HELOC, TPO, API, Non-Agency Products; Webcasts; Why Rates Are Where They Are: We're Not Alone

I’ve been in capital markets for over 40 years, and this rate and affordability environment is tough. Any lender who finds these higher rates boring, well, don’t hold your breath waiting for them to come down.) Principal, interest, taxes, and insurance (PITA) is only part of the affordability equation, but market forces determine long term rates, not the government or the Fed. Some estimates have property taxes and insurance up 20-30 percent over the last year. Condo special assessments? Here’s a story about some condo owners hit with a $5 million “emergency” roof bill. What does that do to owner’s financial situations? (Today’s podcast can be found here. This week’s ‘casts are sponsored by Zillow Home Loans, Zillow’s in-house mortgage lender. With tools built for modern lending, Zillow Home Loan’s loan officers can focus on guiding buyers with care and confidence. Today’s has an interview with Lender Toolkit’s Brett Brumley on the proper due diligence necessary with counterparties in the artificial intelligence era.) Broker and Lender Products, Software, and Services Summer may be cooling down, but Symmetry’s HELOCs are still HOT. According to Q1 2026 data from Federal Reserve Bank, homeowners continued tapping into their equity at the highest first-quarter level since 2021, with 54% of all equity withdrawals coming through second liens. The upshot is that there’s an estimated $11 trillion in home equity available to borrowers. Accessing available equity for extra cash can be tempting. That's where a HELOC can make sense. Whether it's home improvements, debt consolidation, investment opportunities, major expenses, or simply creating financial flexibility. Don't let the summer slowdown slow down your HELOC business. If you have a deal you're working on, or just want to see where HELOCs could fit into your business, contact your Symmetry AE today!