エピソード

  • Producer or Pretender? The Truth About Winning in Real Estate | Ep. 163

    Producer or Pretender? The Truth About Winning in Real Estate | Ep. 163
    2026/08/12
    Send us Fan MailWhat separates a licensed real estate agent from a real producer?In Real Estate AF Episode 163, Mark Jones sits down with Jason Smith of San Antonio Real Producers and Miguel Herrera of The Agency San Antonio to move past the complaints and talk solutions: how agents turn pressure into production and panic into a real pivot.This conversation covers:• Why 2020–2022 created “order takers” who never had to build the fundamentals• Why a difficult market can still create opportunity• Why luxury is driven by relationships, trust, brand and experience—not simply lead generation• How Miguel built a career by finding a niche and going where the buyers were• Why top agents tell clients what they need to hear, not what they want to hear• How coaching, work ethic, pricing discipline and long-term relationships separate producers from pretenders• A rapid-fire “Producer or Pretender?” segment• A direct closing challenge: Somebody will win in this market—why not you?GUESTSJason Smith — Publisher, San Antonio Real Producers; small-business coach and consultanthttps://www.realproducersmag.com/locations/san-antonio-real-producers-89cc/Miguel Herrera — Luxury real estate producer and brokerage leader, The Agency San Antoniohttps://miguelherrera.theagencyresa.com/HOSTMark Jones | NMLS #513437Branch Manager | Sr. Mortgage Lender(210)683-1481https://mortgagetalkwithmark.com/Powered by LoanBot — smarter mortgage matching.QUESTION FOR YOU- Are you producing, pivoting or pretending right now?- Leave one action you are taking in the next 24 hours in the comments.Subscribe, share this episode with an agent who needs to hear it and turn on notifications for more unfiltered real estate and mortgage conversations.This program is for education and entertainment only. Guest statements and opinions are their own.#RealEstateAF #RealEstatePodcast #TopProducerCHANNEL & MORTGAGE DISCLOSUREMark Jones | Sr. Mortgage Loan Officer | Branch ManagerNMLS #513437iThink Mortgage powered by Premier Mortgage ResourcesPremier Mortgage Resources, LLC | Company NMLS #1169Equal Housing OpportunityAll content is provided for educational and informational purposes only and is not financial, legal or tax advice. Nothing presented constitutes a commitment to lend, guarantee of approval, rate quote, offer to extend credit or representation that any particular loan program is available or appropriate for every borrower.All loans are subject to borrower qualification, credit approval, income and asset verification, underwriting requirements, acceptable property conditions, program eligibility and applicable federal and state regulations. Interest rates, loan programs, guidelines, costs, terms and availability are subject to change without notice and may vary based on borrower qualifications, property type, loan amount and market conditions.Opinions expressed by Mark Jones are his own and may not represent the views of Premier Mortgage Resources, LLC. Guest opinions and statements belong solely to the individual guests. Guest participation does not constitute an endorsement, referral arrangement or guarantee of any service.No compensation is paid or received for the referral of settlement-service business in violation of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act. Any businesses, professionals or services discussed are mentioned for educational or editorial purposes unless expressly disclosed otherwise.Mortgage scenarios, payment examples and financial illustrations discussed may be hypothetical and should not be interpreted as a personalized loan estimate, rate quote or determination of borrower eligibility.LoanBot and any AI-powered tools referenced are educational and informational resources only. They do not approve loans, make underwriting decisions or replace consultation with a licensed mortgage professional.MortgageTalkWithMark.comCHAPTERS00:00 Opening: From Pressure to Production01:12 Meet Jason Smith and Miguel Herrera04:56 Luxury Is a Mindset10:07 Bad Market or Opportunity?20:46 The Agent Production Gap22:54 COVID-Era “Order Takers”28:07 Solutions: Work, Training and Collaboration38:15 This Isn’t 2008—Find Your Niche50:46 Luxury Clients, Pricing and Authority58:53 What Top Producers Do Differently1:07:58 Producer or Pretender? Rapid Fire1:15:07 Final Motivation: Why Not You?Support the showRealEstateAF is Powered by LoanBot.com Host: Mark Jones | Sr. Loan Officer | NMLS# 513437 If you would like to work with Mark on your next home purchase or as a partner visit iThink Mortgage.
    続きを読む 一部表示
    1 時間 19 分
  • Can Your Realtor Also Be Your Loan Officer? The RESPA Line

    Can Your Realtor Also Be Your Loan Officer? The RESPA Line
    2026/08/07
    Send us Fan MailMortgage companies are recruiting Realtors to obtain MLO licenses and earn mortgage-side compensation. Is this smart vertical integration—or could it create a RESPA problem?In this episode of RealEstateAF, Mark Jones sits down with San Antonio independent mortgage broker John Hudson, who brings nearly 29 years of mortgage experience, to examine the growing Realtor-to-MLO trend.We are not arguing that Realtors should never become loan officers. Texas permits someone to serve in both roles under certain conditions. The real question is what the person is being paid to do.Is the Realtor performing real, necessary and documented mortgage-origination services—or is an MLO license being used as a wrapper around a paid referral?THE CENTRAL TAKEAWAY:A license may authorize someone to perform mortgage work. It does not automatically make a referral compensable. The actual mortgage work matters.IN THIS EPISODE:• Why Realtors and mortgage companies are exploring new revenue streams• How a tougher housing market helped create this trend• The difference between a referral and legitimate origination work• Why “limited extra effort” is a major warning sign• RESPA Section 8 and unearned-fee concerns• Consumer steering, divided loyalty and lender choice• Whether the borrower is actually receiving better pricing• Builder incentives and the payment-first sales strategy• Gen Z buyers and down-payment-assistance opportunities• Why fundamentals may generate more income than dual licensing• Questions every Realtor should ask before joining one of these programsQUESTIONS REALTORS SHOULD ASK:• What exact mortgage responsibilities will I perform?• Who will supervise and train me?• Who is responsible for compliance?• Who will actually structure and complete the loan?• What happens when a loan is transferred to another originator?• Can my client freely select another lender?• Will I be expected to recommend this company to every client?• Has my real estate broker approved the arrangement?• Does the lender or investor permit the dual role?• Is my compensation different on down-payment-assistance loans?• Would this arrangement still make sense without my personal leads?Mark’s position:“I’m not against Realtors becoming serious mortgage professionals. I’m against Realtors obtaining an MLO license for the sole purpose of receiving compensation for handing the transaction to someone else.”ABOUT THE GUEST:John HudsonIndependent Mortgage Broker | San Antonio, Texashttps://hmmtg.com/john-hudson/POWERED BY:LoanBot — Smarter Mortgage MatchingLoanbot.comCONNECT WITH MARK:https://mortgagetalkwithmark.comPRIMARY RESOURCES:CFPB — RESPA Section 8 FAQs:https://www.consumerfinance.gov/compliance/compliance-resources/mortgage-resources/real-estate-settlement-procedures-act/real-estate-settlement-procedures-act-faqs/CFPB — Regulation X §1024.14:https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1024/14/Texas Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending:https://www.sml.texas.gov/mortgage-origination/faqs/Texas Real Estate Commission Rules:https://www.trec.texas.gov/agency-information/rules-and-laws/trec-rulesData, rates, programs and market conditions discussed were current as of the recording date and may have changed.DISCLAIMER:This program is provided for education and entertainment only. It is not legal, compliance, tax, financial, real estate or individualized mortgage advice. The opinions expressed by the host and guest are their own. Discussion of marketing materials or business models should not be interpreted as an allegation that any particular company or individual violated the law. Mortgage programs, rates, terms and eligibility requirements are subject to change and underwriting approval.Mark Jones | NMLS #513437iThink Mortgage powered by Premier Mortgage Resources LLC | NMLS #1169Equal Housing Lender#RealEstateAF #RESPA #MortgageIndustry00:00 The Realtor-to-MLO controversy04:55 The RESPA line: referral vs. real mortgage work09:40 Why this trend is growing now20:15 Mortgage rates and the housing lock-in effect28:10 The “limited extra effort” recruiting pitch35:10 Does the consumer actually get a better deal?37:35 How builders are winning payment-sensitive buyers45:55 Gen Z, FHA and down-payment assistance53:30 Shortcuts have ceilings—fundamentals don’t57:30 Questions Realtors must ask and our final verdictSupport the showRealEstateAF is Powered by LoanBot.com Host: Mark Jones | Sr. Loan Officer | NMLS# 513437 If you would like to work with Mark on your next home purchase or as a partner visit iThink Mortgage.
    続きを読む 一部表示
    55 分
  • The 97% Problem - Real Estate Broker Perspective

    The 97% Problem - Real Estate Broker Perspective
    2026/07/29
    Send us Fan Mail⚠️ Viewer discretion advised: This episode contains strong language and candid adult conversation.According to the 2026 agent-production chart referenced during this episode, approximately 84% of NAR-registered agents had closed zero transactions between January 1 and July 6, 2026, while approximately 97% had closed four transactions or fewer.So what is actually happening inside the real estate industry?In this unfiltered episode of RealEstateAF, Mark Jones sits down with three experienced San Antonio real estate brokers: Jeff Garza, Robert Saenz and Cesar Amezcua.The panel breaks down why so many agents are struggling, whether real estate has been incorrectly marketed as a side hustle and why simply changing brokerages rarely fixes the real problem.They also get brutally honest about:• Whether real estate licensing standards adequately protect consumers• Why experience and fiduciary responsibility still matter• Massive builder commissions and new-construction incentives• Finding the actual cash value of a new home• Why so many real estate contracts are falling apart• Performative social-media success and “I just capped” posts• The temporary excitement of changing brokerages• What real rainmaker activity actually looks like• Whether struggling agents are surrounded by the wrong people• When becoming a dual-licensed Realtor and loan officer makes sense• Better ways agents can create additional sources of income• Social-media boundaries, lead verification and agent safetyThis is not an attack on struggling agents. It is an honest conversation about the difference between holding a real estate license and building a sustainable professional real estate business.Statistics discussed in this episode are based on a chart displayed and referenced by the panel. RealEstateAF has not independently audited the underlying dataset.━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━TODAY’S GUESTSJeff GarzaCEO and Broker, Redbird Realtyhttps://redbird-realty.com/Robert SaenzBroker, Xsellence Realtyhttps://www.xsellencerealtysa.com/Cesar AmezcuaOwner and Sponsoring Broker, CA & Company, REALTORS®https://cacompanyrealtors.com/━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━CHAPTERS00:00 – Cold Open: Get Better Every Day00:32 – Introducing Jeff Garza, Robert Saenz and Cesar Amezcua02:46 – The 2026 Agent Chart: 84% Closed Zero Transactions08:00 – Real Estate Licensing Standards and Consumer Protection12:25 – Builder Incentives, New Construction and Fiduciary Duty24:37 – Failed Contracts and Performative Social-Media Success31:00 – Brokerage Hopping and the 60-Day Honeymoon50:26 – What Real Rainmakers Actually Do1:00:26 – The 84%, Top Producers and Dual Licensing1:16:45 – Agent Safety, Social-Media Boundaries and Final Takeaways━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━POWERED BY LOANBOTRealEstateAF is powered by LoanBot — Smarter Mortgage Matching.Search LoanBot in the Apple App Store or Google Play.Affiliation disclosure: RealEstateAF host Mark Jones is a co-founder of and holds an ownership interest in LoanBot.LoanBot is an educational mortgage-matching and technology platform. It does not issue loan approvals, make underwriting decisions or provide a commitment to lend.━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━CONNECT WITH MARKConsidering buying, refinancing or developing a mortgage strategy?Visit:https://MortgageTalkWithMark.comMark JonesBranch Manager and Senior Loan OfficerNMLS #513437iTHINK Mortgage powered by Premier Mortgage Resources, LLCNMLS #116924123 Boerne Stage Road, Suite 103San Antonio, Texas 78255Equal Housing Opportunity━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━CHANNEL AND PODCAST DISCLOSUREThe information presented in this podcast is provided for general educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not legal, tax, financial, investment, real estate, accounting or individualized mortgage advice.Guests appear for informational and discussion purposes and speak on their own behalf. Their statements, opinions and experiences do not necessarily represent the opinions or policies of Mark Jones, RealEstateAF, iTHINK Mortgage, Premier Mortgage Resources, LLC, LoanBot or any affiliated organization.No compensation is paid or received in exchange for referrals, endorsements or podcast appearances. Nothing discussed during this episode should be interpreted as an agreement to refer settlement-service business or as a requirement to use any particular real estate broker, lender, title company, insurance company or other service provider.Mark Jones is a licensed mortgage loan originator. This content does not constitute an offer to extend credit or a commitment to lend. All loan programs, interest rates, terms, qualifying requirements and product availability are subject to change without notice. All financing is subject to application, credit review, property ...
    続きを読む 一部表示
    1 時間 26 分
  • Unfiltered - Real Estate, Podcasting & Politics

    Unfiltered - Real Estate, Podcasting & Politics
    2026/07/15

    Send us Fan Mail

    If you’ve ever crawled a deal to the finish line and wondered why it feels so much harder than it should, you’ll feel seen here. Mark Jones sits down with returning guest Matt Reyna after a last-minute schedule change, and the conversation turns into a raw, useful look at the mindset behind surviving real estate’s peaks and valleys.

    We start with the simplest performance tool that actually works: small daily improvement. From there, we get specific about what breaks transactions today, especially in new construction. We talk builder lenders, poor communication, and the ripple effect that hits buyers, realtors, and loan officers when expectations aren’t set upfront. Mark lays out why honest lending conversations beat “rainbows and unicorns,” and how transparency keeps clients from panicking when the file gets messy.

    Then we zoom out into podcasting and personal brand building. Matt shares why he talked about launching a show for years, what finally got him to start, and why consistency matters more than perfect cameras. We also touch the third rail topics that show up everywhere now: political polarization, virtue-signaling marketing, media bias, and why long-form dialogue is disappearing. The thread stays the same: ask better questions, do your own research, and keep getting better.

    If you got value from this, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find Real Estate AF.

    Support the show

    RealEstateAF is Powered by LoanBot.com
    Host: Mark Jones | Sr. Loan Officer | NMLS# 513437
    If you would like to work with Mark on your next home purchase or as a partner visit iThink Mortgage.

    続きを読む 一部表示
    1 時間 6 分
  • From Boarder to Boardroom - Blanca Abbud

    From Boarder to Boardroom - Blanca Abbud
    2026/06/24

    Send us Fan Mail

    Support the show

    RealEstateAF is Powered by LoanBot.com
    Host: Mark Jones | Sr. Loan Officer | NMLS# 513437
    If you would like to work with Mark on your next home purchase or as a partner visit iThink Mortgage.

    続きを読む 一部表示
    1 時間 2 分
  • Relationships Beat Algorithms When Markets Shift

    Relationships Beat Algorithms When Markets Shift
    2026/06/10

    Send us Fan Mail

    If you feel like you are doing solid work but nobody knows it, the problem is not your hustle, it is your visibility and your credibility. Mark Jones sits down with Jason Smith, publisher of San Antonio Real Producers, to talk about what actually moves the needle in real estate and small business growth when social media gets loud and trust gets scarce.

    We get into why print marketing is still effective when it is niche, community-driven, and tied to a real person’s reputation. Jason shares lessons from building a neighborhood publication in The Dominion, where purchasing decisions are intentional and relationships matter. Then we zoom out to the San Antonio real estate market and why the pandemic created a surprising gap: top agents stayed productive while professional camaraderie and vendor access fell apart.

    Jason explains how Real Producers helps solve that gap by spotlighting top-producing agents, telling real stories, and hosting private events that put the right people in the same room. We also go deeper into the personal side: coaching, closing loops, rebuilding after setbacks, and a four-part framework for growth built on character, clarity, courage, and competence. You will leave with practical ideas for earning referrals, communicating value, and building a business that aligns with the life you actually want.

    Subscribe for more conversations like this, share the episode with someone building in real estate, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.

    Support the show

    RealEstateAF is Powered by LoanBot.com
    Host: Mark Jones | Sr. Loan Officer | NMLS# 513437
    If you would like to work with Mark on your next home purchase or as a partner visit iThink Mortgage.

    続きを読む 一部表示
    58 分
  • Why Real Estate Teams Plateau - Leads Don't Fix Broken Systems

    Why Real Estate Teams Plateau - Leads Don't Fix Broken Systems
    2026/05/14

    Send us Fan Mail

    Your pipeline can look “busy” and still be broken. The real problem usually shows up in two places: the first phone conversation and the moment you sit down face to face and ask someone to trust you with a sale. I sit down with Christopher Waters, CEO of Waters International Realty and the builder behind Tables OS and RealSync, to talk about what actually moves the needle for real estate agents and team leaders: standards, accountability, and coaching that happens where the work happens.

    Chris walks through the unglamorous parts of growth, getting humbled, buying coaching on a credit card, failing fast, then building a documented roadmap that lets a team scale without guessing. We dig into “performance enforcement” and why most teams stop at onboarding instead of inspecting execution. He explains how the mystery shopping mindset from other high ticket sales industries applies directly to real estate lead conversion, objection handling, and the listing presentation.

    Then we go deep on AI sales coaching for real estate. Chris shares why generic AI notes can fall short, how RealSync is trained with rubrics and real sales standards, and what happens when agents get an objective scorecard right after every call and appointment. We cover patterns like pre-close questions that top producers use, red flags that predict low motivation sellers, probability scoring, and how agentic AI is enabling an enterprise model where small teams can operate like big companies without sacrificing service.

    If you want better conversations, higher conversion rates, and a more scalable real estate business, hit subscribe, share this with a team leader, and leave a quick review so more agents can find the show. What part of your process needs the most coaching right now?

    Support the show

    RealEstateAF is Powered by LoanBot.com
    Host: Mark Jones | Sr. Loan Officer | NMLS# 513437
    If you would like to work with Mark on your next home purchase or as a partner visit iThink Mortgage.

    続きを読む 一部表示
    1 時間 4 分
  • The Secret to Thriving in Any Real Estate Market

    The Secret to Thriving in Any Real Estate Market
    2026/05/13

    Send us Fan Mail

    Mark Jones of Real Estate AF sits down with industry veterans Patrick Conway and Adam Hughes to reveal the secrets to building a profitable, sustainable career in any market. They cover the power of coaching, focusing on high-value "green time" activities, and implementing simple systems like the "15 & 1" daily goal to create a referral-based business that lasts. Learn to stop being busy and start being profitable.


    Key Points

    * The Power of Coaching: Long-term success is attributed to mentorship and being truly coachable—the ability to execute without opinion.
    * Better, Not Bigger: A smaller, more focused business can be significantly more profitable (e.g., from 19% to 68% profit margin).
    * Green Time vs. Red Time: Maximize your income by focusing on "Green Time" (money-making activities) and delegating or systematizing "Red Time" (administrative tasks).
    * Systems for Success: Implement simple, consistent daily goals like the "15 & 1" rule (15 calls, 1 warm lead) to build momentum.
    * Referrals Are Key: The most efficient way to grow is to get one new client from every existing client by specifically asking for the business.
    * Mindset Over Market: Individual effort, strong systems, and a relationship-based approach matter more than overall market conditions.
    * Build Your Support System: Success requires a strong network, including professional coaches and personal accountability partners.


    Chapters (Timestamps & Topics)

    * 00:00 - Intro: The Power of Coaching & Relationships
    * 01:52 - Origin Stories: From Title Reps to Top Producers
    * 06:40 - Patrick's "Rookie of the Year" Success & The Roller Coaster Effect
    * 09:25 - The "Bigger Isn't Better" Philosophy & 68% Profitability
    * 12:20 - Adam's "Rock Bottom" Turning Point & Defining "Coachable"
    * 15:05 - Green Time vs. Red Time: Calculating Your $660/Hour Worth
    * 19:04 - The "15 & 1" Daily Formula & 6 Elements of a Great Call
    * 22:15 - Building a Referral Engine: The "Just One Deal" Script
    * 25:30 - The High-Trust Interview: How to Win & Filter Clients
    * 29:40 - Why Market Conditions Don't Dictate Your Success
    * 32:12 - A Personal Story of Resilience: The Power of a Relationship Business
    * 35:00 - Final Takeaways: Embrace the Boring & Run the Play


    Mark Jones
    Senior Loan Officer | NMLS #513437
    iThink Mortgage powered by Premier Mortgage Resources | NMLS #1169
    Equal Housing Opportunity

    All content on this channel is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute a commitment to lend, loan approval, financial advice, legal advice, tax advice, or investment advice. Loan terms, interest rates, program availability, down payment requirements, and eligibility are subject to credit approval, underwriting guidelines, investor overlays, market conditions, and change without notice.

    Opinions expressed are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of iThink Mortgage, Premier Mortgage Resources, any affiliated companies, podcast guests, employers, brokerages, lenders, builders, or industry partners.

    Guests appearing on this podcast speak on their own behalf. No compensation is given or received for referrals, endorsements, podcast appearances, or business recommendations unless specifically disclosed. Nothing discussed should be interpreted as a referral agreement, endorsement, or guarantee of results.

    Mortgage examples, payment estimates, rate discussions, affordability scenarios, and loan program descriptions are hypothetical and for educational purposes only. Actual loan options may vary based on credit profile, income, assets, debt-to-income ratio, property type, occupancy, loan amount, location, and current guidelines.

    LoanBot, ReviewMyMortgage.com, and any related tools or calculators are educational resources only and do not provide loan approvals, credit decisions, u

    Support the show

    RealEstateAF is Powered by LoanBot.com
    Host: Mark Jones | Sr. Loan Officer | NMLS# 513437
    If you would like to work with Mark on your next home purchase or as a partner visit iThink Mortgage.

    続きを読む 一部表示
    1 時間 5 分