The Loan Officer Podcast

In this episode of the Loan Officer Podcast, hosts Dustin Owen, Marketing Mike, and Karina Mojica take a deep dive into the recently enacted 21st Century Road to Housing Act, which officially became law on July 11th, 2026, notably without a presidential signature. Touted as the most significant piece of housing legislation since 1990, the bill introduces several key provisions aimed at reshaping the housing landscape. Among its headline measures are a ban preventing institutional investors from owning more than 350 single-family homes nationwide, new and improved financing options for manufactured homes, and a substantial increase in FHA multifamily loan limits to...

In this episode, mortgage expert Dustin Owen delves into a widespread misconception that many loan officers face: the belief that their primary challenge is a lack of leads, when in reality, the true issue often lies in ineffective follow-up strategies. Dustin explains that simply reaching out with generic messages such as "just checking in" or "touching base" rarely elicits a response from borrowers. These types of messages fail to engage clients because they do not offer any compelling reason for the borrower to reply or move forward in the process. Instead, Dustin emphasizes that effective follow-up should...

In this episode of the Loan Officer Podcast, host Dustin Owen is joined by Marketing Mike and producer Karina Mojica as they dive into a series of frequently asked questions submitted by mortgage professionals from across the country. The trio explores a wide range of timely topics, offering practical advice and real-world insights for both new and experienced loan officers. They begin by discussing the latest industry trends, highlighting how disciplined and intentional originators continue to thrive even in the face of ongoing affordability challenges and a shifting market landscape. Throughout the conversation, Dustin, Mike, and Karina...

In this episode of the Loan Officer Podcast, host Dustin Owen is joined by Marketing Mike Siciliano and producer Karina Mojica for a comprehensive discussion on the ten most common areas where mortgage and financial services sales professionals often find themselves stuck or struggling to advance. Together, they dive deep into the recurring challenges that can hinder growth and success in the industry. The conversation covers a range of critical topics, including ineffective or poor calendar management, which can lead to missed opportunities and a lack of productivity, as well as the pitfalls of having an unfocused...

In this episode, mortgage industry veteran Dustin Owen delves into the reasons why many business professionals may find themselves struggling to achieve the results they desire. Drawing from over 20 years of hands-on experience in the mortgage sector, Dustin shares insights gained from building a billion-dollar mortgage operation from the ground up and personally assisting more than 2,000 families in realizing their dream of homeownership. Throughout the conversation, he identifies and explores five key barriers that often hold professionals back: appearance, communication style, lack of confidence, lack of experience, and limited visibility within their industry or community. Rather than...

In this episode of the Loan Officer Podcast, host Dustin Owen sits down with Luke Walker, a mortgage loan originator at Barrett Financial who has built his business almost entirely through TikTok. Luke shares his journey from working in accounting to transitioning into the mortgage industry, explaining in detail how he leveraged TikTok videos and live streaming to generate a steady stream of leads, with a particular focus on VA loans for veterans. By going live on TikTok every day, Luke is able to engage directly with potential clients, answer their questions in real time, and establish trust, resulting...

In this comprehensive mid-year review episode of the Loan Officer Podcast, host Dustin Owen is joined by Marketing Mike and producer Karina "Special K" Mojica to provide an in-depth recap of the first half of 2026 and share their insights for the remainder of the year. The trio delves into the ongoing unpredictability of interest rates, exploring how fluctuating rates have impacted both homebuyers and mortgage professionals across the country. They also examine persistent regional inventory challenges, highlighting how limited housing supply continues to shape market dynamics and create hurdles for both buyers and sellers. Additionally, the team discusses the...

n this special edition of the Loan Officer Podcast, host Dustin Owen brings listeners an exclusive collection of highlights from the acclaimed "Talk Mortgage To Me" series. This episode shines a spotlight on innovative, real-world mortgage solutions shared by some of the industry's top producers: Mike Smalley, Christine Wilson, and Jason Purcell. Mike Smalley kicks things off by delving into the strategic advantages of adjusting loan terms during the refinancing process. He explains how making small changes such as shortening the loan term or increasing monthly payments, can significantly accelerate equity growth for homeowners, helping them build...

In this special episode of the Loan Officer Podcast, host Dustin Owen is joined by Dave Savage, the founder of Mortgage Coach, for an in-depth conversation packed with valuable insights. Drawing from over 600 episodes and decades of combined industry experience, Dustin and Dave share the most important lessons they have learned throughout their careers. They take a close look at the evolving loan officer playbook for 2026, offering listeners a comprehensive overview of what it takes to succeed in a rapidly changing mortgage landscape. The discussion covers a wide range of practical strategies, including effective lead generation techniques, building and...

In this episode of The D.O. Show, host Dustin Owen draws on over 20 years of mortgage industry experience to explain why choosing the right realtor and mortgage professional is just as important as finding the perfect home. Dustin breaks down the homebuying process, emphasizing that while location and property features matter, the professionals guiding you through the transaction can make or break your experience. He outlines the key qualities to look for in both a realtor and a mortgage advisor, such as integrity, responsiveness, local market knowledge, and a proven track record. Dustin also highlights several red flags...

In this special, extended episode of the Loan Officer Podcast, host Dustin Owen commemorates America's 250th anniversary with an insightful exploration of how the nation’s founding moments can inspire today’s business leaders. Joined by co-host John Coleman, Dustin embarks on a thoughtful journey through pivotal events in U.S. history, beginning with the Boston Tea Party and progressing through the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, the Revolutionary War, and the eventual ratification of the Constitution. Along the way, they highlight enduring themes such as perseverance in the face of adversity, the necessity of compromise among diverse view...

In this episode of the Loan Officer Podcast, host Dustin Owen welcomes Chris Hardiman, the co-founder of Fusion Home Loans, for an in-depth conversation about his remarkable and unconventional career path. Chris opens up about his unique journey, which began in the world of private equity and later led him into the burgeoning cannabis industry, before ultimately finding his calling in the mortgage business. Despite having no prior experience in the mortgage industry, Chris entered the field in 2018 and quickly distinguished himself as a top producer, funding an impressive $40 million annually within just a few years. Chris...

In this episode of The D.O. Show, host Dustin Owen dives deep into actionable strategies for mortgage originators who want to become truly indispensable to both consumers and realtors in today’s competitive market. Dustin begins by emphasizing the importance of building genuine trust with consumers, highlighting the need for clear, transparent communication at every stage of the mortgage process. He encourages originators to engage in meaningful conversations that address clients’ unique needs and concerns, and to maintain consistent follow-up to ensure clients feel supported and valued throughout their homebuying journey. When it comes to working with...

In this episode of the Loan Officer Podcast, host Dustin Owen is joined by Marketing Mike and Karina Mojica for an in-depth discussion on career progression for mortgage loan originators. Together, they take a comprehensive look at the typical journey of a loan officer, examining the various stages and transitions that professionals encounter as they advance in their careers. Dustin challenges the widespread assumption that moving into branch management or divisional management is the ultimate solution to career frustrations and plateaus. Instead, he argues that most loan officers would benefit more from developing stronger business systems and adopting an...

In this episode of the Loan Officer Podcast, host Dustin Owen welcomes Josh Bopp, the founder of Aduvo, a cutting-edge marketing automation platform specifically designed for mortgage originators. During their engaging conversation, Josh delves into his professional background, sharing how he transitioned from running a successful IT services company to identifying a unique need within the mortgage industry. This realization led him to launch Aduvo, a platform created to help loan officers maintain strong relationships with their past clients and referral partners. Josh explains the challenges loan officers face in staying top-of-mind in a competitive market and...

In this episode of The DO Show, mortgage expert Dustin Owen takes a deep dive into the ongoing rent vs. buy debate, specifically looking ahead to the housing market landscape in 2026. Dustin challenges the commonly held belief that renting is simply "throwing money away," and instead presents a balanced perspective, highlighting that both renting and buying come with their own unique sets of advantages and disadvantages. He carefully breaks down the true costs associated with homeownership, going beyond just the monthly mortgage payments to include expenses such as property taxes, homeowners insurance, maintenance, and unexpected repairs. Dustin...

In this episode of The DO Show, mortgage expert Dustin Owen takes a deep dive into the ongoing rent vs. buy debate, specifically looking ahead to the housing market landscape in 2026. Dustin challenges the commonly held belief that renting is simply "throwing money away," and instead presents a balanced perspective, highlighting that both renting and buying come with their own unique sets of advantages and disadvantages. He carefully breaks down the true costs associated with homeownership, going beyond just the monthly mortgage payments to include expenses such as property taxes, homeowners insurance, maintenance, and unexpected repairs. Dustin...

In this episode of the Loan Officer Podcast, host Dustin Owen is joined by Marketing Mike and producer Karina Mojica for an in-depth discussion that dives into Dustin’s personal investment journey, sparked by a thought-provoking conversation with coaching student Kelly. Dustin opens up about the pivotal moments that shaped his approach to investing, beginning with the story of how he transformed a $60,000 angel investment in fattmerchant into an impressive $900,000 return. He candidly shares the valuable lessons he learned from his early missteps in real estate flipping, highlighting the importance of due diligence and understanding market cycles. Du...

In this engaging episode of the Loan Officer Podcast, host Dustin Owen sits down with special guest Coach Kristi Nowrouzi, also known as Credit Kristi, to delve into the mortgage industry's first major credit scoring shift in three decades: the recent approval of VantageScore to be used alongside the traditional FICO scores. Together, they provide an in-depth exploration of the key differences between these two credit scoring models, highlighting how VantageScore offers unique advantages, particularly for borrowers with thin credit files and those who benefit from the model’s recognition of trended data. Throughout their conversation, Dustin an...

In this episode of the Loan Officer Podcast, host Dustin Owen sits down with guest Marketing Mike, alongside producer Karina "Special K", for an in-depth discussion on the power and potential of programmatic marketing specifically tailored for mortgage loan originators, real estate agents, insurance agents, and title companies. Together, they break down how professionals in these industries can leverage advanced digital advertising platforms, such as Google and Meta (Facebook & Instagram), to reach their ideal audiences and generate high-quality leads. The conversation covers practical strategies for targeting referral partners, including the use of educational webinars and value-driven content to build...