Housing finally feels like it’s drifting toward balance, and we’re digging into what’s actually moving the needle. We start with the headline everyone’s talking about: a proposed $200 billion purchase of mortgage bonds and Treasuries through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and what a phased buy could realistically do to mortgage rates. Instead of hype, we map the likely impact range—think an eighth to half a point—why investor momentum matters more than a single purchase, and how long-term rates respond to demand, not just Fed chatter.

From there, we layer in practical affordability levers that rarely make the splashy headlines but change real payments: a potential cut to FHA’s upfront mortgage insurance, evolving credit assessments beyond tri-merge, and reduced loan-level pricing adjustments that currently add cost for certain credit bands and lower down payments. We connect those dots to what buyers and sellers will actually feel on the ground—more options, less whiplash, and a market where great listings draw multiple offers but the frenzy stays in check.

If you’re buying, we break down how to run clean payment scenarios across rate steps, when a temporary or permanent buy-down makes sense, and why early 2026 could be your window before competition heats up. If you’re selling, we explain how to get in front of the spring surge, price to demand, and use flexible terms to land stronger contracts. We also get candid about lender selection: program fit, total-cost clarity, and service quality often beat teaser rates, especially when timing and underwriting can make or break a deal.

Ready to navigate with confidence? Follow the show, share this episode with a friend who’s weighing a move, and leave a quick review with your biggest question about buying or selling in 2026. Your feedback helps us shape future deep dives and keep you one step ahead.

Forget the highlight reel—this conversation gets into the real levers that moved our business and the habits we struggled to keep. We look at why showing up every week with useful, no-fluff content brought more of the right clients, and how a steady cadence across podcast, live streams, and social created momentum you can feel. We also unpack the role of AI in our day-to-day: drafting tighter hooks, shaping outlines that sound like us, and speeding up emails and templated tasks so we spend more time with people and less time staring at a blank screen.

We talk openly about the tension between being “everywhere” and being effective. The fix wasn’t gimmicks or pretending to be influencers; it was aligning format and message with our actual personalities. That alignment matters. When you teach first-time homebuyers with clarity and empathy, those are the clients who show up. When you avoid the sleaze and keep it practical, referrals start to flow. On the sales side, the simplest truth still stands: daily conversations drive the pipeline. Ten quality calls can feel small, but you see the difference when they slip.

Systems helped too. We moved from improvising to documenting light, repeatable processes for client gifts, pre-listing and post-listing steps, and weekly content cycles. The result was less stress and more room for thoughtful touches. Looking at 2026, we’re keeping the habits that compound—consistent education, protected call time, and AI as a friction remover—not a personality replacement. It’s a patient, human strategy designed to build the business we actually want to run.

If this resonates, hit play and then tell us your single non-negotiable habit for 2026. Subscribe, share with a friend who’s building their business, and leave a review so we know what to dig into next.

A new rule in Oregon tries to limit real estate team names, and we ask the blunt question: does anyone hiring an agent actually care about the brokerage logo—or do they care about results? That debate launches us into a bigger conversation about AI’s real impact on housing: where the tools help, where they fail, and how smart pros can use them without losing the human touch.

From the lending seat, we talk through practical wins like faster guideline research, cleaner client emails, and better organization—all while admitting that judgment calls and complex conversations still need a person. On the agent side, we break down how AI can speed up market briefs, listing copy, and lead triage, yet why contract review, negotiation, and risk management remain human-led for now. The theme is clear: AI is a force multiplier, not a silver bullet.

We also dig into how trust is built today. DIY content on YouTube doesn’t just replace services; it proves expertise. Younger buyers search TikTok before Google, and the pros who teach clearly tend to win the call. Still, convenience economics rules: most people will outsource their largest purchase because time, risk, and emotion beat the urge to do it alone. Looking ahead, we explore policy pressure, data security, and liability—expect lobbying, stricter standards, and better audit trails as AI moves deeper into underwriting and contracts.

If you’re a curious homeowner, a future buyer, or a pro trying to stay relevant, you’ll leave with a practical framework: adopt the right tools, document your workflow, validate the output, and keep humans in the loop where stakes are highest. If this conversation helped you think differently about real estate and AI, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review so others can find us.

A twelve-foot skeleton on the lawn might grab attention, but it won’t close the deal—clear facts and smart decisions will. We dive into the most persistent myths in real estate and lending and replace them with practical, real-world guidance you can use right now. From the misconception that you need 20% down to the belief that perfect credit is mandatory, we explain what actually matters, how programs differ, and why taking action beats waiting for the “perfect” moment.

We get candid about rent versus buy in today’s market. Renting can be flexible and sometimes cheaper month-to-month, but ownership channels payments into equity, protects you from surprise rent hikes, and builds long-term wealth. You’ll hear examples of house hacking, stepping stones to a “forever” home, and the hidden risks of relying on a landlord’s timeline. We also push back on the “wait for rates to drop” mantra. No one can time interest rates reliably. If the payment fits your budget and the home fits your life, you don’t need a crystal ball—you need a plan.

We also tackle negotiation and due diligence. When does a low initial offer make sense, and when does it cost you the house? What can a general inspection realistically catch, and when should you bring in specialists? And do you truly need an agent every time? We outline when going solo can work and why, in most cases, an experienced agent quietly protects your money, your timeline, and your sanity.

If you’re weighing a move, starting your first purchase, or just trying to see past the noise, this conversation gives you the clarity to act with confidence. Hit play, subscribe on Spotify or Apple, and leave a review with the biggest myth you’ve heard lately—we’ll tackle it on a future show.

We trade jokes for candor about a tough housing cycle, why purchase pipelines feel thin, and how to stay steady when wins are scarce. We map out practical ways agents and lenders can adapt with AI, consistent social content, and realistic success metrics that match this market.

• why the current market feels harder than 2008 for many
• lenders’ shift from refi booms to purchase scarcity
• managing slumps, mindset, and redefining success
• how AI and ChatGPT change homebuyer search
• social media as a free, high-ROI channel
• authentic content vs performance and burnout
• lenders’ underused video opportunities
• loyalty differences between agents and lenders
• staying top of mind without chasing likes
• simple, low-cost gear and a sustainable cadence
• long-game strategy: consistency over virality
• open invite to connect for help or questions

If anyone is listening and they're struggling and they want to talk about it Cody's there for the lending side I'm here for the real estate side

Ever notice how home appraisals seem to land right on the contract price—down to the dollar? We unpack that mystery with a practical, step-by-step look at how appraisals are ordered, how appraisers get assigned, what the on-site visit includes, and why market timing can change fees and turnaround without warning. From Halloween banter to hard numbers, we take you behind the scenes of the appraisal department so you know what’s happening and when.

We walk through the decisions that actually move a deal forward: when to order the appraisal versus waiting for inspections, how refund policies work if the transaction stalls, and what to expect if the appraiser requires repairs. You’ll hear how appraisers verify condition without acting as inspectors, which details commonly get missed (bed counts, HVAC, upgrades), and how those errors can be corrected. Then we zero in on the thorny stuff—low values. We explain the reconsideration of value process, how to assemble better comps, and why ROVs rarely swing the number dramatically. If the value stands, we break down the playbook: renegotiate price, bring more cash, split the gap, or rework concessions. We also highlight how down payment size changes the math and stress level.

Refinance appraisals often tell a different story because there’s no purchase contract in view, which can yield a cleaner read on market value. Still, for purchases, understanding how appraisers think—and how lenders coordinate the process—can save days and dollars. The final takeaway is about responsiveness: when an appraisal lands late, or a fix is required, a lender who answers the phone and recalculates in real time keeps your closing on track.

Enjoy the episode, then tell us your experience: did your appraisal help or hurt your deal? If this was useful, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who’s house hunting.

Ever wonder if changing jobs mid‑mortgage will sink your approval, or if you can keep the seller’s hot tub—and their couch? We dive into the decisions that quietly make or break a real estate deal: how lenders view salary versus commission, when a “guaranteed” bonus actually counts, and why stability beats speculation every time. We also unpack what truly conveys with a home, why you should never assume the fridge stays, and how a clean, specific contract prevents move‑in day letdowns.

Money trails matter, so we get precise about down payments: selling crypto and seasoning funds, why title companies won’t accept bags of cash, and how big Venmo deposits trigger sourcing requests. Credit is its own minefield; opening a new card in escrow can lower your score and raise your debt‑to‑income, and yes, the underwriter gets alerted. We explain what to disclose (student loans, prior bankruptcies), how to consolidate debt without torching your score, and the simple habits—keep old accounts open, avoid new inquiries—that protect your timeline.

On the selling side, curb appeal isn’t fluff; it widens your buyer pool and strengthens your leverage. We share how to use data to justify a low offer without burning bridges, when to request credits or repairs, and how early occupancy can be handled legally through a short‑term agreement. Pricing mythology gets a reality check too, with a breakdown of Zillow’s algorithmic limits versus on‑the‑ground comps, condition, and unique features. It all adds up to a candid, practical guide for buyers and sellers who want fewer surprises and better outcomes.

If this helped you see the road ahead more clearly, follow the show, share it with a friend who’s house‑curious, and leave a quick review so others can find us. Got a wild real estate question we should tackle next? Send it our way!

Buying a home can feel overwhelming, especially when faced with the mortgage pre-approval process. Many prospective buyers delay this crucial first step, relying instead on Zillow calculators or avoiding lender conversations altogether. Why? Fear of commitment, anxiety about sharing financial information, and misconceptions about what the process actually entails.

In this candid conversation, Joe Skipper and mortgage expert Cody Wilhelm pull back the curtain on the pre-approval process, revealing it's much simpler than most people imagine. Taking as little as 30 minutes with organized documentation, getting pre-approved gives you a clear picture of your actual buying power while opening doors to specialized programs that could save you thousands.

"The number one misconception we hear is that you need 20% down to buy a house," explains Cody. "That's simply not true anymore." The duo breaks down several other myths, including the surprising fact that you're considered a "first-time homebuyer" if you haven't owned a home in just three years.

What makes this market unique for buyers? Sellers are more willing than ever to offer closing cost credits that can effectively buy down your interest rate. Without proper pre-approval and communication between your realtor and lender, you might miss these opportunities completely.

Whether you're ready to buy now or just exploring possibilities for next year, this episode provides the confidence and clarity to take that crucial first step. Don't let fear or misinformation keep you from homeownership – get pre-approved and discover what's truly possible for your future.