Ep.125 | Inside New Brunswick’s Real Estate Boom & the Rise of Strategic Private Lending

In Episode 125 of the Canadian Private Lenders Podcast, Ryan and Zach sit down with Brad Donnelly to unpack one of the most unique journeys in the mortgage industry, from radio broadcasting to building a thriving brokerage.Brad shares how his background in communication and sales became a competitive advantage in the mortgage space, and why making the leap from banking to brokering can dramatically change your earning potential and career trajectory.The conversation dives deep into the booming New Brunswick market, the evolution of private lending, and why today’s borrowers are using private capital as a strategic tool, not a last resort.Whether you’re a mortgage professional, investor, or just looking to better understand how lending actually works behind the scenes, this episode delivers practical insight you won’t hear anywhere else.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why sales skills matter more than banking experience in brokeringThe real difference between working at a bank vs. being a brokerHow private lending has evolved into a strategic financial toolWhy New Brunswick is seeing massive growth and investor interestWhat it actually takes to succeed in today’s mortgage industryShow Notes:00:00 – Intro + guest overview (Brad Donnelly)02:13 – From radio to mortgages: Brad’s career path06:01 – Why he left banking for brokering07:33 – Income potential: bank vs broker08:17 – Replacing income in under 3 months11:46 – Broker vs bank: flexibility & support15:20 – New Brunswick growth & market trends18:10 – Evolution of private lending20:41 – Advice for new mortgage brokers21:23 – Why sales skills matter most24:17 – Private lending as a strategic tool26:30 – Building a team + future plans27:30 – Using social media as a broker29:04 – What needs to change in the industry33:23 – Rapid-fire: best food in St JohnsResources:Keystone Capital GroupCPLP Instagram: @cplpodcastKeystone Instagram: @keycapgroupFind Neal On:Instagram: @neal.andreinoLinkedIn: Neal AndreinoFind Ryan on:LinkedIn: Ryan MacNeilE-mail: [email protected]