In this episode of the LendAPI Partner Podcast, host Timothy Li, Founder & CEO of LendAPI, sits down with Phil Ganz, President of Next Wave Mortgage, to discuss what it truly takes to build a people-first mortgage brokerage in today's fast-moving lending landscape. Phil brings a rare combination of 26+ years in the mortgage industry, a top 1% originator ranking nationally, and a builder's mindset — having launched Next Wave Mortgage from the ground up to serve borrowers across multiple states with low-rate, low-friction home financing experiences.

What You'll Learn:

• Why mortgage brokers are outpacing retail lenders — and how nimble, client-focused operations like Next Wave Mortgage deliver better rates and service without the overhead of large corporate structures

• How Phil is using technology and automation to modernize the mortgage origination process — reducing friction for borrowers and improving pull-through rates for the brokerage

• The story of building Next Wave Mortgage from scratch — what it takes to launch and scale a multi-state brokerage in a high-rate, low-volume market environment

• Why Phil believes loan officers should have an ownership mentality — and how Next Wave's platform empowers LOs to grow long-term client relationships rather than just close transactions

• How non-QM and alternative lending programs (bank statement, DSCR, Down Payment Assistance) are unlocking homeownership for borrowers that traditional lenders routinely turn away

• Why AI and digital tools are transforming lead generation and borrower education — and how mortgage professionals can use content and technology to stay ahead of the competition

• What the current housing affordability crisis means for lenders and borrowers alike — and how smart mortgage planning can still create viable paths to homeownership

About Next Wave Mortgage:

Next Wave Mortgage is a multi-state mortgage brokerage headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, dedicated to expanding sustainable homeownership through transparent, technology-forward lending. Founded in 2023, Next Wave gives loan officers the platform to build lasting client relationships by combining broker-model pricing flexibility with strong operational support. Under the leadership of President Phil Ganz — a Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist and nationally recognized top 1% originator — the brokerage specializes in FHA, VA, Conventional, Jumbo, Non-QM, and Down Payment Assistance programs, with a commitment to serving first-time homebuyers and self-employed borrowers who need creative, personalized financing solutions. Next Wave Mortgage is how mortgages should be done.

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