The Loan Officer Podcast

When his wife’s 2020 job move took him 3,000 miles from the California business he’d built through face-to-face relationships, Brady Thomas had to rethink how he stayed connected to the people who made that business possible. Instead of letting distance weaken his presence, he found a new way to stay top of mind and grew his team to nine while producing roughly $200 million a year. On The Loan Officer Podcast, Brady joins Dustin Owen to explain his “referral gravity” framework: make it clear exactly when referral partners should call you, build authority by sharing useful content and memorable stories, and ensure your team can deliver on the promises you make. He shares how the “two home tango” became his calling card, why he sends regular updates to thousands of real estate agents and past clients, and how consistent communication helps keep relationships strong, even from 3,000 miles away. Brady also reflects on the transition from building a business face to face to leading it at a distance, the systems and people that make growth possible, and the family priority he’s still learning to protect. 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/

Rory Vaden’s TED Talk has earned more than 5 million views on YouTube, but the idea he wants people to remember isn’t about becoming famous. It’s about becoming the trusted go-to in your field: someone people recognize, believe, and turn to when they need help. On this episode, Rory explains why building a personal brand is less about chasing attention and more about showing up consistently with something useful to say. He shares why 74% of Americans say having an established personal brand makes them more likely to trust someone, and how answering just one customer question a day can help you build credibility, create useful content, and generate leads over time. Rory also explains why trying to appeal to everyone can leave you unknown and why choosing a specific audience can make your message more valuable, memorable, and effective. He unpacks the surprising principle at the heart of his work: you may be most powerfully positioned to serve the person you once were, because you understand their challenges from the inside and can show them what’s possible on the other side. Plus, Rory shares how he thinks about raising his sons to understand money, recognize the value of their work, and appreciate the importance of giving. It’s a conversation about earning trust, finding the people you’re best equipped to help, and building a personal brand around service rather than fame. FREE strategy call with Rory's team at Brand Builders Group: 👉🏼 freebrandcall.com/tlop. Read 'Wealthy and Well Known': 👉🏼 https://freebrandaudiobook.com/tlop 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 ​

The HOPER program can put up to $16,000 in a homebuyer’s pocket, with no second lien and no requirement to repay the assistance. It also includes solar installation financed into the mortgage, giving eligible borrowers a way to add a home-energy upgrade as part of the financing process. On The Loan Officer Podcast, host Dustin Owen sits down with HOPER president Michael Prieto to explain how the program works, who may benefit, and what borrowers and housing professionals should understand before getting started. The conversation covers how HOPER can be used for both home purchases and refinances, and why the funds are not limited to a down payment or closing costs. Depending on the borrower’s circumstances and the program’s guidelines, the assistance may also be used for other expenses, including paying off a car loan. Prieto and Owen discuss how that flexibility could affect a household’s finances, along with the questions borrowers should ask when considering how to use the funds. They also look at the solar component of the program, including how installation can be financed into the mortgage and how potential energy savings may fit into a borrower’s overall financial picture. The episode explores what homeowners should know about the tax implications of the assistance and solar installation, while emphasizing the importance of understanding the details of a specific loan and consulting appropriate tax professionals when needed. Beyond the financing itself, HOPER includes financial education and mentorship requirements intended to help participants prepare for homeownership and make informed financial decisions. The discussion explains what those requirements involve and why education is an important part of the program. Owen and Prieto also describe HOPER’s reach across 48 states and discuss how lenders, real estate agents, and builders can help eligible clients learn about the program, understand the process, and determine whether it may be a fit for their purchase or refinance. Introducing the affordability program (00:00:01) Podcast introduction (00:00:55) Meet guest Michael Prieto and discuss HOPER (00:01:26) HOPER’s growth and reach (00:03:24) What HOPER is and who it serves (00:04:36) Sponsor message: Lower Mortgage (00:05:56) HOPER’s flexibility and uses (00:07:27) Using HOPER funds to improve affordability (00:09:40) HOPER funding, repayment, and taxes (00:11:18) Solar requirement and program compensation (00:12:28) Sponsor message: Aduvo (00:14:23) Financial education and potential tax benefits (00:15:50) HOPER’s education and mentorship requirements (00:16:53) Solar savings and homeownership sustainability (00:18:04) How solar financing works for purchases and refinances (00:19:09) Sponsor message: TLOP'S Originator Coaching (00:20:42) Estimating solar savings (00:21:36) Evaluating the solar investment (00:22:36) How to learn more about HOPER (00:23:18) Closing remarks (00:24:22) HOPER: 👉🏼 https://www.hoper.org/ Pssssst.....Close 6 FHA Hoper transactions, earn a full year of coaching, compliments of TLOP 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/

Mortgage leader Scott Batt spent three years driving nearly two hours each way to build a referral business and eventually produced 240 loans in a year. His colleague Ross Woods joined the industry as a loan assistant earning $42,000, then went on to fund more than 400 loans in back-to-back years. On The Loan Officer Podcast, Dustin Owen talks with Scott and Ross about the unconventional paths behind their success and the “magic formula” they use with originators: start with a meaningful reason, set a production goal, then map the workday around activities that can actually reach it. They also explain their POWER framework for building a sustainable business. The conversation looks beyond production numbers to the habits and decisions that helped them grow. Scott and Ross share how they developed referral relationships, stayed focused through demanding stretches, and learned to make their daily effort more intentional. Their stories offer a practical reminder that a strong mortgage business is built through consistent actions, not just ambition or a big goal. They also discuss why there’s no single career path or formula that works for everyone. By identifying what matters personally, measuring the activities that lead to results, and building a schedule around those actions, originators can create a plan that fits their circumstances and supports long-term growth. roam: 👉🏼 https://ro.am/influencer/marks-office TLOP's Originator Coaching: 👉🏼 https://tloponline.com/mlo-coaching-programs/

At the TLOP Unite Caribbean Takeover, Brian Campbell shares how earning $400,000 in his biggest year still left him with a life that didn’t make him happy. The income was strong, but the day-to-day demands of running his business left him questioning what success was really supposed to look like. He and his family decided to make a change: they sold nearly everything they owned, bought a motorhome, and spent two years traveling around the country together. Throughout the trip, Campbell kept his mortgage business running, working just 15–20 hours a week while making room for family, travel, and new experiences. Today, he’s growing a producing branch without giving up those priorities or returning to a schedule that takes over his life. He and Dustin Owen get specific about the hires, systems, and handoffs that make the model possible, from building the right team to creating processes that don’t depend on the branch leader handling every detail. They also discuss why a loan partner who owns a process can give you back more time than an assistant, how thoughtful delegation can support both growth and flexibility, and why the goal isn’t simply to work less, but to build a business that fits the life you want. Most importantly, Campbell explains why your family shouldn’t get the leftovers after work, and how designing your business around your priorities can make success feel meaningful again. Loan officer looking for a new place to call home? 👉🏼 https://specials.lower.com/tlop ROAM: https://ro.am/influencer/marks-office TLOP's Originator Coaching: 👉🏼 https://tloponline.com/mlo-coaching-programs/