An Award-Winning Veteran in The Consumer Direct Financial Services Industry: Brad Bennett, Current Head of the Retail Consumer Direct of RealFi Home Funding Corp., is All Set to Take on a New Role to Develop a New Division for the High-Performing Fintech Company

“Since I got into this business, I have always been focused on how to become a better leader, a better mentor, and a better businessman.”

RealFi Home Funding Corp is a leading, technology-driven, alternative  investment management firm specializing in real estate credit strategies. It combines state- of-the-art technology with in-house expertise creating a seamless, transparent process that  transforms mortgage lending from beginning to end.

The firm was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in White Plains, New York.

To highlight and further  understand what RealFi Home Funding Corp stands for and seeks to explore in this segment, I sat down with Brad Bennett, who serves as the company’s Head of (Retail Consumer Direct).

Let’s dig deeper into Brad’s journey and see what makes him a very distinct personality in the mortgage industry and, more so, an influential leader.

Below is an excerpt.

Brad Bennett has always had an entrepreneurial spirit and a natural talent for business, reselling yard sale items at a profit and selling candy bars at school to other kids as a kid for profit as well. He credits this “hustler mentality” and insatiable thirst for knowledge for helping him make his first million at the age of 27. Coming from humble, blue-collar roots, Brad knows the value of grit, determination, and risk-taking intimately, as well as being outgoing, personable, and connecting with people. These traits, combined with his business savvy and skill, have earned him numerous awards over his 13 years in the consumer direct financial services industry—including ‘2009 Rookie of the Year’ and ‘2010 Loan Officer of the Year’ in the reverse mortgage industry, inclusion in the elite ‘2017 Millionaires Club’, and inclusion in the 2021 Top 100 Real Estate Professionals in America. As a Head of the Consumer Direct Division of RealFi Home Lending Corp., Brad brings that same passion and drive—and the experience that  comes from executing 5,500 loans over his career—to lead a growing group of loan officers, operations, and management experts’ team in serving RealFi’s clients nationwide.

Besides that, he brings valuable experience as a former nationally ranked top producing mortgage loan originator as well as being an experienced and certified sales trainer in many sales methodologies. This all comes from his insight from previous roles as managing partner and co-founder of the Reverse Mortgage Corporation and director of the operation for GSF Reverse. A hands-on leader, Brad works closely with his team to provide retail consumer services for RealFi. He strives to create and maintain a culture of individualized attention, empowerment, and support for everyone. With consumer demand growing, the firm is continuing to recruit new talent to meet their needs.

RealFi is currently expanding rapidly, creating new leadership roles, and investing in new  technology for even better customer service. To support this expansion, Brad is moving into an executive leadership management role, where he will create, scale, and develop a new division for the company. “Since I got into this business, I have always been focused on how to become a better leader, a better mentor, and a better businessman.” Brad shares. “Now, at 35 years old, I am very excited for what the next decade will bring in terms of personal growth and professional success.”

Brad is a certified sales trainer in SLP (straight line persuasion sales training) and is certified in I.M.P.A.C.T selling. In addition, he has honed his skills through enormous amounts of reading and targeted research in the subjects of call center management, sales psychology, sales leadership, management, budgeting, and forecasting (projections/proformas).

In addition, Brad is a highly knowledgeable and experienced operations manager with a proven and demonstrated history of working in the consumer direct financial services industry for the last 15 years. He’s skilled in all aspects of strategic business planning and execution, expense planning, execution and management, recruiting, hiring, training, and retention. Also, he’s a demonstrated and proven consumer direct marketing expert and well-versed in all aspects of VA, FHA, Conventional, Non-QM, and Reverse Mortgage Lending.

When he’s not working, he enjoys watching football, baseball, and boxing. He’s a diehard Baltimore Orioles and Ravens fan. He passionately and addictively enjoys his saltwater and freshwater aquariums, and he currently houses some of the world’s rarest exotic saltwater and freshwater aquarium fish. He loves and enjoys reading a good book and has since he was young. To him knowledge is power.  Most importantly, Brad enjoys spending time with his wife Edla and son Aden.

“I have won numerous awards, including ‘2009 Rookie of the Year’ and ‘2010 Loan Officer of the Year’ in the reverse mortgage industry and inclusion in the elite ‘2017 Millionaires Club’.” and inclusion in the 2021 Top 100 Real Estate Professionals in America.

“We are redefining the mortgage process from the ground up by combining an innovative approach with an experienced sales, management, and operations team.”

“Now, at 35 years old, I am very excited for what the next decade will bring in terms of personal growth and professional success.”