In this final episode of Real Estate Lowdown, I take a moment to reflect on the close of one chapter and the bold beginning of another.

As I transition into my new podcast, Debt Doctor, I’m inviting you into a conversation that’s more than just a farewell - it’s a meditation on change, intention, and the cycles that shape both markets and life itself.

We’re in the middle of a historic pivot. From the end of low-cost capital to the volatility of rising interest rates, the current transitional phase in the real estate market echoes past economic cycles, but this time with deeper complexity.

I share why I believe these patterns aren’t just market phenomena, they’re mirrors of our own need to evolve, adapt, and reimagine what’s possible.

Thank you to Adam Torres and the Mission Matters team for three incredible years of partnership and podcasting. And thank you to my community for joining us in this journey of content creation for you.

This final Real Estate Lowdown episode is a tribute to where we’ve been and a powerful call forward to where we’re headed.

Join us on the Debt Doctor podcast where we take industry insights and expertise to new ground, diving deeper into distressed assets, debt markets, and specialty finance with more clarity, honesty, and strategic foresight.

One door closes… and another opens wide.

Watch and subscribe to Debt Doctor on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or your favorite podcast platform.

First Lien Capital is your trusted investment partner. First Lien Resolutions is your trusted Special Assets Group partner. Schedule a consultation with Bill to ELEVATE (https://billbymel.com/investor/) or REVIVE (https://billbymel.com/advisor/) your portfolio today.

To learn more, visit:
https://billbymel.com/

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:
https://missionmatters.com/author/bill-bymel/

In this episode of Real Estate Lowdown, I sit down with Melissa Justice, broker-owner of Exit Justice Realty, to unpack the reality of the new rules of today's real estate market—from the ground floor to the institutional lens.

Melissa brings decades of frontline experience in REO investment, HUD home sales, and residential real estate to a timely conversation that cuts through the noise.

We explore how rising interest rates, inflationary pressures, and the recent NAR settlement are accelerating a market evolution that agents and investors alike can’t ignore.

Melissa offers valuable insights into adapting to new systems, shifting regulations, and the increasing need for short sale and loss mitigation strategies—especially in the face of growing underwater mortgage scenarios.

Together, we reflect on the lessons learned from 2008 and how they inform today's approach to financial hardship and distressed assets. And we examine the decline in agent retention and the widening gap between those who innovate and those who fall behind.

Agents, this is a wake-up call to evolve with the market—by embracing new strategies, expanding financial literacy, and becoming a trusted guide for clients, beyond opening the door. Reinvention isn’t just survival—it’s your edge in the next era of real estate.

Investors, this is a moment to understand the human side of real estate disruption and position capital wisely in communities undergoing transformation.

Connect further with Melissa Justice on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-justice-a5326938/ or https://melissajustice.com.

First Lien Capital is your trusted investment partner. First Lien Resolutions is your trusted Special Assets Group partner. Schedule a consultation with Bill to ELEVATE (https://billbymel.com/investor/) or REVIVE (https://billbymel.com/advisor/) your portfolio today.

To learn more, visit:
https://billbymel.com/

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:
https://missionmatters.com/author/bill-bymel/

What if the IRS wasn’t your adversary—but an opportunity waiting to be negotiated? In this episode, I sit down with Carlos Samaniego, founder of Tax Debt Consultants and author of How to Make the IRS an Offer They Can’t Refuse.

Carlos shares his personal and professional expertise navigating IRS and state tax issues, particularly for self-employed entrepreneurs and small business owners caught in the tightening grip of federal scrutiny.

We dive into real-world strategies for tax liability management—like leveraging expenses, hiring the right bookkeeper, and building a defensible financial profile that stands up to IRS pressure.

But this isn’t just a tax talk. We explore how seismic shifts in AI, automation, and quantum computing are reshaping the future of compliance and wealth strategy.

For investors, this conversation underscores why understanding tax trends is essential not just for protection—but for positioning. As regulatory scrutiny and digital disruption accelerate, the savviest capital knows how to pivot with precision.

Whether you're a small business owner, an independent operator, or an investor evaluating risk from every angle, this episode is your reminder that even tax challenges can be turned into smart plays—with the right mindset, the right tools, and the right people in your corner.

Connect further with Carlos Samaniego on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlossamaniego/ or https://carlossamaniego.com.

First Lien Capital is your trusted investment partner. First Lien Resolutions is your trusted Special Assets Group partner. Schedule a consultation with Bill to ELEVATE (https://billbymel.com/investor/) or REVIVE (https://billbymel.com/advisor/) your portfolio today.

To learn more, visit:
https://billbymel.com/

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:
https://missionmatters.com/author/bill-bymel/