With decades of experience and a commitment to clarity, transparency and service, Rhett Duleba and his team at Smart Mortgage are making the home loan process smarter—just like their name suggests. Based in Waxhaw, Smart Mortgage is a fully licensed, independent mortgage brokerage serving clients across North Carolina. The company is known for its hands-on approach and dedication to educating borrowers and delivering exceptional service to both clients and referral partners.

Rhett began his career in the mortgage industry in 1994 as a loan originator. Over the years, he advanced into a wholesale account executive role, owned and operated his own brokerage firm and later returned to the lending side as a correspondent lender where he was responsible for purchasing $10 million pools of mortgages and packaging them into mortgage-backed securities. This comprehensive background gives Rhett a deep understanding of every phase of the mortgage process—from origination to the secondary market.

Smart Mortgage stands apart through its educational, transparent approach. “We take the time to educate each borrower, offering a behind-the-scenes look—often via Zoom or Teams—by sharing our screen and walking them through exactly how mortgage interest rates are generated based on their specific scenario,” Rhett explains. “After years of analyzing the common challenges and pitfalls in the mortgage journey, we’ve refined a system that ensures a smooth and seamless experience, especially through closing.”

He adds, “We pride ourselves on consistent communication with our referral partners and offer lower-than-industry-standard fees—all while delivering exceptional service backed by extensive industry expertise.”

Originally from a small town just north of Pittsburgh, Rhett moved from the Midwest to the Charlotte area with his wife, Mary, and their three children—Quinn, Luca and Taylor—in 2008. The Duleba family now calls Waxhaw home and appreciates the close-knit community and Southern hospitality.

Rhett also brings a personal understanding of the Firethorne community, having previously been a member of the club. “Building trust between a mortgage broker and their borrower is absolutely essential—especially when serving the residents of Firethorne and the family and friends they refer,” he says. “We take the time to ensure every referred borrower feels informed, comfortable and confident that they are receiving the best possible loan products and pricing tailored to their unique needs.”

To learn more, visit smartmtg.net or find them on Facebook and LinkedIn.