Mortgage lenders keep talking about the housing inventory problem. But what if they are ignoring one of the most important engines helping create that inventory?

In this episode of The Fintech Hunting Podcast, host Michael Hammond sits down with Dana Georgiou, Chief Revenue Officer of Dunmore, to unpack one of the most overlooked shifts in mortgage and real estate finance: the rise of private lending as a serious force behind housing inventory, real estate investment, construction, and community growth.

Dana makes the case that private lending is no longer a niche corner of the market. It has matured from local fix-and-flip capital into a more sophisticated lending ecosystem supported by institutional capital, securitization, investor demand, and a growing need for faster, more flexible financing solutions.

The big question this episode asks:

Are traditional mortgage lenders underestimating the very lending channel that helps create the homes their borrowers want to buy?

Dana explains why real estate investors, builders, and developers play a critical role in bringing inventory to market, why traditional lenders need to better understand private capital, and how responsible private lending can support both business growth and housing supply.

The conversation also explores how AI is reshaping lending operations, where automation can improve speed and efficiency, and why human judgment still matters when making credit decisions in a complex private lending environment.

What You’ll Learn

What private lending is and why it matters to mortgage professionals

Why housing inventory often starts with investors, builders, and developers

How private lending has evolved from a niche product to an institutional market

Why traditional lenders may be missing a major opportunity

How private lenders balance speed, risk, and responsible credit decisions

Where AI can help private lenders scale smarter

Why AI should support, not replace, human judgment

What Dunmore is building in the private lending space

Why ground-up construction, multifamily, and DSCR lending are gaining attention

Featured Guest

Dana Georgiou

Chief Revenue Officer, Dunmore

Dana Georgiou is a revenue leader, author, AI advocate, financial literacy advocate, and private lending executive helping shape the next chapter of real estate finance.

Host

Michael Hammond

Host, The Fintech Hunting Podcast

Founder & CEO, NexLevel Advisors

Michael Hammond, Founder & CEO of NexLevel Advisors, is the leading fractional CMO in mortgage and mortgage technology, specializing in AI-powered growth strategy and audience development.

Episode Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Dana Georgiou

00:55 What mortgage leaders are underestimating about private lending

01:49 Why private lending is becoming central to housing finance

03:31 What traditional mortgage professionals misunderstand

05:27 Balancing speed, risk, and responsible lending

06:56 Biggest opportunities in private lending right now

07:56 Why AI is a business shift, not just a tool

11:17 What AI should never replace in private lending

13:15 Where lenders should start with AI

15:35 The Dunmore story and private lending model

17:28 How to connect with Dana and Dunmore

Key Questions Answered

What is private lending in mortgage?

Private lending provides financing for real estate investors, builders, and developers. These loans often support fix-and-flip projects, bridge loans, ground-up construction, multifamily projects, and DSCR rental property financing.

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Michael Hammond, Founder & CEO of NexLevel Advisors, is the leading fractional CMO in mortgage and mortgage technology, specializing in AI-powered growth strategy and audience development.