In this episode of Waking Up to Win, Chad Elledge sits down with St. Louis loan officer Drew Quinones for an honest, unscripted conversation about what really drives success in the real estate and mortgage industry. Drew shares the leadership mindset that has helped him quickly rise as a top-producing loan officer, including the belief that great leaders are simply ordinary people with extraordinary determination. Throughout the episode, Chad and Drew discuss the importance of reputation, character, and what people say about you when you’re not in the room, along with how those values shape long-term success in business.

The conversation dives deep into the relationship between real estate agents and loan officers, explaining why the best real estate transactions happen when lenders are treated as true partners instead of vendors. Drew explains how communication, trust, and shared expectations between agents and lenders can dramatically improve the home buying experience for clients. They also explore the psychology of sales in real estate, including how asking better questions can lead to more honest conversations with buyers and help agents better understand a client’s real timeline for purchasing a home.

Chad and Drew also break down recent mortgage headlines about interest rates dropping below 6%, explaining why those headlines can be misleading for many buyers and how credit score, loan amount, and down payment actually influence mortgage rates. The discussion provides real insight for real estate agents, loan officers, and home buyers who want to better understand how lending works behind the scenes and how strong partnerships inside a transaction can create better outcomes for everyone involved.

If you’re a real estate professional looking to improve your mindset, strengthen your lender relationships, and better understand how mortgage lending impacts your deals, this conversation offers practical insights and real-world experience from professionals working in the industry every day. Be sure to subscribe to Waking Up to Win, follow the podcast for more conversations about real estate success, and share this episode with a real estate agent or loan officer who wants to grow their business and win in today’s market.

Find Drew Quinones on Instagram at @drewqhomeloans.