What if the biggest risk in RESPA right now… is thinking there isn’t one? Federal enforcement has gotten quieter – but that doesn’t mean it’s gone. And in some ways, this moment may carry more long-term risk than when regulators were actively bringing cases. In this episode of Keys to Real Estate Holly Bunting, a RESPA expert and partner at Mayer Brown, breaks down what’s really happening at the federal level, what’s changed inside the CFPB and why now is not the time to let your guard down. She addressed the recent shifts in federal and state enforcement efforts, as well as potential opportunities for long-overdue reform to account for advancements in technology, leading to questions about what constitutes a “thing of value.” Bunting also offered practical advice for navigating potential pitfalls the changing legal environment during her discussion with October Research Chief Knowledge Officer Mary Schuster.

Chapters:

0:00 - Federal RESPA enforcement shifts and what industry should anticipate

2:13 - Impact of political administration changes on enforcement priorities

4:19 - Statutes of limitations and retrospective risk assessment

6:48 - Private causes of action and recent class action trends

9:28 - Active regulation on servicing, loss mitigation and ROE emphasis

13:33 - White House executive orders and their implications for RESPA regulation

17:08 - Redefining “thing of value” in digital marketing and technological challenges

21:29 - Risks associated with online platforms and digital comparison shopping

24:19 - Potential for RESPA law reform and legislative updates

For more about Holly Bunting and To Get In Touch With Her: https://www.mayerbrown.com/en/people/b/bunting-holly-spencer

Get In Touch With Mary Schuster:

Host email: Mary Schuster - [email protected]

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 First American Trust – https://www.firstamtrust.com

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

Sometimes the best way to make things happen is to start small. Real estate industry advocates have long concentrated their efforts at the federal and state levels, but AEI Senior Fellow Ed Pinto said the county and municipal governments often hold the keys to meaningful change while speaking with October Research Chief Knowledge Officer Mary Schuster on the Keys to Real Estate podcast. Among the innovative and data-based policy solutions he champions to increase housing supply, Pinto also is a proponent of local advocacy, given its potential to move the needle on policies officials often use, intentionally or unintentionally, to keep land “preserved in amber,” as he put it.

Chapters:

0:00 Revitalizing Underutilized Areas

2:34 The Role of Factories in Housing Supply

4:56 County Seat Strategy for Economic Growth

8:28 Understanding Metropolitan Growth Dynamics

10:54 State-Level Policy Impacts on Housing

13:44 Leveraging Data for Local Solutions

17:34 Innovative Housing Solutions and Strategies

21:23 Bridging Renters to Homeownership

26:33 The Importance of Localized Approaches

29:33 Advocating for Change in Housing Policies

Links to the AEI resources mentioned in this episode:

https://aeihousingcenter.org/playbook/

https://heat.aeihousingcenter.org/toolkit/

https://aeihousingcenter.org/good_neighbors_toolkit/

Link to The Title Report’s Housing Inventory & Attainability Watch Library:

https://www.thetitlereport.com/housing-inventory-attainability-watch.aspx

Get In Touch…

Host email: Mary Schuster - [email protected]

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 First American Trust – https://www.firstamtrust.com

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

Most people don’t tend to associate the word “capital” with land and that could be a mistake. In fact, Ed Pinto, senior fellow and co-director at the AEI Housing Center explained why land may be the most valuable type of capital in the real estate market on the Keys to Real Estate. He shared some compelling insights with October Research Chief Knowledge Officer Mary Schuster on why this is so and wagged a finger at inflexible jurisdictions with their strict policies governing the types of housing developers are able to build. He dug into the implications of such policies in terms of home prices and what industry advocates may be able to do about it.

Chapters:

0:00 Historical Context of Housing Crashes

4:08 Current Housing Market Dynamics

8:30 Debt Management and Financial Health

13:00 Innovative Solutions for Housing Affordability

20:13 Government Land Management and Housing Development

25:30 ROI Considerations for Land Investors

30:05 Closing Thoughts

Links to the AEI resources mentioned in this episode:

https://aeihousingcenter.org/playbook/

https://heat.aeihousingcenter.org/toolkit/

https://aeihousingcenter.org/good_neighbors_toolkit/

Get In Touch…

Host email: Mary Schuster - [email protected]

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 First American Trust – https://www.firstamtrust.com

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

Housing attainability keeps getting worse – even as policymakers promise solutions. Ed Pinto, senior fellow and co-director at the AEI Housing Center, explains why demand-based fixes fail and what actually works in this episode of Keys to Real Estate. October Research Chief Knowledge Officer Mary Schuster engaged Pinto on the importance of taking a data-driven approach when assessing the complexities of housing attainability and making informing policy decisions. He highlights the disconnect between demand-side solutions and the actual supply issues facing the housing market, particularly the role of local jurisdictions in constraining development. With these insights in mind, industry professionals can plan their advocacy efforts more strategically to maximize their return-on-investment at a time when every dollar counts.

Chapters:

0:00 The Data-Driven Approach to Housing Policy

2:57 Understanding the Supply and Demand Mismatch

6:05 The Misconceptions of Housing Economics

8:56 The Role of Local Jurisdictions in Housing Development

11:58 Identifying Effective Housing Policies

15:05 Proposed Solutions for Housing Affordability

17:50 The Importance of Incentives in Housing Development

20:53 Long-Term Strategies for Housing Supply

24:10 Case Studies: Successful Housing Policies

27:05 The Future of Housing Policy and Advocacy

Links to the AEI resources mentioned in this episode:

https://aeihousingcenter.org/playbook/

https://heat.aeihousingcenter.org/toolkit/

https://aeihousingcenter.org/good_neighbors_toolkit/

Get In Touch…

Host email: Mary Schuster - [email protected]

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 First American Trust – https://www.firstamtrust.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 - [email protected]

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

Due to the holiday, Keys to Real Estate’s next episode will drop next Thursday, Dec. 11, when we’ll be speaking with Nick Friedman, president of HomeLight Homes about his views on relationship-driven service, rates, AI and why lenders should still expect growth in 2026 despite consumer financial strain.

Get In Touch…

Host email: Mary Schuster - [email protected]

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

MISMO’s new president, Brian Vieaux, took part in an exclusive interview with Keys to Real Estate host Mary Schuster to discuss his new role and the transformative changes occurring in the housing industry. He described how MISMO is evolving its data-driven standardization mission to account for shifts in technology and artificial intelligence (AI) as they gain more and more prevalence in the mortgage industry. He touched on how loan officers are adopting digital innovations, like electronic closings, into their brands. The conversation also covered the potential of AI in mortgage finance and the regulatory challenges that the industry faces, and the need for education and collaboration to navigate these changes effectively.

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction to MISMO and Brian's New Role

4:30 Understanding MISMO's Impact on the Mortgage Industry

9:00 The Role of Loan Officers and Consumer Trust

11:57 Adoption of Digital Innovations in Mortgage

15:54 The Future of AI in Housing Finance

21:19 Regulatory Challenges and Opportunities in Mortgage Compliance

Get In Touch…

To Learn More About MISMO, visit their Educational Offerings page: https://www.mismo.org/events-education/educational-offerings

Host email: Mary Schuster - [email protected]

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

Ted Rossman had plenty of insight to share about recent changes in FICO scoring models, invoking his expertise as a longtime industry analyst at Bankrate. During this episode, he described the significance of the introduction of FICO 10T, which incorporates trended data and the impact of Buy Now Pay Later services on credit scoring. He highlighted the generational differences in attitudes towards credit and debt, the regulatory landscape affecting consumer protection, and the evolving relationship between FICO and mortgage lending. Rossman also emphasized the importance of incorporating rent payments into credit scores and provides advice for real estate professionals navigating these changes.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to FICO Score Changes

01:58 Understanding FICO 10T and Trended Data

04:24 The Impact of Buy Now Pay Later on Credit Scoring

08:31 Generational Perspectives on Credit and Debt

13:38 Regulatory Landscape and Consumer Protection

16:54 FICO's Direct Approach to Mortgage Lending

20:32 Incorporating Rent Payments into Credit Scores

23:29 Advice for Real Estate Professionals

26:04 Future Outlook on Mortgage Rates and Credit Scoring

Get In Touch…

Host email: Mary Schuster - [email protected]

Guest email: Ted Rossman - [email protected]

For More About Ted’s Work & Expertise: Ted Rossman | Bankrate.com - Compare mortgage, refinance, insurance, CD rates

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

Mortgage fraud is back in the headlines — but understanding how it really happens requires a closer look. In this episode, attorney and former CFPB Senior Counsel David Friend joins host Mary Schuster to unpack the difference between “fraud for money” and “fraud for housing,” why proving intent is so difficult and what real estate professionals should watch for in today’s market. He highlighted the many scenarios in which details included on mortgage documents can be misrepresented, either intentionally or by mistake, and the tax implications of different occupancy statuses.

Chapters:

Get In Touch…

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

When the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) announced sweeping new reporting requirements, one Texas title agent decided she couldn’t stay silent. Instead of quietly complying, she became the lead plaintiff in a national lawsuit challenging the legality of the rule. Listen as she shares her story, alongside her attorney, Luke Wake of the Pacific Legal Foundation, about what’s at stake for the separation of

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

2:16 Meet Celia Flowers & Luke Wake

5:40 What FinCEN’s Rule Requires

12:15 Why Celia Said No

18:30 The Lawsuit Explained

26:10 Separation of Powers and Privacy Concerns

33:45 Implications for Compliance and Real Estate Transactions

41:00 How the Industry is Reacting

48:20 Looking Ahead: What’s Next for the Case

52:30 Closing Thoughts

Get In Touch…

To learn more about Pacific Legal Foundation visit:

Celia Flowers (Guest), [email protected] Luke

Mary Schuster (Host), [email protected]

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