Local Leverage

In this episode of Local Leverage we sit down with Frank Martin, real estate developer and Co-Founder of HomeBuyMe. Frank transitioned from working in builder entitlements to leading innovative real estate development projects, where he focuses on streamlining transactions and improving affordability in today’s market. Frank shares insights on: ✅ Why buyers are stalling in today’s high-rate, high...

In this man on the street interview, we talk with Michael Iuculano, known as Hard Money Mike, a top alternative lender and founder of MJI Capital. Michael shares how he built a hard money operation that closes deals in days, not weeks, and reveals the systems behind a 24-year, $2B+ lending track record. In this Episode we cover: Why hard money is not one size fits all and how Mike picks quality de...

In this episode of Local Leverage, hosted by Mark Hockridge, we sit down with Wade Betz, the "No-Fluff Mortgage Coach" and one of the top mortgage brokers in the country. Wade transitioned from old-school sales tactics to a modern, client-centric approach - and now generates 65% of his business from past clients every single year. Wade shares his insights on: ✅ How to stand out in a sat...

In this episode of Local Leverage, hosted by Mark Hockridge, we sit down with Jacob Camhi, the Vice President of Marketing at PropertyRadar. Jacob transitioned from programmatic ad consulting and prop-tech startups to leading growth strategy at PropertyRadar, where he’s helping small businesses harness enterprise-level advertising power. Jacob shares insights on: ✅ What is programmatic advertisin...

In this episode of Local Leverage, hosted by Mark Hockridge, we sit down with Ben Allgeyer, a foreclosure investor and founder of a lean, high-volume real estate operation. Ben transitioned from working broad lead lists and chasing volume to focusing exclusively on pre-foreclosure leads pulled directly from county records, where he’s now closing four deals per week, Ben shares insights on: ✅ How...

In this episode of Local Leverage, hosted by Mark Hockridge, we sit down with Jeremy Sergent, an Independent Mortgage Broker and Founder of Team Excel. Jeremy transitioned from a background in branding and tech to mortgage lending - where he now uses AI tools to automate outreach, personalize content, and generate leads at scale. Jeremy shares insights on: ✅ Building custom automations using Go H...

In this episode of Local Leverage, hosted by Mark Hockridge, we sit down with Alec Hanson, the VP of Revenue Development & Growth at LoanDepot. Alec is a mortgage industry veteran who has worn nearly every hat - from top originator to chief marketing officer. Alec transitioned from originating loans to leading revenue growth initiatives at one of the country’s largest mortgage lenders. In his...

In this episode of Local Leverage, hosted by Mark Hockridge, we sit down with Todd Bookspan, founder of Win By Noon and a nationally recognized mortgage coach and leadership strategist. Todd transitioned from closing over $200M in annual volume - while taking 130+ days off - to coaching top-producing loan officers and branch managers on how to systematize success. Todd shares insights on: ✅ How “...

In this episode of Local Leverage, hosted by Mark Hockridge, we sit down with Brian Daly, the founder of We Revive and publisher of The Real Report. Brian transitioned from managing over 1,500 foreclosure transactions to building a mission-driven real estate investment firm focused on revitalizing homes and transforming communities in San Diego. Brian shares insights on: ✅ Navigating California&a...

In this episode of Local Leverage, hosted by Mark Hockridge, we sit down with Ryan Grant, the Co-Founder & President of Neo Home Loans. Ryan transitioned from high-producing mortgage originator to the driving force behind a platform that’s reshaping the home lending experience. At Neo, Ryan is leading a shift away from transactional lending toward proactive, hyper-personalized financial guidan...

In this episode of Local Leverage, hosted by Mark Hockridge, we sit down with Dominick Felix, investor, team builder, and the architect behind one of the most dialed-in off-market lead generation systems in the real estate investment game. Dominic transitioned from a simple house hack to building a full-scale acquisition engine with systematized outreach, a vertically integrated operations team, a...

In this episode of Local Leverage, hosted by Mark Hockridge, we sit down with John Seroka, the President of Seroka Marketing & PR. John is a bold voice in the mortgage and real estate world, helping brokers outmarket and outposition the giants. As Rocket acquires Redfin and Mr. Cooper, independent mortgage brokers face a massive shift—and a major threat. John breaks down what this consolidatio...

In this episode of Local Leverage, hosted by Mark Hockridge, we sit down with Daniel Iskander, the Co-Founder of West Capital Lending. Daniel transitioned from being an executive at Rocket Mortgage, to being a top producing mortgage brokers, to the now co-founding a top 3 brokerage in America.  West Capital is now closing over $500M in volume every month, proving that aggressive growth is possible...

In this episode of Local Leverage, hosted by Mark Hockridge, we sit down with Ben Reinberg, the Founder & CEO of Alliance Consolidated Group of Companies. Ben transitioned from a CPA to a powerhouse in commercial real estate, where he now manages over half a billion dollars in assets and hosts the top-rated “I Own It” podcast. Ben shares insights on: ✅ How he built a $500M commercial real est...

In this episode of Local Leverage, hosted by Mark Hockridge, we sit down with Russell Petty, Founder of Willow Home Loans & Chief Technology Officer at Milestone Mortgage Solutions. Russell built his first brokerage at 21, sold its tech division for seven figures before 25, and is now ranked among the top 1% of loan officers nationwide. He breaks down how to generate consistent mortgage leads...

In this episode of Local Leverage, sponsored by PropertyRadar, we sit down with Jason Macht, a Direct Mail Expert & Founder of WhiteSpace Solutions. In this episode. Jason brings his expertise in fintech and performance marketing to the world of real estate, helping investors and operators scale using data-driven direct mail strategies. Jason shares insights on: ✅ How to use direct mail to co...

In this episode of Local Leverage, hosted by Mark Hockridge, we sit down with Steve Hunsaker, founder of Home Service Accelerator. Steve went from knocking doors and selling payroll during COVID to building multiple 7-figure home service brands like Valley Christmas Lights and Slam Dunkin’ Junk. Steve shares insights on: ✅ Transitioning from sales to service-based entrepreneurship ✅ Building a s...

In this episode of Local Leverage, hosted by Mark Hockridge, we sit down with Scott Morse, the Founder of Lamassu Leads - a 200-person outbound call center based in Colombia delivering qualified seller leads to real estate investors across the U.S. Scott went from selling timeshares to building one of the most disciplined, high-output sales organizations in the industry. In this episodScott shares...

In this episode of Local Leverage, hosted by Mark Hockrdige, we sit down with GoGo Bethke, a Top 3% Realtor turned eXp Team Builder. As an immigrant with no leads or budget, GoGo transformed her journey - growing a 1400‑agent real estate team across 40+ states - by harnessing authentic personal branding and attraction marketing. GoGo shares game‑changing strategies, including: ✅ Scaling a nationa...

In this episode of Local Leverage, hosted by Mark Hockridge, we sit down with Michael Zuber, the Real Estate Investment Strategist and founder of One Rental at a Time. Michael transitioned from a corporate accounting career to full financial freedom—not through hype, but through discipline and smart real estate investing. Michael shares insights on: ✅ Escaping the corporate rat race through real...

In this episode of Local Leverage, hosted by Mark, we sit down with Brandon Vaughn, the Founder of Wyse Coatings and CEO of Home Services Brands. Brandon transitioned from running his father’s small window cleaning business to building Wyse Coatings into a multi-million dollar franchise, and now empowers thousands of entrepreneurs through AI and systemization. Brandon shares insights on: ✅ How to...

In this episode of Local Leverage, hosted by Mark Hockridge, we sit down with Angela Duncan, the Founder of Empower HER Money. Angela transitioned from growing up in Section 8 housing to building a $2B+ real estate empire and later launching a thriving financial coaching platform for women entrepreneurs. Angela shares insights on: ✅ Building a top 10 RE/MAX office with $2B+ in sales ✅ Scaling an...

In this episode of Local Leverage, hosted by Mark Hockridge, we sit down with Brian Boero, the Co -Founder of 1000watt and former President of Inman News. Brian transitioned from leading one of real estate's most influential publications to launching a powerhouse branding agency that has redefined positioning across the real estate ecosystem. Brian Boero shares insights on: ✅ Why most real e...

In this episode of Local Leverage, hosted by Mark Hockridge, we sit down with Ian Ross, the visionary behind the Vivid Selling framework and a sought-after sales strategist for high-ticket solopreneurs and small businesses. Ian transitioned from commission-only life insurance sales in New York to top-tier solar and tech sales roles before becoming a highly effective sales coach and entrepreneur at...

In this episode of Local Leverage, hosted by Mark Hockridge, we sit down with Thach Nguyen, the Founder of Thach Real Estate Group and Springboard to Wealth. Thach transitioned from arriving in the U.S. as a Vietnamese refugee to becoming a top-producing real estate agent, investor, developer, social media sensation and transformational wealth coach. Thach shares insights on: ✅ Using the BRRRR st...