Meet Salee
The woman behind The Mortgage Pinay
Meet Rosalee “Salee” Maquinay, the woman behind The Mortgage Pinay — a Filipino-Canadian, former Registered Nurse, mortgage professional, and a wife and mother.
I know how overwhelming mortgages can feel when you are trying to build a life, raise a family, and make the right financial decisions in Canada. I learned how mortgages work so I could understand my own options—and now I help other Filipino families do the same.
- Filipino-Canadian
- Former Registered Nurse
- Mortgage Professional
- Wife & Mother
My story
Why I Do This Work
I moved from the Philippines to Canada in 2008 as a Registered Nurse because I wanted to build a better future for my family.
Like many families, I wanted to understand how to make smart decisions with homeownership, mortgages, debt, equity, and long-term wealth.
I took the time to learn how mortgages work—not only how to get approved, but how mortgage choices affect monthly cash flow, total interest cost, flexibility, and future property goals.
The more I learned, the more I realized many Filipino families in Canada were making big financial decisions without clear explanations.
That is why I became The Mortgage Pinay.
My nursing background taught me to listen carefully, explain things clearly, and support people during important decisions. I bring that same care into mortgage conversations.
My approach
What I Believe
- A mortgage is more than a rate.
- Approval is not the only goal.
- Cash flow matters.
- Long-term cost matters.
- Mortgage flexibility matters.
- Home equity should be used thoughtfully.
- Real estate can be part of long-term wealth-building, but it must be planned carefully.
- Every family’s situation is different.
- Clear education leads to better decisions.
Working together
What You Can Expect From Me
- Clear explanations
- Honest conversations
- No judgment
- No pressure
- Practical next steps
- Respect for your family’s goals
- Transparency about costs and trade-offs