How a 25-Year-Old Doubled His Mortgage Production Every Year | Benjamin VandenBrink
Description
Benjamin VandenBrink started his mortgage career before finishing college - and he's been doubling his production every single year since. From running a 75-account landscaping business in college to becoming one of St. Louis's rising loan officers, Benjamin shares the exact strategies he's using to scale fast while maintaining an obsessive focus on client experience.
In this episode of The LO Down Mortgage Podcast, Benjamin reveals how he's building a streamlined, high-converting mortgage business by eliminating handoffs, leading with value, and positioning himself inside high-producing environments from day one.
If you're a newer loan officer wondering how to break through, or an experienced originator looking to simplify your operations and double down on growth, this conversation is packed with tactical insights you can implement immediately.
What You'll Learn:
✅ Why Benjamin interviewed multiple mentors before choosing a high-producing environment
✅ The landscaping lesson that taught him more about mortgages than his finance degree
✅ How he eliminated the "processor handoff" that confused clients and killed efficiency
✅ His strategy for finding warm referral partner introductions (no cold calling)
✅ Why he offers to buy Zillow zip codes WITH agents to grow their business
✅ The altruistic vs. competitive balance that drives top producers
✅ His exact plan to double production year-over-year and build a winning team
✅ The one principle that drives all his growth: lead with value in every conversation
Key Timestamps:
1:24 - From 75 landscaping accounts in college to mortgage lending
3:38 - The $2,000 sod mistake that shaped his customer service philosophy
5:36 - Why he intentionally chose a high-producing environment as a mentor
8:41 - The 60-year-old client story that still defines why he does this work
11:46 - Eliminating the processor handoff: streamlining communication for better client experience
14:50 - How he helps agents grow their business (not just close loans)
16:24 - His warm outreach strategy for meeting new referral partners
17:14 - The altruistic AND competitive drivers behind his success
19:15 - The aggressive growth plan: doubling production every year for 3-4 years
20:43 - Why building a team is about market dominance, not just helping others
21:53 - The #1 piece of advice for loan officers ready to grow
Best Quotes:
💬 "I learned to go back and make things right when you make a mistake. Treating people right and doing what's best for the client is how we grow our business."
💬 "There's just not an opportunity to go in and be mediocre in that environment when you're surrounded by people who are doing great things."
💬 "I just want to thank you so much for not thinking less of me because of my credit situation." - Client testimonial
💬 "Focus on bringing the most value that you can to every conversation, to every transaction... and don't be afraid to go for it."
💬 "Somebody's got to close the most loans. There can only be one number one."
