Episode 22: Sharpening Your Edge | AI, Ego, and Escrow Insights

Hosted by Jonathon Haddad (AIME’s Chairman & CEO) and Tommy Golightly (AIME’s Marketing Manager)

Welcome back to the Broker Power-Up Podcast, your go-to resource for real-world mortgage strategies. This episode is packed with actionable takeaways to help you stay ahead:

– Broker Buzz

Uncover the truth behind personal bank statement loans and why details matter. Learn how to estimate payments and closing costs accurately so you don’t repeat Jon’s early career mistake (an $8K lesson). Plus, we break down the legal nuances of seller concessions versus escrow holdbacks.

– Sales Training

In an era where clients are smarter than ever thanks to AI, discover why vulnerability builds trust. We’ll also explore how the rise of AI (with 800 million users and counting) is changing borrower expectations and what you need to do to adapt.

And don’t miss Jon’s golden wisdom: “Every book and every meeting teaches you at least one thing. Your ego decides if you’ll hear it.”

Tune in now to sharpen your skills, avoid compliance pitfalls, and future-proof your business.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode.

#MortgagePodcast #AIMECommunity #LoanOfficerTips #Mortgage

Listen wherever you get your podcasts!

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Episode 223:

Host: Marc Summers (AIME’s Founding President)
Guest: Joe Almeida Jr. (CEO & Lead Loan Originator, Redefine Home Loans Inc.)

In this powerful episode of the Broker to Broker Podcast, Joe Almeida Jr. shares his incredible journey—from arriving in the U.S. with $500 and experiencing homelessness to becoming a mortgage broker and CEO. His story is a testament to resilience, mindset, and the transformative power of homeownership.

Key Takeaways:

Turning Struggle into Strength: How sleeping in a church office shaped Joe’s hustle mentality and purpose-driven approach to lending.

The “Mortgage Assembly Line”: Joe’s blueprint for scaling from 5 loans/month to 50+ by building the right team and systems.

Ethical Sales & Education: Why combating borrower fear with truth and planning is the key to closing deals.

Vision for the Future: How profit-sharing, mentorship, and self-love are fueling Redefine Home Loans’ growth—and how you can apply these lessons too.

FUSE 2025 Hype: Joe’s unforgettable story about a signed T-shirt that became his inspiration (and why YOU need to be at FUSE this year!).

Golden Nugget: “Your future depends on you walking in your purpose today. Stop scrolling. Start winning.” — Joe Almeida Jr.

Whether you’re a new LO or a seasoned broker, this episode will fire you up to rethink your process, embrace your purpose, and take your business to the next level.

Subscribe to Broker to Broker on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.
Join AIME: aimegroup.com/membership.

Listen now and get ready to redefine YOUR journey!

The post Broker to Broker: Episode 223 – Joe Almeida Jr. appeared first on AIME.

Episode 21: Closing Loans with Confidence – Credit Reports, Emotional Sales, and the Power of Listening

Hosted by Jonathon Haddad (AIME’s Chairman & CEO) and Tommy Golightly (AIME’s Marketing Manager)

Welcome back to the Broker Power-Up Podcast; your go-to resource for strategies, stories, and insights to help you close more loans!

In this episode, we dive into:

Broker Buzz: Tackling trending questions from the Brokers Are Best Facebook group, including:

What happens if a credit score drops before closing?

How to handle clients with late student loan payments.

Updated rules for using income documentation for self-employed borrowers.

Sales Pitch Training: Jonathan breaks down the EAR Framework (Emotion, Association, Rationalization) to ethically leverage client emotions and drive action—without the sleazy sales tactics.

Story Time with John: A heartfelt tale about The Watchmaker and the Whisper, revealing the timeless power of listening and connecting with clients on a deeper level.

Plus, don’t miss:

Tips for lighting up every room (without stealing the spotlight).

Exclusive insights into AIME Membership benefits and the FUSE 2025 Conference!

Whether you’re a seasoned broker or just starting out, this episode is packed with actionable advice to elevate your game. Listen now and power up your business!

Subscribe to our YouTube channel and hit the bell so you never miss an episode.

Join the conversation in the Brokers Are Best Facebook group and use #BrokerPowerUp to get your questions answered on the show!

#MortgageBrokers #SalesTraining #LoanOfficers #AIMECommunity #FUSE2025

Available on all major podcast platforms!

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Episode #222: From Banker to Broker – Melissa Rifai’s Journey to Building Hyve Home Loans

In this episode of the Broker to Broker podcast, host Marc Summers sits down with Melissa Rifai, Broker Owner at Hyve Home Loans, to explore her transition from the banking world to the broker channel.

Melissa shares her candid insights on the challenges, surprises, and triumphs of making the switch, including a costly early mistake that taught her a critical lesson about settlement services.

Key topics include:

• Overcoming Fear of Change: Melissa reflects on the mental hurdles of leaving the “comfort” of banking and the text from a former colleague that almost tempted her to turn back.

• Debunking Myths: Why the stability of banking isn’t always what it seems—and how brokers can thrive without relying on bank-fed leads.

• Market Mindset: Why today’s loan officers must “plant new trees” instead of waiting for rates to drop, and how to reframe the “high rates” conversation with clients.

• Community Power: How the Brokers Are Best Facebook group and AIME’s Fuse conference became lifelines for Melissa as she built her brokerage from scratch.

Packed with practical advice and hard-earned wisdom, this episode is a must-listen for anyone considering the banker-to-broker leap or looking to reignite their hustle in a tough market.

Listen now to learn why Melissa declares: “Brokers are best—for me!”

The post Broker to Broker: Episode 222 – Melissa Rifai appeared first on AIME.

Broker Power-Up Podcast | Episode 20

Hosts: Tommy Golightly & Jonathon Haddad

Episode Highlights:

Sales Pitch Training: Master the 6-step ADVISE Method to transform from pushy salesperson to trusted advisor:

1⃣ Ask with Intention – Ditch surface questions for powerful discovery

2⃣ Dive into the Pain – Address client fears head-on (like losing that 3% rate)

3⃣ Validate Their Experience – “That makes sense – you’re not alone”

4⃣ Illuminate the Path – Present 2-3 clear options (no jargon!)

5⃣ Solve with Simplicity – Why less info = more closes (Cheesecake Factory vs. steakhouse menus)

6⃣ Earn the Next Step – Never end a call without clear action

Broker Buzz Segment:

How top producers handle credit pull costs (who really pays?)

The truth about gift of equity tax implications (Don’t mess with the IRS)

Borrower-paid comp explained

Story Time with Jon: A heartwarming tale of Viking DNA, family legacy, and why your past should fuel your future hustle

The post Broker Power-Up Podcast – Episode 20 appeared first on AIME.

In Episode 19 of Broker Power-Up, we’re giving you a full-stack power-up with tactical advice, sales training, and mindset mastery — all designed to help you close more loans and lead with confidence.

In This Episode:

Broker Buzz: We answer real questions from the Brokers Are Best Facebook group, including:

Helping borrowers without U.S. credit history

How to cold call and follow up with real estate agents

What to do when clients have recent student loan delinquencies

Sales Pitch Training: Jonathan introduces the Fear Flip Framework — a powerful technique to help move hesitant buyers past “what if” paralysis and into confident decision-making. Learn how to reframe fear into motivation and urgency with empathy, clarity, and action.

Story Time: Jonathan shares a personal story about a canceled trip, a Zoom disaster, and the power of adaptability in business and life. Plus, hear the four traits of people who struggle to adapt — and how to overcome them.

Whether you’re navigating tough files, calling agents, or coaching clients through uncertainty, this episode will give you tools to grow your business with purpose and resilience. Watch now on YouTube: @AIMEnational

BrokerPowerUp #BrokersAreBetter #MortgageSales #CloseMoreLoans #FearFlipFramework

The post Broker Power-Up Podcast – Episode 19 appeared first on AIME.

In Episode 19 of Broker Power-Up, we’re giving you a full-stack power-up with tactical advice, sales training, and mindset mastery — all designed to help you close more loans and lead with confidence.

🧠 In This Episode:

🎯 Sales Pitch Training: Jonathan introduces the Fear Flip Framework — a powerful technique to help move hesitant buyers past “what if” paralysis and into confident decision-making. Learn how to reframe fear into motivation and urgency with empathy, clarity, and action.

📖 Story Time: Jonathan shares a personal story about a canceled trip, a Zoom disaster, and the power of adaptability in business and life. Plus, hear the four traits of people who struggle to adapt — and how to overcome them.

💬 Whether you’re navigating tough files, calling agents, or coaching clients through uncertainty, this episode will give you tools to grow your business with purpose and resilience.📺 Watch now on YouTube: @AIMEnational

#BrokerPowerUp #BrokersAreBetter #MortgageSales #CloseMoreLoans #FearFlipFramework

In this episode of the Broker to Broker Podcast, host Mark Summers sits down with L.C. Parker, Mortgage Broker for C2 Financial Corporation, to discuss his journey from the retail lending world to the wholesale broker channel. With over 12 years of experience in consumer finance and mortgages, L.C. shares his insights on the key differences between retail and brokerage, the misconceptions about broker fees and rates, and how his operational leadership background has shaped his success in the broker space.

Listen as L.C. reveals:

The autonomy and advantages of the broker model, including cost savings for clients.

How his communication skills and mentorship have helped him thrive.

Practical advice for brokers looking to scale efficiently and serve underserved markets.

The importance of community and organizations like AIME in supporting broker growth.

Whether you’re a seasoned broker or considering a transition from retail, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways and inspiration to help you elevate your business. Tune in and discover why the broker channel is cheaper, faster, and better for clients!

Available on YouTube, iTunes, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts.

#BrokerToBroker #MortgageBroker #AIME #WholesaleLending #RealEstatePodcast #BrokersAreBest

The post Broker to Broker Podcast: L.C. Parker – Ep 221 appeared first on AIME.

The Broker Power-Up Podcast, powered by AIME, is back with another action-packed episode designed to help mortgage brokers close more loans, grow their businesses, and stay ahead of industry trends. Hosted by Jonathon Haddad & Tommy Golightly, this episode dives into the hottest broker conversations, essential sales strategies, and real-world lessons from top industry leaders.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Broker Buzz – The top trending topics in the Brokers Are Best Facebook group
Sales Pitch Training
Storytime with Jon

Whether you’re a seasoned broker or just starting out, this podcast gives you the insights, strategies, and motivation to power up your business.

#BrokerPowerUp #AIME #MortgageBrokers #SalesStrategies #MortgageIndustry

The post Broker Power-Up Podcast – Episode 18 appeared first on AIME.

Broker to Broker Podcast | Episode 220

Guest: Nathan Kunst, Broker/Owner of Honest Mortgage

Host: Marc Summers, President of AIME

In this episode of Broker to Broker, we sit down with Nathan Kunst of Honest Mortgage — a broker who’s built a thriving business on faith, authenticity, and consistency. Nathan shares his journey from working low-paying jobs to founding his own brokerage, and how his mission-driven mindset and client-first approach have created lifelong relationships and consistent referrals.

Nathan opens up about:

Nathan’s approach proves that doing right by your clients — and being true to your principles — is not only sustainable but successful.

The post Broker to Broker Podcast: Nathan Kunst – Ep 220 appeared first on AIME.