About Margaret Sullivan

CFP · Former Mortgage Underwriting Supervisor · 22 Years in Lending

I spent twenty-two years in mortgage underwriting, rising to supervisor at a regional Tampa lender. I saw too many seniors sign HELOCs they did not understand, and too many widows lose homes to balloon payments. I left corporate lending in 2018, got my CFP, and now write tools that force transparency.

I live in a paid-off 1987 ranch house in Tampa with my greyhound, Biscuit, who sleeps through my Zoom calls. I do not sell loans. I do not take commissions from lenders. I read the paperwork and tell you what is actually there.

Education & Certifications

• MBA Finance, University of South Florida
• Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
• Former NMLS License Holder
• Certified Reverse Mortgage Counselor

Experience

• 22 years mortgage underwriting (1996–2018)
• 7 years independent consulting (2018–present)
• Personally reviewed 4,000+ home equity applications
• Maintains database of 200+ lender fee schedules

Expertise

HELOC structuring, reverse mortgage counseling, cash-out refinance analysis, CLTV optimization, senior equity protection, Florida homestead exemption law.