Welcome to 2026. In this episode of Coaching with Chris, Chris sits down with Elizabeth Cassidy, a high energy mortgage leader, Air Force veteran, VA loan specialist, and team builder who is passionate about serving veterans and helping homebuyers win in today’s market.

Elizabeth shares her real story of how she got into mortgages, including her pivot from teaching to real estate, then into mortgage lending in early 2020. From being told she would fail if she focused on VA loans in Central Florida, to becoming a top VA originator and building a high performing team, Elizabeth breaks down what actually drives growth in a purchase focused business.

This conversation is packed with practical advice for loan officers and mortgage brokers who want to scale production, improve conversion, and build relationships that create referrals for years.

In this episode, you will learn:

• How Elizabeth built her mortgage business through purchases, not refis

• Why relationships matter more than knowing every guideline

• How to grow a referral network with realtors, title, insurance, and inspectors

• What small tweaks helped her grow in 2025, including getting more selective with networking

• Why paying your team more can reduce turnover and improve performance

• How she tracks pre approvals and why improving pre approval conversion is her 2026 focus

• Why she lets her team write loans in their own names and how that strengthens culture

• How she uses social media and direct outreach to build partnerships fast

• What she wants to manifest in 2026, including speaking to real estate agents about VA loans

Elizabeth also shares a powerful personal reflection on recognition, gratitude, and what it means to lead in a way that impacts others even when you do not always hear the feedback.

If you are a mortgage broker, loan officer, or real estate agent who wants to better understand VA loans, build stronger relationships, and grow a purchase driven business in 2026, this episode is for you.

Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. All loans subject to credit approval.