The Real Estate REplay

Wendy, Founder of Selling Later

Host Wendy Gilch, and a rotating cast of expert co-hosts, break down the good, the bad, the unethical (and sometimes illegal) things other sellers and buyers experienced while buying or selling a home. Learn what went right, what went wrong, what they would do differently and how to spot red flags before they become a problem.    The Real Estate REplay is powered by consumer advocate group, Selling Later.www.sellinglater.com/resources

  1. 2D AGO

    Paid Testimonials, Gift Cards & a 3.5 Hour Drive: What Really Happens When You Fight Big Money at the Capitol

    What happens when a Silicon Valley company offers homeowners $50 Amazon gift cards to submit favorable testimony to a state legislature, and doesn't disclose it? I watched it happen in real time. In this episode, I'm telling the full story of the day I drove 3.5 hours to the Pennsylvania State Capitol to testify in support of HB 2120, a bill that would require home equity investments (HEIs), also called shared appreciation agreements or home equity sharing agreements, to be regulated as mortgage products under Pennsylvania's usury law. What I witnessed was a masterclass in how money, lobbyists, and carefully placed friendships work behind the scenes to slow down consumer protections. And it got picked up by Spotlight PA. We cover: What home equity agreements actually are — and why the math should scare youWhy these products aren't regulated as loans in most states (yet)How Point, one of the largest HEI companies, offered customers $50 gift cards to submit written testimony — without disclosing the paymentsWhy one company CEO couldn't tell a legislative committee how much a consumer would owe on his own productThe Urban Institute report the industry cited — and what it actually saidWhy the National Association of Realtors was nowhere to be found (and why that's worth asking about)What this fight says about how consumer protection legislation actually works — and who's really in your cornerIf you took out a home equity investment or shared appreciation agreement and have a balloon payment coming, you need to understand what's at stake. And if you haven't taken one out yet — listen before you do. Mentioned in this episode: PA Representative Arvind VenkatHB 2120 (Pennsylvania House Commerce Committee)Spotlight PA: "A Silicon Valley firm offered gift cards as part of a campaign to defeat Pa. regulation"David Friend, former CFPB CounselNational Consumer Law CenterCommunity Legal Services of PhiladelphiaGot a question? Support the show State laws and regulations may vary. Have a story you would like to share with other sellers or buyers? Hit us up here.

    18 min

  2. JAN 6

    Real Estate Ish That Needs to Stay in 2025

    Welcome to 2026!  Before we make any resolutions about doing better, let's talk about all the real estate ish that needs to stay in 2025. This episode is your complete guide to everything we're leaving behind: coaches still denying the NAR settlement mattered, agents going viral for steering content and threatening critics, companies creating fake AI testimonials, RESPA violations dressed up as "networking," and brokers who conveniently ignored their top producers crossing every ethical line. My "Just In Case" folder nearly crashed my laptop this year with screenshots, contracts, and social media posts that consumers definitely shouldn't have seen. So let's unpack it all, the Camp B coaches, the builder bonuses, the ego-driven commission wars, and the agent who literally looked up someone's phone number to threaten them for posting a critique. But it's not all doom and gloom! There's actually some good news: Pennsylvania is moving forward with legislation to restrict predatory home equity agreement companies. Progress is possible when we demand better. Plus: A personal update on why things got quiet around here at the end of 2025 (spoiler: health stuff, family stuff, life stuff), and what's coming in 2026, including special guests and our Housing Rebel provider member events with Rob Hahn on January 21st and Hunterbrook Media on February 18th for a belated Valentine's special on how much we love captive lending and new construction chaos. Real Estate Ish We're Leaving in 2025: Coaches pretending nothing was wrong with pre-settlement practicesAgents making steering content "for the algorithm"Fake testimonials and AI-generated marketingFSBO hostage situations and buyer manipulation"I don't do interviews" energy from agents with paid Zillow badgesBuilder bonuses to other people's fiduciariesRESPA violations disguised as "business strategies"This episode is based on content from Housing Rebel. All examples are from publicly posted content by real estate professionals. If you're looking for industry cheerleading, this ain't it. But if you're ready for honest talk about what went wrong and how we fix it, you're in the right place. Got a question? State laws and regulations may vary. Have a story you would like to share with other sellers or buyers? Hit us up here.

    28 min

  3. 11/03/2025

    We Mystery Shopped 281 Real Estate Agents. Here's What They're Really Telling Buyers.

    Special Episode! Between July and September 2025, we did something crazy: we pretended to be homebuyers and called 281 real estate agents across 26 cities to see what they're ACTUALLY telling consumers about commissions post-settlement. The NAR settlement was supposed to introduce price competition and transparency. So what happened? In this special one-off episode, I break down what we found: Why agents in 8 major cities ALL quoted the exact same rate (down to the decimal point)The #1 lie agents told us over and over (spoiler: it violates the DOJ-NAR agreement)How three agents in one Cincinnati suburb likely misled 175 consumers in a single yearThe one bright spot: two-thirds of agents WILL negotiate if you push back (they just won't tell you that)Tactical advice for home buyers and sellers entering the marketWhether you're buying, selling, or working in the industry, you need to hear this. Read The Full Report Get Help Finding An Agent Got a question? State laws and regulations may vary. Have a story you would like to share with other sellers or buyers? Hit us up here.

    22 min

  4. 10/30/2025

    The Boogie Man That Protects Your Wallet

    In this episode, we sit down with David Friend, who spent over a decade at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) from the recovery for the market crash through 2022. Think the CFPB is a regulatory monster killing innovation? That's exactly what certain billionaire tech leaders want you to believe, because consumer protection tends to get in the way of "moving fast and breaking things" (especially when those "things" are your financial wellbeing). David takes us inside the agency that was created to prevent another economic meltdown, explaining what it was actually like working there and why the constant attacks on this consumer protection agency benefit exactly one group: the people who profit when regulations disappear. We're diving into: Why the CFPB was created and what it actually doesHow open banking should have been standard practice years ago and who is against itThe truth behind "debanking" claims (spoiler: it's just banks protecting their assets, not political warfare)What happens when you gut a consumer protection agency down to 10% of its former capacityRecorded this summer with some delightful breaks, because working from home without help is always an adventure with hungry kids. If you've ever wondered why the loudest voices against consumer protection are the ones who profit most without it, this episode is for you. Contact David Friend Got a question? State laws and regulations may vary. Have a story you would like to share with other sellers or buyers? Hit us up here.

    1h 4m

  5. 10/16/2025

    New Homes, Hidden Problems: Hunterbrook Media Exposes Construction Defects and Mortgage Steering

    We're Back!  Did you miss us? In this eye-opening episode, we sit down with Sam Koppelman, Publisher of Hunterbrook Media, to discuss their groundbreaking investigative work exposing some of the biggest names in real estate. Sam takes us inside their investigations into DR Horton and Lennar's construction nightmares, where new homebuyers discovered serious defects in properties they thought were their dream homes. We explore Hunterbrook's reporting on UWM and the mortgage broker referral practices that raise serious questions about consumer choice and steering to one lender. Sam also reveals their findings on LGI Homes' "affordable housing" model that promises low prices but leaves buyers trapped in loans they can't sustain, leading to mass defaults. This is investigative journalism that's changing the real estate industry. Whether you're a homebuyer, investor, or industry professional, you need to hear what Hunterbrook uncovered before you (or your clients) buy a home or get a mortgage. Support Housing Rebel by Selling Later UWM Report House From Hell Report LGI Report Lennar Mold Home Got a question? State laws and regulations may vary. Have a story you would like to share with other sellers or buyers? Hit us up here.

    30 min

  6. 05/09/2025

    Fake Faces, Real Rage: The Lead Gen Scam Nobody’s Stopping

    Buckle up!   This episode is part consumer warning, part investigative rundown, and part Wendy's personal bitch session (you’ve been warned). After tracking more than 30 companies using fake testimonials, undisclosed paid actors, and shady lead generation tactics, Wendy went full watchdog: reporting them to state AGs, the FTC, and even someone high up at TikTok... only to be met with the bureaucratic equivalent of “meh.” This episode pulls no punches and drops no names (just kidding, we might drop a few). It’s a raw look at the mess behind those feel-good ads and a blunt reminder that when it comes to real estate and finance, you can’t trust the pitch, especially when it’s coming from someone reading a script. Got a question? State laws and regulations may vary. Have a story you would like to share with other sellers or buyers? Hit us up here.

    22 min

  7. 04/22/2025

    Follow the Money: The Pocket Listing Power Grab

    It’s a solo episode today—just me, a mic, and a whole lot of truth bombs.  I was in such a rush to push this out, that I even forgot to add the teaser and closer.   In a way, I am doing you a favor and saving you a few minutes (getting right to the point)! We’re diving deep into pocket listings; what they are, who’s pushing them, and why they’re suddenly everywhere. Spoiler alert: it’s not about “exclusivity” or “better service.” It’s about control, commissions, and keeping you, the buyer or seller, just informed enough to sign, but not enough to question. I’ll break down the biggest players driving this trend (looking at you, Compass, Homes.com, and even Zillow), what they’re really after, and how it all adds up to a power grab that benefits them—not you. This episode is your inside look at the game behind the scenes, the one most people don’t realize they’re playing until it’s too late. Because in an industry that’s supposed to help you find a home, sometimes you have to REBEL to actually see the full picture. Read more here As promised: Zillow's cut on Flex agent leads Got a question? State laws and regulations may vary. Have a story you would like to share with other sellers or buyers? Hit us up here.

    28 min

  8. 01/15/2025

    Equity Snatchers: The Truth About Home Equity Agreements

    Quick cash, no interest, no monthly payments—sounds like a sweet deal, right? Wrong. In this episode of Real Estate REPlay, Wendy Gilch teams up with her no-nonsense lender BFF, Chelle Prunkel, to call BS on the slick marketing behind Home Equity Agreements (HEAs). These so-called “loan alternatives” might sound like a dream, but spoiler alert: they’re a nightmare waiting to happen. From shady equity grabs to terms that can double your payout, Wendy and Chelle rip the curtain off these equity-stealing scams and explain why they’re basically the payday loans of homeownership. Want to keep your house and your sanity? They’ll show you smarter ways to unlock your home’s value without losing your shirt—or your generational wealth. Plus, we’ll throw shade at predatory ads, highlight how HEAs sidestep key consumer protections, and give you the lowdown on why a nosy loan officer is the hero you didn’t know you needed. Tune in now for the real talk (and maybe a few F-bombs) you need to protect your biggest investment—your home. 🎧 Links & Resources Mentioned: Rate My Mortgage Rate: Get Help With Your Loan EstimateWashington State Report on HEAsSelling Later's HEA BreakdownContact Chelle PrunkelCFPB New Report on HEAsEven though they never respond to anything we send them, we wanted to include this new report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau as it confirms just how concerned we should all be about these types of agreements.Got a question? State laws and regulations may vary. Have a story you would like to share with other sellers or buyers? Hit us up here.

    38 min
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About

Host Wendy Gilch, and a rotating cast of expert co-hosts, break down the good, the bad, the unethical (and sometimes illegal) things other sellers and buyers experienced while buying or selling a home. Learn what went right, what went wrong, what they would do differently and how to spot red flags before they become a problem.    The Real Estate REplay is powered by consumer advocate group, Selling Later.www.sellinglater.com/resources

Information

  • Creator
    Wendy, Founder of Selling Later
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    65
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Real Estate REplay
  • Show Website
    The Real Estate REplay