Client Testimonials

My husband’s and my goal was to combine our two mortgages into one and obtain a better interest rate with only one payment. We initially saw an ad in our community paper for another company offering this service. After explaining things to this broker, she initially jumped to it but gradually petered out, totally unable to help us any further. This process ended up wasting over a month of time and we were frustrated and disillusioned with this company- that’s when we decided to pay a walk-in visit to CENTUM Mortgage in Crowfoot.

We met with Gary and Josh who immediately took down our information, explained things to us and started the application process. After this first meeting, my husband and I felt very relieved and hopeful that this time something was going to be done to completion. We were dealing with Gary and Josh, who both seemed to be knowledgeable, reassuring, action-oriented and confident they could help us. We breathed a sigh of relief especially after the time we’d just wasted with the other company. Josh became our primary broker and he always kept good communication with us.

He was polite, courteous, professional, quick to complete tasks, and was very accommodating. Whenever we had any questions we just called or popped in. We never felt like we were interrupting or bothering anyone in the office. Peggy (Josh and Gary’s assistant) was very nice and friendly also and she was able to answer many questions as well or ensured Josh would get right back to us and he always did just that. There was no waiting for 1 or 2 days or so many hours for a call-back like many other companies one deals with.

Our situation was not as straight-forward and easy as some other clients situations may be, but Josh had creative ideas and no matter what we presented to him, he was able to pull it all together for us. Never once were we condescended upon or made to feel we were any less important than the next client Josh may be working with. We always felt like we were his “only” clients.

Josh, Gary and Peggy were thorough, quick to get things done and were caring and supportive. They never rushed us. They made the whole process run smoothly with no hitches or unfulfilled promises. We felt valued and respected throughout this entire process and as a result, we would definitely recommend them to friends and relatives. When it was all over and our goal was met,it was kind of sad to know we wouldn’t be needing to be in contact anymore. However, Josh and Gary reassured us that we are welcome to pop in anytime to say hello.

It honestly was a satisfying and successful experience for us and we will no doubt return to CENTUM when we need further assistance in the future. Thank you all so much!
Brian & Cheryl Moore, Calgary - June 22, 2010

I want to thank you and Peggy for all the support you have given us to refinance our mortgage at such a good rate. I thank you for been patient and taking the time to explain things to us. As I said before you have integrity and I mean it. Once again thank you for making it an easy process.
Frank & Lynn Russomanno, Edmonton - June 8, 2010

My wife and I had placed a significant deposit on a new $1.5 million penthouse condo almost two years ago. A lot happened between when we first placed our deposit and closing. The market changed, bank financing terms became more rigid for product at this price point and most of all we had a baby girl on the way.

We spent nearly 10 months trying to find a mortgage lender who understood our needs and who was actually able to help. We had almost given up when I was introduced to CENTUM Mortgage. Not only did Gary Tagg understand what we needed, he was able to put together a plan that worked — and he bent over backwards to make it happen.

It is endearing to know that there are still business people out there who truly care and seek to meet the needs of people in a fair and honest fashion. Integrity is word that is thrown around a lot these days and most of the time it is misused. However, in this case, CENTUM showed the type of integrity that is very lacking in our industry today. Gary Tagg took the time to make this transaction work. Our expectations were exceeded on all fronts! God bless you and your team.
–Brian Kuhn, Calgary - May 24, 2010

In a nutshell, your service was terrific. I can’t imagine anything like a major financial arrangement like this moving so fast!! You were ahead of our needs - in fact we slowed you down. Your assistant was sharp & attentive and we couldn’t have asked for or expected better service. We cannot imagine any kind of complaint…
–Bryce Hansen, Cardston - April 20, 2010

We just want to say thank you so much for everything you have done for us to get our home to its last stages in construction. I really just want you to know you have made everything a pleasure and pass your name onto all friends and family and have nothing but positive words to say about you and the work you do appreciate it my friend.
–Kyle Edge, Fort McMurray - April 15, 2010

I just wanted to take the time to thank you once again for all your hard work and how grateful I am for making my home purchase as smooth as possible. It felt good from the first time we spoke until the day the deal closed. As my options for obtaining a mortgage were limited, it was comforting to know that there was a mortgage out there that worked for my situation. I am very happy with the product you have provided me and it feels good to once again be a homeowner. I will definitely refer you to anyone I know that may need help and also look forward to doing business with you and your company in the future.
–Michael James, Airdrie - April 14, 2010

Scott and I were fairly new to the Fort McMurray area and knew we’d have to rely on a referral to get a mortgage broker we could trust. Josh’s phone number was passed on to me from a trusted Fort McMurray home inspector who knows his fair share about buying and selling real estate. At the promise of some of the lowest interest rates and the best service around, we decided to give Josh a call. Josh is extremely intelligent, highly skilled and qualified, and one of the nicest people I’ve ever worked with. His assistant, Peggy, is willing to help in any way she can and if she doesn’t have the answer off hand, she’ll get it to you as soon as possible.

We would recommend Josh, Peggy, and the entire company to anyone looking at buying a home. As a first-time home buyer I had no idea what the process would entail, and Josh was there with guidance and advice to walk us through every step of the way.

On behalf of Scott and myself, I want to personally thank the entire CENTUM Mortgage team for their amazing support and highest level of work ethic.
–Kelsey Lundquist, Fort McMurray - April 8, 2010

My wife Laura and I have been seeking Gary’s services with overseeing our Mortgage needs for the past five years across multiple homes.  We would have it no other way as Gary’s professionalism, industry knowledge, expert advice and no pressure tactics, brings us comfort in knowing we made the best decision possible for our mortgage.  Gary and his team have always provided us with mortgage options and one thing that remains constant is his courtesy, company’s support and providing clear direction for next steps during the mortgage process.

We will definitely be recommending Gary’s services to our friends & family as he and his team always exceed our expectations
–Damian Gousiss, Calgary - April 6, 2010

My mortgage experience with Josh was enjoyable and pain free! I really appreciate the automatic updates on status and progress (so did my realtor). Josh helped me understand my options and why we were using specific products that made the most sense for my needs. I recommend Josh to anyone I know with mortgage needs! Thanks Josh!
–Sarah Seymour, Airdrie - February 22, 2010

I am a middle aged father of 2 kids and I work for the government. Before now, my wife and I had bought two houses through one of the big banks, so I have grounds for comparison.

My experience with the banks was nothing to write home about and they always acted like they were doing me a favour. I was made to feel that I was just another business opportunity.

This is now the second time that I have dealt with you. Not only did you completely exceed my expectation each time, you used a combination of experience and knowledge to proffer solutions to my unique circumstances. In the process you became a friend and I find your positive attitude to challenging situations very encouraging and refreshing.

I have already recommended you to a friend and will continue to hold you in high esteem.
–Segun Kaffo, Edmonton - February 16, 2010

Hi Gary, from the first day I phoned, scared silly, because I didn’t know a thing about having a mortgage, you were so friendly, I felt relaxed! It was like talking to a friend. I heard about your company from my son, he had told me how helpful you were to him when he was getting a mortgage to buy another home in Fort McMurray! So that helped me decide to try you too.

From day one you went over & above what I thought I would get from anyone in your business. You explained everything to me when I let you know that this was all new to me.

When the first home fell through, you talked to me like a friend, & told me “well maybe it was just not meant to be, something better would come along”. which made me feel a lot better. Every couple days you would phone & see how everything was coming along and if we had another house picked out yet. My Realtor also said that “she had never talked to a more friendly person.” You made us feel like you really cared about what happened to us. I would recommend your services to anyone I know.
–Gladys & Melvin Rowsell, Fort McMurray - February 11, 2010

I would most definitely like to thank you for your efforts and service that you provided me in regards to my Mortgage! I wasn’t exactly sure how dealing with a Broker would be like nor did I know all the details that you took care of for me, but boy oh boy am I sure glad that I was able to go through you! I found that you ended up doing things for me, besides getting the best rate, that banks couldn’t do!

There is NO question that moving forward that I will most definitely be using you again as well as forwarding you onto all my family & friends!

Once again, Thank You very much Gary!
–Mark Franks, Calgary - February 2, 2010

Josh, for all your professional expertise and friendly help I thank you immensely.

I drive by [your office] daily. I saw your Office’s sign several times. I live nearby. After inquiring at 3 other Banks I decided to drop in and find out what “Mortgages for Less” had to offer. I had no knowledge, nor prior experience about using a Brokerage Firm, I had always dealt with Banks.

I also mentioned my concerns, thinking that a Bank was a more solid institution, therefore more trustworthy. I asked you WHY I should trust a Brokerage as much as a Bank and I was impressed by you taking the time to explain the points in a professional, simple, straight forward and honest way. I took a day to think about it, while asking my daughter in law (who is a Realtor in Vancouver) about her thoughts on this matter. She corroborated much of what you had said and summarized the conversation by saying “she always uses a Broker, has never used a Bank for her personal transactions”, moreover she suggests to her clients to look into it as well, when planning the financing of a new Mortgage. So I went back to you the following day and started the Application.

Should a friend or relative ever ask me about my experience in obtaining Mortgages, I would certainly share what I have learned from you, suggesting they entertain the idea of going through a Brokerage Firm like CENTUM, along with mentioning the main points I observed, such as:
- Your friendly, honest approach and professional knowledge,
- Your prompt availability when further questions arise
- And of course, the great difference in the interest rate as compared to the Banks.

Again, thanks for making all this possible, efficiently and in such a short time frame.
–Gerty Parker, Calgary - January 26, 2010 (comments shortened but original meaning preserved)

My wife and I were interested in a second home in the mountains and needed the help securing funding to fulfill our dreams of having a vacation home. We were referred to Gary by a friend that swore by his services and we decided to call him to see what our options were.

After getting the financing we needed he offered to inquire about our current mortgage and to see if he could better our current terms. To our pleasant surprise he told us that he could get us a rate that was 2.95% lower that what we were actually had at the time. We decided to refinance to lower our payments on the new property and to do upgrades to both properties.

During the whole process Gary was available to answer all of our questions, even after hours. As well as handling his work load he was short staffed and still managed to exceed our expectations. Without Gary this venture would not have gone as smooth and because of a excellent experience with Gary and his company, We will recommend him to all of our family and friends.
– Kim & Blair Higgs, Calgary - January 26, 2010

My wife and I are first time home buyers and to make things more complicated chose to build using a builder [that required multiple mortgage advances]. What interested me was that you would actually work with clients with less than perfect credit. You took the time to answer questions and worked over a long period of time with me. CENTUM Mortgage Lending Centre exceeded my expectations through the entire process. I would recommend your service to friends and family because of the excellent customer service we received from Josh and Gary.
– Jamie & Monique, Lethbridge - January 18, 2010

Thanks again for all of your help. It’s greatly appreciated - especially the short notice I gave you And, again for coming in at the end with even lower mortgage rate. We will definitely recommend your firm to our friends.
– Jennifer Blackett, Calgary - December 5, 2009

We are a young, professional couple who were in the process of purchasing our first home. We were recommended to CENTUM by our real estate agent but were unclear on the process - application for mortgage, approval process - and unsure of what tpe of mortgage would work best for us. Josh was very clear and straightforward, explaining not only our different options but what each would mean for us in both the short- and long-term. The level of service, responsiveness from Josh and amount of information given absolutely exceeded our expectations. In the end, it is fair to say that Josh went above-and-beyond in helping us secure the mortgage that would work best for us. We would absolutely recommend his services to others (and have) and look forward to working with him on our future home purchases.
– Abby Miller, Calgary - December 4, 2009

I got possession of our new house yesterday and I just wanted to thank you for all your work, you did the impossible and it was a pleasure working with you. The entire process went smoothly and quickly and I appreciated the fact that you kept me constantly informed thru the whole process. Next time I am in the market I’ll definately look you up. Once again a big THANX goes to you and your team for getting us a place we can now call our HOME.
– Denis Z, Calgary - May 5, 2009

Thanks Josh. Your professionalism and knowledge coupled with your very friendly attitude has made this experience delightful. Your entire process trumps the service provided by the big banks.
– Segun & Ebele, Edmonton - April 15, 2009

Gary, once again …our sincere thanks for the great service and especially the hard work to get us an even better rate at the very tail end of this process. You are magic! We too, will be recommending you to everyone we know. You have helped us out and our own bank didn’t seem to be too interested in doing that. Thanks again, ever so much, for helping us out. We truly and genuinely appreciate it.
– Tami & Bryan Adams, Calgary - April 14, 2009

I just received the confirmation of the approval, and a telephone call from my lawyer, and have an appointment set up to get the fire insurance/life insurance going.  Its hard to believe that it has only been a couple of weeks since I sent in the pre-approval application, and now its finished.  Doreen and I can’t thank you enough for how much help you have been in the process of getting our baby girl a place to call home.  I am sure you receive a few of these letters of thanks, but I just wanted to tell you of the heartfelt gratitude my family and I feel for the help and effort you have given us.
– Mike & Doreen, Red Deer - March 4, 2009

Laura, We would like to thank you for the tremendous job that you did for us in getting us new financing which we desperately needed. The speed with which everything was done and the way you helped us through all the steps was fantastic. Your assistance in this goes beyond words and our lives are now in a position that we can handle for now and into the future.
– Neil & Lisa, Calgary - February 17, 2009

We wanted first off to say thank you very much!! You have no idea how much we appreciate all of your help and hard work.  You were the calm in a disastrous storm we were going through!!! Your above and beyond hard work has left us with a renewed hope in customer service!!!
– Dean & Trish, Calgary - December 10, 2008