WFG Insights

The COVID-19 crisis has already had a seismic impact on the commercial real estate market. In the months and years to come, the retail and office sectors will experience a transformational shift as the virus reshapes how we go about work & play. In this episode Erin Sheckler, WFG's SVP of our Commercial Division, joins Insider Host Brian Bushlach to recap the last 60 days and look ahead t...

Communities across America are reopening and real estate professionals are hopeful that pent up demand will help drive the purchase market. In this episode, WFG Executive VP for Agency Development, Chuck Cain, joins Insider Host Brian Bushlach to discuss residential, commercial, tech, and the future of sales & marketing in settlement services.

With over 40 years experience in the real estate profession, Arthur Sterbcow has seen & done it all in the New Orleans market, and nationally. That includes navigating through and recovering from Hurricane Katrina, one of the worst natural disasters in American history. So if you're looking for optimism in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, call on Arthur, who believes that people in rea...

No city or state can escape the impact of COVID-19. But with abundant sunshine, no state income tax, and a business-friendly environment, Florida welcomes over 900 new residents every day. In this episode, Insider Host Brian Bushlach welcomes Richard Barbara, COO of Coral Gables Title & Escrow. Rich shares why the South Florida market is so resilient, and better positioned to weather this cris...

A decade ago, First Title introduced the nation's first instant GFE and closing cost calculator with the proprietary FirstVision program. Sensing opportunity to expand, President Steve Papermaster made strategic acquisitions to diversify First Title's footprint. Today, in the midst of the COVID-19 Crisis, the investment in cutting edge technology, diversified markets, and long term visio...

Attorneys Bob Karlseng and Claude Rich co-founded Texas Title with a local focus and grassroots standards. They launched their full-service agency in 2013 and have quickly expanded to 9 locations across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, plus a satellite office serving Houston. The team at Texas Title found opportunities in the midst of March mayhem, and now they have eyes on expanding while larger...

As we open Q2 of 2020, the world, and the real estate profession as we knew it have changed dramatically. Some adjustments will be temporary. Others will transform our business model for years to come. In this episode of the Insider Report, we call on Ryan Marrie, President of Ohio Real Title. Ryan delivers a recap of the March Madness from his front row seat, an assessment of where we stand, and...

Days seem like weeks, and weeks feel like months ago. March of 2020 goes down as a period that none of us in the real estate industry, or our nation, will ever forget. As we open Q2, there are more questions than answers. In this episode, we call on WFG Executive VP for Agency Development Chuck Cain to offer an update, provide perspective, and share guidance for the next 60-90 days. There will no...

COVID-19, the coronavirus, has shut down the US economy and that includes the real estate market. How long will this last? When will things start returning to normal? What's the forecast for the rest of 2020 & beyond? And what impact will this unexpected timeout have on the future of the real estate industry? Will it accelerate change in technology and streamline transactions? For answers...

Journalist, entrepreneur and respected observer Brad Inman is the most connected professional in the real estate industry. In this episode of the WFG Insider Report, Inman joins Host Brian Bushlach to share how his small town upbringing led to a big-time role in America's most pivotal industry. Inman also provides key information on the direction of the real estate profession in this time of...

Even the most seasoned real estate professionals are struggling with unforeseen challenges as our nation shuts down to fight the spread of the coronavirus. Low interest rates complicate the situation as a crush of consumers rush to refinance. In this episode Chuck Cain, WFG's Executive VP for Agency Development, joins Insider Host Brian Bushlach to share his insight, offer advice, and provide...

We live & work in a profession that is influenced by external factors that are beyond our control. Events a world away can impact or extend to our local markets. So how do you build a business that can sustain these market fluctuations? Jonathan Holfinger from NW Title in Columbus, Ohio joins Insider Host Brian Bushlach to share how he's diversified his business. And his "secret&quot...

The global and national economy is already feeling the impact of the coronavirus. In spite of near record low mortgage interest rates, the US real estate market may also be impacted due to consumer anxiety or uncertainty. In this timely episode, WFG Founder and Executive Chairman Patrick Stone joins Host Brian Bushlach to share his advice for real estate professionals and independent title agents,...

Communicate. Collaborate. Coexist. A decade ago, Patrick Stone founded WFG National Title on "The Three C's". Now, as WFG celebrates it's 10th Anniversary, we'll welcome real estate and marketing leaders from across the country to Summit, March 15-19 in Orlando. In this episode Justin Stutz, VP for Strategic Growth at West, a Williston Financial Group Company, joins Host B...

Technology is creating efficiency in settlement services, but the real estate business is driven by relationships and old fashioned customer service. In this episode, Independence Title Founder & CEO Kevin Tacher is back to share strategies from his book "Rescue Your Business". Kevin, who also founded TitleRate.com, has built a Dream Team and relies on the DISC Profile to provide sup...

The key to success in any real estate market is reducing or shifting fixed costs to variable costs that can be managed more easily. By leveraging the buying power of the WFG Blocks program, your agency can build a solid foundation and reduce expenses by taking advantage of the buyer power of a larger organization. WFG VP and Director of Blocks Jaime Johnson joins Insider Host Brian Bushlach to sha...

With inventory extremely tight in many markets across the country, WFG's EVP for Agency Development Chuck Cain joins Insider Host Brian Bushlach in this episode. Chuck shares encouraging news regarding builder sentiment, and how independent settlement agents across the country can align with and support builders to grow sustainable, long-term business. 

Technology continues to reshape settlement services and 2020 brings more change. The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) will have a direct impact on those doing business there, and other states may adopt similar statues. WFG Executive VP for Agency Development joins Insider Host Brian Bushlach to discuss this and Remote Online Notary (RON) which continues to expand. Cain offers advice for sett...

WFG's Founder and Executive Chairman Patrick Stone is back to recap the past year and offer his forecast for 2020. Patrick also shares his advice with agency partners who are seeking more cost-effective options to manage their business in any market. The WFG Blocks Program provides access to many value added benefits, and will soon add cost effective health insurance options for our partners.

Good news! If you've developed deep relationships, delivered exceptional customer service, and taken time to put a personal touch on your marketing efforts, you're likely enjoying a steady stream of referral business. For those who have failed to invest in relationships, or were distracted by social or digital marketing, it's not too late! WFG Executive VP Justin Tucker joins Inside...

Kevin Tacher left his job as a firefighter on Long Island, NY just days before 9/11. He moved to Florida and experienced the ups, and the downs of the real estate business. Kevin joins Insider Report Host Brian Bushlach to share how he built a solid stream of repeat referral business, and how title agents across the country can achieve success and significance in their business and life. He also s...

In this episode, we welcome Richard Barbara, Esquire & COO at Coral Gables Title in South Florida. Richard joins Host Brian Bushlach to discuss how CG Title takes an active role in each transaction. In many cases, Rich and his team solve problems that other real estate professionals involved in the deal either can't, or simply don't know how to handle. Often times, this involves out-...

In this episode, WFG Executive Vice President for Agency Development, Chuck Cain, joins Insider Host Brian Bushlach to discuss changes on the horizon for settlement services providers in 2020. Chuck discusses technology advances, the importance of cost management, and encourages agency leaders to include staff in brainstorming sessions.

With the year winding down, attention turns to business planning and budgets for 2020. In this episode, WFG Founder and Executive Chairman Patrick Stone joins Host Brian Bushlach to discuss contingencies for the year ahead, and how agency partners can maximize their resources by shifting fixed costs to variable costs with the WFG Blocks Program.

Chuck Cain serves as WFG's Executive VP for Agency Development, traveling extensively to assist agency partners across the country. In this role, Chuck has a pulse on industry topics and trends. In this episode, Chuck joins host Brian Bushlach to discuss lender real time loan QA, which will no doubt transform the industry- both in lending, and in settlement services.