The Brutally Honest Loan Officers: The Unfiltered Mortgage Minds

Mortgage Rates Drop After a Shocking Jobs Report

This week, Stephen Brock and Derick Brown break down the shocking jobs report that shook the markets and sent mortgage rates lower. What does this really mean for buyers, sellers, and realtors? Stephen explains why the bond market moves faster than the Fed, how labor data is finally showing cracks, and why this might be the opportunity buyers have been waiting for.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why mortgage rates dropped immediately after the jobs report
How the bond market leads while the Fed lags
What “labor over inflation” really means for housing
The brutally honest truth buyers and realtors need to hear right now
📌 Don’t wait for the Fed’s blessing. The market has already moved.

The Million-Dollar Math of a 25-Year-Old

In this episode of The Brutally Honest Loan Officers Podcast, Derick and Stephen unpack the inspiring story of a 25-year-old first-time homebuyer who’s already building wealth through smart money habits.
They break down:
How starting with just $130 a month can grow into over $1 million by retirement.
The power of compound interest and why time—not income—is the real multiplier.
Why waiting for the “perfect” situation in real estate or investing can cost you years of growth.
How homeownership + consistent investing can work together to build generational wealth.
Whether you’re in your 20s or 40s, this episode will change how you think about money, investing, and real estate.

The Fed Doesn’t Control Your Mortgage Rate

In this episode of The Brutally Honest Loan Officers Podcast, Stephen and Derick break down the recent Federal Reserve meeting in Jackson Hole and what it really means for buyers, sellers, and realtors.
They simplify the complex:
Why the Fed’s decision not to change rates doesn’t directly set mortgage rates.
How mortgage rates are tied more to the 10-year Treasury yield than to Fed Funds.
Why waiting for a “perfect” rate is risky, and how to focus on your own financial timing instead.
Real-life client stories that show how small rate shifts impact buying power.
Practical tips for credit management, avoiding late fees, and staying loan-ready.
Whether you’re a buyer, realtor, or just watching the economy, this episode cuts through the noise and helps you make smarter decisions in a volatile market.

From Taxes to Cash Flow: Brutally Honest Advice with CPA Alex Riccio

This week on The Brutally Honest Loan Officers Podcast, Derick and Stephen sit down with Alex, a CPA and Cash Flow Expert, to tackle the money side of real estate and small business.
From the biggest tax mistakes homeowners make, to the hidden benefits of homeownership, and what realtors and entrepreneurs can do to hold onto more of their income — Alex breaks down complex topics into brutally honest, practical steps you can take today.You’ll learn:
How taxes impact buying a home (and why waiting until the last minute can cost you)
The often-overlooked tax advantages of owning vs. renting
Smart bookkeeping strategies for realtors and small business owners
Whether setting up an LLC or S-Corp really makes sense for agents
The #1 money habit everyone should start tomorrow
If you’re a homeowner, investor, realtor, or running your own business, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.
👉 Get a free consultation with Alex at Stronghold Associates here: https://www.strongholdassociates.com/freeconsult

Can You Really Assume a Mortgage?

In this episode of The Brutally Honest Loan Officers Podcast, Stephen Brock and Derick Brown pull back the curtain on assumable mortgage loans. With today’s higher interest rates, many buyers wonder if they can simply take over the seller’s loan — and sometimes, the answer is yes.
We break down:
Which loans are actually assumable (hint: FHA, VA, USDA… but not conventional).
The real benefits — like inheriting a 2% or 3% rate and saving on closing costs.
The roadblocks that can kill the deal, from big equity gaps to VA entitlement issues.
Why the process can drag out longer than expected.
If you’re a buyer hoping to score a lower rate or an agent with a listing that needs an edge, understanding mortgage assumptions could be a game-changer.

When Will Mortgage Rates Really Drop?

Rates feel like they’re doing the cha-cha—up one day, down the next—and everyone’s asking the same thing: “When will mortgage rates finally come down?” In this episode of The Brutally Honest Loan Officers: The Unfiltered Mortgage Minds, Stephen and Derick unpack why predicting rates isn’t as simple as watching the Fed.
They break down the full cocktail of factors influencing rates—from inflation and investor emotions to global headlines and media hype. You’ll hear why waiting for that “perfect” rate might cost you more than you think, how refinancing fits into the bigger picture, and the key questions to ask yourself before jumping into the market.

Homebuyers Win Big: Breaking Down the Big Beautiful Bill

In this episode of The Brutally Honest Loan Officers Podcast, Stephen Brock and Derick Brown break down the latest tax changes that could put more money in your pocket — and make homeownership more attainable. From a bigger Child Tax Credit to a higher standard deduction for seniors, and the permanent tax-deductibility of PMI, these updates can improve your cash flow and even help with mortgage approval.
Stephen and Derick explain why these changes matter for first-time buyers, current homeowners, and retirees looking to move or downsize. Plus, they share why the current buyers’ market creates unique opportunities to negotiate seller concessions, secure lower effective payments, and potentially get ahead of the competition before rates drop.
If you’ve been on the fence about buying, this episode will show you how smart timing and new tax perks can work in your favor.

Should Jerome Powell Resign?

In this episode of The Brutally Honest Loan Officers Podcast, Stephen Brock and Derick Brown dive into a question that could shake the markets: What happens if Jerome Powell resigns as Chair of the Federal Reserve? This isn’t just a political hot take—it’s a serious conversation about leadership at the top of the economic food chain and how it impacts mortgage rates, homebuyers, and the housing market as a whole.
They break down what the FED actually does, how Powell's policies have shaped the market, and what kind of chaos—or opportunity—could follow a sudden change in leadership. Most importantly, they bring it back to the consumer: how loan officers, realtors, and homeowners should prepare for what comes next.
If you want to understand the ripple effects of FED decisions (without the Wall Street jargon), this episode is a must-listen.

David Custons on Loyalty, Local Expertise, and Doing Real Estate the Right Way

In this episode of The Brutally Honest Loan Officers Podcast, we sit down with David Custons to talk about what it really means to do real estate the right way. David shares how decades of experience in construction, property management, and home services gave him the foundation to finally step into real estate full-time—when he knew he could truly add value. We dive into the importance of loyalty, why relationships (not just transactions) matter, and what makes South Florida such a unique market. If you value straight talk, local expertise, and long-term thinking in this business, you’ll want to hear David’s story.

Let Freedom Ring with The American Dream

In this episode of The Brutally Honest Loan Officers, Derick and Stephen explore what the American Dream really means today — and how homeownership is still one of its most powerful cornerstones. From building equity and gaining tax advantages to creating generational wealth, they break down why owning a home is more than just having a roof over your head.