Matthew Leimbach Voices The Complexities Of Home Financing And The Need For Deeper Conversations

Homebuyers often, if not always, approach financing with a narrow focus: securing the lowest possible interest rate. While that instinct is understandable, (who wouldn't want to save money?) it overlooks the deeper, more intricate realities of financial planning. Many homebuyers forget to consider other important factors, like their long-term financial health and family goals, which help to ensure stability for years to come.

Even lenders, who often prioritize speed over understanding, operate under a one-size-fits-all mentality. They offer quick approvals without fully assessing a client's unique financial landscape. But a mortgage isn't just another transaction—it's one of the biggest financial commitments that a person makes over their entire lifetime.

That's where professionals like Matthew R. Leimbach, a Mortgage Loan Originator at M5 Financial, stand apart. For Matthew, lending isn't about rubber-stamping applications or offering cookie-cutter solutions—it's about listening, digging deeper, and helping clients make informed decisions that serve them well beyond the initial loan signing.

Matthew R. Leimbach

Matthew's approach is deeply personal, shaped by his experience growing up in a military family. His father, a highly skilled engineer and a U.S. Air Force helicopter pilot, was highly accomplished in his career. Yet, like many American families, financial literacy wasn't a topic of discussion in their household. "My dad's financial advice growing up was pretty simple—don't get credit cards and put money in your 401(k). That's it," he recalls.

This lack of open financial conversations is more common than one might think. According to a report, approximately half of American citizens are considered financially illiterate. This phenomenon leads to increased debt, poor investment decisions, and financial instability—issues that extend far beyond individual households and impact the broader economy.

Rather than accepting financial illiteracy as the norm, Matthew took it as a challenge. His inquisitive nature pushed him to seek out answers—learning about credit scores, mortgage structures, and wealth-building strategies on his own. What started as a personal journey soon became a professional mission: ensuring that his clients don't just receive a loan but that they truly understand their financial options and make empowered decisions for their long-term financial well-being. Today, this probing mind has given him the ability to facilitate several financial options, right from very conventional loans to HELOCs, non-QM products, investor products, reverse mortgages, and hard money loans.

But from his earliest days in lending, Matthew knew he wanted to do things differently. While many loan officers focus on getting applications processed in the shortest time possible, he takes a more intentional approach. "The goal in my first job was to take an application, and that only took seven minutes. But for me, the perfect application took about 20 minutes," he recalls. "That extra time allowed me to ask about their family, their goals, their worries—not just their interest rate." That deep curiosity and commitment to understanding his clients' lives have shaped his entire approach. Matthew doesn't just give out loans—he helps build financial roadmaps.

Take one of his past clients, for example. A military veteran was looking to refinance his home at a lower interest rate. On the surface, the solution seemed simple—reduce his rate from 4.25% to 3.25%. But as Matthew reviewed his financials, he noticed something more pressing: the client was drowning in $50,000 of high-interest unsecured debt, costing him $2,200 per month.

Rather than blindly pushing the lower rate, Matthew presented an alternative. "I said, sure, I can save you $300 a month with a lower rate. But if we adjust things slightly and consolidate your debt into your mortgage, you'll free up $1,700 a month instead. Which one would you choose?" The answer was obviously the latter.

Matthew's approach highlights a critical flaw in modern mortgage lending. "During COVID, the industry went haywire. The only thing everyone was worried about was what's the fastest way to get this done. But somewhere along the way, ‘fastest and easiest' got confused with best," he explains.

That mindset has consequences. Many homeowners, eager to lock in low rates, fail to consider long-term financial implications. They don't realize that a slightly higher rate might allow for better tax deductions or more favorable loan terms. Others take on mortgages without fully understanding how interest, payments, and equity work together—only to struggle later when financial pressures mount.

Perhaps the most important thing Matthew offers his clients isn't just financial expertise—it's a safe space for honest conversations. Many people feel ashamed of their debt or uncertain about their options, making it difficult to ask for help. "I've had countless clients get quiet on the phone, embarrassed by their financial situation," he says. "I tell them, ‘You're not alone. This is common, and there's a solution.' And when they realize they have options, you can hear the relief in their voice." This level of care and empathy makes a big difference—setting clients up for long-term financial success.

The issue of financial illiteracy isn't just limited to mortgage lending; it's part of a larger societal issue. With Americans carrying more than $1.166 trillion in credit card debt alone, with the average interest rate of this debt being a staggering 22%, financial illiteracy is leading people into costly mistakes. As Matthew puts it, "It's as though we're trying to fix something with a band-aid, although what you need is surgery."

Currently licensed in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Texas, and Washington, with plans to further expand, Matthew's work isn't just to help with mortgages; it's to impart financial literacy. For him, every loan is an opportunity to educate and guide. So that the next time someone is looking for a mortgage, they should ask themselves: "Do I just want the lowest rate? Or do I want a financial plan that truly benefits me in the long run?"

Maybe it's time to take a different approach to what has become the industry "standard." It's best to find the proper advisor who is open to having a deeper conversation that could make all the difference in one's long-term financial health.

This post was authored by an external contributor and does not represent Benzinga's opinions and has not been edited for content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice.