About Common Cents Lending
At Common Cents Lending, we believe mortgage lending should feel clear, honest, and approachable. Our mission is to simplify the lending process while helping individuals, families, and investors make confident financial decisions.
Our Story
Rhea Bryson, the owner and founder of Common Cents Lending, started her journey into the tedious world of mortgage in summer of 2018. Rhea was immediately asked by her first mortgage employer to forgo any real mortgage training, and focus on attending networking events instead. “Fake it ‘til you make it” her employer said. “You will figure out the important stuff later down the road, just pass out your business card and smile”. But Rhea quickly realized the lack of consumer education, combined with mortgage loan officers’ overwhelming lack of knowledge and training, was MORE THAN a problem. The loan officers were not the people with knowledge, advice, and solutions for their clients. That was just an illusion put forth to the public. Loan officers were simply “pretty faces” instructed to talk fast and keep the client calm, while utter chaos ensued in the background. Rhea watched as the loan officers she worked with consistently put clients on hold to ask their loan processors and underwriters the important questions, and then watched them parrot the answers back to clients over the phone. This was the “status quo”. Rhea knew she couldn’t earn or deserve her client’s trust, by “faking it ‘til you make it”, nor did she want to build a business on that mantra. So, she set out to find an employer who would offer her hands-on, in-depth training, in all aspects of the mortgage loan process. And that proved to be no easy task.
Today, Rhea has extensive training and experience as a loan processor, loan officer, loan underwriter, and loan closer. Rhea is also well versed in tax implications, business structures, financial planning, private banking, insurance underwriting, and so much more. Only one in 500 mortgage loan officers has this type of education and knowledge base. Why? Because it’s not required of them. Many loan officers spend a decade or more in the mortgage industry, and never acquire anything above a very basic knowledge of mortgage loans and guidelines. Pretty sad, right? Rhea completely agrees.
THIS ARTICLE WILL ENLIGHTEN YOU:
Rhea has a specific reputation in the mortgage industry: Those who have worked with her say “If Rhea can’t close the loan, no one can.” That is a testament to her level of experience and expertise, as well as the sheer volume of unique and complicated loans she has closed throughout the years. It is also a testament to her determination and tenacity, when fighting for her clients, and their best interests. Rhea is the equivalent of five mortgage professionals rolled into one, so you literally have a whole team of professionals on your side, when you choose to work with Common Cents Lending.
Over the years, seeking out a well-rounded financial education has also allowed Rhea to connect with other seasoned professionals in related industries, and expand her network of trusted partners. These partners are all held to the same high standard Rhea holds herself to. They must put the clients’ best interests FIRST, above all else. They must have an outstanding reputation. And they must treat any of Rhea’s referrals like family. Rhea has established relationships with commercial lenders, private banks, financial planners, insurance agents, real estate agents, home renovation companies, title agencies, closing attorneys, real estate investors, and the list goes on. In other words, if Rhea doesn’t have the answer, she can go find it…quickly.
Being a trail blazer in the mortgage industry, and having reached mastery level for all things mortgage, Rhea finally decided to go out on her own. With the support of her loyal and grateful client base, she opened Common Cents Lending, in the summer of 2025.
Some people have asked, why did Rhea name her brokerage Common Cents Lending? Because the most prominent thing missing in the mortgage industry today, is common sense. Any seasoned professional in the mortgage space will agree with that statement. And that missing common sense could wind up costing you, the client, a lot more than a few CENTS. So be careful! It’s a jungle out there.
About Rhea
Hi everyone! My name is Rhea and I am the owner and founder of Common Cents Lending LLC. Thank you for visiting my website. Welcome! 😊 A little about me.
I am a high functioning, high masking autistic adult. What does that mean? Well, it means you would probably never guess I’m autistic, if we were having lunch together. I come across as very “normal” in social settings. But my brain works differently than someone who is not autistic. And for that reason, I’m extremely detail oriented, good with numbers, gifted at anything analytical, and I can process large quantities of complex data in a very short period of time. I do extremely well with translating complicated information into laments terms, so it is easier to understand. And I’m also gifted at problem solving. Mortgages are a lot like puzzles. No two mortgages are alike, and there are quite a few pieces that need to fit together JUST SO, to get a mortgage loan “approved”. I find those pieces, and put them together, with record speed and accuracy. And I have fun doing it!
I am a HUGE animal lover. I love all animals, and I have two fur babies of my own. Both are rescues! I have a female English Bull Terrier named Peppermint, who is 7 years old, but ALL PUPPY. We call her “The Mint” for short. She is a “Velcro” puppy, ladies and gentleman. She is obsessed with her ball, and believes she is enrolled in gymnastics class, on a daily basis. I adore her! I also have a male Frenchton (Boston terrier/Frenchie mix). His name is ILO (Eeee-loh), and he is 9 years old. Sometimes he is a grumpy old man, and sometimes he’s a feisty little puppy. He has his moments! Above all, he loves to take naps. And for some strange reason, he’s obsessed with power tools and construction projects. Don’t ask, I have NO IDEA where he got that from. LOL
I have a partner whom I love more than anything. He is handsome, funny, wicked smart, and super sweet. He is “my person” and I feel so blessed to have found him later in life. We didn’t meet until our 40s, but we enjoy and cherish every moment we have together. He is my best friend. And as another neurotypical brain (ADHD), he navigates my autistic ways with grace. (Wink)
When I have spare time, I enjoy playing strategy games with my partner, playing with our puppies, going to car shows, watching standup comedy, riding roller coasters, and going to the beach. ANY BEACH! The beach is my happy place. 😊 I also enjoy “tinkering” with tools and mechanical items. I like to take things apart and put them back together, and I like building things with my hands.
I choose to live a frugal and modest lifestyle. I drive a 10-year-old Hyundai Santa Fe, and own a small home in Fuquay Varina, NC. I’m not generally motivated by material things or financial wealth. I prefer unique experiences, interesting people, new memories, and stimulating hobbies. And let’s face it….at least 50% of my money is spent on my fur babies, anyhow. All you “animal parents” out there know what I’m talking about!
Why aren't you on Social Media?
Common Cents Lending LLC is a word of mouth and referral-based business. All of our business comes from client and agent referrals, and meeting clients face to face. We prefer it this way! Any lender or broker can put up a billboard, or pay thousands of dollars for social media marketing. But that has no bearing on their competence, reputation, or service level. Social media click bait and Facebook messaging is not something we support, when it comes to the biggest transaction of your lifetime.
I, Rhea Bryson, the owner of Common Cents Lending LLC, do not participate in social media, aside from Linked In. I know many clients want to look me up on social media, and say they can “feel more comfortable” with me, if they can see some aspect of my personal life on the social media stage. I understand that impulse, to a degree. But it’s a personal choice of mine, to stay off social media. And I do not believe it reflects negatively on my character, or professional capabilities. I like to keep my private life, private. I guess I’m just a bit “old school” in that way. I come from a time when people had to call each other on the phone, or physically meet up, to “catch up”. And I still prefer that one on one interaction, today. I build friendships and business relationships intentionally and meaningfully. I don’t feel I can do that effectively through social media. In addition, the mortgage space has become SO heavily regulated, that there is virtually nothing valuable I can post on social media, without being fined or audited. Everything I say and do on social media is HEAVILY regulated by the federal government, due to my federal mortgage license. It’s just a headache I don’t need!
Thank you in advance for understanding my reasons for opting out of social media. If you would feel more comfortable meeting me in person, please feel free to suggest a luncheon or coffee. I’m happy to meet any of my prospective clients face to face, and have a meaningful conversation.