Keys to Real Estate

Property rights can be a contentious issue. But what happens when one of the parties claiming ownership of a piece of real estate is the federal government, regardless of legal precedents indicating otherwise? This is the saga George Foote, Esq., long-time general counsel at the US Institute of Peace (USIP) is grappling following the seizure of USIP’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. in March 2025...

Join us as we delve into the latest insights from the monthly Mortgage Monitor report for August with Andy Walden, head of mortgage and housing market research at Intercontinental Exchange (ICE). In this episode, we explore key topics such as housing affordability, inventory and cautiously optimistic expectations for the rate environment. Walden also shares what key metric(s) he finds more compell...

In this compelling conversation, David Deerson, an attorney with Pacific Legal Foundation’s property rights practice group, sits down with host Mary Schuster to examine the evolving landscape of private property protections in the U.S. from eminent domain overreach to excess equity takings and inclusionary zoning policies. With deep expertise in land use, eminent domain, and regulatory takings, De...

How can real estate professionals protect buyers, sellers and agents from the growing threat of wire fraud? In this episode of the Keys to Real Estate podcast, Closinglock Founder and CEO Andy White and host Mary Schuster discussed what industry stakeholders need to know now to secure transactions and customer trust. White explained how Closinglock has helped safeguard more than a million home sal...

What will happen when the new FinCEN reporting rule takes effect Dec. 1, 2025? Industry veteran Ruth Dillingham, Esq. had no shortage of invaluable insight for attorneys, title & settlement agents, estate planners, financial planners, trust officers, Realtors and more about their role in accordance with the cascade of reporting responsibilities outlined in the rule. They also explore the impli...

In Part 2 of our interview with Bill Conerly, we dig in deep to discuss what business leadership really need to understand about the current state of the U.S. economy. Interest rates, tariffs and recession talk can all be intimidating subjects for business leaders. That is, unless they know how to stay ahead of the game with proper planning for a variety of scenarios, whether good or not so much....

Confused about the economy? It’s a topic to follow closely, especially right now. Dr. Bill Conerly keeps things straight forward and to the point in his discussion with Mary Schuster about how impact the rollercoaster economy is having on the housing market, touching on key factors, such as GDP, interest rates and, of course, tariffs. More than merely speculate about when the Federal Reserve may c...

It’s no secret professionals often are hesitant to engage directly with regulators at industry events or in other forums. In this episode, we discuss why that sort of engagement is so important with a pair of incredibly personable leaders of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), which regulates the title insurance industry. Chuck Myers and Connie Van Slyke offer insights into...

Jaime Kosofsky knows how to spot a fake ID. It’s not a skill he acquired as a club bouncer or a police officer. He is a seasoned real estate industry pro who has learned that being able to spot a fake is a vital and often overlooked tactic for avoiding costly and all-too-common real estate scams. Listen as he relays lessons he’s learned through personal experience with host Mary Schuster, which pr...

Ever wonder how this artificial intelligence stuff works? You’re not alone! Author and Futurist Brian Carter offered a taste of what NS3 attendees can expect during his keynote address next month with some of the most candid insights about the biggest tech revolutions in decades and how it is definitely more than just hype. He and host Mary Schuster discuss how the inner workings of AI models rema...

No one saw that coming! That was industry’s response when the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) reversed its stance on a discrimination case it had already settled. The change of heart was directly connected to the change in leadership at the bureau under the Trump administration. Garris Horn LLP Co-Managing Partner Rich Horn was one of the lead defense attorneys in the years-long case a...

Recruiting top talent is only half the battle — keeping them is just as critical. In this episode, we dive into best practices for hiring, training, and retaining employees in today’s competitive market. From crafting compelling job offers to fostering a culture of growth, we explore what it takes to build a strong, long-lasting team. Listen and learn with host Mary Schuster and her guests Mary An...

The evolving mortgage regulatory landscape, particularly changes within the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and proposed RESPA reforms to RESPA have major implications for the mortgage industry. Loretta Salzano, founding partner of Franzen-Salzano, joined October Research Chief Knowledge Officer Mary Schuster to discuss the importance of modernizing marketing practices, and the need fo...

Real estate businesses are no strangers to the need for resilience in the face of adversity. While most may have a gameplan for dealing with unfavorable market conditions or regulatory uncertainty, how many are prepared to weather adversity caused by Mother Nature? In this episode, October Research Chief Knowledge Officer Mary Schuster spoke with Mike LaRosa and Aaron Davis of the Florida Agency N...

In this special episode of Keys to Real Estate, we interrupt our season break to bring you a timely and insightful conversation with Dr. Mark Calabria, former FHFA Director and key figure in the first Trump administration. With the recent presidential election in November, we explore what the housing and lending industries might face in a potential Trump 2.0 term from someone widely speculated to...

In Part 2 of our discussion with people operations expert Deb Wiley described the importance of considering the entire employee lifecycle, not just recruiting. This means developing and maintaining a positive workplace culture, which carves out space for recognition, clear communication, and facilitating healthy feedback. She also emphasized the importance of identifying and mitigating factors tha...

Listen as people operations expert Deb Wiley offers real world examples of the impact company culture can have on hiring and retaining top talent as the real estate sector finds itself headed into a more growth-oriented business environment. Deb and Mary explore the differences between traditional HR and the people business, the unique challenges of hiring in real estate, and innovative approaches...

In this conversation, Alan Frelix, the founder of The Closing Exchange (now a part of ICE Mortgage Technology) discusses the importance of having a variety of ways to service customers. From his experience in both lending and title/settlement, Alan is clear on the importance of scaling and integrating ever-evolving digital technology into their processes. He says it will not only enhance the custo...

As a certified executive coach with a wealth of title industry experience, who better than Alison Gareffa to discuss various approaches real estate professionals can take to sharpen their leadership skills? How does coaching work and how does it benefit busy professionals? Alison explains the distinctions between coaching, consulting, and therapy, emphasizing how coaching is all about focusing on...

In the second part of our conversation with mortgage consultant and attorney David Friend, follow along as we discuss the potential impact changes in federal regulations could have on the real estate industry. As covered in part 1 of our discussion, the elimination of Chevron deference as a standard principle for interpreting ambiguous regulations could open the floodgates for a slew of litigation...

What does a former CFPB attorney (who was a critical part of the crafting and implementation of TRID) think about the new world post Chevron ? Follow along as David Friend, Esq., owner of Friend Mortgage Consulting, breaks down the implications of recent Supreme Court decisions with respect to the regulatory framework and, by extension, the real estate finance sector. This conversation explores th...

Join part 2 of our conversation with FNF Senior Vice President Charles Cain as he covers the changing realities in the real estate industry and tips for increasing profitability. Together Chuck and Mary discuss: the challenges state regulators face today and how to effectively work with your regulator to achieve a healthy marketplace, the CFPB’s consideration of prohibiting buyers from paying for...

In this conversation, host Mary Schuster and FNF Senior Vice President Charles Cain discuss the potential implications of the November presidential election for the real estate sector. becoming more active and addressing issues in various industries. A second Trump administration is likely to look significantly different from one led by a member of the Biden-Harris administration in terms of regul...

In Part 2 of her conversation with Lisa Walden, co-founder of Good Company Consulting, host Mary Schuster discuss the changing social and professional compacts informed by the unique economic challenges faced by Gen Z, and how their lived experience and observations of older generations have shaped their worldview and approach to work. Walden addresses practical reasons companies should prioritize...

“These kids today don’t want to work!” is a sentiment that’s been prevalent in American society since at least 1894, according to research cited by Lisa Walden, co-founder of Good Company Consulting, in her discussion with October Research Chief Knowledge Officer Mary Schuster. Listen as they explore the concept of the “Great Chasm” in the evolving workplace, which refers to the growing disconnect...