DealDesk: Equity Select, A Flexible HELOC W/ Payments As Low As 1% HighTech Lending

A New HELOC Hit the Market and It Changed Who Qualifies

In this session, we took a deep dive into Equity Select, a flexible HELOC with payment plans as low as 1%, designed for borrowers who are often boxed out by traditional underwriting.

In a market where most lenders cap debt-to-income ratios around 43% to 50%, Equity Select opened the door for a much broader, well qualified borrower pool without sacrificing credit standards. The structure demonstrated how homeowners can receive meaningful payment relief without being forced into full amortization, making it a strong solution for refinances, cash-out scenarios, and high equity borrowers struggling with cash flow.

For originators seeing strong borrowers declined, stuck, or walking away from deals, this discussion showed how the 1% payment plan can turn dead ends into funded loans.

Eric Ellsworth, Chief Revenue Officer and Executive Vice President of Sales at HighTech Lending, discussed:

What we learned about qualifying more borrowers using Equity Select

• How the program works in 1st and 2nd position liens

• Why the 1% payment plan dramatically improves DTI outcomes

• How this structure expands eligibility while maintaining credit discipline

• Where Equity Select fits alongside traditional HELOCs and refinance options

• A New HELOC Hit the Market and It Changed Who Qualifies

This session explored Equity Select, a flexible HELOC with payment plans as low as 1%, designed for borrowers who are increasingly boxed out by traditional underwriting standards.