Spilling The Title Tea

In this quick update episode of Spilling the Title Tea, Ashley sits down with Springdale Title COO Trevor Daugherty to break down the latest developments surrounding the FinCEN regulation and why things just got even more complicated.

Just weeks after the rule went into effect, conflicting federal court rulings have already thrown the industry into uncertainty. Ashley and Trevor explain what this means right now for buyers, investors, and anyone involved in real estate transactions.

While reporting requirements may be temporarily paused, data collection is still happening and for good reason. This episode gives you a clear, practical understanding of what’s changing, what’s not, and how Springdale Title is staying proactive to ensure your closings don’t get delayed.

If you’re buying property, especially through an entity, this is a must-listen update to stay ahead of the curve.

• Recap of the FinCEN rule and its original March 1st implementation affecting real estate transactions. 
• A lawsuit prior to March 1st failed to stop the rule from going into effect. 
• A second lawsuit (March 20th) resulted in a federal court striking down the regulation—creating conflicting rulings. 
• Why this legal conflict will likely escalate to the U.S. Supreme Court. 
• Current reality: reporting requirements are paused, but data collection is still mandatory. 
• Why title companies are continuing to collect FinCEN data to avoid last-minute closing delays. 
• Who is affected most: buyers using entities like LLCs, trusts, or corporations. 
• How post-closing transfers into entities can still trigger FinCEN requirements. 
• Possible outcomes: the rule could return fully, come back modified, or be eliminated entirely. 
• The key takeaway: expect continued requests for information and trust that it’s to keep your transaction smooth and compliant. 

Links

Sringdale Title Links:

sprindaletitle.com

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https://www.linkedin.com/company/73182038

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In this episode of Spilling the Title Tea, Ashley sits down with Chris Stansbury, Business Development Manager at First Response Restoration, to talk about turning an unexpected career setback into a thriving business.

Chris shares how being let go from his previous role led to the creation of First Response Restoration, how they built a “dream team” from day one, and why putting people—both employees and customers—first has fueled their rapid success. From water, fire, and mold remediation to some of the toughest real-life situations homeowners face, Chris gives an inside look at what restoration work really entails.

They also dive into entrepreneurship, taking risks, and why sometimes you don’t “jump”—you get pushed—and that’s exactly what you need. This episode is equal parts business insight and real-life perspective on doing the right thing, even when it’s not the most profitable choice.

• Chris’s background: Kentucky native, former attorney, and now Business Development Manager at First Response Restoration. 
• The turning point: being unexpectedly let go from a previous job and how that led to starting a restoration company. 
• Building a “dream team” from day one by bringing in experienced leaders in operations, insurance, and field work. 
• Rapid growth: hitting year-one goals that most restoration companies take four years to achieve. 
• Core services explained: water, mold, and fire remediation—plus crawl space work, encapsulation, and biohazard cleanup. 
• 24/7 emergency response and why fast action is critical when homeowners are dealing with major damage. 
• What truly sets them apart: a people-first approach, from employee care to honest guidance for customers (even if it means less profit). 
• Real-life stories: helping a 90-year-old homeowner navigate insurance and displacement coverage after a flood. 
• The reality of restoration work: floods, sewage, hoarding situations, and biohazard cleanups that most people never see. 
• Chris’s advice on career and risk: don’t stay comfortable—take chances, explore opportunities, and find work you actually enjoy. 

Links

Sringdale Title Links:

sprindaletitle.com

Facebook

https://www.linkedin.com/company/73182038

Instagram

First Response Restoration 

(2) Facebook

859-300-9532

[email protected]

In Episode 76 of Spilling the Title Tea, Ashley sits down with Springdale Title’s very own Christina Inskeep, a seasoned title agent in the Ashland, Kentucky office with decades of real estate experience.

Christina shares how she originally planned to become an attorney but “fell into” real estate—and never left. From starting as an abstractor to handling files from start to finish, she’s seen just about everything the title world has to offer. In this episode, she talks about the unpredictable nature of closings, emotional moments at the table, late-night deal deadlines, and why real estate can be both challenging and incredibly rewarding.

Whether you’re curious about what title companies actually do or considering a career in the industry, this episode offers an honest look at life behind the closing table.

• Christina’s career journey: from wanting to be an attorney to becoming a paralegal and eventually specializing in real estate.
• How she “fell into” real estate after taking her first paralegal job—and why it ended up being the perfect fit.
• Starting as an abstractor and learning title searches before moving into full-service title and closing work.
• Why no two days in real estate are ever the same—and how unpredictability keeps the job interesting.
• Christina’s favorite part of the process: building trust with clients and guiding them through their transactions.
• The craziest closing she’s experienced: working until 2–3 a.m. to meet a bankruptcy judge’s deadline on a multi-property deal.
• Emotional closings: handling short sales, divorces, nursing home signings, and sellers saying goodbye to longtime family homes.
• The joyful side of closings: milestone sales, celebratory transactions, and even doing closings for her own children.
• Why title work offers a unique mix of routine paperwork and people-focused interaction.
• Career advice for those exploring real estate: there’s a niche for every personality—from behind-the-scenes processors to front-facing closers.

Links

Sringdale Title Links:

sprindaletitle.com

Facebook

https://www.linkedin.com/company/73182038

Instagram

In Episode 75 of Spilling the Title Tea, Ashley sits down in person with Olivia Bowdy to break down a major new federal rule from FinCEN (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network) that will significantly impact residential real estate transactions.

Effective March 1, this rule targets money laundering in real estate and primarily affects entity buyers (LLCs, corporations, trusts) and certain cash or hard-money transactions. Ashley and Olivia explain who the rule applies to, what triggers reporting, why there’s no “loophole,” and what investors need to prepare for—including the collection of over 100 required data points and mandatory secure portal reporting.

If you’re an investor, use hard money lenders, or purchase property in an entity name, this episode is essential listening to avoid delays, fines, or serious penalties.

• What FinCEN is and why this federal rule was created to combat money laundering in real estate transactions.
• Who the rule applies to: entity buyers (LLCs, corporations, trusts), cash purchases, and certain non-FDIC insured or hard money lenders.
• The March 1 effective date and why investors must be prepared for additional compliance requirements on every applicable transaction.
• No loopholes: transferring property into an entity after closing will still trigger reporting requirements.
• The seriousness of compliance: over 100 data points required per file, secure portal submissions, potential closing delays, and severe penalties—including major fines and federal prison—for violations.

Links

Sringdale Title Links:

sprindaletitle.com

Facebook

https://www.linkedin.com/company/73182038

Instagram

Link to FinCEN Class registration in Richmond

(7) FinCEN Updates: What Financial Professionals Need to Know for 2026 | Facebook

In Episode 74 of Spilling the Title Tea, Ashley sits down with Curtis (William) Smallwood, owner of Smallwood Elder Law, to break down what most homeowners don’t think about when they’re buying property: estate planning. Curtis explains why planning matters at every age, especially when your home is your biggest asset and how the right documents can help families avoid probate, protect privacy, and prevent conflict when a loved one passes.

They also dive into elder law and Medicaid planning, including the realities of nursing home costs, Medicaid’s strict asset limits, the five-year lookback rule, and why irrevocable trusts can be powerful (but require giving up control). Curtis also explains why “just put the house in the kids’ names” can create big issues, especially around taxes and step-up in basis. This episode is an honest, practical guide to having the uncomfortable conversations now, so your family doesn’t have to later.

Highlights

• Curtis shares his background as a solo attorney for 12+ years, focusing on elder law and end-of-life planning, plus his advanced tax law degree (LLM).
• Why estate planning gets avoided: nobody wants to think about death, incapacity, or hard family conversations—until they have to.
• How planning can help homeowners avoid probate, which Curtis explains is often lengthy, expensive, and public.
• Why privacy matters: without planning, assets and estate details can become public record.
• Protecting your biggest asset: how estate planning ensures your home goes to who you choose, not just what state law dictates.
• Avoiding family drama: how clear documents reduce misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and conflict over “what mom/dad said they wanted.”
• Planning for incapacity: durable powers of attorney can allow someone to pay bills, manage assets, or even sell a home if you can’t.
• Medicaid & nursing home planning basics: the strict asset limits, what “spend down” means, and how fast nursing home costs add up.
• Irrevocable trusts explained: why they can protect assets from Medicaid after the five-year lookback, and why the grantor can’t be the trustee.
• The “just add the kids” option: Curtis explains concerns with life estates and gifting property—especially the potential loss of step-up in basis and increased capital gains taxes later.

Links

Sringdale Title Links:

sprindaletitle.com

Facebook

https://www.linkedin.com/company/73182038

Instagram

In Episode 73 of Spilling the Title Tea, Ashley sits down with her longtime friend Joanna Baker, an interior design consultant with a true farm-girl foundation and a designer’s eye. Joanna shares how her love for design started with classic TV shows and HGTV, what inspired her to earn a degree in interior design, and how homeowners can avoid the most common decorating pitfalls, especially after buying a new home.

From furniture sizing and paint palettes to staging advice for sellers, budget-friendly upgrades for first-time homeowners, and what trends might define 2026 (including the debated return of brass), this episode is packed with practical, relatable design wisdom that helps people turn a house into a home.

Highlights:

• Joanna’s background: growing up on a Berea farm, raising animals, and now raising her own family on a farm with horses and cows.
• What sparked her design passion: Designing Women, HGTV obsession, art classes, and eventually a Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in design.
• The most common “mistake” homeowners make: struggling to visualize the final look of a room before buying furniture or choosing finishes.
• A simple, genius tip: using painter’s tape to outline furniture size and wall décor placement before buying or hanging anything.
• How to create a color palette that flows: keep main spaces neutral, then add color through accents like pillows, throws, and art.
• Why neutral furniture wins long-term: trends change, but neutral pieces let you update style without replacing expensive items.
• How Joanna decides when to refresh her own home: seasonal resets, inspiration from Pinterest/Instagram, texture, and cozy vibes.
• The difference between decorating for yourself vs. staging to sell: buyers want clean, neutral, uncluttered spaces they can picture as their own.
• Budget-friendly upgrades for first-time homeowners: paint, trim/molding, board-and-batten, peel-and-stick wallpaper, and DIY with YouTube help.
• 2026 trend talk: modern farmhouse continues, more texture and mixed wood tones, patterns creeping back—and yes, possibly brass returning (cue Ashley’s protest).

Links:

Joanna Baker

Interior Design Consultant 

Instagram

[email protected] 

Sringdale Title Links:

sprindaletitle.com

Facebook

https://www.linkedin.com/company/73182038

Instagram

In Episode 72 of Spilling the Title Tea, Ashley sits down with Karie Lerch, co-owner of Building Maintenance Specialists of Kentucky, to talk about how she and her husband Mike made the leap from a stable hospital job into entrepreneurship during the COVID era. Karie shares how faith, family, and community connections helped their business take off, why working with their kids has become a generational blessing, and the wide range of “one call, all solutions” projects their team can tackle from flooring and drywall to plumbing, electrical repairs, and remodel work. They also discuss the real weight (and reward) of business ownership, future plans to grow the team, and encouragement for anyone thinking about starting a business later in life.

Highlights:

• Karie explains how Mike left his hospital job after years of commuting and dealing with bureaucracy to start their own business.
• How the COVID era pushed many families to rethink “normal life” and take bold steps toward entrepreneurship.
• The biggest benefits of business ownership for their family: no commute and the freedom to control their schedule.
• Why Building Maintenance Specialists has become a true family business, multiple kids have helped on jobs over time.
• The vision of passing the business down as a generational legacy, potentially with their son stepping into ownership.
• How homeschooling and hands-on work taught their kids practical skills, strong work ethic, and employability.
• The range of services Mike can handle: masonry, flooring, drywall repair, painting, bathroom remodels, tile, plumbing, and electrical repairs.
• Their “one call, all solutions” mindset if Mike doesn’t know how to do something, he’ll learn it and figure it out.
• Mike’s favorite part of the work: serving senior citizens and widows who need help the most.
• Karie’s advice to aspiring business owners: jump now, expect hard days, lean on community support (like BNI), and avoid future regret by trying.

Links:

Building Maintenance Specialist of Kentucky

Facebook

[email protected] 

859-339-1161

Sringdale Title Links:

sprindaletitle.com

Facebook

https://www.linkedin.com/company/73182038

Instagram

In this episode of Spilling the Title Tea, Ashley sits down with Scott Cole, Regional Manager of TPO Bank Relationships at Canopy Mortgage, to break down what’s really happening in the mortgage world—without the fluff.

Scott shares his 29-year journey through the industry (including lessons from the subprime era), explains how Canopy helps community banks compete with big-box lenders, and gives clarity on recent hot-button headlines like 50-year mortgages and portable mortgages. They wrap with practical, grounded advice for younger buyers trying to become homeowners in today’s market—especially when affordability and debt ratios are the biggest hurdles.

• Scott shares a personal intro: 30-year marriage, a son in college, and 29 years in the mortgage industry (plus a roofing company).
• How growing up in a family-run car dealership shaped his approach to business and customer service.
• Scott’s path from banking and finance into mortgages—and his candid reflections on the subprime mortgage era.
• Building and leading mortgage growth in Kentucky: opening branches, mentoring loan officers, and scaling a retail operation.
• What “TPO Bank Relationships” means—and how Canopy supports community banks without massive internal mortgage departments.
• Why tech matters: how Canopy’s loan origination system simplifies government loans like FHA, VA, and USDA for small banks.
• The big reason community banks want these options: keeping customers from walking down the street to larger banks.
• Ashley and Scott unpack the 50-year mortgage headline—why it’s being discussed, what problems it’s trying to solve, and why it may not become mainstream.
• Portable mortgages explained—and why bond markets, security gaps, and logistics make them unlikely.
• Scott’s best first-time buyer advice: save money even if you qualify for zero-down, because homeownership always comes with repairs and surprises.

ScottCole - Canopy Mortgage

https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-cole-a5b99a10

Sringdale Title Links:

sprindaletitle.com

Facebook

https://www.linkedin.com/company/73182038

Instagram

In this heartfelt episode of Spilling the Title Tea, Ashley sits down with Kaitlyn Miller, one of Springdale Title’s rising title agents, to talk about life behind the scenes, both in the office and at home. Kaitlyn opens up about becoming a mom, learning an entirely new industry from scratch, and navigating the beautiful chaos of raising her son, Crew, while building a career she truly enjoys.

They dive into adjusting to the title world, finding confidence, juggling responsibilities, asking for help, and carving out space for personal goals even in the busiest seasons of life. If you’re a working parent, new to the real estate world, or just love a genuine conversation, this episode will feel like a warm hug.

• Kaitlyn shares her story as a new mom and the unexpected surprise of Crew being born on her birthday.
• Navigating a huge learning curve entering the title industry with no prior exposure.
• How Springdale’s team support helped her gain confidence and learn through constant questions.
• Loving the fast-paced nature of title work and discovering she's built for the industry.
• Balancing work life with motherhood—managing nap times, phone calls, chaos, and caffeine.
• The shift from “survival mode” to building routines and finding her groove as Crew grows.
• The importance of not losing yourself and creating personal time, even in hectic seasons.
• Kaitlyn’s vision for the next few years: growing her skills, exploring marketing, and finding new strengths within the company.
• Honest talk about mom guilt, household chaos, and learning to embrace each season.
• The value of small goals, mindset, and remembering that everything is figure-outable.

Sringdale Title Links:

sprindaletitle.com

Facebook

https://www.linkedin.com/company/73182038

Instagram

In this episode of Spilling the Title Tea, Ashley sits down with media and marketing entrepreneur Kyle Terry, owner of Freedom and Hustle. They dig into what it really looks like to build a creative business around family life, why recurring revenue beats one-off projects, and how small businesses can use simple, consistent content to actually get clients—not just likes.

They also wade into the hot topic of 50-year mortgages, the realities of commercial space for small businesses, and why “support small business” often doesn’t match the financial products owners really need. If you’re a realtor, small business owner, or just a curious entrepreneur brain, this episode is packed with honest, behind-the-scenes insight.

• Kyle’s path from insurance and sales to going all-in on media and marketing.
• Why he dissolved multiple companies and rebranded everything under one focused brand: Freedom and Hustle.
• What Freedom and Hustle actually does: photo/video, social media content, and full podcast production for clients like Springdale Title.
• The difference between recurring vs reoccurring revenue and why recurring clients create stability for a media business.
• Why niche “all real estate” or “all legal” content doesn’t attract ideal clients—and why people really want to see the human behind the business.
• How entrepreneurship really works with kids: flexible schedule on paper, but often split between client work, school pickups, gym time, and late-night editing.
• The realities of a 50-year mortgage: smaller payments but dramatically more interest and slower equity, and how that could impact housing prices.
• The struggle for small businesses to find and afford commercial space, especially in areas where leasing is more expensive than buying.
• Creative options for business space, like rezoning residential properties for office use when traditional commercial options are too pricey.
• How Freedom and Hustle is expanding beyond real estate into fleets, chiropractors, and supplement brands, while pushing owners to invest in marketing that actually drives revenue not just image.

https://www.instagram.com/kylepterry/

https://freedomandhustle.com/

https://www.instagram.com/freedomandhustle/

https://www.facebook.com/freedomandhustle/

Sringdale Title:

sprindaletitle.com

Facebook

https://www.linkedin.com/company/73182038

Instagram