Send us a text Support the show 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.

Send us a text 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 b...

Send us a text 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 wit...

Send us a text 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-down...

Send us a text 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...

Send us a text In this powerhouse episode of Key Factors Podcast – Real Estate AF, host Mark Jones sits down with Tomas Martinez, founder of TM3 Impact and Luxury Home Magazine (San Antonio & Austin). Tomas shares his incredible story—from being cut from the C team in middle school basketball to building one of the most successful luxury real estate publications in Texas. They unpack: - How he and his wife bootstrapped a franchise with car loans - Why paper is still powerful in a digita...

Send us a text Join Mark Jones and hard money expert Jade Florez of Longhorn Investments as they dive deep into the world of real estate investing in today's dynamic market. Discover why mom-and-pop investors are thriving with hard money loans, even as traditional buyers hesitate. Jade breaks down the BRRRR method (Buy, Renovate, Refinance, Rent, Repeat), explaining how investors can acquire properties with minimal out-of-pocket cash and build long-term wealth. Learn about the critical 70% ru...

Send us a text Buyer payments didn’t spiral because people forgot how to shop; they spiraled because the inputs changed overnight. We sit down with builder leader Tommy Fryer to talk candidly about what kept new construction moving when rates doubled—and why transparency beats shiny incentives every time. From the DR Horton headlines to the realities of “payment shock” letters, we lay out how improved taxes, real insurance quotes, and honest monthly numbers safeguard buyers and reputations. ...

Send us a text In this unfiltered and highly educational episode of the Key Factors Podcast – Real Estate AF, host Mark Jones is joined by San Antonio’s top real estate professionals: Moses Thatcher, Cesar Amezcua, and Josh Boggs. This episode dives into hard truths about the current new home sales market — truths that many agents are too afraid to say out loud. Topics covered: How builders use inflated pricing and temporary buydowns to trap buyers in negative equityThe fiduciary failure of r...

Send us a text In this video, we discuss the importance of roof maintenance and how to protect your home from costly repairs. Our experts share valuable roofing insights and practical roofing tips to help homeowners avoid common mistakes. Plus, we dive into gutter maintenance and its crucial role in home improvement. 🏠✨ Support the show 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 purch...

Send us a text Join host Mark Jones in this insightful episode of the Key Factors Podcast, where real estate experts Sandra Rangel and JJ Garina share their extensive knowledge and experience in navigating the San Antonio real estate market. This episode delves into the current market dynamics, personal growth strategies, and the evolving landscape of real estate. Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the industry, this discussion offers valuable perspectives and actionable advice ...

Send us a text In this episode of Key Factors Podcast – Real Estate AF, we dive deep into the power of social media and digital media — how it’s programming society, shaping desires, fueling division, and even impacting real estate and finance. From algorithms that amplify polarization to the normalization of behaviors online, we explore how the digital age is influencing not only our culture but also how buyers, sellers, and investors make decisions in today’s market. 👀 What you’ll learn: ...

Send us a text Support the show 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.

Send us a text Is the Fed About to Make a Huge Move? How does it effect you as a homebuyer? In this eye-opening episode of the Key Factors Podcast – Real Estate AF, host Mark Jones is joined by John Hudson and Brianna Jones to dig deep into the current mortgage climate, financial literacy, and buyer behavior in a volatile market. The trio explores how fear of rejection, lack of trust in lenders, and financial misinformation are keeping 85% of potential homebuyers on the sidelines—even ...

Send us a text Are You Leveraging or Just Taking Advantage -Talking Real Estate In this high-energy episode of the Key Factors Podcast – Real Estate AF, host Mark Jones welcomes back Dylan Shively and introduces Carlos Puckerin, a dual-citizen entrepreneur from Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, now based in Houston. Together, they dive into the hard truths about real estate, entrepreneurship, scaling systems, authenticity, and marketing. Carlos unpacks his journey from fix-and-flip investor to f...

Send us a text In this powerful and unfiltered episode of the Key Factors Podcast – Real Estate AF, host Mark Jones catches up with returning guest Dylan Shively for his fifth appearance. In this episode, the hosts emphasize the importance of giving free advice to establish credibility and build "trust". The two dive deep into Dylan’s evolution from a credit repair professional into a media entrepreneur, now co-leading Vision Partners Media. Dylan shares how he became a “trust validator...

Send us a text 📄 Episode Description: In this powerful and personal episode of the Key Factors Podcast – Real Estate AF (And Finance), host Mark Jones sits down with Rory Rogers—San Antonio realtor, former police officer, divorced father of twins, and real estate investor with over $3 million in acquisitions in the past year. Rory shares his journey from buying his first home in 2005, weathering the 2008 crash, and using lessons learned to thrive in today’s market. From leveraging DSCR loans...

Send us a text Why Are Loan Officers Struggling in Today’s Market? | Key Factors Podcast The mortgage industry isn’t what it used to be — fewer deals, tighter inventory, and a new kind of buyer mindset. In this episode of the Key Factors Podcast, host Mark Jones is joined by Joel Comp, Clarisa Garza, and Nichole Aguero to unpack exactly why loan officers are struggling right now… and what it takes to break through. We’re talking: • How to build authentic, equal partnerships with Realt...

Send us a text What if your challenging circumstances became the very fuel that propelled you to extraordinary success? Devin Resendez embodies this powerful transformation. From growing up in San Antonio's inner city with a teenage mother to building one of the region's most successful real estate teams, Devin's journey captivates with its raw honesty and profound insights. Devin's entry into real estate wasn't planned – it began with a negative home-buying experience that sparked a desire ...

Send us a text What really separates top-producing real estate agents from those who struggle to find consistent success? Zach Castillo, co-founder of The Castillo Group in San Antonio, shares his remarkable journey from physical therapy student to real estate powerhouse, revealing the strategic mindset that's fueled his decade-long success story. "I subscribe very early that it's all about lead generation," Zach explains, cutting through industry noise with refreshing clarity. His story is ...