Keys to Real Estate

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...

In an episode for seasoned appraisal professionals and the merely curious, join October Research Chief Knowledge Officer Mary Schuster and Valuation Review Editor Mike Holzheimer as they shared hosting duties and interviewed Margaret Nelson-Quin, owner of Phoenix Appraisal Network. They explored the purpose of appraisals, the impact of emerging technology within the appraisal industry, and the mul...

Following the Supreme Court’s historic decision to strike down Chevron deference, RESPA News Editor Elizabeth Childers, who is also an attorney, helps our audience unpack the various implications for the regulatory regime overseeing the real estate industry. Listen in as we explore the background and significance of Chevron and what its repeal could mean for existing regulations and new ones. The...

In this conversation, Mary Schuster and Hoyt Mann discuss the impact of technology on work-life balance and mental well-being. They explore the challenges of staying connected 24/7 and the importance of unplugging and taking time for yourself. As technology automates more and more functions people have been doing manually, the hope is for people to have more time to engage with the aspects of work...

Listen as Equity Protect CEO Ryan Marshall discusses the growing and latest types of fraud in the real estate industry and how to fight back -via the creative use of intentional title clouds. Marshall offers his perspective on unique and evolving methods bad actors use to perpetrate crimes such as seller impersonation, deed fraud, fake mortgages, fake assignments, and contract for deed fraud. Some...

Listen as Kevin Nincehelser, chief operating officer for Premier One, covers everything from digital security to artificial intelligence (AI), highlighting some practical advice for protecting business data from a variety of potential risks and considering the growing impact of AI. Speaking with host Mary Schuster, he offers examples in programs and software companies use every day, including emai...

Dr. Mark Calabria, former director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, a senior advisor at Cato Institute and author of Shelter from the Storm: How a Covid Mortgage Meltdown was Averted, sat down with Mary Schuster at the 2024 National Settlement Services Summit (NS3). The discussion begins with Dr. Calabria describing his background in government, challenges faced, and his core beliefs, princi...

What does a fishing boat have to do with long-standing judicial standards? Lauren Campisi, partner at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, spoke with host Mary Schuster about how the outcome of Loper Bright v. Raimondo – a case involving herring fishermen in New England – could have sweeping consequences for laws and regulations that mortgage and title professionals refer to everyday. This is because the...

With an uptick in mergers and acquisitions in the title insurance industry, where buyers are looking to acquire companies before the market fully recovers, consulting firm Title Success looks to provide guidance for navigating the various components of these complex transitions, assisting with exit strategies, valuations, and connecting buyers and sellers. Prospective buyers and sellers have conce...

Having just celebrated his 27-year anniversary in commercial real estate, FNF Vice President and Managing Underwriting Council Joe Powell had plenty of knowledge to share about the industry and the current state of the commercial real estate market. From its resilience following the pandemic to the diverse asset classes within commercial real estate, Powell emphasized the importance of conservativ...

Phil Schulman, Industry Legend. Who else would we choose as our inaugural guest? Listen in as Phil discusses his retirement, lessons learned over a professional lifetime, the importance of humor in business and how it can be used effectively. He shares memorable moments from his career as a lawyer and public speaker. Phil reflects on his passion for law and how he knew from a young age that he wan...