In this special episode of Keys to Real Estate, we interrupt our season break to bring you a timely and insightful conversation with Dr. Mark Calabria, former FHFA Director and key figure in the first Trump administration. With the recent presidential election in November, we explore what the housing and lending industries might face in a potential Trump 2.0 term from someone widely speculated to be tapped for a position in a second Trump administration.

Dr. Calabria shares his expert perspective on a wide array of critical topics, including:

• The future of the GSEs and potential reforms

• The future of AOL pilot programs

• Housing supply crises and the federal government's role in affordability

• Interest rates, the Federal Reserve, and leadership changes

• Tax policy, including Capital Gains revisions and SALT implications

• The MBA’s RESPA modernization proposal and potential updates to RESPA and TRID

• Innovations in hazard insurance and responses to state-level challenges

• The role of DOJ’s antitrust division under new leadership

• Key takeaways from outgoing CFPB Director Chopra's regulatory strategies

• The Congressional Review Act could influence the 119th Congress's actions on housing-related guidance and regulation

With his thoughtful approach and hard-won experience, Dr. Calabria offers valuable insights into the safety and soundness of the housing economy against the backdrop of a new - or returning - administration.

Get In Touch…

Dr. Mark Calabria (Guest), mcalabria@cato.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 www.OctoberResearch.com.

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

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

Lenders are keeping their chins up entering 2026 after a year HomeLight Homes President Nick Friedman described as “not great” while speaking with Keys to Real Estate host Mary Schuster. Expanding on the results of his company’s recent survey of lenders across the country, Friedman explored why lenders said they expect the year ahead to see a notable uptick in mortgage originations and what role the evolving real estate landscape may play in making that a reality. He emphasized the importance of understanding debt-to-income ratios first-time homebuyers are facing as they ponder creative solutions to get a foothold in the market. The conversation also steered into AI and its potential pros and cons, with respect to streamlining the lending workflow to make for a faster and smoother customer experience without losing sight of the significance of building strong relationships with buyers.

Chapters:

0:00 Lending Insights and Predictions for 2026

2:52 Interest Rates and Market Dynamics

5:37 Buyer Categories and Market Movement

8:33 Creative Solutions for First-Time Home Buyers

11:14 Loan Types and Market Growth

14:03 Refinancing and Home Equity Utilization

17:00 The Role of AI in Lending

19:35 Buy Before You Sell Programs

22:40 Counseling First-Time Home Buyers

25:17 The Importance of Relationships in Lending

Download the report: Lender Insights & Predictions for 2026

To learn more about HomeLight Buy Before You Sell: https://www.homelight.com/buy-before-you-sell

Get In Touch…

Host email: 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 https://www.octoberresearch.com.

Episode sponsored by Closinglock – https://www.closinglock.com

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

In Part 2 of our discussion with people operations expert Deb Wiley described the importance of considering the entire employee lifecycle, not just recruiting. This means developing and maintaining a positive workplace culture, which carves out space for recognition, clear communication, and facilitating healthy feedback. She also emphasized the importance of identifying and mitigating factors that could lead to employee burnout while fostering an environment where people feel they can grow their careers in ways that align with their long-term goals through professional development opportunities and one-on-one coaching. Listen and learn from someone who knows some of the keys to ensuring your real estate business is one that top talent will want to call home.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

02:53 Employee Retention Strategies

05:41 Understanding Employee Needs and Expectations

08:22 Addressing Burnout in the Workplace

11:07 The Role of Annual Reviews

14:32 The Importance of Professional Development

17:33 Creating a Positive Company Culture

20:06 Managing Change and Cultural Transformation

23:11 Building a Strong Organizational Culture

26:11 Final Thoughts on Attracting Talent

33:20 Creating a Thriving Workplace for Talent

Get In Touch…

Deb Wiley (Guest), dwiley@pattisonid.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