As a certified executive coach with a wealth of title industry experience, who better than Alison Gareffa to discuss various approaches real estate professionals can take to sharpen their leadership skills? How does coaching work and how does it benefit busy professionals? Alison explains the distinctions between coaching, consulting, and therapy, emphasizing how coaching is all about focusing on the present rather than the past or the future. Gareffa explains how taking the time to be intentional helps us meet our goals more efficiently. Thinking of honing your craft and skills as a leader? She also highlights the benefits of executive coaching when learning how to be a better boss by boosting employee retention and building trust and loyalty, as well as the importance of active listening while asking open-ended questions instead of ones that require only a simple “yes” or “no.” If you have questions about your company’s coaching approach but just never knew where to turn, Alison is here to help coach you on how to better coach others.

Learn more about Forefront Coaching here and learn some quick tips included in this FAQ. She also is a big supporter of October Research’s Women’s Leadership Conference, which will take place in Cleveland, Ohio in November. Register here.

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

3:08 The Power of Active Listening and Open-Ended Questions

5:26 Coaching for Leaders in the Real Estate Sector

9:22 Structuring Coaching Sessions for Success

18:24 Using Assessments and Tools in Coaching

36:44 Prioritizing Self-Reflection and Personal Growth

Get In Touch…

Alison Gareffa, founder, Forefront Coaching (Guest), alison@forefrontcoach.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 www.OctoberResearch.com.

Episode sponsored by RamQuest – https://www.RamQuest.com

Episode produced by October Research – https://www.octoberresearch.com

In the second part of our conversation with mortgage consultant and attorney David Friend, follow along as we discuss the potential impact changes in federal regulations could have on the real estate industry. As covered in part 1 of our discussion, the elimination of Chevron deference as a standard principle for interpreting ambiguous regulations could open the floodgates for a slew of litigation over agency rules and regulations. Will some rules be stripped down to the studs like old houses long-overdue for a remodel?? Here, we spend some time homing in on RESPA Section 8 and how specific court cases and outcomes could affect national providers and smaller independent agents. We also consider what this new environment means for small businesses that may not have the resources to engage in costly litigation to influence regulatory opinions, leaving larger players in the driver’s seat in that regard. Friend emphasizes the need for adaptability and flexibility in the face of regulatory changes and draws on his past experience as a regulator as he highlights the importance of understanding the underlying purpose of statutes and regulations.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Overview

03:01 Change is Coming to the Real Estate Industry

08:41 Challenges Faced by Small Businesses in Influencing Regulations

16:19 The Uncertainty of Regulatory Changes

21:54 Rebuilding Operational Mechanics in the Industry

29:05 Understanding the Purpose of Statutes

35:46 Preparing for the Wild West of Regulatory Changes

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 www.OctoberResearch.com.

Episode sponsored by RamQuest – https://www.RamQuest.com

Episode produced by October Research – https://www.octoberresearch.com

What does a former CFPB attorney (who was a critical part of the crafting and implementation of TRID) think about the new world post Chevron? Follow along as David Friend, Esq., owner of Friend Mortgage Consulting, breaks down the implications of recent Supreme Court decisions with respect to the regulatory framework and, by extension, the real estate finance sector. This conversation explores the shift to a post-Chevron world with a more court-driven approach to regulatory oversight. Can you expect an uptick in litigation as a result of the Loper Bright and Relentless Inc opinion from SCOTUS? What might the impact be of individual court decisions and opinions? It’s not merely the Loper Bright decision that will change your world. We discuss two other cases that tie together to significantly change how federal regulations and enforcement will impact how you work. What could the Corner Post opinions mean for future statutes? What does the Jarkesy decision mean for statutory interpretations? Do any of these cases have more potential impact than the others? Don’t worry! Mr. Friend has plenty of insights on this subject. All you have to do is listen!

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction and Background

2:29 Shifting from Chevron to a Court-Driven Approach

9:26 Anticipating Increased Litigation and Challenges

15:41 Navigating the Uncertainty and Complexity

20:46 Case Examples and Potential Outcomes

25:50 Political Considerations and Challenges for Congress

31:36 Concerns for Small Businesses and Industry Interests

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 www.OctoberResearch.com.

Episode sponsored by RamQuest – https://www.RamQuest.com

Episode produced by October Research – https://www.octoberresearch.com

Join part 2 of our conversation with FNF Senior Vice President Charles Cain as he covers the changing realities in the real estate industry and tips for increasing profitability. Together Chuck and Mary discuss: the challenges state regulators face today and how to effectively work with your regulator to achieve a healthy marketplace, the CFPB’s consideration of prohibiting buyers from paying for lender’s title insurance, how title agents are doing in this market and what are they doing differently to stay competitive and profitable, the use of AI for creating title commitments and policies, using AI effectively in other parts of title operations, data privacy, data security and wire fraud – how can you reduce your risks without going broke? Chuck also shares advice for updating your business processes for a new age, how to create a more valuable service offering, and how underwriters are helping agents in these unique times. Are you thinking about a new production software? Hear about an important first step in the process. How will the new world of MLS and real estate commissions unfold and how it will change what title and settlement agents do? It’s a wide-ranging discussion, full of practical tips for successfully navigating today’s market.

NOTE: This episode was recorded on July 17, 2024.

Chapters:

00:00 Changing Realities in the Real Estate Industry

02:19 Auditing Algorithms and Title Insurance

09:10 Embracing Technology and AI in Title Insurance

25:34 Staying Informed and Adaptable in a Changing Industry

Get In Touch…

Chuck Cain, senior vice president, national agency division, FNF Family of Companies (Guest), Charles.Cain@fnf.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 www.OctoberResearch.com.

Episode sponsored by RamQuest – https://www.RamQuest.com

Episode produced by October Research – https://www.octoberresearch.com

In this conversation, host Mary Schuster and FNF Senior Vice President Charles Cain discuss the potential implications of the November presidential election for the real estate sector. becoming more active and addressing issues in various industries. A second Trump administration is likely to look significantly different from one led by a member of the Biden-Harris administration in terms of regulatory leadership and policy, leaving the two industry insiders with plenty to discuss. They also touched on the housing crisis in the United States and the need for both public and private sector solutions. The hot topics of lenders title insurance, data privacy standards, and the recent overturning of the Chevron doctrine also merited some insightful ponderings from Cain and Schuster and they were well equipped for the task.

NOTE: This episode was recorded on July 17, 2024.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Future Scenarios Depending on the Presidential Election

03:05 The Housing Crisis and the Need for Public-Private Solutions

06:00 The Impact of the Overturning of the Chevron Doctrine

13:14 The Uncertain Prospects of Federal Data Privacy Regulation

35:46 Balancing Privacy and Security

38:18 Attorney Opinion Letters in the Real Estate Industry

41:21 Title Waivers and the Role of Fannie and Freddie

44:42 The Evolution of Attorney Opinion Letters

51:31 The Future of Title Insurance: RFPs and Waivers

Get In Touch…

Chuck Cain, senior vice president, national agency division, FNF Family of Companies (Guest),

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 RamQuest – https://www.RamQuest.com

Episode produced by October Research – https://www.octoberresearch.com

Support also provided by Rynoh – https://www.rynoh.com

In Part 2 of her conversation with Lisa Walden, co-founder of Good Company Consulting, host Mary Schuster discuss the changing social and professional compacts informed by the unique economic challenges faced by Gen Z, and how their lived experience and observations of older generations have shaped their worldview and approach to work. Walden addresses practical reasons companies should prioritize trust-building and psychological safety among teams, offering tips for how leaders can do so in hybrid workplaces. Schuster urges Walden to share perspectives from her book, “The Future of Work is Human,” about the importance of empathy and offers advice to help leaders create a human-centric workplace.

The Future of Work is Human!

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Recap

02:04 Navigating the Changing Social and Professional Compacts for Different Generations

03:24 The Economic Challenges Faced by Gen Z in the Current Economy

05:38 Creating a Successful Hybrid Work Environment

07:58 Building Trust and Psychological Safety in Teams

09:20 Extending Self-Compassion and Prioritizing Human-Centric Leadership

18:00 The Future of Work is Human: A Book on Creating a Better Workplace

Get In Touch…

Lisa Walden, co-founder of Good Company Consulting (Guest), lisa@goodcompanyconsulting.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 www.OctoberResearch.com.

Episode sponsored by RamQuest – https://www.RamQuest.com

Episode produced by October Research – https://www.octoberresearch.com

“These kids today don’t want to work!” is a sentiment that’s been prevalent in American society since at least 1894, according to research cited by Lisa Walden, co-founder of Good Company Consulting, in her discussion with October Research Chief Knowledge Officer Mary Schuster. Listen as they explore the concept of the “Great Chasm” in the evolving workplace, which refers to the growing disconnect between what leaders and owners think, want, and see, and what individual contributors think, want, and see. Walden and Schuster also examine the effectiveness of flexible and hybrid work arrangements, and look at the clash points between different generations in the workplace from a historical point of view. You can find Walden’s book, “The Future of Work is Human: Transforming Company Culture for a Post-Pandemic World,” at this link.

Read more about one study Walden references in this episode, “Hybrid working from home improves retention without damaging performance,” by following this link.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and the Concept of the “Great Chasm”

04:17 The Effectiveness of Flexible and Hybrid Work

09:55 Rethinking the Purpose of Physical Office Spaces

12:13 The “Mouse-Jiggler” Debate: Does It Really Matter?

23:00 Appreciating Generational Differences in Work Ethic

27:57 The Changing Dynamics of Work

Get In Touch…

Lisa Walden, co-founder of Good Company Consulting (Guest), lisa@goodcompanyconsulting.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 www.OctoberResearch.com.

Episode sponsored by RamQuest – https://www.RamQuest.com

Episode produced by October Research – https://www.octoberresearch.com

In an episode for seasoned appraisal professionals and the merely curious, join October Research Chief Knowledge Officer Mary Schuster and Valuation Review Editor Mike Holzheimer as they shared hosting duties and interviewed Margaret Nelson-Quin, owner of Phoenix Appraisal Network. They explored the purpose of appraisals, the impact of emerging technology within the appraisal industry, and the multitude of changes in the Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal (PAREA) model. The various challenges presented by tighter lending thresholds, zoning changes, and broker compensation also made for hot topics of conversation, and a perfect segue into discussion about the need for appraisers to be adaptable and maintain strong relationships with other stakeholders in the real estate ecosystem to be successful.

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction and Purpose of Appraisals

2:25 The Impact of Technology on the Appraisal Industry

3:23 The Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal (PAREA) Model

6:25 Artificial Intelligence in Appraisals

10:32 Challenges with Tighter Lending Thresholds, Zoning Changes, and Broker Compensation

Get In Touch…

Margaret Nelson-Quin, owner of Phoenix Appraisal Network (Guest), margaret@phoenixappraisal.org

Mike Holzheimer, Editor of Valuation Review (Guest), mholzheimer@octoberresearch.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 www.OctoberResearch.com.

Episode sponsored by RamQuest – https://www.RamQuest.com

Episode produced by October Research – https://www.octoberresearch.com