Can you help if I've been turned down by another lender?

Often, yes. A denial from one lender doesn't mean you can't qualify — it may just mean that lender's guidelines didn't fit your profile. Because we work with multiple lenders, we can often find one with different qualifying criteria. This is especially common with self-employed borrowers, those with recent credit events, or people with non-traditional income sources.

How long does the mortgage process take with your team?

According to ICE Mortgage Technology's Origination Insight Report, the national average for closing a mortgage is around 43 days. Our goal is to hit or beat that timeline, and many of our loans close faster — especially when borrowers are responsive with documentation. The biggest variable is usually how quickly we receive the documents we need from you and third parties like appraisers and title companies.

Meet the Elevation Mortgage Broker Team

Q: Do you charge for an initial consultation?

No. Your first conversation is just that — a conversation. We'll talk through your situation, answer your questions, and give you an honest read on your options. If it makes sense to move forward, we'll walk you through next steps. If it doesn't, we'll tell you that too.

Choosing a mortgage lender isn't just about rates and loan products. It's about the people handling one of the biggest financial decisions you'll make. Our mortgage broker team in Colorado and Florida, Reed Letson and Ryan Nash, have closed over 700 loans combined, working with everyone from first-time buyers with straightforward W-2 income to self-employed borrowers with tax returns that make most underwriters nervous.

We are not a rotating cast of assistants or departments. Two experienced mortgage brokers who pick up the phone and know your file.

Your Mortgage Broker Team

Reed Letson

Mortgage Strategist

NMLS #1655924

719.445.2959

reed@elevationmtg.com

Licensed in Colorado

Reed has built a reputation for getting tough loans closed — the kind that bigger banks decline or drag out. He works extensively with self-employed and complex income borrowers, structuring files that account for irregular income, asset-heavy portfolios, and non-standard documentation.

Outside of work, Reed is a dedicated runner and Peloton rider who doesn't let Colorado winters slow him down. He's a husband, father of two, and an active supporter of Children's Hospital Colorado. That same persistence shows up in how he handles loans. He doesn't give up when things get complicated.

Ryan Nash

Mortgage Broker

NMLS #1493480

719.785.0009

ryan@elevationmtg.com

Licensed in Colorado & Florida

Ryan brings a steady, methodical approach to every file. He's known for catching details early that could cause delays later, keeping closings on track and on time. He works with both traditional income earners and borrowers who need creative structuring and he's licensed to serve clients across both Colorado and Florida.

When he's not working through loan files, Ryan coaches local youth wrestling, baseball, and football. That team-first mentality is how he approaches every transaction, focused on the outcome, not the spotlight.

Why Work With a Mortgage Broker Team Instead of a Bank?

A lot of people assume they need to go to their bank for a mortgage. That's one option, but it limits you to whatever products that single institution offers. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, shopping with multiple lenders or working with a broker who does this for you can save thousands over the life of a loan.

Here's how the two models compare:

Factor	Bank Loan Officer	Mortgage Broker (Elevation)
Lender options	One institution's products only	Access to dozens of wholesale lenders
Rate shopping	You do it yourself across banks	Done for you! We compare on your behalf
Complex income situations	Often rigid underwriting guidelines	Can match you with lenders who specialize in non-standard files
Point of contact	May rotate between departments	Reed or Ryan from start to finish
Loan programs available	Limited to in-house products	Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, Jumbo, Non-QM, and more

According to Inside Mortgage Finance data, the broker channel now accounts for roughly 29% of all residential mortgage originations, its highest level in over 15 years. That growth reflects borrowers figuring out that access to more options usually leads to better terms.

Elevation Mortgage Difference

We Handle the Complicated Files

Self-employment, rental income, asset depletion, recent credit events. If your financial picture doesn't fit a neat box, we know how to structure it for approval.

We Find the Right Fit, Not Just a Rate

A low rate with the wrong loan structure can cost you more in the long run. We look at the full picture. Terms, closing costs, flexibility and match you accordingly.

We Communicate Like Adults

You'll have Reed's or Ryan's direct phone number. No phone trees, no ticket systems, no waiting two days for a callback. If something changes on your file, you'll hear about it right away.

We Anticipate Problems Early

Most closing delays come from things that could have been caught in the first week. We front-load the hard questions so you're not scrambling at the end.

A Real Example: When the Bank Said No

Borrower Scenario

A small business owner in Colorado Springs had been running a profitable business for four years. She wanted to buy a $450,000 home and had over 20% for a down payment. On paper, it looked straightforward.

Two banks turned her down. The issue? Her tax returns showed business deductions that reduced her adjusted gross income below their qualification threshold even though her actual cash flow was strong. A common problem for self-employed borrowers.

We reviewed her bank statements, identified a lender that offers bank statement qualification programs through non-QM loan products, and structured the file to reflect her real earning power. She closed in under 30 days.

This is the kind of situation where having a broker makes a measurable difference.

Elevation Mortgage Reviews

Real clients. Real results. Real homes.

Over 700 closings mean one thing: a track record built on trust, precision, and performance.
Here's what homeowners say about working with Reed and Ryan.

Reed and his team were kind and understanding who guided my fiancé and I through the maze of our first mortgage. He was constantly updating me along the process during the purchase and never was more than a phone call away. When I say he quite literally never didn't accept my phone call I mean it. He was easy to deal with and genuinely cared about our transition from renter to home owner. He was present at our signing and had a great attitude from start to finish. Since purchasing he has kept in contact with myself, treating me more like a friend than a client. I will not hesitate to work with Reed again in the future and recommend him to everyone I know regarding mortgage work in the Colorado Springs area. I can't vehemently recommend him and his team enough.

★★★★★ Brendan Clarke

My wife and I recently purchased a home with the assistance of two highly qualified, technically competent professionals. They made the entire process seamless and stress-free. Highly recommend!

★★★★★ Ryan Pappan

Reed was an outstanding professional to work with! He helped us understand which mortgage option was best for us and was always very responsive to questions. I highly recommend him and his company if you are looking for a mortgage company.

★★★★★ MV Good

Reed was very helpful with my first home purchase, he went above and beyond. I will recommend him to everyone. Thank you Reed.

★★★★★ Lucretia R Whitt

Reed and the team at Elevation Mortgage are the best lending team around hands down!!!! At soooo many points in the home buying process I felt overwhelmed and as if I was just drowning trying to keep up with what was going on but Reed and his team were SUPER SUPER SUPER patient with me and always had time to answer my questions, calm my fears and walk me through everything!! I cannot speak highly enough of the Elevation Mortgage team!!! I started out with a different lender and an absolutely horrible experience and Reed did everything he could reasonably do to help me!!! My husband and I HIGHLY recommend them for your mortgage needs, we are so blessed to have found them!!!!

★★★★★ Kira Molina

DO NOT limit yourself by working with a retail mortgage lender who can only offer you limited products. Reed and his team are knowledgeable and professional. Getting approved for a mortgage is not out of reach with the knowledge, resources and experience this team brings to the table. Highly recommend this company for new loans, refinance or just getting prepared for becoming a new home owner in the future. Elevation Mortgage has earned our lifetime business!

★★★★★ D Searing

Reed is great to work with. He is professional, caring and very responsive in helping you out with your mortgage.

★★★★★ Shawn McVey

Reed has always been one of the best mortgage brokers to work with. He has the best rates and has always gotten the deal to the closing table.

★★★★★ Dallas Hidalgo

Elevation Mortgage has been rock solid with assisting buyers that I've sent their way. As a Realtor I have high expectations for my lender partners and Elevation is outstanding. Very professional, knowledgeable, responsive and thorough! Do not hesitate to reach out to the top mortgage broker in Colorado Springs, you'll be glad you did.

★★★★★ Kirk Macklem

I represented Buyers who got their mortgage from the Letson Group and Reed and his team were responsive, professional, and quick to problem solve as we had some last minute hoops to jump through on the Real Estate sale. They offer more diverse loan options than a standard bank and their rates are competitive. I recommend them!

★★★★★ Leah Canfield

Ready to Talk? We're Real People.

If you've got questions about your situation, whether it's your first home or a complex refinance, a 15-minute conversation will tell you more than another hour of reading. No application required.

Talk to a Real Loan Officer

FAQs Elevation Mortgage

A bank loan officer works for one institution and can only offer you that bank's products. A mortgage broker works independently and shops your loan across hundreds of wholesale lenders. That means more options for rates, terms, and qualification guidelines. For borrowers with straightforward finances, the difference might be small. For anyone with variable income, self-employment, or a credit situation that doesn't fit a standard template, a broker can often find a path that a single bank can't. You can learn more about the loan programs we work with here.

Reed is licensed in Colorado. Ryan is licensed in both Colorado and Florida. Between the two of them, we cover borrowers in both states across all major loan types; conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo, and non-QM.

No. Your first conversation is just that, a conversation. We'll talk through your situation, answer your questions, and give you an honest read on your options. If it makes sense to move forward, we'll walk you through next steps. If it doesn't, we'll tell you that too.

Often, yes. A denial from one lender doesn't mean you can't qualify. It may just mean that lender's guidelines didn't fit your profile. Because we work with hundreds lenders, we can often find one with different qualifying criteria. This is especially common with self-employed borrowers, those with recent credit events, or people with non-traditional income sources.

According to ICE Mortgage Technology's Origination Report, the national average for closing a mortgage is approximately 42 days. Our goal is to be at 21 days or less. The biggest variable is usually how quickly we receive the documents we need from you and third parties like appraisers and title companies.

Disclaimer: Representative example only. Client details have been generalized to protect privacy. Results are not guaranteed and will vary based on individual financial profiles, lender availability, and market conditions. Bank statement qualification programs are available through select non-QM lenders and are subject to program-specific eligibility requirements. Not all borrowers will qualify. Closing timelines depend on borrower responsiveness, lender processing, and third-party services and may vary.