In this episode, Jamal Abdoul and Adam Ruben discuss recent media coverage surrounding Zillow, focusing on an empirical study that alleges Zillow Home Loans has been charging higher mortgage rates than competing lenders between 2022 and 2024.

1. The Study’s Findings
A professor’s regression analysis compared Zillow’s mortgage pricing to other lenders, controlling for borrower demographics, loan characteristics, geography, and time period. The study—based on CFPB rate spread data—suggests Zillow loans have become relatively more expensive over time, with particular impact on lower-income borrowers. The hosts highlight concerns that these borrowers, who may already face more barriers to homeownership, could be disproportionately affected by higher loan costs.

2. Zillow’s Integrated Business Model
Adam and Jamal explain how Zillow operates as more than just a home search platform. Through integrated partnerships, agents participating in Zillow programs may have marketing agreements or financial incentives tied to Zillow-affiliated services, including Zillow Home Loans.

While buyers are not required to use Zillow’s lending arm, they are often encouraged to speak with a Zillow lender when touring homes through the platform. The hosts note that agents may receive higher commission splits or back-end incentives when clients use Zillow Home Loans, raising questions about conflicts of interest and whether consumers always receive neutral guidance.

3. Consumer Awareness & Transparency
The conversation emphasizes the importance of reading fine print. Zillow’s advertised rates and monthly payment estimates often assume:

• 20% down payments

• Best-case interest rates

• Points paid upfront to lower rates

While these practices are legal, the true cost may not be immediately clear to first-time or less-experienced buyers. The hosts stress the need for due diligence, comparison shopping, and working with trusted professionals to evaluate loan terms carefully.

4. Broader Market Context
The episode also touches on current market trends:

• Signs of a busier upcoming spring and summer market

• Increased seller concessions in some areas

• A significant year-over-year rise in refinance activity, as borrowers who bought at higher rates (7%+) look to lower their monthly payments

Key Discussion Points:

In the first episode of 2026, Jamal and Adam break down what lower interest rates mean for the Portland real estate market and why they’re already starting to shake things up. They discuss affordability, the “golden handcuffs” holding back homeowners with 3% rates, and why even small rate dips are encouraging more movement, refinances, and listings.

The episode walks through real-world strategies for buying a new home while owning another—covering rental income qualification, contingent offers, bridge loans, HELOCs, rent-backs, and seller credits—along with how market conditions impact negotiation power. They also share insights on rate volatility, refinance timing, ARMs versus shorter loan terms, and why being dialed in on numbers is critical in today’s market.

The episode wraps with a quick look at local inventory trends and a lighthearted new segment highlighting restaurants and bars to try around Portland, setting the tone for short, frequent episodes ahead.

In this episode, we take a deep dive into one of the most innovative loan products on the market: the All-in-One mortgage. If you’ve ever wondered whether there’s a smarter, more efficient way to finance a home, this discussion will open your eyes.

Jamal explains how the All-in-One flips the traditional 30-year mortgage model by using a sweep checking account and line of credit to push your income directly toward reducing your loan balance. The result? Lower daily interest charges, faster payoff timelines, and dramatically improved long-term savings—especially for borrowers with strong cash flow.

With Adam Ruben guiding the conversation, we unpack:

• Why traditional mortgages front-load interest

• How daily interest calculations and deposits work

• What kinds of borrowers benefit most

• How safeguards, caps, and underwriting protect consumers

• How the variable rate structure behaves in real-world markets

• A real client case study where a projected 30-year loan is paid off in just 5–6 years

Whether you're a homeowner, real estate professional, or someone curious about alternative mortgage strategies, this episode gives you a clear look at how the All-in-One loan can create flexibility, liquidity, and major cost savings.

🎧 Tune in to learn how a modern loan structure could help you build wealth faster—and whether it’s the right fit for you.

This episode dives deep into the world of stilt homes with expert guest Nathan Austin — a Works Real Estate agent and former structural engineer with two decades of experience designing these exact structures.

We cover everything buyers and sellers should know:

🏔️ Why stilt homes are common in Portland’s hills
🔧 How they’re actually engineered and supported
📍 The neighborhoods where you’ll find them
🛠️ What inspections, maintenance, and repairs really look like
📉 How they perform in today’s market
🏡 Why a well-built stilt home can be safer than traditional foundations on the same slope
📝 What most people — including insurance companies — misunderstand about them

Nathan also shares insider stories, including how his engineering background helped one seller outperform the entire niche market and avoid the pitfalls that make many stilt-home transactions fall apart.

If you’ve ever driven past a hillside home and wondered, “How is that thing standing?” — this episode is for you.

Guest: Nathan Austin
Website: nathanaustinre.com
Instagram / Facebook / LinkedIn: @nathanaustinre

Jamal and Adam announce their upcoming food drive, locations are still be determined, and provide a quick market update for the Real Estate market in the Pacific Northwest Region.

In this episode of All Things PNW, hosts Jamal Abdoul and Adam Ruben sit down with Jon Hilley—better known as Mr. 1031, founder of 1031 Specialists, one of the top qualified intermediary firms in the country. Jon breaks down the power of 1031 exchanges, why so many investors overlook them, and how deferring capital gains can unlock massive long-term wealth.

We discuss misconceptions around the process, what “boot” really means, how to avoid red flags when choosing a QI, and how his firm is leveraging technology—including a 1031-specific AI—to deliver a better client experience.

If you’re a real estate investor or planning to become one, this conversation will show you why a 1031 exchange can be one of the most valuable tools in your playbook.

In this episode of All Things PNW, host Jamal Abdoul and co-host Jamal Abdoul is joined by Tina Colson-Jones, a 1031 exchange expert at Equity Advantage. Tina shares her extensive knowledge about 1031 exchanges, explaining how this IRS tax strategy allows investors to defer capital gains taxes by exchanging one like-kind investment property for another. She dives into the details of how this works, the types of properties that qualify for 1031 exchanges, and the benefits it can provide to investors looking to grow their portfolios.

Tina also discusses the importance of consulting with the right qualified intermediary (QI) and tax professionals, especially when navigating the complexities of the process. She elaborates on the deadlines involved in a 1031 exchange, such as the 45-day identification period and the 180-day closing window, and explains key terms like "boot" and "tax deferral."

Listeners will gain insights into the mistakes investors commonly make with 1031 exchanges and how to avoid them. Tina emphasizes the importance of a strategic, long-term approach to wealth building with 1031 exchanges, and offers valuable tips for investors, including how to make the most of the strategy while planning for the future.

In this episode learn how the professional home restoration companies handle water and fire damage, what to look for in your home, prevent, or prepare for any such event.

Episode Summary: In this episode, we sit down with a seasoned builder Jeff Shrope from Renaissance Homes to peel back the layers of what really goes into building a home that’s both beautiful and intelligently designed. From lot selection to blueprint customization, we explore how Renaissance strategically selects land, adapts floor plans to fit unique lot constraints, and balances architectural design with zoning and neighborhood aesthetics.

We dive deep into the build journey—unpacking what buyers can expect at each phase, where the real flexibility lies, and how the company helps clients navigate decisions from layout to finishes. We also touch on sustainability trends, evolving buyer preferences, and how the current economic climate is shaping construction strategy.

Whether you're a real estate professional, future homeowner, or just curious about what goes into building a custom home, this episode offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how top-tier builders operate with both precision and creativity.

🎧 Key Topics Covered:

• How lots are chosen and paired with the right floor plans

• Customization: what’s possible and where the boundaries are

• Adapting home design to zoning, neighborhoods, and lot quirks

• The complete journey: from dirt to dream home

• How Renaissance handles unique or challenging lots

• Emerging trends in construction, design, and buyer behavior

• Lessons learned from the field—and advice for first-time builders

In this episode of All Things PNW, Jamal Abdoul and Adam Ruben dive into the ins and outs of buying a condo versus a single-family home.

They explain the key differences in ownership, lending requirements, and insurance considerations, particularly focusing on warrantable vs. non-warrantable condos. The hosts discuss why buyers might choose condos—highlighting affordability, location, and low-maintenance lifestyle—as well as potential downsides like HOA fees and special assessments.

Ruby and Jamal also share personal experiences, tips on reviewing HOA documents, and what types of buyers typically gravitate toward condos.

They wrap up by weighing whether condos are a good investment and what factors drive competition in the condo market.