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. OCT 30

    Inside the FICO Score Update: New Data, Risks and Opportunities - Ted Rossman | S2E18

    Ted Rossman had plenty of insight to share about recent changes in FICO scoring models, invoking his expertise as a longtime industry analyst at Bankrate. During this episode, he described the significance of the introduction of FICO 10T, which incorporates trended data and the impact of Buy Now Pay Later services on credit scoring. He highlighted the generational differences in attitudes towards credit and debt, the regulatory landscape affecting consumer protection, and the evolving relationship between FICO and mortgage lending. Rossman also emphasized the importance of incorporating rent payments into credit scores and provides advice for real estate professionals navigating these changes. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to FICO Score Changes 01:58 Understanding FICO 10T and Trended Data 04:24 The Impact of Buy Now Pay Later on Credit Scoring 08:31 Generational Perspectives on Credit and Debt 13:38 Regulatory Landscape and Consumer Protection 16:54 FICO's Direct Approach to Mortgage Lending 20:32 Incorporating Rent Payments into Credit Scores 23:29 Advice for Real Estate Professionals 26:04 Future Outlook on Mortgage Rates and Credit Scoring Get In Touch… Host email: Mary Schuster - mschuster@octoberresearch.com Guest email: Ted Rossman - ted.rossman@bankrate.com For More About Ted’s Work & Expertise: Ted Rossman | Bankrate.com - Compare mortgage, refinance, insurance, CD rates 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 Closinglock – https://www.closinglock.com Episode produced by October Research – https://www.octoberresearch.com

    33 min

  2. OCT 16

    Mortgage Fraud in Focus: Primary Residence, Secondary Problems - David Friend | S2E17

    Mortgage fraud is back in the headlines — but understanding how it really happens requires a closer look. In this episode, attorney and former CFPB Senior Counsel David Friend joins host Mary Schuster to unpack the difference between “fraud for money” and “fraud for housing,” why proving intent is so difficult and what real estate professionals should watch for in today’s market. He highlighted the many scenarios in which details included on mortgage documents can be misrepresented, either intentionally or by mistake, and the tax implications of different occupancy statuses. Chapters: 00:00 Understanding Mortgage Fraud: Definitions and Context 02:34 The Complexity of Mortgage Applications and Documentation 05:21 Intent and Material Misrepresentation in Fraud Cases 07:57 Fraud for Money vs. Fraud for Housing 10:39 The Role of Loan Originators and Title Companies 13:06 Navigating Discrepancies and Closing Procedures 15:56 Legal Implications and Responsibilities in Mortgage Transactions 18:39 The Impact of Fraud on the Real Estate Industry 21:04 Best Practices for Avoiding Fraud in Real Estate Transactions 30:08 Understanding Affiliated Business Arrangements 32:03 Defining Primary Residence in Mortgage Documents 34:28 Tax Implications of Primary Residence 36:41 Occupancy and Mortgage Fraud Concerns 43:34 Intent to Defraud in Mortgage Fraud Cases 51:08 Vendor Management and Compliance Training Get In Touch… David Friend, owner, David Friend Mortgage Consulting (Guest), davidfriend.vwork@gmail.com Mary Schuster (Host), 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 Closinglock – https://www.closinglock.com Episode produced by October Research – https://www.octoberresearch.com

    47 min

  3. OCT 2

    Standing Up to FinCEN: One Title Agent’s Fight - Celia Flowers & Luke Wake | S2E16

    When the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) announced sweeping new reporting requirements, one Texas title agent decided she couldn’t stay silent. Instead of quietly complying, she became the lead plaintiff in a national lawsuit challenging the legality of the rule. Listen as she shares her story, alongside her attorney, Luke Wake of the Pacific Legal Foundation, about what’s at stake for the separation of powers, privacy and the future of compliance in real estate transactions. Keys to Real Estate host Mary Schuster facilitated the conversation, which covered a multitude of considerations real estate professionals will have to become familiar with if the rule, which originally was set to take effect Dec. 1, 2025, but has since been delayed until March 1, 2026. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 2:16 Meet Celia Flowers & Luke Wake 5:40 What FinCEN’s Rule Requires 12:15 Why Celia Said No 18:30 The Lawsuit Explained 26:10 Separation of Powers and Privacy Concerns 33:45 Implications for Compliance and Real Estate Transactions 41:00 How the Industry is Reacting 48:20 Looking Ahead: What’s Next for the Case 52:30 Closing Thoughts Get In Touch… To learn more about Pacific Legal Foundation visit: www.pacificlegal.org Celia Flowers (Guest), ccf@flowersdavis.com Luke Wake (Guest), LWake@pacificlegal.org Mary Schuster (Host), 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 Closinglock – https://www.closinglock.com Episode produced by October Research – https://www.octoberresearch.com

    47 min

  4. SEP 18

    From Inspiration to Action: Women Leading the Way - Jaime Johnson | S2E15

    When a person acts on inspiration, amazing things can happen. Jaime Johnson, director of WFG Agent 3.0, demonstrated this concept by founding WFG’s Women at the (Closing) Table group. She credits the Women’s Leadership Summit (WLS), hosted by October Research, with providing the creative spark for her to take action. While speaking with Keys to Real Estate host Mary Schuster, Johnson described the impact her WLS experience had on her view of women in leadership within the title industry and recognition of the need for a supportive community for women leaders, which is often lacking in professional environments. The discussion highlights the challenges women face in the industry and the benefits of fostering connections to empower future leaders. Chapters: 00:00 Empowering Women in Leadership 2:42 Building a Supportive Community 5:34 The Importance of Vulnerability 8:24 Creating Connections and Mentorship 11:01 Breaking Down Barriers 13:25 The Role of Women in the Industry 16:24 Fostering Collaboration and Support 18:59 Engaging Future Leaders 21:57 The Impact of Community 24:30 Encouraging Participation and Growth Get In Touch… Guest email: Jaime Johnson, JJohnson@wfgtitle.com Guest company website: www.wfgtitle.com Women at the (Closing) Table on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16Xp8YRKCf/?mibextid=wwXIfr Women at the (Closing) Table on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14917027 October Research’s Women’s Leadership Summit: https://octoberresearchwls.com/ To email the host: Mary Schuster, 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 www.OctoberResearch.com. Episode sponsored by Closinglock – https://www.closinglock.com. Episode produced by October Research – https://www.octoberresearch.com.

    32 min

  5. SEP 4

    Property Rights on Trial: The USIP Seizure - George Foote, Esq. | S2E14

    Property rights can be a contentious issue. But what happens when one of the parties claiming ownership of a piece of real estate is the federal government, regardless of legal precedents indicating otherwise? This is the saga George Foote, Esq., long-time general counsel at the US Institute of Peace (USIP) is grappling following the seizure of USIP’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. in March 2025. The event holds massive legal implications for private property rights issues, as well as for nonprofit organizations, the constitutional separation of powers and the rule of law itself. Foote set the stage by walking our host Mary Schuster through a first-hand account of the timeline of events leading to the unprecedented takeover of a building built and maintained with private funds. The two experts viewed the extraordinary circumstances at play through the lens of real estate professionals, for whom consistency in the rule of law is critically important for the purpose of drawing up contracts and defending clients’ ownership rights. Chapters: 3:05 – Background on the U.S. Institute of Peace 7:30 – Key Executive Order 12:15 – Legal Challenges Begin 18:45 – The Armed Takeover 25:00 – Courtroom Battle Ensues 32:20 – Implications for Property Rights 38:10 – Separation of Powers Considerations 44:00 – Implications for Nonprofits 50:30 – Future Outlook for the USIP Legal Fight 55:00 – Conclusion Get In Touch… Guest email: gfoote@pkrllp.com For more information on the ongoing case: https://www.usipfacts.com/ Read Judge Howell’s opinion here. To email the host: Mary Schuster (Host), 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 www.OctoberResearch.com. Episode sponsored by Closinglock – https://www.closinglock.com Episode produced by October Research – https://www.octoberresearch.com

    49 min

  6. AUG 21

    Hidden Housing Market Trends & Risks - Andy Walden | S2E13

    Join us as we delve into the latest insights from the monthly Mortgage Monitor report for August with Andy Walden, head of mortgage and housing market research at Intercontinental Exchange (ICE). In this episode, we explore key topics such as housing affordability, inventory and cautiously optimistic expectations for the rate environment. Walden also shares what key metric(s) he finds more compelling when the report comes out each month, which could be invaluable for anyone trying to get a read on the state of the real estate market with respect to pricing trends, origination trends and what is driving the persistent push-and-pull between buyers and sellers. Chapters: 02:15 The Evolution of the Mortgage Monitor 05:30 Key Takeaways from the August Report 08:45 Mortgage Performance and Delinquencies 12:00 FHA Delinquencies: A Canary in the Coal Mine? 15:20 Foreclosure Trends and Market Resilience 18:35 Interest Rates and Homeowner Equity 22:00 Housing Market Dynamics and Inventory 25:15 Affordability Outlook for the Coming Year 28:30 Negative Equity Concerns 31:45 Under-the-Radar Market Indicators 35:00 Conclusion and Future Expectations Get In Touch… Mortgage Monitor email: ICE-MortgageMonitor@ice.com View or Subscribe to the monthly Mortgage Monitor data report here - https://mortgagetech.ice.com/resources/data-reports?tagIdGroups= To email the host: Mary Schuster (Host), 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 www.OctoberResearch.com. Episode sponsored by Closinglock – https://www.closinglock.com Episode produced by October Research – https://www.octoberresearch.com

    34 min

  7. AUG 7

    Housing Excess Equity, Eminent Domain and Hidden Costs of Regulation - David Deerson, Esq. | S2E12

    In this compelling conversation, David Deerson, an attorney with Pacific Legal Foundation’s property rights practice group, sits down with host Mary Schuster to examine the evolving landscape of private property protections in the U.S. from eminent domain overreach to excess equity takings and inclusionary zoning policies. With deep expertise in land use, eminent domain, and regulatory takings, Deerson brings clarity and passion to issues that impact both individual homeowners and national housing policy. They walk through real-world cases, legal wins, and the trends every real estate professional should be watching. With insight into both litigation and legislation, this episode equips title professionals, real estate attorneys, and settlement agents with tools to spot red flags, understand the risks, and engage with efforts to defend constitutional property rights. Chapters: 1:30 - Guest Introduction: David Deersen 3:00 - Understanding Property Rights 6:15 - Eminent Domain Explained 10:45 - Home Equity Theft: The Tyler Case 15:30 - Legislative Responses to Home Equity Theft 20:00 - Inclusionary Zoning Policies 25:00 - Legal Challenges and Supreme Court Victories 30:45 - State vs. Local Control in Real Estate 35:00 - Advice for Real Estate Professionals 40:00 - Future Legal Concerns in Property Rights Get In Touch… Guest email: Ddeerson@pacificlegal.org The Legal Description editor email: choward@octoberresearch.com More Resources… Pacific Legal Foundation: https://pacificlegal.org/ The Legal Description’s Excess Equity Watch Library: https://www.thelegaldescription.com/TLD/ExcessEquityWatch.aspx To search active PLF cases near you or to look at model legislation from PLF: State Policy | Pacific Legal Foundation For more coverage from The Legal Description as well as subscription info or free E-News signup: https://www.thelegaldescription.com Home Equity Theft by State (map by PLF): https://homeequitytheft.org/ To email the host: Mary Schuster (Host), 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 www.OctoberResearch.com. Episode sponsored by Closinglock – https://www.closinglock.com Episode produced by October Research – https://www.octoberresearch.com

    42 min

  8. JUL 24

    Frontline Fraud Fighter: Protecting Real Estate Transactions - Andy White | S2E11

    How can real estate professionals protect buyers, sellers and agents from the growing threat of wire fraud? In this episode of the Keys to Real Estate podcast, Closinglock Founder and CEO Andy White and host Mary Schuster discussed what industry stakeholders need to know now to secure transactions and customer trust. White explained how Closinglock has helped safeguard more than a million home sales using modernized payment systems designed to defend against sophisticated fraud schemes. The conversation highlights key trends in digital payments, the consequences of outdated practices and the real-world impact of enhanced transaction security. White also outlines how customer satisfaction and fraud prevention go hand in hand — and what the future holds for safe, seamless closings. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to Andy White and Closing Lock 05:10 - The Current State of Real Estate Fraud 8:10 - Estate Planning: Impact on trusts and management 11:00 - Real Estate Pros: Key considerations for agents and attorneys 12:45 - Innovative Solutions for Fraud Prevention 19:10 - Reporting Chain: Understanding responsibilities and roles 20:25 - Real-Life Stories of Fraud Prevention 24:15 - Compliance Tips: Strategies for effective adherence 28:15 - The Future of Digital Payments in Real Estate 39:50 - Data Collection: Importance of timely information gathering 42:50 - Reporting Needs: Obligations and data retention overview Get In Touch… To email our guest: Andy White, andy@closinglock.com To email the host: Mary Schuster (Host), 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 www.OctoberResearch.com. Episode sponsored by Closinglock – https://www.closinglock.com Episode produced by October Research – https://www.octoberresearch.com

    44 min
See All (39)

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 - 2025
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    Keys to Real Estate

You Might Also Like