FOR many Jamaicans, securing a mortgage is a daunting process, bogged down by high interest rates, strict lending requirements, and slow approvals. But Link2Lenders or L2L aims to change that, using technology to simplify home financing and make property ownership more accessible.

Founded in 2019, Link2Lenders describes itself as a “game-changer” in Jamaica’s real estate sector. The company was conceived by Jason Dear, who, after witnessing the seamless digital transformation of car financing in Canada, envisioned a similar approach for mortgages in Jamaica. With support from his mother, Susan Dear, and banking technology expert Hans Lloyd, Jason and his team spent a year developing a digital mortgage platform aimed at eliminating inefficiencies in traditional lending.

By 2020 Link2Lenders was officially launched with guidance from directors Kris-Anthony Turner and Andrew Pairman.

“Working with software developers across different time zones meant countless late-night calls and early-morning strategy sessions; but our vision is now a reality,” Dear told the Jamaica Observer.

At its core, Link2Lenders offers a streamlined, paperless mortgage application system that allows clients to get pre-approved in minutes. By integrating artificial intelligence (AI), the platform provides borrowers with instant mortgage comparisons from multiple banks, ensuring they secure the best possible financing options without the usual red tape, Dear said.

One of Link2Lenders’ most innovative features is its integration of virtual reality (VR) into the real estate purchasing process, which runs contrary to the traditional approach in Jamaica, where buyers often have to make multiple in-person visits, navigate extensive paperwork, and rely on static property listings.

By enabling remote high-definition property tours, Dear says Link2Lenders is removing geographic barriers and making home buying significantly more efficient, especially for those in the Diaspora. The company has also incorporated Google Street View technology into its platform, in collaboration with NovaCore Labs, enabling prospective buyers to assess neighbourhoods before making a decision.

“This technology provides an immersive, high-definition experience that makes long-distance property purchases more transparent and convenient,” he said.

Link2Lenders initially operated from the Anbell Group’s office before expanding to the Technology Innovation Centre at University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech, in Papine, St Andrew. It has also established a registered office in Toronto, Canada, to serve the Jamaican Diaspora. Dear told the Business Observer that Link2Lenders’ growth has been fuelled by strategic partnerships with banks, realtors, and real estate developers.

Recently, the founder inked an agreement with the Dushyant Savadia-led Amber Group for the launch of a secure online payment system. This application allows overseas buyers to pay deposits, closing costs, and other real estate expenses without having to be physically present.

Despite its rapid growth since its launch five years ago, Dear said the company has had to navigate a shifting real estate landscape. Rising interest rates and inflationary pressures have made mortgages less affordable for many Jamaicans, dampening purchasing power. However, rather than being deterred, teh founder has doubled down on its value proposition—offering tools that enhance transparency, accelerate mortgage approvals, and provide real-time property valuations.

In 2024 alone, Link2Lenders processed over $5 billion in mortgage applications, nearly doubling the $2.7 billion processed in 2023. The company’s impact has been recognised regionally, earning it a finalist spot at the Fintech Islands Conference in Barbados, which highlights the Caribbean’s most forward-thinking technology firms.

Looking ahead, Link2Lenders is eyeing expansion beyond Jamaica, targeting key Caribbean markets such as Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, and Cayman Islands. However, the company acknowledges potential challenges, including regulatory differences, varying mortgage structures, and the need to establish partnerships with local financial institutions to streamline adoption.

“Many people are hesitant to adopt fully digital solutions,” Dear said. “But once they experience the speed, security, and efficiency of our platform, they realise it’s the future of real estate in the region.”