People, Not Titles

In this episode of Market Trends, we dive into the latest news shaping the real estate and mortgage industries following election night. From where political action committee money was spent to massive strategic shifts by industry giants like Rocket Mortgage and Compass, we cover what real estate professionals need to know.

Plus, learn why high-producing real estate agents switch brokerages, Howard Hanna's massive expansion into Alabama, details on NAR’s upcoming conference in New Orleans, and practical tips for navigating property tax reassessments!

📌 Key Topics Covered in This Episode:

Political Action Committee Spending: A breakdown of how NAR (National Association of Realtors) PACs and individual agents split their contributions during the midterms—and why big corporate money focused on incumbents.

Brokerage Turnover Trends: Based on a recent Q3 study by Recruiting Insight and Lone Wolf Technology, we explore why 1 in 8 producing agents switch brokerages yearly—ranging from compensation splits to culture and leadership.

Rocket Mortgage’s Q3 Profit Boom: How Rocket Companies doubled its net revenue year-over-year in a high-rate market by integrating with Redfin and Compass and leveraging proprietary AI models.

Howard Hanna Expands to Alabama: The family-owned real estate power moves into its 19th state with the strategic acquisition of Arc Realty and Capstone Realty.

Compass Raises Production Requirements: Compass shifts focus to top performers by hiking minimum agent production requirements by 30%.

NAR Conference & Good Neighbor Awards: A preview of NAR’s event in New Orleans, featuring key speakers, tech battle expos, and honoring the 2026 Good Neighbor Award winners.

Cook County Tax Reassessments: Practical advice on whether to hire an attorney or file property tax appeal claims yourself.

Full episodes available at www.peoplenottitles.com

People, Not Titles podcast is hosted by Steve Kaempf and is dedicated to lifting up professionals in the real estate and business community. Our inspiration is to highlight success principles of our colleagues.

Our Success Series covers principles of success to help your thrive!

Website: http://peoplenottitles.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@peoplenottitles/videos

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peoplenottitles/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-kaempf-b66a8013/

X: https://x.com/sjkaempf

Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/1uu5kTvBhxsbgjskQS1SXK

Fed Rate Pause, MLS Battles Compass, & The Hidden Costs of HomeownershipIn this week's episode, we break down the latest macro and local real estate news impacting buyers, sellers, real estate agents, and investors.In This Episode:The Fed Holds Rates Steady: The Fed Board of Governors voted 10-2 to keep the benchmark interest rate unchanged at 3.75%–4%. We discuss the dissents, inflation pressures, and what to expect from the December meeting.MLS Alliance Sues Compass: Six major MLS organizations representing 120,000+ professionals filed a joint lawsuit against Compass over listing and co-op rules. Is this an antitrust battle or a fight over market transparency?"Open Real Estate" Debuts: Major brokerages launch a new national platform to combat exclusive pocket listings and keep housing data open.US Household Shortage: The U.S. is missing 4.3 million projected households as young adults (Gen Z) stay home longer and starter home inventories shrink.The Hidden Costs of Owning a Home: The average U.S. homeowner spends over $16,500 annually (~$1,400/month) on maintenance, property taxes, and skyrocketing insurance premiums.Small Investors Step Up as Wall Street Retreats: Mom-and-pop landlords now make up 66% of all investor home purchases, taking over as mega-institutional buyers pause.Foreclosures & FHA Defaults: Completed foreclosure auctions rose 25% year-over-year—what does the surge in post-2022 FHA mortgage defaults mean for investors?Illinois & Wisconsin Market Update: A breakdown of fall inventory drops, median home price increases, and seasonal slowdowns across Illinois, Chicago, and Wisconsin.Full episodes available at www.peoplenottitles.comPeople, Not Titles podcast is hosted by Steve Kaempf and is dedicated to lifting up professionals in the real estate and business community. Our inspiration is to highlight success principles of our colleagues.Our Success Series covers principles of success to help your thrive!Website: http://peoplenottitles.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@peoplenottitles/videosInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/peoplenottitles/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-kaempf-b66a8013/ X: https://x.com/sjkaempfSpotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/1uu5kTvBhxsbgjskQS1SXK

In this episode of the People Not Titles podcast, host Steve Kaempf and Matt Lombardi sit down with Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi. Fritz shares his journey from managing money as a global investor on the buy-side to stepping into local public service to tackle corruption, favoritism, and systemic inequities in Cook County's property tax assessment system.Tune in as they discuss how financial expertise can be leveraged for the public good, the transition to big data and machine learning in property valuation, and key achievements made during his time in office.Key Topics Covered:Career Arc & Pivot to Public Service: Transitioning from international finance and Stanford Business School to local government reform.

Reforming the Assessment Process: Shifting away from opaque practices and patronage to modern, open-source data science models.Major Accomplishments:Eliminating historical assessment biases to save everyday homeowners billions of dollars.

Ending federal court monitoring for patronage and political discrimination.

Enacting the 2021 Affordable Housing Bill and simplifying exemption auto-renewals for seniors, disabled persons, and veterans.Future Priorities for Good Government: The need for automatic senior freeze renewals, state property tax "circuit breakers", and mandatory commercial data reporting.Demystifying Valuation: How residential and commercial assessments are calculated using market transactions and computational power.Full episodes available at www.peoplenottitles.comPeople, Not Titles podcast is hosted by Steve Kaempf and is dedicated to lifting up professionals in the real estate and business community. Our inspiration is to highlight success principles of our colleagues.Our Success Series covers principles of success to help your thrive!Website: http://peoplenottitles.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@peoplenottitles/videosInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/peoplenottitles/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-kaempf-b66a8013/ X: https://x.com/sjkaempfSpotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/1uu5kTvBhxsbgjskQS1SXK

Housing Slowdown, Spiking Inflation, & Real Estate Lawsuits | Market Trends Welcome back to Market Trends! In this episode, we celebrate crossing 1,000 subscribers, recap our recent Landtrust-a-Palooza event, and dive into the biggest shift in the real estate market: a massive seller surplus alongside a steep decline in active buyers.We cover critical housing data, rising inflation driven by energy costs, builder price cuts, and federal scrutiny over real estate tech and listing practices.Topics Covered in This Episode:Pending Home Sales Drop: Month-over-month pending sales fell 7.3%, while Chicago continues to lead the nation in property de-listings.Inflation & CPI Report: Inflation ticks up to 6% in September, with surging gas and energy prices putting pressure on consumer spending.National Home Sales & Inventory: Existing home sales remain sluggish near 4 million units, while unsold home inventory reaches its highest point since late 2019.Compass vs. CRMLS Lawsuit: Compass files an antitrust lawsuit against California Regional MLS, offering to cover agent fines for off-MLS listings.Senate Investigation Request: Senators Elizabeth Warren and Corey Booker call on the FTC to investigate Zillow, Redfin, and Compass over anti-competitive practices.Builder Sentiment Drops: The NAHB index drops to 29, with 43% of builders slashing prices to convert hesitant buyers amidst 7%+ mortgage rates.The 600K Seller Surplus: Why a record gap between buyers and sellers is giving buyers leverage—without causing a price crash.Mortgage Bankers Association Predictions: What industry leaders expect for interest rates through 2027.Viewer Mail: Tips for managing brokers on capturing lost leads and integrating AI into sales workflows.Submit Your Questions:Have a question for our next episode? Leave a comment down below or visit peopletitles.com to submit your question directly!Don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the Notification Bell to stay updated on all things real estate, economy, and market trends!Full episodes available at www.peoplenottitles.comPeople, Not Titles podcast is hosted by Steve Kaempf and is dedicated to lifting up professionals in the real estate and business community. Our inspiration is to highlight success principles of our colleagues.Our Success Series covers principles of success to help your thrive!Website: http://peoplenottitles.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@peoplenottitles/videosInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/peoplenottitles/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-kaempf-b66a8013/ X: https://x.com/sjkaempfSpotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/1uu5kTvBhxsbgjskQS1SXK

In this episode of the People Not Titles podcast, host Steve Kaempf sits down with Jason Stratton—a former high-volume trader turned top-producing Chicago real estate broker with Jameson Sotheby's and host of The Jason Theory podcast.

Jason brings his sharp financial background and risk-reward mindset into a deep-dive conversation on what it takes to succeed in real estate, business, and life. From transitioning out of the trading pits to breaking down the realities of Chicago’s real estate market, Jason shares actionable insights on building habits, staying intentional, and mastering the process.

Key Topics Covered in This Episode:

From Floor Trading to Real Estate: How Jason applied his fast-paced trading strategies, risk-reward analysis, and market trend awareness to building a multi-million dollar real estate career.

"Own the Dirt": Why real estate remains one of the greatest wealth-building vehicles and the strategic value of land over condo investments.

The Power of Intentionality & Routine: How writing down daily goals, protecting your morning routine, and cutting out distractions eliminates anxiety and maximizes productivity.

Fall in Love with the Process: Why focusing purely on results leads to burnout, and why loving the daily grind and embracing failure are the true keys to long-term growth.

Chicago Real Estate Realities: A candid discussion on Chicago’s current inventory shortages, zoning policies, tax climates, and the impact of landlord-tenant regulations (RTLO) on local mom-and-pop investors.

Full episodes available at www.peoplenottitles.comPeople, Not Titles podcast is hosted by Steve Kaempf and is dedicated to lifting up professionals in the real estate and business community. Our inspiration is to highlight success principles of our colleagues.Our Success Series covers principles of success to help your thrive!Website: http://peoplenottitles.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@peoplenottitles/videosInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/peoplenottitles/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-kaempf-b66a8013/ X: https://x.com/sjkaempfSpotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/1uu5kTvBhxsbgjskQS1SXK

In this episode of Market Trends, hosts Matt Lombardi and Steve Kaempf dive into the latest shifts in real estate. From high-stakes industry legal battles and interest rate dynamics to regional market shifts and customer service failures, we break down what you need to know today.

In this episode, we cover:

Mortgage Rate Breakdown: Why 30-year conforming rates remain elevated around 7.6%, how they tie to 10-year Treasury yields, and the recent 60% surge in creative financing options like assumable mortgages.

Compass vs. CRMLS Lawsuit: Inside the massive legal clash between Compass and California Regional MLS over listing control, office exclusives, and potential antitrust claims.

Midwest Affordability Crisis: Why the Midwest is losing its title as an affordable housing sanctuary, with over half of its 200 metro areas becoming unaffordable as prices jump.

DSCR Loan Market Shifts: How Debt Service Coverage Ratio loans operate, local advantages in multi-family markets, and why major lenders are pulling back in cities like Baltimore and Philadelphia due to fraud risks.

Real Estate Customer Service Crisis: The shocking results of the 2026 Pie Piper study revealing that nearly 73% of brokerage phone leads receive zero follow-up within 24 hours.

Berkshire Hathaway's Buying Spree: Why Berkshire acquired a 12.5% stake in Lennar stock to bet big on long-term housing supply shortages.

Viewer Mail: Tips for agents on helping renters transition to homeownership through cost-benefit analysis and targeted outreach.

Full episodes available at www.peoplenottitles.comPeople, Not Titles podcast is hosted by Steve Kaempf and is dedicated to lifting up professionals in the real estate and business community. Our inspiration is to highlight success principles of our colleagues.Our Success Series covers principles of success to help your thrive!Website: http://peoplenottitles.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@peoplenottitles/videosInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/peoplenottitles/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-kaempf-b66a8013/ X: https://x.com/sjkaempfSpotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/1uu5kTvBhxsbgjskQS1SXK

In this episode of Market Trends, hosts Steve Kaempf and Matt Lombardi break down the latest economic news, real estate data, and industry headlines shaping the housing market locally and nationally.

From sticky inflation figures and shifting employment trends to the impending "Silver Tsunami" of home inventory, we dive deep into what these changes mean for buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals. Plus, we analyze the cost gap between buying and renting across major US cities and discuss why Chicago remains a unique sweet spot.

📌 In this episode, we cover:

Economic & Job Market Updates: Breakdown of the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, gas price spikes, core inflation drops, and September's nonfarm payroll data.

Buyer Leverage Shift: Insights from the Q3 Zudellio Resi Club survey showing 74% of agents reporting a shift toward buyer leverage nationwide.

The "Silver Tsunami": Realtor.com’s project on 13.9 million boomer-owned homes entering the market between 2026 and 2036—and why it won't solve the starter home shortage.

Failed Brokerage Mergers: Why Fathom Holdings and Neighborhood Intelligence (Bed Bath & Beyond) called off their planned merger.

Renting vs. Buying Gap: A breakdown of the $936 national "buyer premium" and why Chicago’s lower cost gap keeps its real estate market strong and competitive.

SERHANT. Expands to Illinois: Celebrity broker Ryan Serhant launches in Illinois with a roster of top-producing local agents.

Viewer Mail: Answering your questions on making 5-year mortgage rate predictions amidst market uncertainty.

Full episodes available at www.peoplenottitles.comPeople, Not Titles podcast is hosted by Steve Kaempf and is dedicated to lifting up professionals in the real estate and business community. Our inspiration is to highlight success principles of our colleagues.

Our Success Series covers principles of success to help your thrive!

Website: http://peoplenottitles.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@peoplenottitles/videos

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peoplenottitles/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-kaempf-b66a8013/

X: https://x.com/sjkaempf

Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/1uu5kTvBhxsbgjskQS1SXK

What if the fastest way to grow your business is not doing more, but using AI to get your life back? Tim Hooper makes the case that the real opportunity right now is not another tool, platform, or hustle tactic—it is learning how to become a more human, more focused connector in a noisy world.On this episode of People Not Titles, host Stephen Kaempf sits down with Tim Hooper, senior vice president at Fidelity National Financial and founder of Energy for Sales, for a wide-ranging conversation about career growth, sales, leadership, and the mindset shift that changed everything for him. Tim shares how a military-brat upbringing, early responsibility, and years of hands-on work shaped the systems-first approach that helped him open more than 150 automotive accounts, build sales playbooks, and eventually move into title insurance.You'll hear how Tim went from a $7.20-an-hour job to running budgets, building SOPs, and asking the question that kept opening new doors: “Will this move me closer to sales?” He breaks down the habits that actually create momentum for young professionals, why initiative beats waiting for permission, and how the bonus mindset helped him reframe stress, grief, and caregiving after personal loss and his wife's cancer journey.Tim also gives a practical preview of the AI session he'll bring to Land Trust Palooza, including why most people are drowning in noise, what work should be delegated to technology, and what should never be handed over. You'll discover how AI can help you automate the back end, sharpen your follow-up, and free yourself to do the one thing tech cannot replace—build trust, create real connection, and tell a better story.Stephen and Tim also get real about identity, loyalty, boundaries, productivity, and why the next generation may be more ready than ever for authentic leadership. If you are a sales professional, entrepreneur, title or mortgage leader, or simply someone trying to grow without burning out, this conversation delivers both perspective and practical takeaways.Perfect for anyone who wants to work smarter, stay grounded, and leave with more energy, more clarity, and a better way to show up for the people who matter most.Full episodes available at www.peoplenottitles.comPeople, Not Titles podcast is hosted by Steve Kaempf and is dedicated to lifting up professionals in the real estate and business community. Our inspiration is to highlight success principles of our colleagues.Our Success Series covers principles of success to help your thrive!Website: http://peoplenottitles.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@peoplenottitles/videosInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/peoplenottitles/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-kaempf-b66a8013/ X: https://x.com/sjkaempfSpotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/1uu5kTvBhxsbgjskQS1SXK

Chicago is outperforming the country on home prices, mortgage rates may be heading lower over the next five years, and title fraud is getting more sophisticated. If you buy, sell, invest, or advise clients in real estate, this episode explores the numbers, risks, and talking points to keep in mind.

Steve and Matt break down the latest market trends, including Chicago’s home-price performance and what inflation means for real returns. They also discusses a five-year mortgage-rate forecast and how it could shape decisions about waiting to buy, refinancing, and choosing between a 30-year mortgage and an adjustable-rate mortgage.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

Why the 10-year Treasury matters for mortgage pricing

Bull and bear scenarios for mortgage rates through 2031

How to approach the “I’ll just wait” mindset with clients

The opportunities and risks of tapping home equity

Seller impersonation fraud—and warning signs to watch for

Recent housing data from Illinois and Wisconsin

What shrinking inventory could mean for Chicago-area home prices

Potential uses for AI in real estate beyond listing descriptions and social posts

The conversation also covers ALTA’s fraud study, how title companies are responding to spoofed contact information and deepfake voices, and why choosing a trusted title partner matters.

Plus, Steve and Matt respond to a listener question about AI’s untapped potential for real estate professionals.

Full episodes available at www.peoplenottitles.comPeople, Not Titles podcast is hosted by Steve Kaempf and is dedicated to lifting up professionals in the real estate and business community. Our inspiration is to highlight success principles of our colleagues.

Our Success Series covers principles of success to help your thrive!

Website: http://peoplenottitles.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@peoplenottitles/videos

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peoplenottitles/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-kaempf-b66a8013/

X: https://x.com/sjkaempf

Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/1uu5kTvBhxsbgjskQS1SXK

The Fed has raised rates for the first time in three years, and 30-year mortgages are now hovering around 7%.

In this week's Market Trends episode, Matt Lombardi and Steve Kaempf break down what the hike means for buyers, why refinancing has dropped 65%, and how to protect yourself with smart rate shopping.

Plus: multifamily construction falls 22.5% in August, pending home sales edge up 0.3%, cities like Indianapolis and Rockford are cutting red tape to build faster, and how AI and coordinated service teams are changing the way agents win clients.

New episodes of Market Trends drop every week — subscribe so you don't miss the next one.

#MortgageRates #FedRateHike #HousingMarket2026 #RealEstateNews #MarketTrends #7PercentMortgage #HomeBuilders #RealEstateInvesting #ChicagoRealEstate #RealtorLife #peoplenottitles

Full episodes available at www.peoplenottitles.comPeople, Not Titles podcast is hosted by Steve Kaempf and is dedicated to lifting up professionals in the real estate and business community. Our inspiration is to highlight success principles of our colleagues.

Our Success Series covers principles of success to help your thrive!

Website: http://peoplenottitles.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@peoplenottitles/videos

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peoplenottitles/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-kaempf-b66a8013/

X: https://x.com/sjkaempf

Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/1uu5kTvBhxsbgjskQS1SXK