Venture With Joe and Cody

The housing market finally feels calm, but our lives? Still beautifully complicated. We open with steady rates and a sigh of relief after the pandemic-era chaos—remember lines at open houses and offers far over asking? That “boring goodness” becomes a backdrop for a candid, funny, and sometimes tender conversation about what we thought adulthood would be and what it actually asks of us. We talk ho...

The feed is loud, and it keeps telling you to buy faster, flex harder, and level up now. We take a breath together and walk through the quieter work of making money decisions that serve your life, not your image. With a steady market backdrop, we talk openly about the hidden financial stress many people carry while trying to look stable online, and why comparison warps what “normal” looks like for...

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...

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 hook...

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,...

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 pro...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Joe Skipper and Cody Wilhelm dive into the essential tools, apps, and strategies that have helped them build successful real estate and mortgage businesses. They share both technical solutions and fundamental practices that make a difference in productivity and client relationships. • Tracking daily activities with the Greatness Tracker to maintain accountability • Using OneNote for comprehensive...

The brutal truth? The current real estate and lending market is leaving many professionals questioning their future in the industry. High interest rates have slashed buyer pools, deals are harder to find, and the feast-or-famine income cycle is pushing talented people toward more stable careers. But as Joe Skipper and Cody Wilhelm reveal in this candid conversation, there's a clear path forwa...

Mortgage rates are driving today's strange real estate market despite high demand and low supply, creating affordability challenges for buyers and homeowners alike. • Current mortgage rates are hovering around 6.9%, making affordability the main obstacle for many buyers • Homeowners with 3% rates feel trapped, wanting to move but unable to afford higher rates on new properties • Rates may eve...

Joe and Cody explore tech tools revolutionizing real estate content creation and demystify common mortgage terminology that often confuses homebuyers. They share practical insights on leveraging AI for business efficiency while breaking down complex financing concepts in simple, actionable terms. • Captions app automates video editing for real estate professionals, saving hours of work while creat...

Joe and Cody discuss the current real estate market conditions and share cautionary tales from their experiences in the industry. • Oregon and Washington markets remain stable despite media narratives about housing crashes • The current market requires more patience from sellers as buyers take longer to make decisions • Joe shares a close call where incorrect paperwork almost cost him an entire co...

Joe and Cody explore how economic uncertainty is affecting the real estate market and share stories of their worst jobs before entering the industry. • Market volatility is driven by economic uncertainty rather than interest rates • Job security concerns are making potential buyers hesitate despite getting comfortable with higher interest rates • Difficult political decisions often hurt some peopl...

Ever wondered what real estate agents and mortgage lenders really think about their most challenging situations? In this refreshingly candid episode, Joe Skipper of Skipper Realty Group and Cody Wilhelm of Wilhelm Loans tackle a series of hilarious "Would You Rather" scenarios that pull back the curtain on the housing industry. The duo dives deep into professional dilemmas that most indu...

Joe and Cody take a break from their usual real estate and mortgage topics to explore the challenges of self-censorship in their professional lives and share their excitement about the Masters Tournament. • The struggle of wanting to make humorous comments on social media while maintaining professional appearances • How leaving politics behind brought unexpected peace and reduced stress • Recent m...

We reflect on what we would have done differently in our twenties, sharing personal regrets and lessons learned that might help listeners avoid our mistakes. • Investing in multiplex properties early creates lasting financial benefits • Poor credit habits create barriers to homeownership and financial freedom • The value of a college degree may not always justify the cost • Student loans without f...

What lies at the intersection of creativity and compliance in the world of real estate and lending? Join us as we unravel the branding conundrum with insights from Joe Skipper of Skipper Realty Group and Cody Wilhelm from Residential Mortgage. They share their personal journeys, highlighting the tug-of-war between authentic personal branding and the regulatory demands that shape their industries....

Discover the secrets of reinventing yourself in the competitive world of real estate with Sean Bautista of Bautista Twins. In our conversation, Sean shares his transformative journey from being a successful car salesman to a thriving real estate entrepreneur alongside his twin brother, Scott. He opens up about the initial hesitations in leaving the familiar comfort of the automotive industry and h...