Community Table

Community Mortgage
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We simplify the home financing process for residential home buyers.

  1. Jun 25

    The USDA Loan Hidden Gem + Why Home Inspections Save Deals | Karen Taylor | The Community Table

    On this episode of The Community Table, Brad Lloyd of Community Mortgage sits down with Karen Taylor of John Green Realtors for a real, practical conversation about buying and selling homes in the Mid-South. With 19 years in the business, Karen breaks down how she guides first-time buyers, why getting pre-approved matters, what really happens during a home inspection, and why USDA loans might be one of the most underrated paths to homeownership. Whether you're a renter ready to buy, an investor, or a seller trying to read the market, there's something here for you. 00:00 — Meet Karen Taylor: from greenhouses to real estate01:15 — John Green Realtors & working with the Green family01:43 — Buyers 101: first-time, repeat, investors & land02:10 — Turning renters into buyers (and keeping it relational)03:18 — Why getting pre-approved comes first04:31 — Local lender vs. out-of-state: why it matters04:53 — Multiple offers: why sellers lean local05:40 — How Karen works with investors06:42 — Repeat buyers & the power of referrals07:52 — Listing strategy: lots of showings, no offers?10:27 — What a price reduction actually signals12:11 — Getting honest feedback from showing agents12:58 — What an agent quietly notices walking a home14:18 — Home inspections: coaching buyers & sellers15:47 — The deal Karen killed over foundation issues16:24 — Inspection vs. appraisal: two different things17:11 — USDA loans: a favorite subject18:03 — 100% financing & seller-paid closing costs19:10 — Income limits & eligible (non-incorporated) areas20:46 — Myth: do USDA loans take longer? (No.)21:50 — The minimum credit score for USDA22:47 — Guiding first-time buyers to the right price point25:06 — The 20%-down myth, busted 📞 Connect with Karen Taylor, John Green RealtorsPhone: (662) 837-0452Email: [confirm — transcript reads as isellforyou05@yahoo.com, verify off the audio before posting] 🏡 Hosted by Brad Lloyd, Community MortgageThe Community Table — real conversations about real estate, mortgages, and building a life in the Mid-South.

    26 min

  2. Jun 18

    How 3 Women Built Memphis's Most Recognizable Real Estate Brand in 5 Years | The Community Table

    In this episode of The Community Table, hosts Sophie Sandlin-Raines and Jeremy Holliday of Community Mortgage sit down with Shannan Waters, Katrina Grubb, and Elizabeth Duke — the three co-owners of The Firm, one of Memphis's fastest-growing real estate brokerages. In just five years, they went from signing LLC papers on the hood of a car to being ranked 6 out of 475 firms by volume in the Memphis market with 31 agents and 13 Vesta Home Show listings to their name. They share the real story behind starting a company out of necessity, why they built a no-seat-warmers model, and what it actually takes to grow a brand that other agents start copying. 0:00 – Welcome to The Community Table 0:10 – Meet the owners of The Firm: Shannan, Katrina, and Elizabeth 0:53 – How The Firm came to be — five years ago 1:27 – Starting a company out of necessity and self-doubt 2:40 – From idea to open in six weeks 3:12 – "We had something in our hands that didn't exist yet" 4:57 – Did you think it would be this successful? 5:10 – "I still think we're going to fail next month" 6:47 – The airplane analogy: figuring it out on the way down 8:09 – Their no-seat-warmers recruiting model 9:05 – How the branding came together — logo drawn on a napkin 11:56 – The moment they knew their brand had arrived 12:43 – Hitting the 10-year number in year one 14:18 – Getting emotional at the Small Business Awards interview 15:21 – Growing from 6 agents to 31 — was it intentional? 16:34 – How Mike and John changed everything 18:52 – What makes agents want to join The Firm 21:04 – Why they don't cold call or pay for leads — strictly referral 21:47 – Why seasoned agents choosing them is the biggest compliment 23:07 – New construction as a core part of their business 24:28 – Ranked 6 out of 475 firms by volume in 2025 26:12 – What the Vesta Home Show actually looks like from the inside 29:21 – How Vesta put The Firm on the map 31:11 – What the next five years look like for each of them 33:01 – "Instagram is cute. That's not where our success comes from." 34:26 – Why they trust Community Mortgage with every transaction 36:15 – How to get in touch with The Firm Want to connect with The Firm? 🌐 thefirmmemphis.com 📱 Shannan Waters: (901) 413-7318 📱 Katrina Grubb: (901) 870-1650 📱 Elizabeth Duke: (901) 212-0755 Ready to get pre-approved? Contact Sophie Sandlin-Raines or Jeremy Holliday at Community Mortgage for more information. Community Mortgage Corporation | NMLS ID 77047 | 142 Timber Creek Dr, Cordova, TN 38018 | (901) 759-4400 | Equal Housing Opportunity

    37 min

  3. Jun 18

    The Habits That Built a 20-Year Real Estate Career (No Gimmicks) | The Community Table

    In this episode of The Community Table, host Andy, senior lender at Crump Mortgage, sits down with Tyler and Meatha Tapley of Kerala Real Estate — a husband and wife team with nearly 40 combined years in the Memphis and DeSoto County markets. They break down how they built their business through the 2008 recession when nobody was buying, why the basics that worked 20 years ago still work today, and what every newer agent gets wrong about generating business. Andy brings his own story too — from trading mortgage backed securities on the floor at Merrill Lynch to becoming a lender who takes every loan application over the phone and never misses a closing date. 0:00 – Welcome to The Community Table0:10 – Meet Tyler and Meatha Tapley0:47 – 20 years in real estate and how it started2:13 – Building a business during the 2008 recession5:41 – Failures: the ghosted book, radio ads, and Zillow8:13 – How Tyler fell into working with investors10:08 – Show up, be responsive, answer your phone12:18 – Andy's bond floor background and Monday Morning Minutes17:16 – Winning a multiple offer situation on lender reputation alone18:43 – Should agents control the transaction?22:14 – Why Andy takes every loan application over the phone24:18 – Loyalty and why switching companies kills your business30:18 – How Tyler sold 8 houses on Facebook in 2017 — then zero34:02 – Teaching agents how to shoot their own video content39:33 – The Rick DeLuca story: there are no real secrets41:27 – The guy who works when no one's watching44:43 – Home Reports CRM and staying in touch with clients47:22 – How to reach Tyler, Meatha, and Andy Want to connect with Tyler and Meatha Tapley?📞 Tyler: (901) 871-1290 Want to connect with Andy at Crump Mortgage?🌐 yankeecloser.com📘 Facebook: Yankee Closer Community Mortgage Corporation | NMLS ID 77047 | 142 Timber Creek Dr, Cordova, TN 38018 | (901) 759-4400 | Equal Housing Opportunity

    48 min

  4. Jun 10

    Pre-Approvals, Local Lenders & The Art of the Deal: Adam Underwood on Memphis Real Estate | TCT

    In this episode of The Community Table, host Brad Lloyd of Community Mortgage sits down with Adam Underwood of Crye-Leike Real Estate — an investor-turned-agent who got his start in 2003 by renting bedrooms to his college roommates and never stopped. Adam breaks down how he handles first-time buyers vs. investors vs. repeat clients, why he won't show a house without a pre-approval letter, what happened when a national lender tanked a first-time buyer's deal three days before closing, and the real strategy behind winning in a competitive offer situation — from limiting inspection scope to temporary occupancy agreements. Plus, a few unforgettable landlord stories that didn't make it into the curriculum at Crye-Leike College.0:00 – Welcome to The Community Table0:22 – How Adam got into real estate in 20031:31 – Moving from a boutique firm to Crye-Leike: what's different3:12 – Adam's mix of business: investors, first-timers, and repeat buyers3:53 – The slumlord rule of thumb every investor needs to hear5:38 – Do you require a pre-approval before showing homes?6:32 – Why loan type matters when writing an offer7:23 – Local lenders vs. out-of-state lenders: why it matters7:43 – The Rocket Mortgage story: condo association, approved list, deal falls apart9:26 – What do you look for when walking through a house with buyers?11:51 – Seasoned buyers: school systems, aging in place, and post-COVID priorities14:12 – Are sellers more willing to cover closing costs right now?15:48 – 500,000 more sellers than buyers nationally — and it shows in Memphis16:19 – Home inspections: how do you set expectations with buyers?17:56 – Limiting inspection scope in a competitive offer — and why it works19:45 – What Adam brings to a listing appointment20:39 – Actives, pendings, and solds: using data to price a home21:59 – Everybody thinks their house is the best house on the block23:06 – What do you do when a listing sits and isn't getting offers?24:55 – Assumable loans, closing cost offers, and other listing strategies27:51 – Multiple offer tactics: over list, limited inspection, faster close28:34 – Temporary occupancy agreements: closing early and letting the seller stay30:15 – Should a buyer ever move in before closing?31:47 – Required appraisal repairs: who pays when the seller can't?33:21 – Buyer's agreements: why Adam prefers having it signed upfront34:51 – Landlord stories: bottle caps in the garbage disposal36:01 – The drunken plumber and the Shawshank momentWant to connect with Adam Underwood at Crye-Leike Real Estate?📞 901-413-8963Ready to get pre-approved? Contact Brad Lloyd at Community Mortgage for more information.Community Mortgage Corporation | NMLS ID 77047 | 142 Timber Creek Dr, Cordova, TN 38018 | (901) 759-4400 | Equal Housing Opportunity

    39 min

  5. May 7

    20 Years, Two States, and One Passion: Kendra Bell on What It Really Takes to Sell Real Estate

    In this episode of The Community Table, host Brad Lloyd sits down with Kendra Bell of Crye-Leike Real Estate — a 20-year veteran who started her career in Columbus, Mississippi after being inspired by a regular Friday night dinner guest and never looked back. Kendra breaks down how she handles first-time buyers, seasoned investors, and repeat clients differently, why she picks up the phone instead of relying on feedback forms, and what 15 years of flipping houses has taught her about what sellers actually need to do to get top dollar.0:00 – Welcome to The Community Table0:10 – Meet Kendra Bell with Crye-Leike Real Estate0:36 – How a Friday night dinner guest changed her life1:02 – Getting her license 20 years ago this May1:49 – Moving from Columbus, Mississippi to Memphis2:14 – Selling in two states: Mississippi and Tennessee2:36 – Working with first-time homebuyers: teaching, protecting, and holding hands3:43 – Why first-time home buying can be overwhelming4:03 – Working with investors: finding hidden gems and flipping with purpose5:04 – How investors lift up entire neighborhoods5:35 – Repeat clients and the reward of being chosen again5:57 – Closing on a client's fifth transaction6:50 – Should buyers get pre-approved before seeing homes?7:16 – When Kendra will show a house without a pre-approval8:00 – Sunday afternoon calls and real-world exceptions8:31 – How Community Mortgage fits into the process9:13 – Working with sellers: pricing strategy from day one10:00 – Why sellers have to be realistic in today's market11:20 – Preparing a home to sell: what actually moves the needle13:00 – Neutral colors, curb appeal, and moving-ready presentation16:30 – The value of professional photography19:00 – Staging tips and decluttering before listing22:00 – Getting showings but no offers — what does that mean?25:00 – How Kendra picks up the phone and gets real feedback from agents27:00 – Paint, doors, and windows: cheap upgrades with big returns28:22 – Kitchen renovations: when it's worth it and when it's not29:13 – Adjusting price vs. improving the property31:57 – How long should a listing agreement be?32:16 – Is price always the number one factor?Want to connect with Kendra Bell at Crye-Leike?📞 662-386-9750Ready to get pre-approved? Contact Brad Lloyd at Community Mortgage for more information.Community Mortgage Corporation | NMLS ID 77047 | 142 Timber Creek Dr, Cordova, TN 38018 | (901) 759-4400 |Equal Housing Opportunity

    33 min

  6. Apr 16

    From Agent to GM: How Eric Fuhrman Built 20 Years of Trust at Crye-Leike

    In this episode of The Community Table, host Jason Woods sits down with Eric Fuhrman, General Manager of Crye-Leike Real Estate, one of the largest privately held real estate firms in the US. Eric shares how he went from knowing nobody in Memphis to building a 20-year career, why top producers find opportunity in any market, and what leadership really looks like when you're responsible for 700 agents.

    25 min

  7. Apr 16

    You Don't Need a Down Payment: How THDA Is Getting Tennessee Buyers Into Homes

    In this episode of The Community Table, host Melanie Nichols sits down with Juanita Hamilton of the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) to break down everything first-time homebuyers need to know about down payment assistance in Tennessee. Juanita pulls back the curtain on how the THDA program actually works, who qualifies, and why it's not just for low-income buyers.

    23 min

  8. Mar 20

    From Rookie to Top Producer: 10 Years of Hustle in Memphis Real Estate

    In this episode of The Community Table, host Sophie Raines sits down with Max Rubenstein (Maximum Service Group, Keller Williams) to break down his 10-year journey from brand-new agent to top producer in the Memphis market. Max shares what actually worked early on: Open houses, Door knocking, Calling leads, and doing the “dirty work” no one wants to do. Plus the mindset shifts that helped him push through failure and build real momentum.

    42 min
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About

We simplify the home financing process for residential home buyers.

Information

  • Creator
    Community Mortgage
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Community Mortgage
  • Show Website
    Community Table