The Long Game by Ryan Richards

If you're thinking about a career in the mortgage business, this episode is for you. In this solo episode of The Real Estate Lens , Ryan Richards takes you inside the day-to-day reality of being a residential loan officer—what the job entails, how it differs from working at a bank, and what separates great loan officers from the rest. Ryan shares what his typical day looks like, from fielding...

In this episode of The Real Estate Lens, Ryan Richards sits down with Russ Mangsen - founder of Marketing with Russ Inc., the strategist and producer behind all of Ryan’s content—for a deep dive into what it really takes to grow a brand and make marketing work in today’s digital landscape. Russ shares the behind-the-scenes of his decade-long career in social media management, how small businesses...

In this solo episode of The Real Estate Lens, Ryan Richards shares real-world strategies he's used to minimize the cash needed to close on investment properties—without cutting corners or taking unnecessary risks. Fresh off a recent presentation on creative financing, Ryan explains how he's acquiring his next property with just 2.5% down by leveraging his real estate license, interest ra...

In this solo episode of The Real Estate Lens, Ryan Richards walks you through exactly what happens once your offer gets accepted—from the moment you go under contract to the day you get the keys. If you're a first-time homebuyer or it's been a while since you’ve gone through the process, this episode breaks down each stage in plain language. Ryan covers what to expect from underwriting,...

In this solo episode of The Real Estate Lens, Ryan Richards, residential loan officer and real estate investor, breaks down the top five things you should always discuss with your loan officer before taking action. Too often, buyers make big financial moves - like paying off debt or making a new purchase - without understanding how those decisions impact their ability to get approved for a mortgag...

In this solo episode of The Real Estate Lens, Ryan shares how networking has played a pivotal role in building his business, and personal life, as both a loan officer and a real estate investor. Ryan reflects on the groups, events, and strategies that have helped him build meaningful connections, grow his client base, and open doors to new opportunities. If you're an entrepreneur, agent, inve...

In this episode of The Real Estate Lens, Ryan Richards sits down with Sameul Ahsan, Managing Partner of Knightly Properties and a leading voice in the midterm rental and Airbnb space throughout Massachusetts. Sam pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to run a profitable short- and midterm rental business, from finding the right markets to building a reliable operations system that keeps g...

In this solo episode, Ryan Richards, residential loan officer and real estate investor, shares how his clients are navigating the current real estate market and winning despite rising interest rates, tight inventory, and shifting conditions. Whether you're looking to buy your first home or invest in multifamily property, Ryan covers what’s working right now for buyers in Massachusetts, Rhode...

We’re pulling back the curtain on what might be one of the biggest real estate events Worcester has seen in years — the Informed Investor Mastermind Conference , happening May 29th from 5–9 PM at Off the Rails in Worcester, MA. My business partner, Ben Carbone and I are hosting this one-night-only event to bring the best of our experience, knowledge, and connections to a wider audience. After year...

In this solo episode, Ryan Richards - residential loan officer and real estate investor - breaks down one of the most essential (but often overlooked) fundamentals in real estate investing: defining your buy box. Understanding your buy criteria is the key to making smart, confident decisions in any market. Ryan walks you through how to define what you’re really looking for, how to filter through t...

Mortgage rates are back in the headlines, and for good reason. In this solo episode, Ryan Richards, Branch Manager at Northpointe Mortgage, breaks down what’s currently happening in the mortgage rate market as of mid-April 2025. Whether you're actively house hunting or just keeping an eye on the market, understanding rate trends can help you make smarter, more informed decisions. Ryan pulls b...

In this episode of The Real Estate Lens, host Ryan Richards welcomes Matt Ward, financial planner at Forward Financial Services, for an insightful conversation on preparing financially for real estate investment. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned investor, this episode is packed with practical strategies to help you take control of your finances and make smarter investment d...

In this episode, we’re joined by Brooke Coughlin, a dynamic real estate investor who’s made a name for herself by turning strategic thinking into real results. From buying her first single-family rental out of state to growing a multifamily portfolio across markets, Brooke shares the real, behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to scale in today’s competitive landscape. She walks us through her e...

In this episode of The Real Estate Lens , we're diving into a topic that’s been a long time coming—three of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in my journey through real estate and business. This conversation isn’t just about my experiences; it’s an invitation for you to reflect on your own path, the wins, the losses, and the pivotal moments that shape your success. The first game-changing less...

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make—so why do so many buyers make avoidable mistakes? In this solo episode of The Real Estate Lens , we break down the three most common missteps homebuyers make and, more importantly, how you can steer clear of them. From waiting too long to start the process to working with the wrong team and setting unrealistic expectatio...

Managing rental properties remotely can feel overwhelming, but with the right systems, it’s entirely possible to streamline operations and keep your portfolio running smoothly. In this solo episode of The Real Estate Lens, I share my personal journey of transitioning to remote property management—what’s worked, what hasn’t, and where I’m improving. From handling maintenance requests efficiently to...

In this episode, we discuss why Ben Carbone and I recently started a Real Estate Mastermind group and how everything is going so far. The idea started in Florida after we attended the Clever Summit, where the message was that "people go farther together" not only in life but also in the investor community. The group currently is filled with investors in various stages, from entry-level p...

In this episode, Ryan Richards takes a deep dive into property management software and how it can transform real estate investing into a more passive and streamlined process. Whether you're a landlord self-managing your properties or an investor looking to scale, choosing the right software is key to optimizing efficiency. Ryan breaks down the pros and cons of popular property management tool...

In this episode, Ryan Richards shares some of his biggest client wins of 2024, highlighting real stories of homebuyers who overcame financial obstacles with creative financing solutions. From first-time buyers to self-employed individuals, Ryan showcases how the right guidance and strategy can make homeownership possible—even in challenging situations. Hear how a young couple, struggling with down...

In this episode, I break down the process of securing a home loan as a self-employed borrower, addressing common misconceptions and revealing the flexible financing options available. While many believe that being self-employed makes homeownership significantly more difficult due to business write-offs and fluctuating income, you'll hear why that’s not necessarily the case. We’ll explore trad...

In today’s fast-paced real estate market, efficiency is the key to success. In this episode, we share strategies for creating and streamlining systems, boosting productivity, and maximizing profitability. Whether you're an agent, broker, or investor, optimizing your workflow can save time, reduce stress, and improve client satisfaction. We’ll explore how leveraging technology like CRM systems...

Spenser Molloy calls into the show to tell the story of his pivot in real estate -- from managing short-term vacation rentals to being a full-time broker. We talk about the many roles that a short-term rental owner takes on, the pandemic's effect on the industry, and the current state of the real estate market.  GUEST Spenser Molloy | Broker | NextHome Modern Realty spenser@nexthomemodernreal...

In this episode, Brooke Buckett and I break down the state of the real estate market, analyzing key trends shaping the industry and uncovering exciting opportunities for buyers, sellers, and investors. From shifting mortgage rates to evolving housing demands, we’ll explore what’s driving today’s market and what it means for you. Discover what factors and seasonal changes are influencing real estat...

In this episode, we explore the financial solutions available to help first-time home buyers overcome one of the most significant barriers to homeownership—the down payment. Discover how tailored down payment assistance programs can make purchasing your first home more attainable. We’ll cover a range of resources, including federal, state, and local programs, as well as innovative financing soluti...

Are you dreaming of homeownership but worried about the financial strain? In this episode, we dive into smart, practical strategies to help you lower your cost of living while building equity in your new property. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or an experienced investor, these techniques will help you make the most of your real estate purchase. First, we explore multi-family house hacking—a ga...