Keys to Real Estate

October Research, LLC
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Business
  • Updated Weekly

An industry-centric podcast, Keys to Real Estate features in-depth conversations for anyone interested in deepening their understanding of the real estate ecosystem. Listeners can take charge of their self-learning in business-critical information and key topics that are central to thriving under the ever-changing demands placed on businesses today. Our long-form conversations featuring today’s newsmakers and thought-leaders, allow listeners to engage with each episode at the time and place of their choosing.

  1. 2d ago

    What’s Really Keeping the Housing Market Stuck? - Nick Friedman | S3E31

    Mary and Nick shift to existing homeowners and move-up buyers, beginning with the continued lock-in effect created by pandemic-era mortgage rates. They discuss whether there is a rate that could bring more homeowners back into the market, the life circumstances that are already overcoming rate lock-in and the greater flexibility existing homeowners have because of accumulated equity. The conversation touches on why accessing that equity before selling has become more important, the difficulty of home-sale contingencies in the current market and “Buy Before You Sell” as one tool for addressing that problem. The discussion then moves to one of the more surprising findings in the HomeLight report: loan officers say property-related problems – including inspection, title, zoning and property-condition issues – are causing more active purchase loans to fail than financing issues such as debt-to-income surprises or appraisal gaps. They close with a broader discussion of economic uncertainty, consumer hesitation, AI/job anxiety and what Nick hopes lenders and the housing market will look like by next summer. Chapters: 2:18 - Why homeowners are locked in by low rates 4:27 - Life changes that force homeowners to move anyway 6:52 - Accessing equity before the current home sells 8:36 - Property problems derailing more deals than financing 10:44 - Economic uncertainty as sentiment, not always a concrete barrier 12:23 - AI anxiety, adaptation and why human guidance still matters 14:39 - What will hopefully change by next summer Get In Touch… HomeLight’s website: https://www.homelight.com/ HomeLight’s Q3 Lender Insights and Predictions Report: https://active.homelight.com/q3-2026-lender-insights-report Host email: mschuster@octoberresearch.com To find more episodes of “Keys to Real Estate” or learn more about October Research – the nation’s leading independent provider of market intelligence, industry news, expert analysis and regulatory information for professionals in the real estate, title, financial and settlement services industries – visit https://www.octoberresearch.com. Episode sponsored by TrustLink – https://www.trustlinkservices.com Episode produced by October Research – https://www.octoberresearch.com

  2. Sep 24

    The New Math of Becoming a Homeowner - Nick Friedman | S3E30

    To provide better context about what lenders are seeing in the early stages of the homebuying process among different cohorts, HomeLight President Nick Friedman and October Research Chief Knowledge Officer Mary Schuster discussed findings about how borrowers are trying to save a buck amid elevated home prices and rates, as described in HomeLight’s latest Lender Insights & Predictions report. Loan officers from 57 lending companies indicated what they view as the biggest obstacle facing first-time homebuyers – even greater than mortgage rates or down payment/closing costs. Nick and Mary discussed how buyer expectations are shifting, as well as practical and creative solutions for making the home purchase transaction more affordable. Chapters: 0:45 - Why loan officers see affordability differently than the headlines 2:59 - Starter home shortage overtakes rates as the main barrier 4:58 - What the modern starter home really looks like 8:26 - Starting with monthly payment and building backward 10:21 - Seller concessions and closing cost strategy 12:49 - Auto loans and credit card debt as qualification obstacles 15:57 - Why lenders are moving from rate advertising to solution selling 17:01 - Move-up buyers and using equity before the sale Get In Touch… HomeLight’s website: https://www.homelight.com/ HomeLight’s Q3 Lender Insights and Predictions Report: https://active.homelight.com/q3-2026-lender-insights-report Host email: mschuster@octoberresearch.com To find more episodes of “Keys to Real Estate” or learn more about October Research – the nation’s leading independent provider of market intelligence, industry news, expert analysis and regulatory information for professionals in the real estate, title, financial and settlement services industries – visit https://www.octoberresearch.com. Episode sponsored by TrustLink – https://www.trustlinkservices.com Episode produced by October Research – https://www.octoberresearch.com

  3. Sep 17

    Run the Business You Have, Not the One You Remember - Chuck Cain | S3E29

    Next, we turn from industry disruption to what title professionals can actually control. Listen as industry veterans Chuck Cain and Mary Schuster talk about the importance of knowing your numbers, finding overlooked sources of business, managing costs and marketing more intelligently, while also preparing now for the fully digital mortgage before lenders begin expecting capabilities your operation may not be ready to deliver. Chapters: 0:43 – Introduction 2:54 - Why the residential market may stay flat for months 3:51 - Commercial business as the stronger lane for 2026 and 2027 6:13 - How to use KPIs to know your business by the second week of the month 8:12 - Blue Ocean Strategy and finding business outside crowded pools 9:59 - Calculating daily overhead and shaving cost from the business 13:21 - Why the old market is not coming back anytime soon 15:20 - Rising E&O, cyber, and AI costs, and how to think about them 18:18 - The fully digital mortgage and why 2027 matters 24:16 - How to ask lenders what you can do to lower their cost 28:44 - Hope is not a plan: why now is the time to build one Get In Touch… The Chuck Cain Show: https://fnfunplugged.buzzsprout.com/ Guest email: charles.cain@fnf.com Host email: mschuster@octoberresearch.com To find more episodes of “Keys to Real Estate” or learn more about October Research – the nation’s leading independent provider of market intelligence, industry news, expert analysis and regulatory information for professionals in the real estate, title, financial and settlement services industries – visit https://www.octoberresearch.com. Episode sponsored by TrustLink – https://www.trustlinkservices.com Episode produced by October Research – https://www.octoberresearch.com

  4. Sep 10

    When Title Insurance Goes Away, Where Does the Risk Go? - Chuck Cain | S3E28

    In this episode, industry veterans Chuck Cain and Mary Schuster examine the growing use of title waivers and attorney opinion letters and the bigger question behind them: where does the risk go when traditional title insurance goes away? We also discuss lender adoption, what could happen when defaults begin testing these models and what title agents need to consider before participating in waiver transactions. Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 3:00 - Federal signals and policy shifts toward reduced insurance reliance 4:09 - The rise of title waiver programs and their expansion potential 5:29 - How lenders and title companies are responding to new costs 7:00 - The economic outlook and the long-term risk of title waiver overuse 10:10 - Downturn scenarios: Title problems and the risk of default 14:44 - The looming impact of reduced insurance and market disruptions 16:04 - The importance of embracing technology and digital closing processes 18:00 - The critical role of insurance as a foundation of real estate value 20:05 - The emerging storm: risks from underinsured loans and legal issues 22:22 - AOLs, title insurance and legal standards 27:00 - Navigating state and federal regulatory complexities 29:00 - The role of cybersecurity, fraud prevention and process efficiencies Get In Touch… The Chuck Cain Show: https://fnfunplugged.buzzsprout.com/ Guest email: charles.cain@fnf.com Host email: mschuster@octoberresearch.com To find more episodes of “Keys to Real Estate” or learn more about October Research – the nation’s leading independent provider of market intelligence, industry news, expert analysis and regulatory information for professionals in the real estate, title, financial and settlement services industries – visit https://www.octoberresearch.com. Episode sponsored by TrustLink – https://www.trustlinkservices.com Episode produced by October Research – https://www.octoberresearch.com

  5. Sep 3

    From Doing the Work to Building a Career - Susan Stewart Magaña | S3E27

    Women have long made up a significant part of the title and settlement industry, but building a career takes more than being good at the work. Increasingly, women across the industry are creating intentional communities to help one another build relationships, develop as leaders and take greater ownership of where their careers go next. In this episode of Keys to Real Estate, Mary Schuster talks with Susan Stewart Magaña, the Founder of Her. the Title Collective and Agency Rep for AmTrust Title Insurance Co, about why Her. was created and what happens when women have opportunities to learn from, mentor and champion one another. Their conversation explores the difference between networking and meaningful professional development, the confidence that can come from discovering other women have navigated many of the same career challenges, and why outside professional communities can complement – not compete with – the development employees receive within their own organizations. Susan also shares why employers have something to gain when they encourage women to participate in these communities, including stronger leadership skills, broader industry relationships and employees who return to their organizations with new ideas, energy and perspective. The conversation is part of a broader look at the growing opportunities for women in title and settlement to connect and develop professionally, and leads naturally into the upcoming Women's Leadership Summit, where Susan will join women from across the industry for continued learning, connection and conversation. Chapters: 0:00 – Why women’s leadership communities are growing in title and settlement 3:35 – Why Susan created Her after years of feeling disconnected early in her career 6:10 – Why Her. focuses on high-achieving women who want mastery, not fluff 8:32 – How members participate through chapters, virtual meetings and local meetups 12:15 – Why women often wait to be asked instead of volunteering first 15:31 – The employer case for supporting women’s leadership development 20:43 – Retreats, magazine plans and the 100th spotlight milestone 27:04 – Susan’s advice: be more confident in who you are Get In Touch… Her. the Title Collective’s website: https://www.hertitlecollective.com/ Women’s Leadership Conference website: https://octoberresearchwls.com/ Guest email: Susan.Stewart@amtrustgroup.com Host email: mschuster@octoberresearch.com To find more episodes of “Keys to Real Estate” or learn more about October Research – the nation’s leading independent provider of market intelligence, industry news, expert analysis and regulatory information for professionals in the real estate, title, financial and settlement services industries – visit https://www.octoberresearch.com. Episode sponsored by TrustLink – https://www.trustlinkservices.com Episode produced by October Research – https://www.octoberresearch.com

  6. Aug 27

    Who’s in Your Corner? The Career Advantage Women Build Together - Kim Whitlock | S3E26

    What if the woman across the room you’re a little intimidated to introduce yourself to is thinking exactly the same thing you are? Women in Title founder Kim Whitlock joins Mary Schuster for a candid and often funny conversation about what happens when women stop assuming they have to figure out their careers alone. They talk about imposter syndrome (yes, even the women you think have none), getting brave enough to make the first introduction, and the people who don’t just mentor you – but say your name in rooms you’re not in. Kim also shares how one conversation with another title professional planted the seed for Women in Title, why she wishes she’d stepped outside her own shell much sooner, and the simple challenge she has for women still sitting on the sidelines: take the leap. You may be surprised by who’s waiting to welcome you on the other side. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction to Kim Whitlock and Women in Title 2:11 Kim’s origin story and motivation for founding Women in Title 4:01 The growth and impact of Women in Title across the country 5:58 The importance of local connections and community 7:54 Common challenges women face, including imposter syndrome 9:59 Reframing fear and excitement in public speaking 12:00 The role of mentorship, champions, and sponsors 13:55 The importance of male allies and industry support 15:57 The future vision for women in the industry 19:58 Encouragement to join professional development communities 22:05 Why women should step outside their comfort zones Get In Touch… Women in Title’s website: https://womenintitle.net For more information on the Women’s Leadership Summit: https://octoberresearchwls.com Guest email: info@womenintitle.net Host email: mschuster@octoberresearch.com To find more episodes of “Keys to Real Estate” or learn more about October Research – the nation’s leading independent provider of market intelligence, industry news, expert analysis and regulatory information for professionals in the real estate, title, financial and settlement services industries – visit https://www.octoberresearch.com. Episode sponsored by TrustLink – https://www.trustlinkservices.com Episode produced by October Research – https://www.octoberresearch.com

  7. Aug 20

    From AI Policy to Practice: Texas Insurance Commissioner on What Title Companies Should Expect - Amanda Crawford | S3E25

    The bulletin was only the beginning. In Part Two of this exclusive conversation, Texas Insurance Commissioner Amanda Crawford moves beyond policy and into the practical realities of AI adoption. From vendor responsibility and audit trails to data privacy and examination readiness, Commissioner Crawford offers a rare look into how one of the nation's largest insurance regulators is thinking about the challenges every title company is beginning to face. Whether you're evaluating new technology, developing internal governance or simply trying to understand where regulators are headed, this conversation offers valuable perspective from someone helping shape that future. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction: AI regulation and due diligence 1:49 Accountability concerning AI systems 3:08 Importance of audit trails and transparency in AI 4:04 Balancing innovation with consumer data protection 6:01 Principles-based regulation approach in Texas 9:06 Comparing Texas regulation with NAIC models 11:08 Regulators’ focus on AI decision-making in policy and claims 12:00 Emerging AI trends and regulatory watchpoints 12:59 Future updates and how regulated entities can stay informed 13:55 Closing remarks and resources for compliance The Commissioner’s Bulletin #B-0003-26 on the Use of AI: https://www.tdi.texas.gov/bulletins/2026/b-0003-26.html Information about Commissioner’s recent transparency initiative: https://www.tdi.texas.gov/news/2026/tdi06222026.html Read the findings from the regulatory efficiency review by the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) and the Governor’s Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office (TREO) with more than 300 potential opportunities to streamline TDI rules: https://efficiency.texas.gov/ Get In Touch… Guest email: GovernmentRelations@TDI.texas.gov Host email: mschuster@octoberresearch.com To find more episodes of “Keys to Real Estate” or learn more about October Research – the nation’s leading independent provider of market intelligence, industry news, expert analysis and regulatory information for professionals in the real estate, title, financial and settlement services industries – visit https://www.octoberresearch.com. Episode sponsored by TrustLink – https://www.trustlinkservices.com Episode produced by October Research – https://www.octoberresearch.com

  8. Aug 13

    Inside a Regulator’s Thinking on AI: A Texas Conversation with National Implications - Amanda Crawford | S3E24

    What happens when you get the chance to sit down with one of the country's most influential insurance regulators – not for five minutes at a conference, but for a candid, in-depth conversation? In Part One of this special two-part series, October Research Chief Knowledge Officer Mary Schuster welcomes Texas Insurance Commissioner Amanda Crawford to discuss one of the nation's first AI guidance bulletins for regulated insurance entities. More importantly, she explains the thinking behind it. Why issue guidance now? Where does AI belong in the real estate transaction? Where does human judgment remain indispensable? And how can innovation move forward without compromising consumer protection? Even if you don't operate in Texas, the questions Commissioner Crawford is wrestling with are the same ones regulators, underwriters and title companies across the country are beginning to confront. This special two-part conversation with Texas Insurance Commissioner Amanda Crawford explores how regulators are balancing innovation, consumer protection and professional accountability in the age of artificial intelligence. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction to AI guidance in Texas 2:11 The importance of consumer protection laws 3:31 Commissioner Crawford's background and perspective 5:15 Defining AI and its impact on decisions 7:12 Human oversight and accountability in AI decisions 9:20 Licensed professionals versus AI capabilities 11:06 Examples of safe AI use in workflows 12:28 Frameworks for AI governance and risk management 13:23 Common misunderstandings about AI regulations 14:20 Final thoughts and guidance for industry The Commissioner’s Bulletin #B-0003-26 on the Use of AI: https://www.tdi.texas.gov/bulletins/2026/b-0003-26.html Information about Commissioner’s recent transparency initiative: https://www.tdi.texas.gov/news/2026/tdi06222026.html Read the findings from the regulatory efficiency review by the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) and the Governor’s Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office (TREO) with more than 300 potential opportunities to streamline TDI rules: https://efficiency.texas.gov/ Get In Touch… Guest email: GovernmentRelations@TDI.texas.gov Host email: mschuster@octoberresearch.com To find more episodes of “Keys to Real Estate” or learn more about October Research – the nation’s leading independent provider of market intelligence, industry news, expert analysis and regulatory information for professionals in the real estate, title, financial and settlement services industries – visit https://www.octoberresearch.com. Episode sponsored by TrustLink – https://www.trustlinkservices.com Episode produced by October Research – https://www.octoberresearch.com

See All (72)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

An industry-centric podcast, Keys to Real Estate features in-depth conversations for anyone interested in deepening their understanding of the real estate ecosystem. Listeners can take charge of their self-learning in business-critical information and key topics that are central to thriving under the ever-changing demands placed on businesses today. Our long-form conversations featuring today’s newsmakers and thought-leaders, allow listeners to engage with each episode at the time and place of their choosing.

Information

  • Creator
    October Research, LLC
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    72
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    Keys to Real Estate