Host Justin White sits down with:

• Alex DiGioia – Sr. Loan Officer, Premier Lending Corp.
• Pedro Lopez – Territory Market Manager, 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty


Why a Loan Officer Teamed Up with a Home Warranty Pro to Win Over Real Estate Agents

Most loan officers look to title or insurance companies when they think about referral partners. Alex DiGioia found his in a home warranty professional. After Alex hosted a buyer seminar in January 2026 that Pedro Lopez helped sponsor, the two began teaming up on events that have grown into a Florida-wide brand they call the “real estate big leaguers.” In Episode #136 of Good. Better. Broker., host Justin White sits down with Alex and Pedro to find out how their unlikely partnership is helping them attract more real estate agents, host memorable networking events and scale both of their businesses.

Listeners will learn why real estate agents are an LO’s true client, how to find a referral partner outside the usual circle, and how to use education-first networking events to build lasting relationships with agents.


Key Takeaways for Mortgage Brokers

• Look for key referral partners outside of common sources
• How to leverage a referral partner relationship to attract real estate agents
• Why education-first networking events are ideal to pursue new real estate partners


In this episode about finding an unlikely referral partner, we discuss ...

• 1:56 – The impact of referral partners on growing a business
• 4:07 – How Alex and Pedro started working together
• 7:44 – The opportunity for Alex and Pedro to build their businesses together
• 11:05 – Expanding into new markets in Florida
• 14:52 – Attracting real estate agents through networking events
• 18:22 – Hosting events at a minor league baseball stadium
• 21:06 – Focusing on your specialty in the real estate business
• 22:12 – Gifting borrowers a home warranty


Show Contributors:

Alex DiGioia
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Pedro Lopez
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About the Host:

Justin White is UWM’s in-house brand journalist and the host of UWM Daily. He creates engaging content across multiple platforms to promote the benefits of the wholesale channel and partnering with UWM. A seven-time Emmy-award winner, Justin is a graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.

Connect with Justin on LinkedIn, Instagram or Twitter.


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Head to uwm.com to see the latest news and updates.

Host Justin White sits down with:

• Jeff Flieler – CEO, Secure Choice Mortgage


Why a Finance Executive Left Corporate America to Open a Mortgage Brokerage

After spending most of his career working in finance for Fortune 500 companies, Jeff Flieler pivoted to mortgage loan origination and launched Secure Choice Mortgage. In Episode #135 of Good. Better. Broker., host Justin White sits down with Jeff to discuss how lessons from corporate America, a complementary leadership team and a disciplined approach to strategy have helped him build and grow an independent mortgage brokerage.

Listeners will learn how to build a team with complementary strengths, apply corporate systems and leadership principles to a broker shop and create sustainable growth by managing strategy, expectations and margin.


Key Takeaways for Mortgage Brokers

• The importance of having a complementary leadership team
• Systems and strategies from corporate America
• How to grow and manage margin


In this episode about pivoting from Fortune 500 companies to building a broker shop, we discuss ...

• 1:26 – Jeff’s 360-degree view of the homeownership journey
• 2:33 – Jeff’s decision to start his own independent mortgage brokerage
• 3:55 – Why Jeff chose the broker channel
• 5:40 – Surrounding himself with the right people
• 8:18 – The role Jeff’s leadership team plays
• 9:30 – The growth of Secure Choice Mortgage
• 11:41 – Setting proper expectations for the business
• 13:04 – The difference between business strategy and tactics
• 14:34 – How to get people to be emotionally invested in your company
• 16:15 – What fast CTCs do for a company’s reputation
• 18:46 – Making an impact on clients’ lives
• 20:02 – Comparing his previous career experience with his work in the mortgage industry


Show Contributor:

Jeff Flieler
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About the Host:

Justin White is UWM’s in-house brand journalist and the host of UWM Daily. He creates engaging content across multiple platforms to promote the benefits of the wholesale channel and partnering with UWM. A seven-time Emmy-award winner, Justin is a graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.

Connect with Justin on LinkedIn, Instagram or Twitter.


Connect with UWM on Social Media:

• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Twitter
• YouTube

Head to uwm.com to see the latest news and updates.

Host Justin White sits down with:

• Reetu Mittal – Sr. Mortgage Advisor, VEMA Mortgage


How Proactive Communication and Consistent Follow-Up Create More Loan Opportunities

Reetu Mittal is building her mortgage business around timely outreach, thoughtful follow-up and genuine client care. In Episode #134 of Good. Better. Broker., host Justin White sits down with Reetu to discuss how anticipating borrowers’ needs, maintaining a consistent presence and finding timely reasons to reconnect can create smoother transactions and lead to more business.

Listeners will learn how to communicate more clearly throughout the loan process, stay top of mind with past clients and use simple, proactive outreach to uncover new loan opportunities.


Key Takeaways for Mortgage Brokers

• How anticipating documentation needs can create a smoother borrower experience
• Why consistent follow-up keeps mortgage brokers top of mind with past clients
• How simple, proactive outreach can uncover new loan opportunities


In this episode about proactive communication creating more loan opportunities, we discuss ...

• 1:17 – Reetu’s time with VEMA Mortgage
• 2:19 – Reetu’s experience before joining the mortgage industry
• 3:31- The advantage of having a technology background
• 4:08 – How Reetu learned the mortgage business
• 6:09 – Why there’s more to being an LO than buying leads
• 7:21 – Clear communication and its impact on client relationships
• 9:21 – Walking clients through the loan process
• 10:24 – The importance of making clients feel comfortable
• 11:42 – Staying in touch with clients
• 12:30 – Texting clients over the weekend
• 13:17 – Social media strategy
• 14:10 – Finding reasons to reach out to clients
• 15:19 – How a casual follow-up led to a loan
• 17:22 – Ensuring clients leave good reviews


Show Contributor:

Reetu Mittal
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Connect on Instagram


About the Host:

Justin White is UWM’s in-house brand journalist and the host of UWM Daily. He creates engaging content across multiple platforms to promote the benefits of the wholesale channel and partnering with UWM. A seven-time Emmy-award winner, Justin is a graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.

Connect with Justin on LinkedIn, Instagram or Twitter.


Connect with UWM on Social Media:

• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Twitter
• YouTube

Head to uwm.com to see the latest news and updates.