HELOCs and Piggybacks: The Mortgage Originator’s Secret Sauce for Saying “Yes” | Ep. 617

In this engaging episode of the Loan Officer Podcast, host Dustin Owen welcomes Tom Pollock from Symmetry Lending for an in-depth conversation recorded live at the Florida Association of Mortgage Professionals trade show in Orlando. Together, they dive into the evolving landscape of home equity lines of credit (HELOCs), with Tom offering a comprehensive overview of how HELOCs can be leveraged as a flexible and powerful financial tool for both homeowners and mortgage professionals. He breaks down practical strategies, such as utilizing piggyback loans to help clients avoid exceeding jumbo loan limits, and shares insights into Symmetry Lending’s innovative approach to condo financing—including their unique policy that eliminates the need for a traditional condo review, streamlining the process for borrowers and brokers alike. Tom goes on to highlight Symmetry’s commitment to efficiency and service, emphasizing their broker-exclusive platform that delivers rapid approvals within just 3-5 business days, setting them apart in a competitive market. The discussion also touches on the importance of financial responsibility, with Tom and Dustin exchanging personal stories and professional advice on managing finances wisely in today’s economic climate. To round out the episode, Tom offers a few of his favorite book recommendations for personal and professional growth, providing listeners with valuable resources to continue their own education. Whether you’re a seasoned loan officer or new to the industry, this episode is packed with actionable insights and expert perspectives. *Introduction & Guest Welcome (00:00:00)* *Tom’s Background & Symmetry Lending Overview (00:01:17)* *Dustin’s Experience with Symmetry Lending (00:02:27)* *HELOC Basics & Versatility (00:03:52)* *Sponsor Message: Lower Mortgage (00:04:47)* *Audience Breakdown & HELOC Education (00:06:14)* *HELOC as a Swiss Army Knife & Piggyback Loans (00:06:42)* *Loan Level Pricing Adjustments & Advanced Strategies (00:08:18)* *HELOC Utility for Affluent Buyers (00:09:12)* *HELOC as a Financial Safety Net (00:10:34)* *Creative Uses for HELOCs & Condo Financing (00:11:19)* *Symmetry’s No Condo Review Policy (00:12:00)* *Loan-to-Value Limits & Property Types (00:13:00)* *Marketing HELOCs to Realtors & Condo Communities (00:13:16)* *Defining Non-Warrantable Condos & Condo-Tel Policy (00:14:21)* *First vs. Second Lien HELOCs on Investment Properties (00:15:53)* *Strategy: Building Real Estate Portfolios with HELOCs (00:16:37)* *Sponsor Message: First Home IQ Advocacy Conference (00:17:13)* *Teaching Realtors & Investors About HELOC Strategies (00:20:23)* *Personal Example: Using HELOCs for Investment Properties (00:21:24)* *Symmetry Lending Process & Broker Relationships (00:23:31)* *Commission & Relationship Control for Originators (00:26:24)* *FAMP Event & Community Shoutouts (00:27:13)* *Life Lessons for Kids & Financial Responsibility (00:28:55)* *Entrepreneurial Mindset & Overcoming Fear (00:29:47)* *Book Recommendation: David Goggins’ “Can’t Hurt Me” (00:32:22)* *Additional Book & Podcast Suggestions (00:33:57)* *How to Contact Tom & Symmetry Lending (00:34:48)* *Closing Remarks & Event Promotion (00:35:14)* *Outro & Call to Action (00:38:25)* *Loan officer looking for a new place to call home?* 👉 https://specials.lower.com/tlop *TLOP's Originator Coaching:* https://tloponline.com/mlo-coaching-programs/ *Subscribe:* @TLOPentertainment