In this episode of Tacos & Tech, Neal welcomes a longtime friend, Andy Taylor, Co-Founder and CEO of RetroRate. to talk about building a company around an idea few people even know exists: assumable loans. They dig deep into Andy’s journey from building software at Electronic Arts and Apple to leading product at Redfin, launching mortgage startup Approved, and now tackling a hidden opportunity in real estate finance: assumable loans. Andy shares his personal founder journey, lessons learned across big tech and startups, and why he's committed to building in San Diego.

 

Key Topics:

• A walk through Andy’s product career—from EA to Apple to Redfin

• Why assumable loans are the key to unlocking a stuck real estate market

• The origin story behind RetroRate and solving a problem most people don’t know exists

• The impact of locked-in low rates on buyer power and seller mobility

• Lessons learned building, scaling, and selling a mortgage startup (Approved)

• Navigating startup life post-acquisition and deciding to build again

• The evolving San Diego startup landscape and why it’s a great place to build

• Real talk on balancing work, life, and entrepreneurship with family in tow

• Leveraging AI and design thinking in modern proptech

 

Links & Resources:

• RetroRate

Connect with Andy:

• LinkedIn: Andy Taylor

Connect with Neal:

• LinkedIn: Neal Bloom

• Twitter: @NealBloom