Guest article by Ryan Grant, President of NEO Home Loans powered by Better.
If you had asked me in 2010 whether I saw a future for myself in the mortgage industry, I probably would’ve said no. At the time, I was about to leave the business altogether. But I gave it one last shot—pivoting from chasing subprime refis to building real relationships and delivering real financial strategy. That decision changed everything.
What started as a second chance became a mission: to transform the role of the mortgage professional from transactional lender to lifelong advisor. And today at NEO Home Loans, powered by Better, that mission is more alive than ever.
Why We Joined Forces with Better
At first, the idea of joining Better felt like oil and water. We were relationship-first, education-driven mortgage professionals. They were a tech-first, direct-to-consumer behemoth. But as we got curious, we discovered that our two biggest weaknesses—scalable technology and consistent access to purchase leads—were their greatest strengths. Likewise, they needed our local expertise and advisory model to convert more of the 30,000+ monthly leads they were generating.
The partnership wasn’t just smart—it was necessary. Better’s proprietary platform drastically lowers the cost and friction of fulfillment. Their underwriters help 13 families a day. Most traditional teams manage one or two. With the operational foundation they provide, we’re free to do what matters most: empower clients with strategy, education, and ongoing wealth-building.
From Loan Officers to Wealth Guides
At NEO, we’re not here to sell mortgages. We’re here to help people win—financially, emotionally, and generationally. That starts well before a transaction and extends decades after.
We tell our clients: If you thought we were helpful during the loan process, just wait until you see what we do after. Our post-close success managers are trained in personal finance, insurance, real estate, and wealth strategy. They’re here for the next 30 years—not the next 30 days. That’s how we create clients for life and disrupt an industry still stuck in a short-term mindset.
Reimagining Real Estate Partnerships
For decades, loan officers were conditioned to “earn” real estate agent referrals by being fast, responsive, and available 24/7. But let’s be honest—if that’s all you’re offering, you’re replaceable.
Our real estate agents don’t work with us because we’re fast. They work with us because we elevate their value proposition. Together, we don’t just help clients close—we help them build multi-property portfolios, improve financial literacy, and plan for generational wealth. That’s the kind of long-term, strategic partnership top agents are looking for in today’s market.
Serving the Consumer of the Future
Today’s buyers don’t want a pre-approval. They want a plan. They want clarity in a sea of uncertainty—especially first-time buyers who are overwhelmed by rising rates and media headlines.
At NEO, we don’t wait for clients to be ready. We make them ready. Through scenario modeling, cost of waiting analysis, and long-term financial planning, we help people move from “I’m not sure” to “I can’t wait.” And we show them exactly what it will cost—financially and emotionally—if they wait too long.
Where We’re Headed Next
The future of mortgage isn’t automation or AI replacing people. It’s automation replacing 95% of tasks so mortgage professionals can focus on the 5% that truly matter: building trust, delivering insight, and creating impact.
In the next 10 years, my goal is to build a community of mortgage professionals who are not just great at closing loans—but are great human beings, mentors, and leaders. We’ll do this through best-in-class training, unmatched technology, and a values-based culture that puts service before scale.
If you’re in this industry and you’re feeling stuck, I challenge you to rethink your role. Stop selling debt. Start building futures. That’s what the mortgage professional of the future does.
To hear more about this topic visit Miguel’s People Matter Show on YouTube.
