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Ever feel like the housing market is a maze with moving walls? We brought together a 20-year realtor who treats every purchase like an investment and a lender who rebuilt his playbook around non-QM lending to show exactly how buyers, sellers, and investors can win right now. No fluff—just the strategies that still close in a high-rate, low-fit inventory environment.

We break down the real dynamics behind “high but not the highest” rates, why inventory feels wrong for most budgets, and how buyer hesitation often kills good deals. You’ll hear how remote work and 1099 income changed underwriting, why DSCR, bank statement, and 1099 loans matter, and how to structure tough files using grants and seller credits without smoke and mirrors. If you’ve wondered whether to wait for rates to dip, we map the tradeoffs: when financing costs fall, demand and prices usually rise. Renting remains 100% interest; ownership gives options—refinance later, sell, or rent out your home if life shifts.

We also get tactical. Learn the duplex house-hack that boosts buying power on day one, the exact steps for clean documentation and fewer last-minute surprises, and the simple process upgrades—like group-text introductions and a short video walkthrough of the closing disclosure—that reduce anxiety and speed up closings. For agents, it’s a masterclass in fundamentals and staying in your lane; for lenders, a reminder to own cash-to-close clarity and communicate early. For renters and first-time buyers, it’s a clear path from fear to a plan.

If you’re serious about real estate in 2026—buying, selling, investing, or staying sharp as a pro—this conversation gives you the mindset and the tools. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs the nudge, and leave a review with your biggest question—we may feature it next.

Quote Cards for Social

Mark Jones
🗣️ “You’re not working in the same market—we’ve got to stop acting like we are.”
🗣️ “Build a bigger box instead of thinking outside it.”

Cynthia Ramona Gomez
🗣️ “Every market is a good market—for someone.”
🗣️ “I don’t advertise. 100% referrals. That’s the brand I built.”

Waseem Bari
🗣️ “If I can’t do your loan—nobody can.”
🗣️ “You’re paying 100% interest when you rent.”

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Real estate success isn’t built on trends or predictions—it’s built on judgment, discipline, and relationships that compound over time. In this episode of Real EstateAF (And Finance), we sit down with Kimberly Howell, San Antonio native, veteran real estate broker, relocation expert, and long-time industry leader, to break down what 40+ years in real estate reveals about the next market cycle.

Kimberly shares her journey from construction sites and research environments to founding and scaling her own brokerage—and why, after more than two decades of independence, she chose to return to Keller Williams Legacy as an owner. The lesson is clear: relationships outperform rates, and trust—earned through consistency and transparency—outlasts every market headline.

We dive into hard-earned lessons from the 2008 housing crash, including a holiday-weekend closing that never funded after a lender vanished. It’s a reminder that deals aren’t done until the wire clears—and that fear-driven media narratives often lack the context professionals must provide. Kimberly also unpacks the growing complexity of estate sales, family dynamics, and the quiet counseling work experienced agents do behind the scenes while navigating grief, conflict, and financial stress.

Instead of generic market commentary, this conversation focuses on precision education: addressing the exact fear a buyer or seller brings—interest rates, appraisals, job security, timelines—rather than reacting to noise. We also explore high-stakes corporate and professional sports relocations, and what true white-glove service looks like when privacy, speed, and trust are non-negotiable.

Looking ahead to 2025–2026, Kimberly outlines a practical roadmap for agents and consumers alike: return to fundamentals, use technology as leverage (not a hiding place), prioritize conversations over content, set realistic showing windows, price honestly, and communicate clearly about condition and expectations. On timing, the guidance is grounded—buy the right home when it fits, improve the rate later if possible, but never force a bad decision to chase a market headline.

For long-term wealth, the conclusion is firm: real estate remains one of the most accessible and durable wealth-building tools available—when approached with patience, education, and integrity.

If you value substance over sizzle and want real insight into real estate market cycles, hit play.
Subscribe for more real conversations about real estate, finance, and the decisions that shape long-term success.

00:00 – Why “Getting Better Every Day” Still Wins in Real Estate
02:15 – Kimberly Howell’s Path into Real Estate (Before the Internet Era)
06:40 – Building a Brokerage & Choosing Independence
11:10 – Why Kimberly Returned to Keller Williams Legacy
15:20 – The 2008 Crash: Lessons You Only Learn the Hard Way
20:05 – When Closings Don’t Fund (And What Agents Miss)

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Host: Mark Jones | Sr. Loan Officer | NMLS# 513437
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You can’t fake perspective. It’s earned in the lows that most people won’t talk about: childhood chaos, addiction, grief that knocks the air from your lungs, and careers capped by glass ceilings. We sat down as owners and team leads to tell the truth about how those lows forged our leadership, sharpened our empathy, and set the tone for how we build brokerages that actually serve people.

We start with raw origin stories and the flip from victimhood to agency—therapy before tactics, faith before funnels, and mentors who make you fix your life before your lead gen. Then we break down the real market from 2023 to 2025 without spin: morale is a metric, culture is hard work, and smaller wins keep teams moving. You’ll hear how we cut break-even side plays, killed bad spend, and focused on what we do best so our people could keep winning even when the weather turned.

Looking ahead, we outline a clear 2026 plan. Scott shares a global dive into modular construction and factory robotics that could cut build times to days and costs below $100 per foot, with partnerships spanning China, LA, and Dubai. Ronnie leans into scaling Resi Realty by embracing the hard lessons of 2025 and doubling down on people-first systems. Jeff commits to owning a headquarters, expanding into new cities, resurrecting a profit-focused production team, and entering asset management and REO as cycles shift. The throughline is simple: invest in people, protect hope, eliminate waste, and make sure every effort returns value.

If you’re tired of empty hype and hungry for practical strategy, mindset shifts, and real leadership, this conversation is your playbook. Subscribe, share it with someone who needs the push, and leave a review telling us the one choice you’ll make differently this year.

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2025 Wins & Losses — A Conversation About Pain, Purpose & Leadership

In this Christmas Day special, Mark Jones hosts an incredibly raw and transparent roundtable with Scott Malouff, Jeff Garza, and Ronnie Trevino—three of San Antonio’s top real estate leaders.

Together, they discuss:

• Childhood trauma
• Addiction and recovery
• Loss of loved ones
• Leadership pressure
• Betrayals in business
• Mental health & emotional intelligence
• Faith, healing, and rebuilding a life of purpose

This is the most vulnerable conversation ever recorded on the Key Factors Podcast.

If you're navigating life, business, or leadership in any capacity—this episode will speak directly to you.

Apply for Home Financing with Mark Jones:
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https://www.youtube.com/@keyfactorspodcast

CHANNEL DISCLOSURE: Mark Jones, Senior Loan Officer | NMLS#513437 iThink Mortgage powered by Premier Mortgage Resources | NMLS #1169 Equal Housing Lender All content on this channel is for educational purposes only and does not constitute a commitment to lend. Loan terms and availability are subject to credit approval, underwriting guidelines, and market conditions. Opinions are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of my company. No compensation is given or received for referrals, endorsements, or podcast appearances, in co

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Key Factors Podcast is Powered by LoanBot.com
Host: Mark Jones | Sr. Loan Officer | NMLS# 513437
If you would like to work with Mark on your next home purchase or as a partner visit iThink Mortgage.

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What if the real estate edge isn’t more screens—but fewer? We sit down with a split panel—two cautious advocates and two skeptics—to unpack how AI is already transforming real estate and mortgage lending, where it speeds up the boring parts and where it threatens the human moments that matter most. The conversation is candid and specific: lead gen bots that qualify after hours, instant content and listing copy, virtual staging, floor plans, predictive analytics, and automated valuations that demand a pro’s eye for local nuance.

On the mortgage side, we get into the guts of the process: AI flagging deposits in bank statements, prepping condition lists, scanning tax returns, and compressing timelines from application to underwriting. We name the roles at highest risk—transaction coordinators, processors, junior underwriters, call center intake—and the ones that gain leverage: senior underwriters, top agents, and loan officers who can explain tradeoffs, manage fear two days before closing, and negotiate under pressure. The takeaway is sharp: AI won’t replace great professionals; it will expose average ones.

We also push into the uncomfortable truths. Some clients want kiosk-like speed; others crave voice and eye contact. Winning teams will offer both: a screenless, low-friction path for routine steps, paired with human judgment when the stakes spike. Then we zoom out. Data centers gulp energy; our grid isn’t ready. Ethics get messy: deepfake avatars, surveillance creep, and AI-written schoolwork. Detection is improving, but responsibility and skill still matter. The practical advice lands here: adopt AI to automate research and follow-up, protect time for client conversations, and sharpen the defensible skills—local expertise, empathy, and negotiation—that set you apart.

If your role is exposed, become the person who masters the tools and teaches the team. Keep the mirror test: did you get better today? Subscribe, share with a colleague who needs a nudge, and leave a review with the one task you’ll automate this week.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

• mirror test mindset for daily improvement
• rebrand to Real Estate AF and panel setup
• AI empowerment vs tech enablement
• short-term gains and long-term job reshaping
• responsible use vs lazy dependence
• practical tools for content, CMAs and coaching
• lending workflows: docs, flags, guidelines, QC
• roles at high automation risk across both sectors
• why empathy, negotiation and calm still win
• consumer modes: low friction paths and human help
• energy footprint and grid constraints
• ethics: deepfakes, detection, and education shifts
• adapt or be replaced, build defensible skills

Start playing around with AI, use it to make your business more efficient, but use caution

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Host: Mark Jones | Sr. Loan Officer | NMLS# 513437
If you would like to work with Mark on your next home purchase or as a partner visit iThink Mortgage.

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What if your best business partner is also your spouse—and your toughest boss? We share how two teachers packed a U-Haul, chased a bigger life in Texas, and transformed a side hustle into a top-producing real estate brokerage without losing the plot at home. The path wasn’t linear: a 2008 licensing sprint, early Zillow experiments, a move to San Antonio with a small sphere, and mentors who cared as much about margins and jeans as they did about GCI. Along the way, a premature birth at 27 weeks forced a reset that changed everything. Erin stepped out of the classroom, mastered the back office, and turned scattered spreadsheets into systems, client parties into community, and chaos into four times the profitability.

We talk real tactics—open houses that still work, bank-branch prospecting, positioning that fits both luxury listings and first-time buyers, and the small branding choices that make clients feel safe. We pull back the curtain on launching a brokerage: when to leave the big split, how to price your time, and why clean accounting is a growth engine, not a chore. Then we go deeper: rules for couples who work together, like resolving conflict the same day, setting lanes for sales and operations, and remembering the first job is family. You’ll hear how a CASA toy-drive holiday party grew to hundreds at The Rock, why community beats cold ads, and how to find mentors who save you years by telling you the inconvenient truth.

If you’re a realtor, loan officer, or small-business owner wondering when to jump, this story offers a clear blueprint: stop waiting for perfect, ship the work, and iterate in public. Subscribe for more real estate strategy, business systems, and honest conversations about building a life and a company you’re proud of. If this resonated, share it with someone you’d trust as a business partner—and a life partner.

#KeyFactorsPodcast #RealEstateAF #CesarAmezcua #ErinAmezcua #RealEstateJourney #CouplesInBusiness #ImmigrantStory #BrokerLife #NICUSurvivor #FamilyFirst #LoanBot #TexasRealEstate


2:27 – Meet Cesar & Erin
3:16 – Cesar’s journey from Mexico to college in Texas
5:07 – Erin’s military upbringing & family sacrifice
8:10 – The hilarious story of how they met
16:01 – The ultimatum that led to their move to Garland
19:55 – Becoming a bilingual teacher on an H-1B visa
27:23 – Both get real estate licenses in Dallas
30:04 – Why they left it all to move to San Antonio
33:53 – From PO Box in Helotes to full-time real estate
43:02 – Launching their own brokerage in 2013
46:07 – Premature birth changes everything
49:10 – Erin joins the business—and makes it 400% more profitable
54:01 – Advice for couples working together in real estate

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Host: Mark Jones | Sr. Loan Officer | NMLS# 513437
If you would like to work with Mark on your next home purchase or as a partner visit iThink Mortgage.

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A wedding coordinator turned realtor who almost quit ends up selling 30+ homes her first year and doubling down on the one tactic most agents avoid: telling the truth. Meet Melissa Royale, a San Antonio agent who built a resilient business on systems, mentorship, and real conversations about budget, tradeoffs, and timing.

We dig into the inflection points that changed everything: splitting from family partners, leaving a bad fit, and finding a mentor who replaced guesswork with accountability. Melissa breaks down the exact toolkit that saved her sanity—Google Calendar time blocks, Tasks for daily execution, a CRM that keeps seven-month leads warm, and a live checklist that flags deadlines in red. The result is a calm brain and a steady pipeline, even with multiple pendings in a tight, incentive-heavy market.

If you’re wrestling with affordability, builder concessions, or the post-NAR settlement noise, this conversation offers spine and strategy. Melissa explains how to write offers that win, why she negotiates compensation inside the contract, and when she refuses listings that won’t sell. She sets expectations with buyers early—choose your compromise: location, size, age, or upgrades—and warns short-term owners about competing with builders on resale. For new agents, her advice is direct: know your personality, pick the right environment, and get organized fast. For buyers, it’s simple: start where you are, build equity, and let your next home fund itself.

Real estate doesn’t reward perfect conditions. It rewards clarity, consistency, and courage. Tap play to learn how Melissa turned hard lessons into a durable playbook you can use today. If this helped you think sharper about buying or selling, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway—we read every one.

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Host: Mark Jones | Sr. Loan Officer | NMLS# 513437
If you would like to work with Mark on your next home purchase or as a partner visit iThink Mortgage.

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Everyone’s sharing hot takes on the 50-year mortgage, but most people miss the real question: does it help you buy smarter, or just slower? We sit down with San Antonio experts Robert Elder and Stephanie Paxton to unpack affordability beyond the headline rate, run the equity math on 30-year vs 50-year scenarios, and reveal why taxes, insurance, and maintenance now drive the monthly payment more than anything else.

We get brutally honest about new construction. Builder buy-downs and flashy incentives can be seductive, but the true cost is often buried in the price—and appreciation can lag for years in areas with abundant land and endless new phases. We contrast that with landlocked neighborhoods where limited supply supports stronger resale dynamics. We also break down buyer expectations that hold people back: choosing staging over structure, refusing longer commutes that transplants accept, and chasing “move-in ready” at the expense of long-term value. If you’re weighing a first home, a move-up purchase, or a possible rental conversion, this conversation will sharpen your strategy.

We close with where the deals actually are. Year-end inventory homes can be negotiated hard across all price tiers, while select resale properties offer meaningful price cuts. The playbook: model your total payment with taxes and insurance, stress-test your five- to ten-year plan, and consider the 50-year loan as a tactical bridge with a refinance path—not a forever decision. Local data beats national headlines every time. If you’re ready to run your numbers and build a plan that fits your life, tap follow, share this with a friend who’s shopping, and leave a quick review to tell us what you want covered next.

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Host: Mark Jones | Sr. Loan Officer | NMLS# 513437
If you would like to work with Mark on your next home purchase or as a partner visit iThink Mortgage.

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Is social media ruining real estate work ethic? We dive into the old-school vs. new-school mindset with Casey Hampton and Austin Pantuso. Volume, sacrifice, and the truth behind success in real estate.

In this unfiltered episode of the Key Factors Podcast – Real Estate AF, Mark Jones sits down with real estate veterans Casey Hampton (25+ year mortgage leader, formerly with D.R. Horton and Meritage Homes) and Austin Pantuso (broker and President of United Realty Group) to break down the massive shift happening in real estate and lending post-2020.

🔥 What we cover:

- Are agents and LOs relying too much on social media and not enough on skills?
- Is lead generation dead or just lazy?
- Why “part-time” real estate careers don’t cut it in 2025
- How today’s buyers are stuck in 2021 mindsets
- Real talk on wealth gaps, financial literacy, and homeownership strategy
- The new rules of building trust and referrals in a digital-first world

Whether you're a new agent, a seasoned broker, or somewhere in between — this conversation cuts deep into the mindset, work ethic, and education gap that’s growing in the real estate space.

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🔔 Subscribe for more episodes every week!
🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
💬 Drop your thoughts in the comments — we read every one.

#RealEstateAF #KeyFactorsPodcast #CaseyHampton #AustinPantuso #RealEstateTruth #LoanBot #MortgagePodcast #LenderLife #RealtorLife #OldSchoolVsNewSchool #LeadGeneration #WorkEthic #HomeAffordability #MillennialMoney #GenerationalWealth

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Key Factors Podcast is Powered by LoanBot.com
Host: Mark Jones | Sr. Loan Officer | NMLS# 513437
If you would like to work with Mark on your next home purchase or as a partner visit iThink Mortgage.