🎙️ The Broker Podcast — Episode 10: Risk Reduction at the Closing Table with Monica Saldana

In this episode of The Broker Podcast, Jack Stapleton sits down with Monica Saldana, an experienced escrow officer with thousands of closings under her belt, for a grounded, inside look at what really happens at the closing table — and how strong title teams quietly reduce risk long before buyers and sellers ever sign a document.

This conversation pulls back the curtain on the title and escrow process, exposing the unseen layers of communication, verification, and coordination that determine whether a transaction closes smoothly or starts to unravel. Monica explains where deals most often go sideways, why poor communication is the earliest warning sign of trouble, and how experienced title professionals protect clients, agents, and lenders from costly mistakes.

The episode also tackles one of the fastest-growing threats in real estate: wire fraud and seller impersonation. Monica breaks down how fraud actually occurs, how title companies verify identity behind the scenes, why wiring instructions should only come directly from title, and what buyers and sellers can do to protect their life savings. Jack and Monica discuss best practices around secure portals, phone verification, test wires, and why “helpful” intermediaries often increase risk instead of reducing it.

You’ll also hear practical insight on:

• Why communication at the beginning of a transaction matters more than speed

• How title teams coordinate examinations, surveys, HOAs, lenders, and funding

• The real differences between table-funded and non-table-funded loans

• Why effective dates and timely earnest money are risk issues, not paperwork details

• What agents should — and should not — be doing at the closing table

• How remote online notarization (RON) is changing closings and when it makes sense

• Why experienced professionals focus on prevention, not cleanup

Whether you’re a buyer, seller, real estate agent, lender, or broker, this episode delivers practical, experience-based insight into one of the most misunderstood parts of a real estate transaction — and why true risk reduction happens long before the final signatures.

Subscribe to The Broker Podcast for unscripted conversations with the professionals who actually do the work — built on experience, accountability, and real-world results.

🎙️ Welcome to The Broker Podcast with Jack Stapleton, Founder, Co-Owner, and Broker of Realty Texas — one of America’s most respected independent real estate firms.

In this episode, Jack sits down with Ginger Cartwright, a seasoned mortgage professional with 35 years in the lending industry, for a deep, honest conversation about what really happens behind the scenes of a home loan — and why communication, preparation, and trust matter more now than ever heading into 2026. Ginger’s career spans nearly every role in lending, from closer and processor to loan officer, giving her a rare, 360-degree understanding of how deals succeed… and how they fail.

💬 This episode dives into the human side of lending — the fear buyers feel, the frustration that documentation requests can cause, and why a calm, experienced lender can make the difference between confidence and panic. Jack brings 21+ years of real estate leadership and broker perspective, while Ginger shares real-world insight from decades inside underwriting guidelines, investor rules, and client-facing conversations that shape outcomes long after the closing table.

You’ll also hear a clear-eyed discussion about the market ahead: where interest rates are realistically headed (and where they’re not), why waiting for “perfect” conditions often backfires, and how buyers should think about price, payment, refinancing strategy, and long-term wealth. Ginger breaks down why rates in the 2s and 3s were an anomaly, what affordability really means in today’s environment, and why fear often shows up precisely when opportunity does.

🧠 Key Takeaways

• Why lending is a people business — and why trust and follow-up don’t end at closing • The critical role of the processor, and why poor communication is the fastest way to derail a transaction • How experience across closing, processing, and origination creates smoother loans with fewer surprises • Why documentation requests feel repetitive — and how great lenders explain the why, not just the what • A realistic outlook on interest rates in 2026 and why ultra-low rates are unlikely to return • The “buy now, refinance later” strategy — and why price matters more than rate over time • How fear, media noise, and economic uncertainty freeze buyers — even in favorable markets • Why paying your own mortgage builds wealth, while renting builds it for someone else • What great agents and great lenders have in common: proactive communication and expectation-setting • Why the scariest moments are often the smartest times to buy

Whether you’re a buyer navigating uncertainty, an agent working to reduce risk for your clients, or a professional preparing for the realities of the 2026 market, this episode delivers grounded advice, decades of experience, and practical insight you can actually use.

Subscribe, listen, and join Jack each week as he speaks with the professionals who truly understand real estate — unscripted, honest, and built on real-world results.

🎙️ Welcome to The Broker Podcast with Jack Stapleton, Founder, Co-Owner, and Broker of Realty Texas — one of America’s most respected independent real estate firms.

In this episode, Jack sits down with Dennis Maldonado of Perry Homes (ElDorado at Santa Rita Ranch) for a candid, insightful conversation about what really happens inside new construction—and what buyers and agents need to understand going into 2026. Dennis brings years of frontline experience as an on-site sales professional, including a background in high-end audio/video and a weekly radio co-host role, and he breaks down the realities of construction, expectation-setting, and what separates a smooth build from a stressful one.

💬 This episode goes deep into the emotional side of “home,” the messy reality of construction, and why communication is the difference between confident buyers and panicked buyers. Jack draws from 21+ years in real estate and leadership as a broker of 400+ agents, while Dennis shares real-world examples from the field—mistakes that happen, how they get fixed, and how great on-sites protect the buyer experience.

You’ll also hear a forward-looking market discussion: why many builders are pulling back on inventory starts, what that could mean for summer 2026 availability, and why waiting for “perfect” affordability often leads to paying more. Dennis and Jack talk incentives, supply, rates, refinancing strategy, and why the best advice is usually simple: buy the right home at the right time, then manage the payment intelligently.

🧠 Key Takeaways

• Why “home” is emotional—and why the key handoff creates a lifelong connection with clients • The biggest recurring obstacle in new construction: it’s not a perfect science, and it requires calm, consistent communication • Real examples of what can go wrong (wrong finishes, substitutions, timing delays) and how pros reset expectations without creating panic • Why communication is the most important skill for an on-site and an agent—especially when something doesn’t go as planned • What Dennis expects heading into 2026: fewer housing starts, fewer inventory homes, and the potential for tighter supply during peak moving season • “Date the rate” strategy: why purchase price is permanent, the rate can often be improved later, and waiting can cost more • How apartments and rental incentives are shaping buyer behavior—and why renting can feel cheaper now but cost more long-term • The right way for agents to work with builders: treat the on-site as the community expert, avoid setting false discount expectations, and focus on risk reduction and guidance • Why buyers should feel excited and scared at the same time—and why that’s normal

Whether you’re a buyer weighing new construction, an agent sharpening your builder approach, or a professional preparing for the 2026 market, this episode delivers practical insights, real stories, and straight talk that will help you guide clients with confidence.

Subscribe, listen, and join Jack each week as he speaks with the professionals shaping today’s real estate landscape—unscripted, honest, and built on decades of real-world experience.