In this solo episode of The Real Estate Lens, Ryan breaks down exactly what closing costs are, how they’re calculated, and why they vary from deal to deal. If you’re budgeting to buy in Massachusetts or Rhode Island and only planning for the down payment, this episode shows you what else to expect so there are no surprises on closing day. Ryan walks through the two big buckets of costs: loan costs tied to your mortgage, and “other” costs like attorney, title, taxes, insurance, and escrows. He...
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In this solo episode of The Real Estate Lens, Ryan breaks down exactly what closing costs are, how they’re calculated, and why they vary from deal to deal. If you’re budgeting to buy in Massachusetts or Rhode Island and only planning for the down payment, this episode shows you what else to expect so there are no surprises on closing day. Ryan walks through the two big buckets of costs: loan costs tied to your mortgage, and “other” costs like attorney, title, taxes, insurance, and escrows. He...
In this solo episode of The Real Estate Lens, Ryan breaks down exactly what closing costs are, how they’re calculated, and why they vary from deal to deal. If you’re budgeting to buy in Massachusetts or Rhode Island and only planning for the down payment, this episode shows you what else to expect so there are no surprises on closing day. Ryan walks through the two big buckets of costs: loan costs tied to your mortgage, and “other” costs like attorney, title, taxes, insurance, and escrows. He...
In this solo episode of The Real Estate Lens, Ryan Richards tackles the question on everyone’s mind: are we headed for a housing crash like 2008, or will prices hold firm? Pulling from lending data, supply and demand dynamics, and on-the-ground trends, Ryan explains why today’s market looks very different from the last crash and why outcomes are highly local. He breaks down why the Northeast is behaving differently from many Sun Belt and Western markets, how tighter post-2008 underwriting and...
In this solo episode of The Real Estate Lens, Ryan Richards unpacks one of the most confusing moments in the financial world: when the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates but mortgage rates still rise. If you’ve ever wondered why those two numbers don’t always move together, this episode breaks it all down in plain English. Ryan explains the real difference between the Fed funds rate and mortgage rates, what drives the 10-year Treasury yield, and how investor sentiment, inflation expectations...
In this solo episode of The Real Estate Lens, Ryan Richards breaks down the single biggest reason homebuyers get denied financing - communication - and how to prevent it. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, investor, or real estate agent guiding your clients, this episode reveals what really causes pre-approvals to fall apart and how to spot the warning signs early. Ryan explains why most denials come down to poor communication and lack of due diligence, often from both sides. He shares real-w...
In this solo episode of The Real Estate Lens, Ryan Richards shares his quick-hit system for analyzing investment properties in under a minute. With deals constantly flooding your inbox, knowing how to spot opportunities — and avoid time-wasters — is key. Ryan breaks down the three simple metrics he uses to instantly evaluate whether a deal is worth pursuing. He explains how to apply the 1% rule for quick cash flow analysis, spot hidden value in underutilized square footage, and use cost-per-u...
In this solo episode of The Real Estate Lens, Ryan Richards shares a real-life success story from one of his Informed Investor Mastermind students who went from beginner to buying two multifamily properties in under a year — all while using minimal cash out of pocket. Ryan walks through the exact steps this couple followed: from attending the 12-week mastermind, purchasing their first three-family property with just 3.5% down, to building systems for management, renovations, and cash flow. Te...
In this solo episode of The Real Estate Lens, Ryan Richards breaks down exactly what he would do if he were starting his real estate investing journey today. Whether you’ve been saving for your first multifamily property or just starting to explore real estate as a wealth-building tool, this episode walks through a clear, actionable plan to get started. Ryan explains how to leverage low down payment options, live in your investment to gain hands-on experience, and use strategic renovations to...
In this solo episode of The Real Estate Lens, Ryan Richards unpacks the major differences between residential and commercial financing and how each impacts your real estate investment strategy. Drawing on his experience as both a loan officer and an investor, Ryan shares the pros, cons, and real-world applications of each type of financing so you can make smarter decisions as you grow your portfolio. From qualification standards to property valuation methods, he explains how residential loans...
In this episode of The Real Estate Lens, Ryan Richards sits down with Massachusetts-based entrepreneur and investor Jessie Dillon to unpack her rapid journey from beauty industry business owner to powerhouse real estate investor. Jessie recently hit her milestone of 50 units owned and operated, many of them in states she hasn’t even visited, and is now shifting focus to her next big venture in self-storage. Jessie shares how she went from burning out behind the chair in her permanent makeup s...
In this solo episode of The Real Estate Lens, Ryan takes on a common trap many buyers fall into: overanalyzing every detail of a home purchase until they talk themselves out of moving forward. Ryan explains why buying a primary residence is different from making an investment decision and why focusing too much on spreadsheets, projections, or trying to “time the market” can lead to missed opportunities. He shares real client examples of people who lost out on great deals because they were cha...
In this solo episode of The Real Estate Lens, Ryan breaks down the key things every real estate agent should understand about mortgages to better guide their clients and strengthen offers. Instead of jargon and technical guidelines, Ryan focuses on strategy and the practical insights that matter most when you’re representing buyers or sellers. He explains how to interpret pre-approvals, what different financing types mean for a transaction, and how to avoid common misconceptions that can crea...
In this solo episode of The Real Estate Lens, Ryan Richards shares three powerful strategies homeowners can use to save money, pay off their mortgage faster, and avoid costly mistakes that lenders don’t always talk about. Ryan breaks down how small, proactive steps can add up to massive savings over the life of your loan, whether you plan to stay in your home long term or just want to position yourself for future opportunities. What you’ll learn: How one extra payment a year can cut six years...
In this solo episode of The Real Estate Lens, Ryan breaks down one of the biggest financial questions homeowners face: does it make sense to refinance right now? With mortgage rates hitting their lowest point of 2025, many borrowers are wondering whether they should act or wait. Ryan explains why a refinance is more than just a rate play—it’s an investment with a measurable return. He shares a simple framework you can use to calculate costs, savings, and breakeven points, so you can confident...
In this episode of The Real Estate Lens, Ryan Richards is joined by returning guest Spenser Molloy, a real estate agent with Next Home Realty based in Lebanon, New Hampshire. Together, they pull back the curtain on the real estate process—where not every deal is smooth, and sometimes major challenges arise that can put deposits, financing, and even entire transactions at risk. Ryan and Spenser break down a recent set of complex transactions that nearly fell apart, and how having the right tea...
In this solo episode of The Real Estate Lens, Ryan Richards breaks down a topic that’s often overlooked but can have a huge impact on your mortgage approval and investment returns: home insurance. Drawing from his experience as a residential loan officer and real estate investor in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Ryan explains how insurance premiums are estimated during the lending process, why certain properties can cause costs to skyrocket, and what every buyer should look out for before ma...
In this episode of The Real Estate Lens, Ryan Richards sits down with returning guest Ben Carbone of the We Close Deals team at Lamacchia Realty for a deep dive into entrepreneurship, market strategy, and the realities of building a team. Since Ben’s last appearance, a lot has changed—he’s switched brokerages, launched a team that’s already grown to 17 agents, and doubled down on impact through real estate, leadership, and community giveback. Ryan and Ben unpack the real challenges that come ...
In this episode of The Real Estate Lens, Ryan Richards sits down with Mike Sweeney, owner of House Doctor Home Inspections—serving Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. From real estate investing to leadership to the nuts and bolts of the home inspection process, this episode goes deep into the business of protecting homebuyers and scaling a service-driven company. Mike shares how he went from financial advisor and first-time homebuyer to renovating properties, becoming an inspector, ...
In this solo episode of The Real Estate Lens, Ryan dives into one of the most common challenges he sees among real estate investors, flippers, and business owners: how to qualify for a mortgage when your tax returns don’t show enough income. Ryan breaks down two powerful lending options his team uses to help clients with non‑traditional income secure financing. Whether your business write‑offs leave you with minimal net income on paper, or your income fluctuates season to season, there are wa...
In this solo episode of The Real Estate Lens, Ryan Richards shares his honest, behind-the-scenes experience flipping a single-family home for the first time. From budget overruns to unexpected code violations, Ryan walks through what worked, what didn’t, and the real numbers that shaped the outcome of the project. Whether you’re planning your first flip or just curious about the realities of managing a residential renovation, this episode gives you a candid look at the process, along with act...
In this episode of The Real Estate Lens, Ryan welcomes back top Rhode Island real estate agent Brooke Buckett for her third appearance on the show. Brooke specializes in relocation and first-time homeownership, and in this conversation, she breaks down why Rhode Island continues to attract buyers from across the country—and how to navigate a multi-state move without the stress. Brooke and Ryan discuss what’s driving the relocation trend, how Rhode Island’s small size offers big lifestyle vari...
In this solo episode of The Real Estate Lens, Ryan breaks down exactly what closing costs are, how they’re calculated, and why they vary from deal to deal. If you’re budgeting to buy in Massachusetts or Rhode Island and only planning for the down payment, this episode shows you what else to expect so there are no surprises on closing day. Ryan walks through the two big buckets of costs: loan costs tied to your mortgage, and “other” costs like attorney, title, taxes, insurance, and escrows. He...
