Helping 5 Million Americans Own Homes ft. Dave Savage & Kristen Misserli

Hello once again to all our valued fans of The MikedUp Show! If you’re new to the channel, welcome! Our mission has always been to bring the stories behind the mortgage industry to life to uncover the “who” that are working towards a brighter tomorrow, the “why” behind those shaping the future of housing, and “how” they are bringing new ideas to the table.

We recently had the privilege to sit down with two industry powerhouses, Dave Savage and Kristin Messerli , co-founders of FirstHome IQ, a nonprofit on a mission to close the financial literacy gap in America. Together, they’re reimagining what it means to be a mortgage professional and challenging the industry to think beyond transactions and toward transformation.

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FROM LOAN OFFICERS TO LITERACY TEACHERS

In today’s market, being a loan officer is about more than getting deals done: it’s about creating lasting impact. As Dave put it, “The value a loan provides is profound. But when you help a consumer achieve financial freedom through homeownership, that’s when it truly matters.” This belief is the heartbeat behind FirstHome IQ, a platform built to make it easier for originators to bring financial education into their communities. After all, education is empowerment.

Kristin explained that while many in the industry want to host homebuyer classes or educate first-time buyers, most simply don’t have the time or resources to build effective content. That’s where FirstHome IQ steps in, providing ready-to-use, engaging materials like presentation guides, community playbooks, and an innovative financial literacy quiz that helps connect educators with potential homeowners. “LOs are the first responders of financial literacy in America,” she said. “They’re often the first professionals people talk to about money, yet most lack accessible tools to educate effectively.” With over 600 active community members and nearly 200 ambassadors already using the platform to host events and share resources, it’s clear that this movement is gaining momentum

7:40 - 8:12 -- "The way people learn today...we have shorter attention spans. But also, people are really overwhelmed with financial information, both because of the complexity and also because of the world we live in and the skepticism that is growing... And so the education we've created is all about empowering consumers, but in a way that allows them to process that information." (Kristin)

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REACHING MILLENNIALS & GEN Z THROUGH FINANCIAL EDUCATION

If there’s one audience the mortgage industry has struggled to reach effectively, it’s the younger generations. Kristin’s research revealed that 2/3rds of Gen Z consumers don’t trust lenders to help them make smart financial decisions. Even more telling: over half of young consumers feel overwhelmed by financial issues and tend to delay major decisions because of it. And the way they seek info is evolving fast. In early 2024, 43% of millennials and Gen Z said they would use ChatGPT for home-buying research. By August, that number was 68%.

“The biggest mistake loan officers make,” Kristin noted, “is trying to compete with AI instead of leveraging it. Younger consumers don’t want to be told what to do. They want to be empowered.” That mindset sits at the core of FirstHome IQ’s mission. The organization’s digital quiz and educational content aren’t just tools: they’re conversation starters. For many ambassadors, sharing these tools on social media or at community events acts as both a lead generator and a trust building exercise. It bridges the emotional gap between curiosity and confidence - giving younger buyers a safe, engaging way to learn before they leap.

8:48 - 9:10 -- "I did a perplexity search and there are like 9 million consumers in America that qualify to buy their first home right now. And when rates come down by half a percent, that opens up things for another 2 million. So my whole philosophy is 'the opportunity is now.' But as an industry, we need to quit waiting for people to call us and we need to go on the offense." (Dave)

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THE FUTURE-PROOF LO: WINNING LOCALLY IN THE A.I. AGE

Technology has never moved faster and neither has consumer expectation. But as Dave pointed out, “The illiterate of 2026 won’t be those who can’t read and write. It’ll be those who can’t use AI.” That’s a bold statement and one that reflects the new skillset every mortgage professional needs to thrive. The most successful loan officers of tomorrow will master both technology and empathy, leveraging digital tools while staying connected to their local communities. Dave’s advice? “Unlearn the old ways. Learn how to use AI to deliver value for consumers. Document your values, your principles, and make sure AI knows your code.” This “Know Your Code” philosophy - the theme of Dave’s upcoming book - is the idea that when your values are clear, your decisions become easy. And in a tech-driven world where automation can blur authenticity, staying grounded in purpose is the best strategy of all.

Floify the mortgage industry’s leading point-of-sale solution, introduces Dynamic Apps, a no-code feature that customizes loan applications based on loan type, eliminating irrelevant questions and streamlining the borrower experience. By automatically adjusting application fields based on loan purpose—whether purchase, refinance, HELOC, or construction—Dynamic Apps helps lenders accelerate approvals, improve application completion rates, and maintain compliance.

Visit Floify.com to learn more or reach out to Jason Mapes and tell him "the Mikes" sent you.

BUILDING A MORTGAGE BUSINESS THAT MAKES AN IMPACT

There’s a recurring theme in Dave and Kristin’s journey - one that every leader should take to heart: impact drives profit. As Dave reflected, “After the meltdown, I built my purpose-and profit philosophy: if I focused on impact first, profit would follow.” That purpose now manifests through measurable, data-backed success at FirstHome IQ. Every quiz completed represents a potential homebuyer gaining confidence and a professional building a relationship rooted in education. Ambassadors who share the quiz or host workshops not only grow their local influence but also create mission-driven lead funnels. “The link is our north star,” Dave explained. “Each time someone takes the quiz, it’s a measure of impact, but also a reminder that education drives opportunity.” For mortgage companies, aligning community outreach with brand values isn’t just good PR - it’s good strategy. Consumers are increasingly drawn to companies that reflect their social and financial values. It’s a modern take on purpose-driven business: when you elevate others, your bottom line rises too.

9:28 - 9:56 -- "There's a massive misconception around what down payment is required to buy a home. There's a massive misconception about creditworthiness for home ownership. Kristin and I started talking about it and we were like, 'At age 16, people can drive and they go through a lot of work to get a driver's license.' For a fraction of that time, they could be homeownership-literate." (Dave)

Full episode

To hear more lively discussions and special guest insights in the realm of mortgages and real estate, check out TheMikedUp Show with Mike Kelleher and Michael Zau, every Thursday at 2pmET!

THE ABOVE IS A SUMMARY OF INSIGHTS & ANECDOTES TAKEN FROM AN HOUR-LONG PODCAST EPISODE OF THEMIKEDUP SHOW. MIKE & MIKE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO PARAPHRASE WHEREVER NECESSARY.