By leveraging a partnership driven model and proactive lead generation, Montelongo is expanding agent relationships and scaling her team to support long term growth.
Council Bluffs, IA — March 17, 2026 — Mortgage advisor Nicki Montelongo is redefining what a lender and real estate partnership can look like by focusing on long term collaboration, proactive lead generation, and a scalable team structure designed to better serve clients and agent partners.
As the leader of Team Montelongo, Nicki has built her business around delivering more than just mortgage transactions. Her approach centers on guiding clients throughout the entire homeownership journey while creating meaningful value for real estate partners along the way.
“When we first started talking about what we were doing before, during, and after the transaction, some people thought it sounded almost too good to be true,” Montelongo said. “But over time, as we continued to deliver results for our clients and partners, people began to see that we were serious.”
That consistency has helped Montelongo build strong relationships with top performing real estate agents in her market, many of whom now see her as a strategic partner in their business growth.
A key differentiator in Montelongo’s approach is her focus on generating opportunities alongside her agent partners rather than relying solely on traditional referrals.
“In the last 30 to 45 days alone, we referred seven buyers to one of our partner teams,” Montelongo shared. “That really changes the dynamic of the relationship. Instead of simply asking for business, we’re building it together.”
As partnerships continue to expand, Montelongo has also focused on strengthening the infrastructure behind her business to ensure the team can support increased demand while maintaining a high level of service.
“I realized early on that I couldn’t do everything myself,” she explained. “My strength is in consultation, strategy, and helping clients make smart financial decisions. Building the right team allows me to stay focused on that while we continue to grow.”
Over the past several months, Montelongo has begun expanding her team with production partners and operational support designed to streamline processes and allow the business to scale more effectively.
Her long term vision includes building a team structure capable of supporting 20 to 30 families per month while continuing to deepen partnerships with agents who share the same client first philosophy.
“For us, it’s about building something sustainable,” Montelongo said. “If we build the right systems and the right partnerships, we can help far more families while creating real value for everyone involved.”
With growing production, stronger agent relationships, and a clear plan for expansion, Montelongo is positioning Team Montelongo for continued impact in her market.
About Nicki Montelongo
Nicki Montelongo is a Mortgage Advisor and Branch Leader dedicated to helping families navigate homeownership through strategic financing and long term financial guidance. Through strong relationships with real estate partners and a client focused advisory approach, she helps buyers make confident decisions at every stage of the homeownership journey.
Catch the full interview with Nicki Montelongo and Ryan Grant on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Y2jEwfgag1I?si=8uYxPsio8S4LSF52
