About lendlab

A team based approach focused on putting you and your family first.

How we got started

Lendlab was founded on the principles of hard work, treating people right, providing great mortgage advice to our clients, and being kind to our community in Nanaimo and throughout Vancouver Island. Balraj and his wife were new to Nanaimo in 2015 and as first-time home buyers, they were looking for mortgage advisors to help them with their home purchase and to go through all the nitty gritty details that come with the process. Buying a home can be a highly stressful experience and having great professionals supporting you can make a huge difference. This is what piqued Balraj’s interest in the mortgage and real estate industry on the island and with his previous work experience in real estate, hospitality, and tourism consulting, he set course to become a licensed mortgage broker in double time.

Balraj navigated the mortgage world for a few years developing the skills and knowledge on all aspects of mortgage brokering and once ready, Lendlab Mortgage Inc was launched in 2021 as a modern mortgage brokerage. Honesty, trustworthy advice, transparency, and mortgage education are at the heart of what we do every day. With access to a large network of mortgage lenders, some of the best mortgage rates and products on the market,ongoing training and education, and ever improving technology and tools, the Lendlab team is equipped to serve all your mortgage needs.

Lendlab has grown into a thriving mortgage brokerage staying true to always putting our clients first. Our office is a space where clients and industry partners are the main focus and truly feel valued. The goal is that everyone is comfortable throughout the process and informed on decisions being made on mortgage financing.

"We are immersed in mortgage financing and it isn’t just about the single transaction; it is about developing lasting relationships, perpetuating positivity in our community, and helping one another. We do the best we can to make that a reality for everyone we interact with".

We are very proud and grateful to have won the Best Mortgage Broker in Nanaimo award in 2023 and look forward to serving our community with the same great level of commitment for many years to come.

Balraj Maan

Principal & Managing Broker

Balraj grew up in Singapore and moved to Honolulu, Hawaii to attend university in 2007. He earned his BSBA in Travel Industry Management from Hawaii Pacific University in 2010 and has since worked in the capacity of a management consultant in the tourism, hospitality, and real estate industries. While living on Oahu, he met his best friend and the love of his life and they made the decision to move back to Canada to be closer to her family at the end of 2014. They settled in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island the next year and began working hard to establish themselves. Balraj decided to become a mortgage broker after his own first time home buyer journey. Balraj's goal is to guide you each step of the way and make the home buying process as stress free as possible. He wants his clients to feel genuinely valued, understood and educated on the decisions that they are making.

Melanie Stipic

Mortgage Advisor

As a valued Mortgage Advisor for the collaborative Lendlab team, Melanie brings quiet confidence to her position. Her career in the mortgage industry began in 2020 where she learned the ropes in the fast-paced, record-breaking real estate market, working with hundreds of clients during her first two years. Melanie has a background in business administration, tourism, and wine & event management. When combined with her diligence and dedication, thirst for learning, and commitment to client care, Melanie quickly earned a reputation as an excellent mortgage broker among industry peers and clients. Melanie’s clients describe her as thorough, patient, efficient, and supportive. As a born and raised Nanaimo resident, Melanie has a passion for sharing her love of Vancouver Island with her clients. Connecting over shared experiences or recommending her favourite places to visit is why her clients say she is so personable to work with. Outside the office, she can be found exploring with her family, enjoying a nice glass of wine, reading a book, or baking extravagant cakes and treats.

Colin Knight

Mortgage Advisor

Colin is a lifelong Vancouver Island resident having lived in both the Cowichan Valley and now calling Nanaimo home. He graduated from Vancouver Island University with his Bachelor of Business Administration with a Major in Accounting. While attending school he played on the VIU Mariners varsity soccer team achieving a National Championship in 2017 and being awarded the finals Most Valuable Player. After graduating from University, Colin worked in the banking industry before deciding to make the switch to Lendlab Mortgage Inc. Balancing school, soccer, and work throughout his university career has taught him to be extremely organized and flexible in a variety of situations. He brings this work ethic to the mortgage industry adapting to his client’s busy schedules. Colin has a passion for helping First-Time Home Buyers enter the housing market. He wants to leverage the right mortgage products to help clients achieve their goals whether that is financing their dream home, building equity through real estate, or creating better cash flow with investment properties to increase their current financial freedom.