People, Not Titles

Stephen Kaempf
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Semiweekly

Welcome to the People, Not Titles Podcast, where we delve into the inspiring stories and experiences of real estate professionals and entrepreneurs. Join us as we shine a light on their journeys, successes, and challenges, giving voice to their brand and story. Get ready to be motivated, learn valuable insights, and be inspired to turn your own dreams into reality. Tune in to the People, Not Titles podcast and let these remarkable individuals ignite your entrepreneurial spirit!

  1. 2d ago

    1 Million Leave Workforce as Home Prices Hit $434K Record

    Existing home sales stayed flat for a fourth straight year in July, holding at 4.06 million — even as the labor market took an unexpected hit. Matt Lombardi and Steve Kaempf break down a July jobs report that showed a surprise loss of 23,000 jobs against expectations of an 83,000 gain, with May and June revised down another 103,000 jobs. Nearly a million people left the labor force over the past two months, even as unemployment dropped to 4.1%. Despite the shaky job numbers, home prices hit a new record of $434,100, marking 37 straight months of year-over-year growth, while inventory remains tight at a 4.6-month supply. They also cover Compass's strong Q2 earnings beat, Missouri voters rejecting two controversial tax ballot amendments, Illinois' new authority to regulate insurance rate hikes, a fresh Illinois accelerator program targeting the housing shortage, and which Chicago-area neighborhoods are seeing the fastest price growth. New episodes of Market Trends drop every week — subscribe so you don't miss the next one. #HousingMarket2026 #ExistingHomeSales #JobsReport #MarketTrends #RealEstateNews #LaborMarket #RealEstateInvesting #ChicagoRealEstate #Compass #RealtorLife #peoplenottitles #marketupdates Full episodes available at www.peoplenottitles.com People, Not Titles podcast is hosted by Steve Kaempf and is dedicated to lifting up professionals in the real estate and business community. Our inspiration is to highlight success principles of our colleagues. Our Success Series covers principles of success to help your thrive! Website: http://peoplenottitles.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@peoplenottitles/videos Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peoplenottitles/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-kaempf-b66a8013/ X: https://x.com/sjkaempfSpotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/1uu5kTvBhxsbgjskQS1SXK

  2. 6d ago

    Jamie Lendway - The Reality Check: What is Your Business Really Worth?

    Are you looking to sell your business or wondering what it’s actually worth? Or maybe you're an entrepreneur dreaming of purchasing a cash-flowing company? In this episode of the People Not Titles podcast, host Steve Kaempf sits down with Jamie Lendway, commercial lending veteran and founder of RetireBizOwner.com. With over a decade of experience financing hundreds of business acquisitions and commercial deals, Jamie pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to get a deal across the finish line. He shares a realistic look at how banks and third-party valuation companies assess a business's health, why cash flow is king, and how business owners can position themselves for a successful exit. In this episode, we discuss: The Reality of Business Valuation: Why 90% of business owners overestimate their company's value and how to align your expectations with market reality. Flipping the Script on Uncle Sam: How the financial reporting games you play to minimize taxes can hurt your valuation when it’s time to sell—and how to fix it. Clean Books & "Adbacks": The exact adjustments needed to clean up personal expenses from business financials before presenting a deal to a bank or buyer. Is a Business Actually Lendable?: How Jamie determines if a deal is realistic in just 5 to 10 minutes based on mathematical realities and debt service coverage ratios. The Buyer's Checklist: What serious buyers need to bring to the table (including experience, a clear plan, and financial statements) to prove they are the right fit for an acquisition. Why Business Acquisitions Fail: The primary reasons post-sale acquisitions go under, from making too many changes too quickly to misjudging required working capital. Whether you are a baby boomer looking to retire or an aspiring business owner looking for a legacy to carry on, this episode provides a no-nonsense guide to navigating the complex world of business brokerage and SBA lending. #BusinessAcquisition #SBALending #BusinessValuation #Entrepreneurship #Podcast #PeopleNotTitles #RetireBizer #CashFlow #BusinessBrokerage Website: http://peoplenottitles.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@peoplenottitles/videosInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/peoplenottitles/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-kaempf-b66a8013/ X: https://x.com/sjkaempfSpotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/1uu5kTvBhxsbgjskQS1SXK

    Jamie Lendway - The Reality Check: What is Your Business Really Worth?

  3. Aug 11

    HOA Foreclosures Are Surging — Even If Your Mortgage Is Paid Off

    HOA foreclosures are surging nationwide, and most homeowners don't realize their HOA can place a lien — and in about 20 states, legally foreclose — even if their mortgage is completely paid off. In this week's market trends podcast episode, Matt Lombardi and Steve Kaempf break down the "super-priority" laws behind this, why HOA-related foreclosures jumped 40% over two years, and why rising insurance and repair costs are forcing associations to skip grace periods and move straight to legal action. Also this week: Zillow lays off 500 employees just before earnings, continuing a pattern of AI-driven cuts. The Fed holds rates steady at its July meeting under new chair Kevin Warsh, despite a surprisingly split committee — and mortgage rates have surged to a one-year high as a result, now hovering around 6.7%. Plus, NAR releases its Q2 progress report on legal wins, broker relations, and legislative advocacy; JPMorgan Chase commits $750 billion through 2035 to boost homeownership; and Illinois' housing permit drought (second-worst in the nation) is quietly fueling a supply crisis even as the state's population grows. New episodes of Market Trends drop every Monday — subscribe so you don't miss the next one. #HOA #Foreclosure #HousingMarket2026 #RealEstateNews #MarketTrends #MortgageRates #FederalReserve #Zillow #RealEstateInvesting #ChicagoRealEstate #markettrends #peoplenottitles Full episodes available at www.peoplenottitles.com People, Not Titles podcast is hosted by Steve Kaempf and is dedicated to lifting up professionals in the real estate and business community. Our inspiration is to highlight success principles of our colleagues. Our Success Series covers principles of success to help your thrive! Website: http://peoplenottitles.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@peoplenottitles/videos Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peoplenottitles/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-kaempf-b66a8013/ X: https://x.com/sjkaempfSpotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/1uu5kTvBhxsbgjskQS1SXK

  4. Aug 6

    Andy Burton: The Secret to Building a Real Estate Community

    Welcome back to another episode of the People, Not Titles podcast! In this episode, host Steve Kaempf sits down with Andy Burton, the franchise owner, publisher, and Area Director behind the incredibly successful Chicago Real Producers operation. Andy shares his fascinating career trajectory, beginning with his early days in the late 90s doing in-home sales presentations for Cutco cutlery. Discover how his background in direct sales paved the way for launching Chicago Real Producers in October 2017, and how he organically grew the business to expand into DuPage and Northshore territories by January 2020. In this episode, we discuss: The Power of Exclusive Networking: How Real Producers creates a unique, collaborative environment specifically for the top 500 producing realtors in a given market. An Abundance Mentality: Why getting top real estate professionals into the same room fosters an environment of sharing trade secrets and advocacy rather than fierce posturing. The Vendor/Affiliate Bridge: How Andy leverages his experience as a vendor to help industry businesses get high-quality face time with influential realtors. Protecting What Matters: Andy opens up about working with his wife, Emily, and the importance of strict scheduling to ensure they never miss watching their children grow up. Sales Insights for Introverts: Why introverts often make the best salespeople due to deep listening skills and thoughtful communication. Whether you are a young professional considering a career in real estate sales or an established producer looking to elevate your networking game, Andy's insights on scripts, boundaries, and organic growth are invaluable. Subscribe to the channel for more interviews highlighting the people behind the biggest titles in the industry! #RealEstate #Networking #ChicagoRealProducers #PeopleNotTitles #SalesTips #Entrepreneurship #RealEstatePodcast

    Andy Burton: The Secret to Building a Real Estate Community

  5. Aug 3

    Compass Is Under Federal Investigation (What Happens Next?)

    Compass is officially under federal investigation, with Congress stepping in to examine the company's partnership with eXp and its private listings strategy. In this week's market trends episode, Matt Lombardi and Steve Kaempf break down what's actually being scrutinized and why it matters for buyers and sellers. At the center of it: Compass's claim that sellers who list homes as private exclusives or "coming soon" listings sold for 4.6% more than those that went straight to the MLS and search portals, a claim now facing real regulatory pressure. Also this week: the American Real Estate Association continues to grow, with its founders calling a new partnership a pivotal moment for uniting agents who want higher professional standards. Plus a massive new housing powerhouse forms as Taylor Morrison combines with Berkshire Hathaway's Clayton Properties Group, instantly expanding their footprint from 12 states to 21 states across 52 housing markets. And in local numbers, Chicago metro inventory sits at just 12,832 homes, with the median price climbing 4.6% to a new high. Both Compass and eXp executives face a deadline this week to brief lawmakers on what's happening — we'll be tracking this closely as it develops. New episodes of Market Trends drop on Monday, every week — subscribe so you don't miss the next one. #Compass #RealEstateNews #PrivateListings #MarketTrends #HousingMarket2026 #Zillow #RealEstateInvesting #ChicagoRealEstate #MLS #RealtorLife Full episodes available at www.peoplenottitles.comPeople, Not Titles podcast is hosted by Steve Kaempf and is dedicated to lifting up professionals in the real estate and business community. Our inspiration is to highlight success principles of our colleagues. Our Success Series covers principles of success to help your thrive! Website: http://peoplenottitles.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@peoplenottitles/videos Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peoplenottitles/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-kaempf-b66a8013/ X: https://x.com/sjkaempf Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/1uu5kTvBhxsbgjskQS1SXK

  6. Jul 30

    The Truth About True Cash Flow: Surviving the 2008 Crash & Scaling to 60+ Employees

    In this episode of the *People Not Titles* podcast, host Steve Kaempf sits down with real estate investor, property manager, and host of the *Straight Up Chicago Investor* podcast, Mark Ainley. Mark shares his raw, honest journey of starting out at age 21, navigating early mistakes, and shifting through market crashes to build a real estate empire. Whether you are a young entrepreneur wondering how to get started or a seasoned investor looking to scale, Mark provides invaluable insights into navigating risk, lowercase "action thresholds," and why giving value first is the ultimate business cheat code. **Key Takeaways from the Video:** * **Embracing Mistakes:** Why being nervous or anxious about a major deal means you respect the decision, and why overconfidence is an investor's true enemy. * **The Pivot to Cash Flow:** How surviving the 2008 financial crisis completely reshaped Mark's understanding of true real estate cash flow. * **Delegation & Scaling:** Mark addresses his biggest business regrets, including waiting too long to document processes and delegate property management tasks. * **Building a Remote Workforce:** How GC Realty & Development grew to a team of 60 employees, utilizing a highly nimble, remote framework to lower overhead costs. * **The Power of Community:** How focusing on a specific geographic niche (the Chicago market) and putting out content created massive networking opportunities. If you found value in this conversation, don't forget to **LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE** for more deep-dive interviews with inspiring entrepreneurs! #RealEstateInvesting #PropertyManagement #ChicagoRealEstate #Entrepreneurship #BusinessScaling #CashFlow #RealEstatePodcast #ActionThreshold #GCRealty

    The Truth About True Cash Flow: Surviving the 2008 Crash & Scaling to 60+ Employees

  7. Jul 27

    Foreclosures Just Jumped 21%—What Happens Next?

    Foreclosures just jumped 21% year-over-year, with over 227,000 US properties filed in the first half of 2026 — but Matt Lombardi and Steve Kaempf break down why this isn't a crash, it's a return to a more normal market. They dig into which states are getting hit hardest (Florida, South Carolina, Indiana) and where foreclosures are accelerating fastest (Idaho, Colorado, Georgia), plus what this means for investors looking to step into distressed properties the right way. The bigger story: a new provision in the 21st Century Road to Housing Act just banned institutional investors who own 350+ single-family homes from buying any more to rent out — killing the "scattered site portfolio" strategy that let Wall Street compete directly with everyday buyers. Combine that with starter homes now averaging $344,000 (up from $256,000 just six years ago) and pending home sales slumping 5.4% month-over-month, and the housing market is shifting in ways most people haven't caught onto yet. Also covered: downtown Chicago's latest office-to-apartment conversion, Chicago's Fair Renter Protection Ordinance counter-proposal, Illinois' overhaul of property tax sales, and this week's viewer mail on the aging realtor demographic. New episodes of Market Trends drop every Monday — subscribe so you don't miss the next one. #HousingMarket2026 #Foreclosures #RealEstateNews #MarketTrends #StarterHomes #RealEstateInvesting #ChicagoRealEstate #HousingLaw #InstitutionalInvestors #RealtorLife #peoplenottitles Full episodes available at www.peoplenottitles.comPeople, Not Titles podcast is hosted by Steve Kaempf and is dedicated to lifting up professionals in the real estate and business community. Our inspiration is to highlight success principles of our colleagues. Our Success Series covers principles of success to help your thrive! www.peoplenottitles.com IG - https://www.instagram.com/peoplenottitles FB - https://www.facebook.com/peoplenottitles Twitter - https://twitter.com/sjkaempf Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1uu5kTv

  8. Jul 20

    Home Prices Hit a Record High, Inflation Cools, and a New Housing Law Just Passed

    Home prices hit a new all-time high of $440,600 this week — the 36th straight month of year-over-year gains — while the June CPI report showed inflation cooling faster than expected, dropping 0.4% month-over-month, the largest one-month decline since April 2020. Matt Lombardi and Steve Kaempf break down what's driving the numbers, why gas and energy prices are doing the heavy lifting on inflation, and what June's 2.4% dip in existing home sales really means heading into the second half of the year. Plus: the 21st Century Road to Housing Act is officially law after a pocket passage, and the guys unpack what the zoning reform and commercial-to-residential conversion provisions could mean for inventory over the next few years. They also cover a developing story out of Missouri, where the American Real Estate Association and the Missouri Association of Realtors are teaming up to fight two ballot amendments that could raise housing costs, while NAR stays silent. Rounding it out: highlights from the 2026 NAR Member Profile, Google's expanding partnership with House Canary, and this week's viewer mail. New episodes of Market Trends drop Monday every week — subscribe so you don't miss the next one. #RealEstateNews #HousingMarket2026 #HomePrices #InflationReport #MarketTrends #ChicagoRealEstate #HousingLaw #RealEstateInvesting #NAR #RealtorLife #peoplenotitles #markettrends Full episodes available at www.peoplenottitles.comPeople, Not Titles podcast is hosted by Steve Kaempf and is dedicated to lifting up professionals in the real estate and business community. Our inspiration is to highlight success principles of our colleagues. Our Success Series covers principles of success to help your thrive! www.peoplenottitles.com IG - https://www.instagram.com/peoplenotti... FB - https://www.facebook.com/peoplenottitles Twitter - https://twitter.com/sjkaempf Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1uu5kTv...

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About

Welcome to the People, Not Titles Podcast, where we delve into the inspiring stories and experiences of real estate professionals and entrepreneurs. Join us as we shine a light on their journeys, successes, and challenges, giving voice to their brand and story. Get ready to be motivated, learn valuable insights, and be inspired to turn your own dreams into reality. Tune in to the People, Not Titles podcast and let these remarkable individuals ignite your entrepreneurial spirit!

Information

  • Creator
    Stephen Kaempf
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    187
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Stephen Kaempf
  • Show Website
    People, Not Titles