Spilling The Title Tea

Ashley Ramsey
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Title experts share their knowledge

  1. FEB 3

    Estate Planning Isn’t Just for “Later”: Elder Law & Protecting Your Home with Curtis (William) Smallwood

    In Episode 74 of Spilling the Title Tea, Ashley sits down with Curtis (William) Smallwood, owner of Smallwood Elder Law, to break down what most homeowners don’t think about when they’re buying property: estate planning. Curtis explains why planning matters at every age, especially when your home is your biggest asset and how the right documents can help families avoid probate, protect privacy, and prevent conflict when a loved one passes. They also dive into elder law and Medicaid planning, including the realities of nursing home costs, Medicaid’s strict asset limits, the five-year lookback rule, and why irrevocable trusts can be powerful (but require giving up control). Curtis also explains why “just put the house in the kids’ names” can create big issues, especially around taxes and step-up in basis. This episode is an honest, practical guide to having the uncomfortable conversations now, so your family doesn’t have to later. Highlights Curtis shares his background as a solo attorney for 12+ years, focusing on elder law and end-of-life planning, plus his advanced tax law degree (LLM).Why estate planning gets avoided: nobody wants to think about death, incapacity, or hard family conversations—until they have to.How planning can help homeowners avoid probate, which Curtis explains is often lengthy, expensive, and public.Why privacy matters: without planning, assets and estate details can become public record.Protecting your biggest asset: how estate planning ensures your home goes to who you choose, not just what state law dictates.Avoiding family drama: how clear documents reduce misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and conflict over “what mom/dad said they wanted.”Planning for incapacity: durable powers of attorney can allow someone to pay bills, manage assets, or even sell a home if you can’t.Medicaid & nursing home planning basics: the strict asset limits, what “spend down” means, and how fast nursing home costs add up.Irrevocable trusts explained: why they can protect assets from Medicaid after the five-year lookback, and why the grantor can’t be the trustee.The “just add the kids” option: Curtis explains concerns with life estates and gifting property—especially the potential loss of step-up in basis and increased capital gains taxes later.Links Sringdale Title Links: sprindaletitle.com Facebook https://www.linkedin.com/company/73182038 Instagram

    20 min

  2. JAN 20

    Farm Girl to Design Pro: Interior Design Tips & Trends with Joanna Baker

    In Episode 73 of Spilling the Title Tea, Ashley sits down with her longtime friend Joanna Baker, an interior design consultant with a true farm-girl foundation and a designer’s eye. Joanna shares how her love for design started with classic TV shows and HGTV, what inspired her to earn a degree in interior design, and how homeowners can avoid the most common decorating pitfalls, especially after buying a new home. From furniture sizing and paint palettes to staging advice for sellers, budget-friendly upgrades for first-time homeowners, and what trends might define 2026 (including the debated return of brass), this episode is packed with practical, relatable design wisdom that helps people turn a house into a home. Highlights: Joanna’s background: growing up on a Berea farm, raising animals, and now raising her own family on a farm with horses and cows.What sparked her design passion: Designing Women, HGTV obsession, art classes, and eventually a Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in design.The most common “mistake” homeowners make: struggling to visualize the final look of a room before buying furniture or choosing finishes.A simple, genius tip: using painter’s tape to outline furniture size and wall décor placement before buying or hanging anything.How to create a color palette that flows: keep main spaces neutral, then add color through accents like pillows, throws, and art.Why neutral furniture wins long-term: trends change, but neutral pieces let you update style without replacing expensive items.How Joanna decides when to refresh her own home: seasonal resets, inspiration from Pinterest/Instagram, texture, and cozy vibes.The difference between decorating for yourself vs. staging to sell: buyers want clean, neutral, uncluttered spaces they can picture as their own.Budget-friendly upgrades for first-time homeowners: paint, trim/molding, board-and-batten, peel-and-stick wallpaper, and DIY with YouTube help.2026 trend talk: modern farmhouse continues, more texture and mixed wood tones, patterns creeping back—and yes, possibly brass returning (cue Ashley’s protest).Links: Joanna Baker Interior Design Consultant  Instagram Joanna_interiordesign@hotmail.com  Sringdale Title Links: sprindaletitle.com Facebook https://www.linkedin.com/company/73182038 Instagram

    21 min

  3. JAN 7

    From Hospital Hallways to Helping Homeowners: Karie Lerch on Building a Family-Handyman Business

    In Episode 72 of Spilling the Title Tea, Ashley sits down with Karie Lerch, co-owner of Building Maintenance Specialists of Kentucky, to talk about how she and her husband Mike made the leap from a stable hospital job into entrepreneurship during the COVID era. Karie shares how faith, family, and community connections helped their business take off, why working with their kids has become a generational blessing, and the wide range of “one call, all solutions” projects their team can tackle from flooring and drywall to plumbing, electrical repairs, and remodel work. They also discuss the real weight (and reward) of business ownership, future plans to grow the team, and encouragement for anyone thinking about starting a business later in life. Highlights: Karie explains how Mike left his hospital job after years of commuting and dealing with bureaucracy to start their own business.How the COVID era pushed many families to rethink “normal life” and take bold steps toward entrepreneurship.The biggest benefits of business ownership for their family: no commute and the freedom to control their schedule.Why Building Maintenance Specialists has become a true family business, multiple kids have helped on jobs over time.The vision of passing the business down as a generational legacy, potentially with their son stepping into ownership.How homeschooling and hands-on work taught their kids practical skills, strong work ethic, and employability.The range of services Mike can handle: masonry, flooring, drywall repair, painting, bathroom remodels, tile, plumbing, and electrical repairs.Their “one call, all solutions” mindset if Mike doesn’t know how to do something, he’ll learn it and figure it out.Mike’s favorite part of the work: serving senior citizens and widows who need help the most.Karie’s advice to aspiring business owners: jump now, expect hard days, lean on community support (like BNI), and avoid future regret by trying.Links: Building Maintenance Specialist of Kentucky Facebook Mklerch@windstream.net  859-339-1161 Sringdale Title Links: sprindaletitle.com Facebook https://www.linkedin.com/company/73182038 Instagram

    16 min

  4. 12/17/2025

    Mortgage Headlines, Real Talk: Community Banks, 50-Year Loans & First-Time Buyer Advice with Scott Cole

    In this episode of Spilling the Title Tea, Ashley sits down with Scott Cole, Regional Manager of TPO Bank Relationships at Canopy Mortgage, to break down what’s really happening in the mortgage world—without the fluff. Scott shares his 29-year journey through the industry (including lessons from the subprime era), explains how Canopy helps community banks compete with big-box lenders, and gives clarity on recent hot-button headlines like 50-year mortgages and portable mortgages. They wrap with practical, grounded advice for younger buyers trying to become homeowners in today’s market—especially when affordability and debt ratios are the biggest hurdles. HighlightsScott shares a personal intro: 30-year marriage, a son in college, and 29 years in the mortgage industry (plus a roofing company).How growing up in a family-run car dealership shaped his approach to business and customer service.Scott’s path from banking and finance into mortgages—and his candid reflections on the subprime mortgage era.Building and leading mortgage growth in Kentucky: opening branches, mentoring loan officers, and scaling a retail operation.What “TPO Bank Relationships” means—and how Canopy supports community banks without massive internal mortgage departments.Why tech matters: how Canopy’s loan origination system simplifies government loans like FHA, VA, and USDA for small banks.The big reason community banks want these options: keeping customers from walking down the street to larger banks.Ashley and Scott unpack the 50-year mortgage headline—why it’s being discussed, what problems it’s trying to solve, and why it may not become mainstream.Portable mortgages explained—and why bond markets, security gaps, and logistics make them unlikely.Scott’s best first-time buyer advice: save money even if you qualify for zero-down, because homeownership always comes with repairs and surprises.Links ScottCole - Canopy Mortgage https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-cole-a5b99a10 Sringdale Title Links: sprindaletitle.com Facebook https://www.linkedin.com/company/73182038 Instagram

    25 min

  5. 12/02/2025

    Motherhood, Mindset & Making It in Title: A Conversation with Kaitlyn Miller

    In this heartfelt episode of Spilling the Title Tea, Ashley sits down with Kaitlyn Miller, one of Springdale Title’s rising title agents, to talk about life behind the scenes, both in the office and at home. Kaitlyn opens up about becoming a mom, learning an entirely new industry from scratch, and navigating the beautiful chaos of raising her son, Crew, while building a career she truly enjoys. They dive into adjusting to the title world, finding confidence, juggling responsibilities, asking for help, and carving out space for personal goals even in the busiest seasons of life. If you’re a working parent, new to the real estate world, or just love a genuine conversation, this episode will feel like a warm hug. HighlightsKaitlyn shares her story as a new mom and the unexpected surprise of Crew being born on her birthday.Navigating a huge learning curve entering the title industry with no prior exposure.How Springdale’s team support helped her gain confidence and learn through constant questions.Loving the fast-paced nature of title work and discovering she's built for the industry.Balancing work life with motherhood—managing nap times, phone calls, chaos, and caffeine.The shift from “survival mode” to building routines and finding her groove as Crew grows.The importance of not losing yourself and creating personal time, even in hectic seasons.Kaitlyn’s vision for the next few years: growing her skills, exploring marketing, and finding new strengths within the company.Honest talk about mom guilt, household chaos, and learning to embrace each season.The value of small goals, mindset, and remembering that everything is figure-outable.Sringdale Title Links: sprindaletitle.com Facebook https://www.linkedin.com/company/73182038 Instagram

    29 min

  6. 11/18/2025

    Freedom, Hustle & Real Talk Marketing with Kyle Terry

    In this episode of Spilling the Title Tea, Ashley sits down with media and marketing entrepreneur Kyle Terry, owner of Freedom and Hustle. They dig into what it really looks like to build a creative business around family life, why recurring revenue beats one-off projects, and how small businesses can use simple, consistent content to actually get clients—not just likes. They also wade into the hot topic of 50-year mortgages, the realities of commercial space for small businesses, and why “support small business” often doesn’t match the financial products owners really need. If you’re a realtor, small business owner, or just a curious entrepreneur brain, this episode is packed with honest, behind-the-scenes insight. HighlightsKyle’s path from insurance and sales to going all-in on media and marketing.Why he dissolved multiple companies and rebranded everything under one focused brand: Freedom and Hustle.What Freedom and Hustle actually does: photo/video, social media content, and full podcast production for clients like Springdale Title.The difference between recurring vs reoccurring revenue and why recurring clients create stability for a media business.Why niche “all real estate” or “all legal” content doesn’t attract ideal clients—and why people really want to see the human behind the business.How entrepreneurship really works with kids: flexible schedule on paper, but often split between client work, school pickups, gym time, and late-night editing.The realities of a 50-year mortgage: smaller payments but dramatically more interest and slower equity, and how that could impact housing prices.The struggle for small businesses to find and afford commercial space, especially in areas where leasing is more expensive than buying.Creative options for business space, like rezoning residential properties for office use when traditional commercial options are too pricey.How Freedom and Hustle is expanding beyond real estate into fleets, chiropractors, and supplement brands, while pushing owners to invest in marketing that actually drives revenue not just image.Links:https://www.instagram.com/kylepterry/ https://freedomandhustle.com/ https://www.instagram.com/freedomandhustle/ https://www.facebook.com/freedomandhustle/ Sringdale Title: sprindaletitle.com Facebook https://www.linkedin.com/company/73182038 Instagram

    36 min

  7. 11/04/2025

    First-Home Roadmap: Ashley Answers Kennedy’s Buyer Questions

    Ashley sits down with her niece, third-grade teacher Kennedy Stone, for a straight-talk, first-time homebuyer Q&A. From where to start and which pros to trust, to rates, escrows, credit, and the sneaky mistakes that can tank a loan, this episode lays out a practical game plan for turning rent into a mortgage—without surprises. Highlights: Why your first step is a free consult with a great loan officer—and how to pick one (reviews, product knowledge, communication).The many loan products (FHA, VA/USDA, conventional) and down-payment assistance options for low/no-money-down buyers.Current market snapshot: realistic starter-home prices and what rates mean for monthly payment.What an escrow account covers (taxes, homeowner’s insurance, mortgage insurance) and how it affects your total payment.True monthly cost of ownership beyond P&I: utilities, maintenance, yard care, repairs (hello, water heater).Credit score targets (700+ ideal; 750+ excellent) and practical ways to build/repair credit.Why first-time buyers should use a Realtor (negotiation, paperwork, pitfalls) and how commissions are handled.Fixed vs. adjustable mortgages—why fixed usually wins for new buyers.When and why to refinance, and choosing 30-year vs. 15/20-year terms (flexibility vs. interest).The golden rule during underwriting: don’t finance cars/furniture or open new credit—and always ask questions if you’re unsure.Links:Fahe Rise Up Program - Fahe Future Homebuyers - Down Payment Assistance How to Repair Your Credit in 11 Steps A Guide to First-Time Home Buyer Loans and Programs - NerdWallet Sringdale Title: sprindaletitle.com Facebook https://www.linkedin.com/company/73182038 Instagram

    26 min

  8. 10/21/2025

    From Vault Books to Night Law School: Meet Attorney Melinda Kirkham

    Ashley introduces Springdale Title’s attorney Melinda Kirkham, whose path runs from old-school courthouse vaults to a nationwide title role during night law school. Melinda shares the skills she learned tracing titles back to U.S. patents, why she chose the JD while working full-time, and what brought her back to a collaborative, client-focused title environment. They also talk lifelong learning, identity beyond work, and the joy of helping families become homeowners. Highlights: Welcome Melinda: Springdale Title’s newest attorney and a huge help to the teamOutside the office: kayaking, hiking, disc golf—and a 300-album vinyl collectionOld-school training: pulling giant deed books in a vault and tracing titles to U.S. patentsFrom Missouri ranches to Nashville closings—including celebrity cash buysNationwide examiner during law school: title and curative work across all 50 states“Why not?”: choosing night law school while working full-timeThe grind: 9–5 job, 6–10 classes, and putting life on hold for four yearsShort-term pain, long-term gain: a chat about grit vs. instant gratificationBack to title by choice: helping people achieve homeownership in a positive culture“It’s never too late”: education as a solid, real-estate-like investment in yourselfLinks: Sringdale Title: sprindaletitle.com Facebook https://www.linkedin.com/company/73182038 Instagram

    18 min
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Title experts share their knowledge

Information

  • Creator
    Ashley Ramsey
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    74
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Spilling The Title Tea