In this special guest appearance, mortgage veteran Ella Gurfinkel joins host Galina Shekhtman to share critical insights about the home buying process that most buyers overlook. With nearly three decades of mortgage experience, Ella reveals why the typical buyer's approach is completely backward and how to avoid costly mistakes.

What You'll Learn:

• Why shopping for homes before getting properly pre-approved is a dangerous backward approach
• The critical difference between pre-qualification, pre-approval, and underwritten approval
• How mortgage lates (even just 30 days) can completely derail your home purchase
• Why your credit report matters more than your down payment when qualifying for a mortgage
• The devastating consequences of changing jobs, making large purchases, or moving money during the loan process
• How getting fully underwritten before shopping can make your offer competitive with cash buyers
• Why sellers and listing agents prioritize offers with solid financing over slightly higher prices
• The importance of responding promptly to lender document requests during escrow
• How rate locks work and the costly consequences of missing deadlines
• Why the relationship between your realtor and lender can make or break your transaction

Join Galina and Ella as they pull back the curtain on the mortgage industry, providing a step-by-step roadmap that can save you thousands of dollars and prevent heartbreaking disappointments in your home buying journey.

Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or looking to purchase your next property, this conversation offers essential guidance on how to approach the process strategically, protect your earnest money, and successfully close on the home of your dreams.

In this invaluable conversation, Ella Gurfinkel sits down with attorney Heidi Mandler to explore the critical topic of estate planning and trusts. This eye-opening discussion reveals how proper planning can protect your assets, save your heirs from excessive taxation, and provide peace of mind for your family's future.

What You'll Learn:

• Why Oregon's estate tax can claim up to 16% of estates valued over $1 million (including your home)
• How trusts can help married couples potentially save hundreds of thousands in estate taxes
• The costly reality of probate: why it typically costs around $20,000 and takes 6+ months
• Why having a will doesn't avoid probate (and what actually does)
• How trusts protect your assets during incapacity, not just after death
• The importance of guardianship planning for parents with minor children
• Why real estate owners in high-value markets should especially consider trusts
• How LLCs can protect rental property owners from devastating lawsuits
• When to consider individual LLCs versus a single LLC for multiple properties
• At what age and stage of life you should start estate planning (hint: it's earlier than you think)

Join Ella and Heidi as they demystify complex estate planning concepts, providing clear guidance on how to protect the wealth you've worked so hard to build and ensure your loved ones aren't burdened with unnecessary complications after you're gone.

Whether you own a home, have children, or are building a real estate portfolio, this conversation offers essential knowledge about how trusts and proper planning can serve as powerful tools to preserve your legacy and protect your family's financial future.

In this eye-opening conversation, Ella Gurfinkel sits down with Chris Medelin from Loan Depot to pull back the curtain on the mortgage industry. This candid discussion reveals what really happens behind the scenes when you shop for a home loan and why the lowest rate doesn't always equal the best mortgage.

What You'll Learn:

• Why shopping solely for the lowest interest rate can lead to poor mortgage outcomes
• The truth about how mortgage professionals get paid and why they invest time before earning a penny
• How to identify red flags when evaluating potential lenders (company-hopping, lack of online presence)
• Why experience matters when structuring complex loans, especially for self-employed borrowers
• The dangers of internet lenders offering rates that seem "too good to be true"
• How switching lenders mid-transaction can jeopardize your entire home purchase
• The importance of understanding your long-term financial goals before choosing a mortgage
• Why high-pressure sales tactics should be an immediate warning sign
• How to properly research lenders using NMLS, reviews, and other public resources

Join Ella and Chris as they share industry insights rarely discussed openly, providing valuable knowledge that can protect you from costly mistakes and help you make more informed decisions about your mortgage options.

Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned real estate investor, this conversation offers essential guidance on finding a trustworthy mortgage professional who will structure the right loan for your specific situation rather than just quoting the lowest possible rate.

In this eye-opening conversation, Ella Gurfinkel sits down with Annabelle Silva from ArchMI to tackle one of the most misunderstood aspects of home buying: mortgage insurance. This informative discussion challenges common misconceptions and provides clarity on how mortgage insurance actually works.

What You'll Learn:

• Why mortgage insurance is not "wasted money" but a valuable tool that enables homeownership
• How waiting to save 20% down can actually cost you more as home prices continue to rise
• The surprising truth about interest rates: why putting 20% down can result in higher rates
• Different payment options for mortgage insurance beyond the standard monthly premium
• What factors affect your mortgage insurance costs (credit score, property type, down payment, etc.)
• How mortgage insurance can be removed once you build sufficient equity
• Why putting less down and using mortgage insurance can preserve your savings for emergencies
• The historical importance of mortgage insurance in expanding homeownership opportunities
• Practical strategies for optimizing your mortgage insurance costs based on your specific situation

Join Ella and Annabelle as they break down complex concepts into understandable terms, providing valuable insights that can save homebuyers thousands of dollars and help them make more informed decisions about their mortgage options.

Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or a real estate professional looking to better serve your clients, this conversation offers essential knowledge about how mortgage insurance can be leveraged as a strategic financial tool rather than avoided as an unnecessary expense.

Whether you're a mortgage professional or real estate agent navigating today's challenging market, this conversation with Haley Parker, Chief Business Development Officer at Fairway, delivers actionable marketing insights you won't want to miss.

What you'll learn:

• Why traditional "calendar marketing" (National Hot Dog Day posts) no longer works
• How to cut through the noise and develop an intentional marketing strategy
• The importance of telling authentic stories about how you help clients
• Why vulnerability and relatability matter more than polished perfection
• How to showcase your niche and build trust without oversharing
• Why industry experience matters in creating effective marketing
• Practical ways to adapt your marketing during market shifts
• The difference between marketing for eyeballs versus building relationships
• How to stay focused amid constant "shiny object" distractions

Join Ella Gurfinkel as she and Haley discuss the evolution of mortgage marketing, the power of authenticity, and how to create content that resonates with your audience in meaningful ways that actually generate business.

Whether you're considering a reverse mortgage for yourself or helping aging parents explore their financial options, this conversation provides clear, honest information about this often misunderstood financial tool that could help seniors access the "pot of gold" sitting in their home equity.

What you'll learn:

• The truth about home ownership with a reverse mortgage
• How reverse mortgages actually work as "mortgages with optional payments"
• Why you won't lose your home with a properly structured reverse mortgage
• How heirs and spouses are protected under current regulations
• The growing line of credit benefit that many don't know about
• Using reverse mortgages for home purchases, not just refinancing
• Why reverse mortgages close faster than most people think (as quick as 17 days)
• How to use home equity to improve retirement quality of life
• The built-in protections and counseling requirements for borrowers