Ground Truth - by RealEstateAPI cover art

Ground Truth - by RealEstateAPI

Ground Truth - by RealEstateAPI

Written by: Vincent Harris Justin Winthers
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About this listen

Ground Truth is a podcast by RealEstateAPI that cuts through PropTech abstraction to uncover how real estate actually gets built, financed, and operated. Host Vince Harris brings candid conversations with developers, operators, and technologists who shape the built environment—exploring what's working, what's broken, and where the industry needs better tools. Learn more about RealEstateAPI at www.realestateapi.com© 2026 Vincent Harris, Justin Winthers Economics
Episodes
  • "AI Will Kill Bad Loan Officers" Aaron Chapman on Mortgage Tech
    Dec 9 2025

    What if everything you’ve been told about mortgages, interest rates, and “good financial advice” is backwards?


    In this episode of Ground Truth, Vincent Harris sits down with Aaron Chapman—25-year mortgage veteran, top 1% loan originator, and one of the most unconventional thinkers in the industry—to dismantle some of the biggest myths in real estate finance.


    Aaron shares his journey from working in underground mines and oil fields to building a nationwide investor-focused mortgage business, including the near-death motorcycle accident and financial collapse that reshaped how he thinks about money, risk, and leverage.

    Key Moments:
    00:00 — Welcome to Ground Truth
    Vincent sets the tone of the show: real operators, real-world truth, no theory.


    01:20 — Meet Aaron Chapman: 25 Years in Mortgage, Top 1% Originator
    Why Aaron’s perspective matters—and why appearances can be misleading.


    02:15 — The “Pattern Interrupt”: Why Aaron Looks the Way He Does
    How authenticity, not conformity, became Aaron’s competitive edge.


    04:40 — Growing Up Blue Collar: Mines, Wood Chopping, and Hard Work
    Lessons from rural New Mexico that shaped Aaron’s worldview.


    07:15 — From Oil Fields to Mines to Unemployment
    Aaron’s early career, physical labor, and sudden financial free fall.


    09:00 — Rock Bottom: No Gas, No Money, and a Grocery Store Coupon
    The moment of humility that changed everything.


    10:30 — Red Lobster, a Chance Encounter, and the Mortgage Industry
    How one dinner altered the trajectory of Aaron’s life.


    12:00 — Learning the Mortgage Business the Hard Way
    Early mistakes, painful lessons, and brutal client behavior.


    14:00 — Discovering Real Estate Investors (2003–2008)
    Why investor lending became Aaron’s niche—and why others avoided it.


    15:00 — The 2008 Motorcycle Crash That Changed Everything
    Two shattered legs, memory loss, and a $4.5M swing in net worth.


    18:10 — Why the Fed Cutting Rates Doesn’t Lower Mortgage Rates
    A clear explanation of bonds, inflation, and rate mechanics.


    21:40 — Gold, Fiat Currency, and the Illusion of “Rising Prices”
    A $20 gold coin lesson that reframes inflation entirely.


    24:10 — The Taco Bell Index and the Collapse of Purchasing Power
    Why inflation is far worse than official numbers suggest.


    25:45 — Why the 30-Year Fixed Mortgage Is the Greatest Financial Instrument Ever
    Warren Buffett’s “one-way bet” explained.


    28:30 — Cash Flow Is Not the Whole Story
    How amortization, appreciation, and rent growth actually create wealth.


    31:00 — Why Paying Off Your Mortgage Early Is a Mistake
    Debunking popular financial advice with math.


    34:30 — The Refinance Trap: How Banks Really Win
    Why homeowners reset the clock and never build equity.


    37:45 — The Tech Mortgage Professionals Actually Need
    Why today’s CRMs fail loan officers.


    39:00 — Predictive Lending, Not Reactive Lending
    What Aaron wishes technology could do for LOs and investors.


    41:00 — AI Is a Crutch: Relationships Are the Real Edge
    Why human connection will matter more—not less—in an AI world.


    43:40 — Where to Follow Aaron Chapman
    How to connect, learn more, and prepare for the next episode.


    44:30 — Closing Thoughts: People Over Everything
    Why relationships—not money—are the real asset.

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    47 mins
  • A masterclass in ops and leadership from the #1 rehabber in the country
    Aug 28 2025

    In this episode of "Ground Truth," host Vince welcomes Bobby Triplett, Senior Vice President of Renovation at Offerpad, to discuss the intricacies of real estate investment and renovation. Bobby shares insights from his journey, transitioning from ministry to leading large-scale renovation projects, and the challenges and strategies involved in managing a vast network of contractors across multiple markets. The conversation delves into the impact of technology on real estate, including how his team uses tech to run post mortems on rehabs and why being "under budget" can tank ARV.

    Key moments:

    1. Introduction to Bobby Triplett and Offerpad- 0:00
    2. Offerpad becoming a meme stock and the wild ride for shareholders- 5:00
    3. Offerpad's Approach to Technology and Renovation- 10:00
    4. From the pulpit to property renovation- 15:00
    5. The Evolution of Offerpad's Vendor Management- 20:00
    6. Challenges and Innovations in Real Estate Renovation- 25:00
    7. Future Trends in Real Estate and Co-Living Spaces- 30:00
    8. Offerpad Renovate: A New Service Model- 35:00
    9. Closing Thoughts and Future Prospects- 40:00
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    42 mins
  • Sam Primm on scaling too fast, fixing what broke, and building a real estate empire anyway.
    Aug 21 2025

    In this episode, Sam Primm shares his journey from starting with a modest goal of owning 10 rental properties to amassing a $50 million real estate portfolio. He discusses the challenges and successes of scaling his business, the importance of leveraging debt, and the innovative systems he has implemented to manage growth. Sam also emphasizes the value of investing in people and fostering a strong company culture, sharing insights on leadership and personal development.

    Key moments:

    1. Introduction and Background- 00:00:00
    2. Setting and Surpassing Goals- 00:03:00
    3. Sam on losing $80k/month- 00:09:00
    4. Innovative Management Systems- 00:15:00
    5. Sam's 360 degree life scorecard- 00:21:00
    6. Leadership and Personal Development- 00:27:00
    7. Embracing Failure- 00:33:00


    Follow Sam at
    IG: @samfasterfreedom
    YouTube: Faster Freedom

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    31 mins
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