can all affect the true cost of your mortgage. An independent mortgage professional looks beyond the rate. They’ll help you find a product that fits your unique financial situation , long-term goals, and lifestyle—so you’re not hit with expensive surprises down the road. Save Time (and Your Sanity) Applying for a mortgage can be complicated. Every lender has different rules, documents, and policies—and trying to navigate them all on your own can be time-consuming and frustrating. When you work with an independent mortgage professional: You fill out one application They shop that application across multiple lenders You get expert advice tailored to your needs This means less paperwork , less stress , and more confidence in your options. Get Unbiased Advice That Puts You First Bank specialists work for the bank. Their job is to sell you that bank’s mortgage products—whether or not it’s the best deal for you. Independent mortgage professionals work for you. They’re provincially licensed, and their job is to help you: Compare multiple lenders Understand the fine print Make informed, long-term financial decisions And the best part? Their services are typically free to you . Mortgage professionals are paid a standardized fee by the lender when a mortgage is placed—so you get expert guidance without any out-of-pocket cost. Access More Mortgage Options When you go to your bank, you’re limited to that bank’s mortgage products. When you go to an independent mortgage professional, you get access to: Major banks Credit unions Monoline lenders (who only offer mortgages) Alternative and private lenders (if needed) That’s far more choice , and a much better chance of finding a mortgage that truly fits your needs and goals. The Bottom Line If you want to: Save money over the life of your mortgage Save time by avoiding unnecessary back-and-forth Access more lenders and products Get honest, client-first advice …then working with an independent mortgage professional is one of the smartest decisions you can make. Let’s Make a Plan That Works for You If you're ready to talk about mortgage financing—or just want to explore your options—I'm here to help. Let's connect and put together a strategy that makes sense for your goals and your future. Reach out anytime. I’d be happy to help.
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Cory has been providing mortgage advice to me and my family as well as my clients for many years. What has always impressed me is his prompt personal service, “get it done attitude”, and he not only meets but often exceeds tight timelines facilitating a worry-free experience.
Cory is a well-respected industry leader and demonstrates this when providing valuable knowledge from his long background in financial services. He takes a personal interest in every client and is a great communicator with all parties involved creating a smooth transaction for all.

ROD B (REALTOR)

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In a word, our experience with Cory was outstanding. Considerations were explained clearly with progress communicated consistently and honestly right through to closing. We were extremely pleased with the end result and would not hesitate to recommend both Cory and his team at Dominion Lending Centres – A Better Way.

ANDREW G

John Doe's Image
We have worked with Cory Vance and Nicole deBoer for four mortgages that have included primary residences, as well as, rental properties. Cory and Nicole’s advice is excellent, they have many contacts with different banks and credit unions and have consistently secured interest rates from lenders that were lower than we were able to ourselves. When you are a client of Cory and Nicole’s, the process of applying for and obtaining a mortgage is very straightforward. They know exactly what documents you need and the right questions to ask to make sure you obtain the best mortgage product for your needs. They are also super helpful in the application process making sure forms are filled out correctly and advocating if necessary.
We expected Cory and Nicole to be excellent and they surpassed that expectation. We are grateful for both the mortgages and the properties they have secured us and we cannot recommend them enough and know we will be working with them again in the future.

ADELE