The Portland Real Estate Podcast

Real estate is getting louder, messier, and more complicated, but underneath all the noise, the Portland market is showing real momentum. In this episode of the Portland Real Estate Podcast, Steve Nassar and Joe Fustolo break down a spring season that showed up early, with buyers writing offers, listings getting renewed attention, and agents feeling a level of activity that has been harder to find...

The Portland real estate market is waking up, and it doesn't feel like a typical January. In this episode of the Portland Real Estate Podcast, Steve Nassar and Joe Fustolo break down why buyer and seller activity is already showing spring-like momentum, even as closings lag behind the buzz. You'll hear why mortgage rates hovering in the low sixes are quietly restoring buying power, how a one-perce...

The Fed just lowered rates and the ripple effects are already hitting the housing market.  In this episode of the Portland Real Estate Podcast, Steve Nassar and Joe Fistolo unpack what the latest rate cut really means for buyers, sellers, and everyone trying to read the tea leaves in a shifting economy. You'll hear why the 0.25% drop in the federal funds rate may not directly move mortgage rates,...

We're pulling back the curtain on the tech, trends, and title industry shifts that are quietly reshaping the real estate transaction from the inside out. In this episode, Steve Nassar and Joe Fistolo welcome Justin Tucker of Fidelity National Financial for a conversation that's part reunion, part reset. It's all about what comes next. We'll unpack how COVID sparked a digital transformation in titl...

We're diving into the real reasons the Portland real estate market feels stuck, and spoiler alert, it's not just interest rates or a lack of buyers. In this episode, Steve Nassar and Joe Fistolo of the Portland Real Estate Podcast tackle the state of the market as of May 21st, 2025, revealing the hidden forces at play and what it means for you. Steve and Joe break down why certain segments are str...

We're diving into the real reason you're not hitting that next level, and spoiler alert, it's not your marketing plan or your CRM. In this episode, Steve and Joe sit down with nationally renowned coach and speaker Steve Scanlon, founder of Rewire, to explore the real driver behind success in today's market. Forget the usual "just make the calls" advice. Scanlon breaks down why how you think determ...

Buckle up real estate pros! The industry is changing and we've got the inside scoop from someone who knows.  In this episode Steve and Joe sit down with Colin Mullane, the candidate for first vice president of NAR, to get the real scoop on what's going on in the real estate world. From the recent lawsuit settlement to the future of Clear Cooperation, Colin shares what NAR is doing to protect realt...

Change is here, and it's reshaping the way we do real estate. In this episode, Steve and Joe dive headfirst into the most talked-about changes shaking up the real estate world.  From NAR commission updates to buyer rep agreements, they're unpacking how the last three months have tested—and strengthened—the industry.   You'll hear why these changes haven't just maintained stability—they've opened n...

It's all about connection! In this episode, we're diving into how Real Producers Magazine has transformed the real estate community in Portland over the past seven years.  We're excited to welcome Tiffany Larsson, the driving force behind Real Producers, to share her journey of building a platform that's far more than just a magazine. Steve and Joe sit down with Tiffany to explore the impact of Re...

Talk about perfect timing! Our powerhouse panel went live just 20 minutes after the Fed dropped rates by a whopping 50 basis points - the first cut in 4 years, signaling the end of a tightening cycle.  We're thrilled to welcome back industry experts Brittany Gibbs and Heather Robbins to break it all down for you. In this highly relevant episode, hosts Joe and Steve join these powerful women in rea...

You've heard the saying "multiple streams of income," but what about multiple streams of passive income?  Real estate offers a variety of options, from single-family homes to apartment buildings, and today we're joined by two experts to break it all down. Dirk Zeller, CEO of Real Estate Champions, has experience with all types of real estate investments, from single-family homes to small plexes, a...

One of our favorite guests, Kurt von Wasmuth, President and CEO of RMLS, is here to talk about the latest industry upheavals. Kurt, a frequent guest and one of our biggest advocates, will help clear up some of the confusion and questions about this process. For years, MLS systems have provided data about properties for sale along with the compensation structure from listing brokers to buyer broker...

Almost everything from our last Best of Masters was about the NAR lawsuit and settlement. In fact, this was our largest audience ever. Everyone is interested in knowing how this is going to play out.  In this episode, Steve and Joe share what this means to them and what it could look like going forward. They also share insightful comments and questions from listeners.   In 2021, there were 100 bil...

Have you been wondering how to stay on top of all the industry, market, and technology changes in today's real estate world? Understanding market trends, compliance, and leveraging technology has never been more critical. It's not just about navigating the legalities; it's about thriving in a market that demands adaptability, foresight, and integrity. What are the emerging market trends and techno...

In 2015, Tucker Merrihew got the idea for The Portland Real Estate Podcast. And he cohosted the show for seven years. But in 2022, Tucker left the Pacific Northwest for the sun and sand of southwest Florida. What has he been up to since then? How does Naples, Florida, differ from Tucker's old stomping grounds in Lake Oswego? What does it look like to rebuild a real estate business in a new market?...

A Missouri court recently found NAR, HomeServices of America and Keller Williams liable for $1.8B in damages for conspiring to keep commissions artificially high.   And there's a long list of copycat lawsuits advocating a shift in the way commissions are paid in real estate.   So, what might that look like? What does it mean for you and your business?   Rob Levy has been a licensed Portland REALTO...

Do you have clients who need more space but can't move in the current market? With rates reaching 8% for the first time in 20 years, plenty of people are stuck in the home they've got. What if you could offer a solution that would give them the space they need and add value to their current home without spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on an addition or ADU? Anthony Taylor-Weber is Founde...

The Portland region needs 60,000 housing units to resolve the current housing shortage. What new land use laws are helping close the gap? And what legal developments make it even harder for developers to keep up with demand? Ezra Hammer and Jamie Howsley are attorneys at Jordan Ramis , a firm that serves the businesses of Pacific Northwest. Ezra and Jamie have expertise in land use and development...

Are you inclined to compete with other real estate agents and defend your territory? Or collaborate as colleagues? At Masters in Real Estate , we believe that a rising tide lifts all boats. And because there's enough business for everybody, we share best practices with the intention of helping each other succeed. Justin Stoddart is CEO of ProInsight , a platform that helps real estate agents integ...

The average person lives in a home for about 7 years. And agents and lenders need to stay top of mind, so we're there when the client is ready to move again. However, 88% of people forget their real estate team less than a year after closing. But what if there was an easy way to stay engaged with clients and support them in taking care of their home—with very little effort on your part? Scott Fous...

No doubt you've read multiple news items about artificial intelligence and received several emails promoting AI trainings since ChatGPT launched last November. And many believe that AI technology will start a revolution bigger than anything we've experienced in our lifetime, including the internet. But what is AI really capable of? And how might real estate professionals use it in a meaningful way...

In the spring of 2020, Oregon REALTORS voted to have statewide forms administered by the state association as a member benefit—not for profit. To that end, the association made an offer to purchase the other two owners' interests in OREF. But that offer was rejected. Consequently, Oregon REALTORS developed its own forms library , which went live on Wednesday, February 22, 2023. Jeff Wiren , Presid...

We can all agree that the real estate market was pretty bad last year. Case in point, pending sales in the Portland metro area were down 50% year-over-year in November 2022. But things are starting to pick up as we move into 2023. And we can either complain about the challenges OR step into 2023 with a positive attitude. Because if you ask Dill Ward, energy begets energy, and the agents who show u...

Interest rates are up to 7%. Pending sales are down 42%. And yet, many real estate agents continue to do business at a high level, despite the dramatic market shift. In April of 2022, Brittany Gibbs, Heather Robbins and Kim Gellatly appeared on the podcast to discuss the developing shift and share what they were doing to prepare for the market correction. So, what did Brittany, Heather and Kim get...

Mortgage interest rates are the highest they've been in 20 years. And as a result, mortgage applications are down by 38% and refis have dropped a whopping 86%. So, when will rates start to come back down? What can lenders and real estate agents do to adapt to the current circumstances? Guest Cohost Tammy Wittren is Branch Manager at NFM Lending . With more than 30 years of real estate and lending...