Closing Market Weekly

The Closing Market Weekly

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Closing Market Weekly brings you up-to-date insights on the U.S. mortgage and real estate closing space. Hosted by Phillip Hogan, CEO of Signing Services of America, each episode breaks down trends, challenges, and expert tips from contract to close.

51M AGO

Mortgage Loan Closing Complexities

In this episode of Closing Market Weekly, Phillip Hogan sits down with real estate attorney Will Phalen who is a partner with Sherman & Phalen, LLC to break down what really happens behind the scenes to get difficult real estate deals across the finish line. Early in the conversation, Will shares how his path into law started after a career in consulting and how the shift toward real estate law allowed him to focus on problem-solving, client relationships, and what he calls “happy law,” where transactions end with solutions, not conflict. The conversation explores the real role of a closing attorney — not just paperwork, but trust. Will explains how attorneys act as the neutral party verifying ownership, funds, liens, taxes, and title integrity so buyers and sellers can move forward confidently. Through real-world examples, he shows how curiosity, research, and client-first thinking can save deals — including a case where extra investigation helped reduce a $14,000 HOA demand down to $1,200, allowing a transaction to move forward. Phillip and Will also unpack what’s changing in today’s real estate market. From investors struggling to exit properties purchased during higher price cycles, to tighter margins caused by hard money rates and construction costs, the episode highlights why buying right and managing risk has never mattered more. Will also explains why more distressed-title properties are entering the market, driven by lower inventory turnover, locked-in low interest rate homeowners, and increased estate and lien-related complications. Tune in now to learn how real estate attorneys solve complex title problems, what’s changing in today’s transaction environment, and why relationships and adaptability still drive long-term success. Highlights of the episode: 01:05 – Guest introduction: Will Phalen 05:50 – From litigation to closings 06:10 – What “happy law” means 08:25 – Real example: HOA lien reduction 10:45 – Why curiosity saves deals 12:40 – Investor inventory challenges today 13:45 – Hard money risk realities 14:50 – Interest rate disconnect explained 16:20 – Distressed title properties increasing 18:05 – Why clean title matters 20:55 – What closing attorneys actually do 22:05 – How title searches work 24:10 – Future of remote notarization 27:10 – What attorneys want from notaries 28:45 – Client service philosophy 30:45 – Advice for notaries and settlement pros 31:55 – Technology and AI in law firms 33:25 – How to contact Will 34:40 – Closing reflections Connect with Guest: Website: https://shermanphalenlaw.com/ Email: wlp@shermanphalenlaw.com/ #RealEstateClosings #TitleInsurance #MortgageIndustry #RealEstateLaw #ClosingMarketWeekly #TransactionManagement #NotaryIndustry #RealEstateOperations #MortgageProfessionals #SettlementServices

36 min
6D AGO

How to Lead a Growing Business Without Losing Your Values

In this solo episode of Closing Market Weekly, Phillip Hogan shares the leadership lessons that shaped his entrepreneurial journey and explains how to lead a growing business without losing your values. Drawing from Relentless Excellence: A Story of Family Business Building and Value-Driven Leadership, Phillip reflects on the pressure of living up to his father’s reputation and how forging his own path with Signing Services of America became the turning point. Phillip walks through a defining story from his father’s early business days—firing a contractor who wasn’t meeting standards and deciding to learn the work himself. Instead of hesitating, his father purchased equipment, opened a storefront in Brooklyn, and bootstrapped the company into financial stability. Phillip breaks down what that moment really represents: decisive leadership, belief in your ability to adapt, and the courage to move forward without waiting for perfect conditions. The heart of the episode focuses on what leadership truly means once a company begins to grow. Phillip unpacks his father’s simple but powerful advice: “You take care of your people. Your people will take care of you.” He explains what that actually requires—providing clear assignments, proper tools, training, performance reviews, accountability, recognition, and a workplace built on respect. Leadership, he argues, is not about titles. It is about creating an environment where people feel valued and empowered to contribute to growth. Tune in now to learn how to make decisive leadership moves, how to build loyalty through intentional culture, and why taking care of your people is the foundation of sustainable business growth. Highlights of the episode: 01:00 – Living up to expectations 02:40 – Bootstrapping decision moment 04:35 – Brooklyn storefront launch 05:35 – Defining leadership choices 06:45 – Take care of people 07:40 – Training and accountability 08:45 – Recognition and respect 09:50 – Building employee loyalty #ClosingMarketWeekly #LeadershipDevelopment #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessGrowth #CompanyCulture #RelentlessExcellence

12 min
FEB 12

Episode 28: Scaling My Business

In this solo episode of Closing Market Weekly, Phillip Hogan reflects on the formative entrepreneurial lessons he absorbed long before he officially became a business owner. Drawing from his book, Relentless Excellence: A Story of Family Business Building and Value-Driven Leadership, Phillip shares how watching his parents build and scale businesses in 1980s New York quietly shaped the foundation for his own leadership philosophy. Phillip walks through the mechanics of what scaling really meant before technology simplified operations. From taking customer calls across the five boroughs of New York to assigning deliveries, maintaining quality control, and personally approaching new neighborhoods for growth, he explains how business expansion required intention, grit, and presence. These experiences later mirrored the operational structure of Signing Services of America, reinforcing how foundational principles transcend industries and eras. The episode also explores marketing and operational efficiency through simple but powerful examples. Phillip shares how his father obsessed over presentation because perception shaped trust, and how introducing a fax machine transformed internal communication and reclaimed valuable time. These weren’t flashy innovations—but they created leverage. Tune in now to hear how formative experiences shape entrepreneurial instinct, why scaling starts with operational clarity, and how small improvements in efficiency can unlock long-term growth. Highlights of the episode: 01:45 – Formative entrepreneurial lessons 02:40 – Scaling lessons observed 04:30 – Delivery model parallels 05:20 – Neighborhood expansion strategy 06:05 – Dormant entrepreneurial knowledge 07:20 – Marketing presentation standards 09:00 – Technology adaptation example 10:10 – Efficiency through communication 11:30 – Ringside entrepreneurial education 12:15 – Vision-driven execution #ClosingMarketWeekly #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #Scaling #MarketingStrategy #RelentlessExcellence

14 min
FEB 7

Episode 27: Hard Decisions

In this solo episode of Closing Market Weekly, Philip Hogan shares a pivotal moment from early in his entrepreneurial journey that forced him to make an uncomfortable but defining choice. As he continues exploring themes from his book, Relentless Excellence: A Story of Family Business Building and Value-Driven Leadership, Philip reflects on what leadership really looks like when certainty is absent and risk is unavoidable. Philip recounts how being selected for a major New York City–wide marketing campaign celebrating his undergraduate alma mater unexpectedly put his growing business in conflict with his role at a city agency. What should have been a moment of pride and recognition quickly became a crossroads—remain in a stable, respected position or step away and fully commit to the business he had started. The timing wasn’t ideal, the outcome wasn’t guaranteed, and the decision carried real weight. This episode breaks down how business owners should think about tough decisions when not all variables are known. Philip explains why values, purpose, and long-term vision ultimately mattered more than short-term security, and how standing firmly behind a difficult choice led to growth, community support, and expanded leadership opportunities he couldn’t have predicted. Tune in now to hear why clarity often follows commitment, how to stand behind hard decisions with integrity, and what this story can teach you about navigating your own professional crossroads. Highlights of the episode: 01:10 – Tough decisions explained 01:55 – First business journey 02:15 – Marketing campaign selection 03:00 – Citywide public recognition 04:20 – Agency discovers business 04:35 – Leadership meeting request 05:25 – Forced career choice 06:15 – Comfort versus conviction 07:05 – Leadership response 08:00 – Fear and commitment 09:30 – Leadership growth impact 10:10 – Decision-making lessons 10:35 – Owning the decision 11:00 – Final reflections #ClosingMarketWeekly #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #BusinessOwnership #DecisionMaking #FounderMindset #RelentlessExcellence

12 min
JAN 28

Episode 26: Strategic Disruption

Don’t forget to pre-order my book, Relentless Excellence. Learn more at philliphogan.com In this solo episode of Closing Market Weekly, Phillip Hogan continues sharing the inspiration behind his upcoming book, Relentless Excellence, focusing on one powerful chapter: disruption. Phillip explains how becoming a “disruptor” is not always about innovation for attention, but often about survival, leadership, and responsibility—especially during moments of crisis. Drawing from his experience leading Signing Services of America through the COVID-19 pandemic, Phillip walks listeners through a period marked by fear, uncertainty, and sudden operational change. While many businesses paused or shut down, he made the decision to pivot—rethinking systems, workflows, and expectations in order to protect clients, preserve jobs, and keep the company moving forward. Phillip shares how that pivot strengthened trust within his team and deepened professional relationships across the organization. He explains why leadership during disruption requires more than strategy—it requires staff buy-in, clarity of vision, and genuine respect for the people executing the work. When employees feel valued, he notes, they are far more willing to align with difficult goals and carry them through. The episode also highlights lessons Phillip learned from mentors earlier in his career, including the idea that businesses must always evolve to survive—and that leaders are ultimately responsible for guiding that evolution. This conversation offers a real-world look at how disruption, when guided by values and people-first leadership, can become a defining moment for growth rather than collapse. Tune in now to learn how pivoting with purpose builds stronger teams, protects businesses during uncertainty, and turns crisis into long-term momentum. Highlights of the episode: 00:15 – Why disruption matters 01:20 – Defining a disruptor 01:40 – COVID business uncertainty 02:55 – Entering survival mode 03:35 – Strengthening team relationships 04:10 – Protecting jobs during crisis 05:45 – Staff buy-in importance 06:25 – Goals and objectives alignment 07:35 – Valuing employees 08:10 – Crisis leadership execution 09:10 – Mentor’s business lesson 10:15 – Writing the book 11:00 – Final reflections #LeadershipDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #BusinessDisruption #ProactiveLeadership #FounderJourney #ServiceBusiness #TeamCulture #OperationalExcellence #LegacyThinking

12 min
JAN 21

Episode 25: This Is Why I Wrote My Book

In this solo episode of Closing Market Weekly, Phillip Hogan shares the deeper inspirations behind his first book, Relentless Excellence, and the people and experiences that shaped the values he lives and leads by today. From his parents and extended family to mentors and early supporters, Phillip reflects on how excellence is formed through relationships, guidance, and service over time. Phillip opens by honoring his parents and encourages listeners to cherish time with their own families, recognizing how deeply parents influence who we become. He explains how multiple generations in his family contributed to the values explored in his book, and how watching sacrifice, commitment, and unity firsthand created a foundation that stayed with him throughout his life and career. The episode also highlights the role of mentorship, including the leaders who helped shape Phillip’s first business and the individuals who believed in his ideas before they became reality. He shares how support, trust, and accountability can change the trajectory of a person’s life and business when given at the right moment. Phillip goes on to discuss another major influence: his service in the United States Navy, where he developed a lifelong commitment to serving others. That mindset, he explains, guided his decision to build service-based companies and shaped how he defines leadership, purpose, and success. This episode offers a personal look at how excellence is built through family, mentorship, service, and intention. Tune in now to learn how values are passed down, how support systems shape opportunity, and why living a life of service remains at the core of long-term leadership. Highlights of the episode: 00:25 – Why this book was written 01:00 – Honoring parents and family influence 01:55 – Generational values and inspiration 02:25 – Introducing his first mentor 03:05 – Support behind his first business 04:35 – The impact of unexpected opportunities 05:10 – Service in the U.S. Navy 05:45 – Why service became a lifelong value 06:30 – Building service-based companies 07:05 – Defining success through helping others 07:50 – Who the book is for 08:45 – Parents shaping career decisions 09:20 – Where to learn more about the book 10:00 – Final reflections #LeadershipDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #ServiceLeadership #BusinessMindset #FounderJourney #MentorshipMatters #FamilyValues #OperationalExcellence #LegacyThinking

11 min
JAN 17

Episode 24: Proactive Leadership

In this solo episode of Closing Market Weekly, Phillip Hogan shares the inspiration behind his upcoming book, Relentless Excellence, and the real experiences that shaped his approach to business long before he ever became a CEO. Growing up in a household where both parents were entrepreneurs, Phillip was exposed early to sacrifice, discipline, and what it truly takes to build something meaningful from the ground up. Phillip reflects on watching his parents divide roles, commit fully to their businesses, and operate in complete alignment. Through years of working alongside them, he learned that entrepreneurship often requires giving up short-term comfort in exchange for long-term opportunity. Those lessons, embedded early in life, later became the foundation for how he built and led his own companies. The episode centers on one principle that continues to define Phillip’s leadership style today: proactive communication. He explains how his father taught him to anticipate problems before they happen, think strategically about risks, and take action early rather than reacting when things fall apart. This mindset, Phillip shares, became a major driver of growth and stability in his service-based business. This episode offers a grounded look at how leadership is formed through observation, sacrifice, and daily habits—not titles. Tune in now to learn why proactive thinking creates stronger teams, better client relationships, and more resilient businesses. Highlights of the episode: 01:00 – Introducing the book and family influence 02:05 – Growing up with two entrepreneur parents 02:45 – Learning sacrifice through example 03:40 – How his parents divided roles and stayed aligned 04:00 – The lesson of proactive communication 05:00 – Blending the roles of son and employee 05:50 – Long-term benefits of early business exposure 06:35 – Why proactive thinking prevents business crises 07:35 – Applying proactive communication in service businesses 08:35 – Building client relationships through anticipation 09:20 – The “third relationship” of business partners 10:00 – Final reflections and where to learn more #LeadershipDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #ProactiveLeadership #BusinessMindset #FounderJourney #ServiceBusiness #FamilyBusiness #OperationalExcellence #LegacyThinking

11 min
JAN 8

Episode 23: Legacy Lessons

In this solo episode of Closing Market Weekly, Phillip Hogan shares the inspiration behind his upcoming book, Relentless Excellence. Long before titles, companies, or career plans, Phillip was learning excellence through family, teamwork, and example. Drawing from his upbringing in an entrepreneurial household, Phillip reflects on growing up around his parents’ businesses in the 1960s and 70s—where children weren’t spectators, they were participants. Through listening, observing, and working alongside family, he absorbed lessons about accountability, standards, and people that would quietly shape his leadership years later. The episode explores how leadership is often learned unconsciously. By watching how teams are built, how employees are treated, and how expectations are set, excellence becomes a habit rather than a goal. Phillip breaks down why building teams, valuing people, and creating environments where others choose to contribute are foundational to sustainable growth. This episode is a reminder that excellence isn’t something we decide to pursue later in life—it’s layered over time. And if you’re leading people today, there’s a good chance you’re drawing from lessons you didn’t even know you were learning. Tune in now to learn how early experiences shape leadership, and why teams matter more than titles. Highlights of the episode: 01:20 – Early exposure to entrepreneurship 02:15 – Working in family businesses as a child 03:00 – Lessons that stay dormant for years 04:25 – Commitment, standards, and doing things the right way 05:05 – Learning how teams are built 05:45 – Hiring, managing, and valuing people 06:30 – Leadership instincts showing up later in life 07:45 – Why people choose environments, not just pay 09:10 – Value-driven leadership and team culture 10:35 – Connecting family lessons to business growth 11:30 – Closing thoughts and where to learn more #LeadershipDevelopment #TeamBuilding #Entrepreneurship #ValueDrivenLeadership #BusinessGrowth #LegacyThinking #FounderMindset #OperationalExcellence

12 min

Closing Market Weekly brings you up-to-date insights on the U.S. mortgage and real estate closing space. Hosted by Phillip Hogan, CEO of Signing Services of America, each episode breaks down trends, challenges, and expert tips from contract to close.

Creator

The Closing Market Weekly
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

30
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© The Closing Market Weekly
Show Website

Closing Market Weekly