People, Not Titles

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

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. 1d ago

    Seller Impersonation Fraud Is Rising—What Realtors Need to Watch For

    Chicago is outperforming the country on home prices, mortgage rates may be heading lower over the next five years, and title fraud is getting more sophisticated. If you buy, sell, invest, or advise clients in real estate, this episode explores the numbers, risks, and talking points to keep in mind. Steve and Matt break down the latest market trends, including Chicago’s home-price performance and what inflation means for real returns. They also discusses a five-year mortgage-rate forecast and how it could shape decisions about waiting to buy, refinancing, and choosing between a 30-year mortgage and an adjustable-rate mortgage. In this episode, you’ll hear about: Why the 10-year Treasury matters for mortgage pricing Bull and bear scenarios for mortgage rates through 2031 How to approach the “I’ll just wait” mindset with clients The opportunities and risks of tapping home equity Seller impersonation fraud—and warning signs to watch for Recent housing data from Illinois and Wisconsin What shrinking inventory could mean for Chicago-area home prices Potential uses for AI in real estate beyond listing descriptions and social posts The conversation also covers ALTA’s fraud study, how title companies are responding to spoofed contact information and deepfake voices, and why choosing a trusted title partner matters. Plus, Steve and Matt respond to a listener question about AI’s untapped potential for real estate professionals. 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

  2. Sep 28

    The 7% Mortgage Shock Is Here - What Happens Next?

    The Fed has raised rates for the first time in three years, and 30-year mortgages are now hovering around 7%. In this week's Market Trends episode, Matt Lombardi and Steve Kaempf break down what the hike means for buyers, why refinancing has dropped 65%, and how to protect yourself with smart rate shopping. Plus: multifamily construction falls 22.5% in August, pending home sales edge up 0.3%, cities like Indianapolis and Rockford are cutting red tape to build faster, and how AI and coordinated service teams are changing the way agents win clients. New episodes of Market Trends drop every week — subscribe so you don't miss the next one. #MortgageRates #FedRateHike #HousingMarket2026 #RealEstateNews #MarketTrends #7PercentMortgage #HomeBuilders #RealEstateInvesting #ChicagoRealEstate #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! 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

  3. Sep 21

    81% of U.S. Housing Markets Are Overvalued - What Happens Next?

    Zillow just lost a key court battle against eXp and Compass, with a federal judge denying its injunction request. In this week's market trends episode, Matt Lombardi and Steve Kaempf break it down, plus August CPI ticks up on gas prices, existing home sales hit a 14-month low, 81% of US markets are overvalued per Fitch, malls are outperforming every other commercial sector, and NAR wins another MLS membership lawsuit. New episodes of Market Trends drop every week — subscribe so you don't miss the next one. #Zillow #housingmarket2026 #realestatenews #markettrends #compass #realestateinvesting #chicagorealestatebroker #mortgagerates #realtorlife #commercialrealestate #realestateupdate 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

  4. Sep 17

    From Blueprints to Bytes: The Rise of General Contracting Technology with Jonathan Klemm

    In this episode of the People Not Titles podcast, host Steve Kaempf sits down with Jonathan Klemm, owner of Quality Builders. Jonathan shares his inspiring journey from getting laid off from a tech startup in 2020 to founding a successful general contracting and construction company.Whether you're a first-time investor, home hacker, or seasoned real estate professional, Jonathan breaks down the essential processes, mindsets, and strategies needed to navigate renovations and scale a business without losing your shirt.Key Topics Covered in This Episode:From Tech to General Contractor: How losing a job during the pandemic became the catalyst for building a million-dollar real estate business.Real Estate Investing Realities: Why finding your niche and building repeatable processes is critical for long-term growth.The Power of Preconstruction: Why Quality Builders prioritizes meticulous planning, material selection, and upfront numbers before kicking off projects.Navigating Renovation Loans: The truths and challenges behind 203(k) loans and how to ensure your budgets align.Entrepreneurship & Growth Mindset: Jonathan's advice on overcoming past setbacks, reading, networking, and taking decisive action.Business Scaling & Culture: How Quality Builders sets clear steps for pre-sale, pre-con, active construction, and post-construction phases while maintaining team values.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/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

  5. Sep 14

    Mortgage Rates Hit 6.7% & Housing Market Is Changing Fast - What Happens Next?

    Is the housing shortage actually a myth? A new report from Zelman and Associates argues the real crisis isn't a quantity shortage — it's an affordability shortage concentrated in starter homes, while deficit estimates from the White House, Realtor.com, and Harvard vary wildly. In this week's Market Trends podcast episode, Matt Lombardi and Steve Kaempf break down the data, plus a strong August jobs report (162,000 jobs added), mortgage rates holding at 6.7% as buyers get squeezed, institutional investors pulling back sharply after new housing legislation, Chicago's revised renter protection ordinance, and September's realtor safety month with key tips for agents in the field. New episodes of Market Trends drop every week — subscribe so you don't miss the next one. #HousingShortage #MortgageRates #HousingMarket2026 #RealEstateNews #MarketTrends #JobsReport #RealEstateInvesting #ChicagoRealEstate #RealtorLife #FederalReserve #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! 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/1uu5kTvBhxsbgjskQS1

  6. Sep 9

    65% Rate Hike Odds, $43K AI Savings, 6% Commissions & 10% Fewer Americans Are Moving

    Only 8% of home sellers think a combined 6% buyer agent commission is fair, and 59% didn't even know they could opt out of paying it. In this week's market trends episode, Matt Lombardi and Steve Kaempf break down a new survey on how confused sellers still are about commissions, and why 93% who actually negotiated got a lower rate. Plus: Fed Chair Kevin Warsh signals inflation isn't fully tamed at Jackson Hole, with markets now pricing in a 64-65% chance of a September rate hike; Compass settles its three-year lawsuit with Northwest MLS; an AI startup called Ridley claims it's saved home sellers an average of $43,000 per transaction; and new data shows Americans are moving less than ever, choosing to renovate and "stay put" instead. New episodes of Market Trends drop every week — subscribe so you don't miss the next one. #RealEstateCommission #HousingMarket2026 #RealEstateNews #MarketTrends #FederalReserve #RealEstateInvesting #ChicagoRealEstate #HomeSellers #RealtorLife #AIRealEstate #peoplenottitles #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! 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

  7. Sep 3

    From Nightclubs to Main Street: The Career Arc of Greg Phillips

    Join host Steve Kaempf on the People Not Titles podcast for a deep dive into the 30+ year real estate career of Greg Phillips. In this episode, Greg shares his fascinating professional journey—from his early days opening legendary 1990s nightclubs in downtown Chicago to building a thriving real estate business entirely from scratch. Discover what it takes to transition from an individual producer to an impactful leader, how to navigate major industry shifts like the 2008 market crash, and why continuous personal growth is the ultimate asset for any professional. Greg also opens up about his recent step into servant leadership as the President-elect of Main Street Realtors, discussing the association's unique value propositions, industry consolidation, and their vital advocacy initiatives. Whether you are just starting your career journey or are a seasoned industry veteran, Greg's insights on taking action, staying grounded, and leaning into your "leadership arc" offer invaluable lessons for everyone. Key Topics Covered: Greg’s transition from the restaurant/nightclub industry into real estate The early days of real estate before the internet and social media Making the hard choice to step away from active production to focus fully on managing and leadership Leading through industry consolidation and the "only the strong survive" mentality of market crashes Main Street Realtors' goals, including their unique healthcare program for independent contractors The "From Strength to Strength" leadership arc and leveraging experience for the future #RealEstate #Leadership #Podcast #PeopleNotTitles #MainStreetRealtors #BairdAndWarner #CareerJourney #ServantLeadership 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

  8. Aug 31

    3% Mortgages, 50% Occupancy, $100M Zillow Deal & 26% Less Inventory — What Happens Next?

    Vacation rental listings have hit a record high of 1.77 million, but national occupancy has crashed to around 50%. In this week's market trends episode, Matt Lombardi and Steve Kaempf break down why so many short-term rental investors are now underwater and quietly selling off. Plus: a new bill (the MOVE Act) proposes letting homeowners transfer their low mortgage rate to their next home, Zillow pays Redfin $100 million to settle an FTC antitrust case, NAR launches a new Commercial Real Estate Demand Index, the Sitzer-Burnett settlement is officially upheld on appeal, and a new report names Illinois the most affordable state in the US for typical buyers. They also break down July housing stats for Illinois, Chicago Metro, and Wisconsin — where Chicago inventory is down over 26% year-over-year. New episodes of Market Trends drop every week — subscribe so you don't miss the next one. #VacationRentals #HousingMarket2026 #RealEstateNews #MarketTrends #Zillow #MortgageRates #RealEstateInvesting #ChicagoRealEstate #ShortTermRentals #RealtorLife #markettrends #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! 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

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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
    197
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Stephen Kaempf
  • Show Website
    People, Not Titles

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