Mike Tassone: Evolving customer acquisition and lead gen

On today’s episode of Power House, we are bringing you a fantastic conversation with Mike Tassone, COO and co-founder of Own Up. Own Up is a concierge mortgage marketplace that allows consumers to access customized data and a network of vetted lenders. Prior to his current role, Mike co-led the residential lending business for Leader Bank, which he helped grow to a top 40 lender in the US during his tenure. During their conversation, Clayton and Mike talk about the mortgage lender growth strategies, tactics to recruit high-quality loan originators, and the pros and cons of being maniacal Fed-watchers. They also discuss the pricing ecosystem in the mortgage industry and how the NAR settlement may impact mortgage lead gen and the order-of-operations of the homebuying and financing journey. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: The recent Fed meeting had no surprises and the market responded favorably to the expected rate cuts. Own Up was founded to solve the frustration of mortgage shopping and provide a better consumer experience. Recruiting high-quality loan originators and focusing on their strengths contributed to the growth of Leader Bank. The lead generation market has shifted from refinance to purchase, and lenders have had to adapt to the changing landscape. The future of real estate agents and loan officers depends on their ability to prioritize their time and provide value to consumers. Related to this episode: Connect with Mike on LinkedIn Own Up The Gathering HousingWire on YouTube Enjoy the episode! The Power House podcast is a show about leadership, markets and entrepreneurship in the housing industry. Each Thursday, Clayton Collins speaks with CEOs and founders from the mortgage and real estate sector to reveal how housing executives think about business growth, operational strategy, and leadership. The Power House podcast reveals the full picture through the stories of the industry’s most impactful leaders. Clayton Collins is the CEO of HousingWire, and the Power House podcast is produced by HousingWire’s Content Studio. Initially launched in 2019 as the Housing News podcast, the show was relaunched as Power House in 2024.