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Broker Succession Specialists
You built it.
We’ll carry it forward.
Relay works exclusively with retiring mortgage brokers to purchase their book of business through structured, staged buyouts — protecting your clients, preserving your legacy, and securing your future.
Indicative Book Values
2–3×Annual trail income
multiplier
3–5Staged payment
tranches
90 dayAverage time to
first payment
100%Client continuity
guaranteed
Get an indicative valuation in minutes
Trusted by brokers since 2020
Transparent, staged payment terms
Confidential & obligation-free
RECA-licensed & provincially compliant
The Process
A structured exit, built around you
We’ve designed our succession process to be simple, fair, and transparent — so you can step back with confidence.
1
Confidential Assessment
Share your trail income, loan book size, and client base. We’ll provide a confidential indicative valuation — no obligation, no cost.
2
Agree the Structure
We negotiate the purchase price, deposit amount, number of tranches, and any performance conditions that protect both parties.
3
Staged Settlement
Receive your initial payment, with subsequent tranches tied to agreed milestones. Your clients are transitioned seamlessly — your legacy is intact.
Valuation Tools
Calculate your book’s value
Use our calculators to estimate what your book of business is worth and model your earn-out over 10 years.
Section A — Your Book History
From your T4 or broker statement
Section B — Model Assumptions
Relay’s standard ’40 for 4′ offer starts at 40%
Years you receive the full split before any decline
Split reduces by this % per year after the flat period
% of clients that naturally drift each year (5–15% typical)
Your cost of capital (converts future income to today’s dollars)
Industry benchmark for an outright book sale (typically 2×)
10-Year Income Projection
Enter your commission history and click Run Projection to see your personalised 10-year earn-out model.
Run the Earn-Out Model First
Switch to the Relay Earn-Out Model tab, enter your numbers, and click Run Projection. Then return here to see the full three-way comparison.
What does this compare?
Relay Earn-Out: 10-year NPV of your earn-out income stream
Lump Sum Sale: Outright purchase at the industry multiple
Walk Away: What most brokers get — nothing
Three-Way Comparison
Run the earn-out model first to populate this comparison.
“Every broker’s book tells the story of decades of trust. Our job is to honour that — and carry it forward.”
— Relay Mortgage Founding Principle
Who We Are
Built specifically for broker succession
Relay Mortgage was founded to solve a very specific problem: retiring mortgage brokers in Alberta had no easy, fair way to exit their business. Banks didn’t want the liability. Aggregators moved slowly. Junior brokers lacked capital.
We exist to bridge that gap — combining the capital, the process, and the expertise to make broker succession straightforward and dignified.
Fair Valuations
We pay market-rate multiples based on verified trail income, client quality, and book longevity — not below-market distressed prices.
Structured & Patient
Our staged buyout model aligns incentives over time — you stay involved during transition, clients are looked after, and payments follow performance.
Client Continuity
We guarantee continuity of service to your clients. They’re not a number — they’re the reason your book has value, and we treat them that way.
Industry Insights
News & Resources
View All Articles
01
SuccessionMarch 2026
Why More Brokers Are Choosing Staged Buyouts Over Lump-Sum Sales
A structured exit can deliver significantly better outcomes than a lump-sum sale to a competitor. Here’s the data behind the shift.
Read article
02
ValuationFebruary 2026
What’s Your Trail Book Actually Worth in Today’s Market?
Trail income multiples have shifted over the past 24 months. We break down the key factors that drive valuations up — and what drags them down.
Read article
03
PlanningJanuary 2026
The Broker’s Retirement Checklist: 12 Things to Sort Before You Exit
From RECA deregistration to aggregator novation, here’s a practical checklist for Alberta brokers planning their exit in the next 12–24 months.
Read article
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most common questions we receive from brokers considering an exit.
How do you value a mortgage broker’s book of business?
We primarily value books based on verified annual trail income, applying a multiplier that reflects the quality and longevity of the book. Typical multipliers range from 2× to 3× annual trail, adjusted for factors including client retention history, loan book quality, geographic concentration, and the length of trail income history. We also consider the total loan book size as a secondary cross-check metric.
What is a staged buyout and why is it better than a lump-sum sale?
A staged buyout structures the purchase price into multiple payments (tranches) over an agreed period, typically 2–5 years. The advantage for sellers is that total proceeds are often higher than a lump-sum — because the buyer’s risk is lower when payments are tied to client retention outcomes. For buyers, it aligns incentives: you’re motivated to support a smooth transition because your final payments depend on it. Most of our brokers find this structure more personally satisfying too — there’s no cliff-edge exit.
What happens to my clients after the sale?
Client continuity is central to our model. We work with you to transition clients in a way that feels natural — often keeping you involved in an advisory or referral capacity during the transition period. Clients are introduced to their new broker, your branding and communication style is respected, and we never cold-contact or aggressively cross-sell during the transition window. Our reputation depends on their trust, just as yours did.
Do I need to be ready to retire right now to get a valuation?
Not at all. We regularly work with brokers who are 1–3 years from their planned exit. Getting a valuation now helps you understand what your book is worth today, what you can do to maximise its value before you exit, and how to structure your affairs accordingly. We treat every enquiry as strictly confidential — your aggregator, clients, and colleagues will not be made aware.
What are the tax implications of selling my book of business?
In Canada, the proceeds from selling a mortgage broker’s book of business are generally treated as a capital gain for income tax purposes, reported to the CRA. You may be eligible for the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption (LCGE) if the business qualifies as a small business corporation — this can shelter a significant portion of the gain from tax. Alberta has no provincial capital gains tax on top of the federal rate, which is an advantage. We strongly recommend engaging a tax adviser with experience in professional practice sales before proceeding. We can connect you with advisers familiar with broker succession transactions in Alberta.
How long does the process typically take from first contact to first payment?
From initial enquiry to execution of a formal agreement is typically 4–8 weeks, depending on the complexity of the book and how quickly due diligence material can be provided. Settlement (first payment) follows execution, usually within 30–60 days. In total, most transactions reach first payment within 90 days of first contact. We move at a pace that suits you — there’s no pressure to rush.
Is the initial conversation and valuation really free and confidential?
Yes, completely. We provide indicative valuations at no cost and with no obligation. We operate under strict confidentiality — we will not contact your aggregator, clients, or anyone in your professional network without your explicit permission. Many of the brokers we speak with are simply at an exploratory stage, and that’s exactly the right time to call us.
Take the First Step
Ready to explore what your book is worth?
A 30-minute confidential conversation is all it takes to get clarity on your options. No pressure. No jargon. Just honest answers.
Get in Touch
Let’s have a confidential conversation
Whether you’re three months or three years from retirement — it’s never too early to understand your options. Every enquiry is treated with complete discretion.
Phone
(403) 000-0000
hello@relaymortgage.ca
Location
Calgary, AB — serving brokers across Alberta
Send us a message
We respond to all enquiries within one business day.