In this episode of Road to Close, Paul Apostolakis sits down inside the Clear2 Mortgage Sprinter studio with one of the most influential leaders in the mortgage industry: Brian Vieaux, CMB — President of MISMO.

MISMO is the digital backbone of the mortgage world, powering everything from DU and LP data to eMortgages, compliance, and the next era of AI-driven lending. Whether you’re a loan officer, lender, broker, tech provider, or real estate professional, you’ve relied on MISMO even if you didn’t realize it.

In this high-impact conversation, Brian breaks down:

• What MISMO actually is and why every mortgage touches MISMO standards

• The new Mortgage Compliance Dataset (MCD) and how it will change state audits and lender workflows

• How AI is transforming lending — and why loan officers who use AI will replace those who don’t

• The dangers of misusing AI tools (including a real example that will shock LOs)

• Why data security and standardization matter more than ever

• The first inning of AI in mortgage lending — and what guardrails the industry must build

• Affordable housing, inventory shortages, and the “3 percent rate lock” trap

• Why portable mortgages, 50-year loans, and next-gen products might emerge

• The real path to helping first-time buyers in today’s market

• Why now may actually be the best time to be in the mortgage business

Brian also shares insights on leadership, technology, industry collaboration, and how MISMO’s small core team leverages hundreds of experts across the country to create standards that move the entire housing finance system forward.

Finally, he joins Paul for three fun rapid-fire questions — including who he’d trade places with for a week and the one thing he’d bring to a deserted island.

This is one of the most informative and forward-looking episodes we’ve ever produced. If you want to understand where the mortgage industry is truly headed, this conversation is required listening.

Live from the Clear2 Mortgage Sprinter Van, this week on Road 2 Close, host Paul Apostolakis sits down with Renee Lossia Acho, one of Michigan’s most accomplished real estate agents and a top producer at KW Domain, to talk about what everyone’s arguing about right now — the 50-year mortgage.

When President Trump said it could “solve housing affordability,” the media went crazy. But is it really the answer, or just another sound bite? Paul and Renee break it all down — the truth about how longer amortizations actually affect affordability, equity, and long-term wealth building — and why most experts are calling it a Band-Aid on a broken system.

They go deep on:

• Why 6.5 % mortgage rates aren’t the problem — and why they might actually be healthy.

• The real issue behind affordability: America’s housing shortage and lack of inventory.

• How Gen Z’s stalled job market is creating ripple effects all the way up to Michigan’s luxury homes.

• Why investors should be watching the rental market boom instead of waiting for a crash.

• How luxury new-construction prices in Metro Detroit reached $600 to $1,000 per square foot — and are still selling.

• Why Zillow headlines are like WebMD for real estate — and what data professionals should actually trust.

Renee calls it like she sees it — unfiltered, funny, and loaded with insider perspective from one of the most experienced agents in the Midwest. Expect real talk, no fluff, and practical insight you can actually use to navigate today’s housing market.

Whether you’re a loan officer, agent, investor, or homeowner, this episode will leave you thinking differently about the road ahead — and why Michigan real estate is far more resilient than the national headlines suggest.

👉 Hit play and buckle up — this is Road 2 Close, where real estate meets real talk.

In this episode of Road 2 Close, host Paul Apostolakis sits down with Kyle Toma, one of Clear2 Mortgage’s top-producing loan officers, to break down what it takes to perform at an elite level in today’s mortgage market.

Kyle closed 25 loans in a single month, helping more than 20 families achieve homeownership — and he’s just getting started. From mastering both purchase and refinance business to building client trust through constant availability, Kyle shares how he maintains consistency, balance, and focus in a fast-moving market.

They dive deep into: 🏡 The current mortgage rate environment and where rates are heading in 2026 💰 Why small rate dips can trigger huge spikes in refinance volume 📈 The mindset and structure behind Clear2 Mortgage’s record-breaking production 🤝 How leadership and culture drive loan officer success ⚙️ The secret to closing high-volume pipelines without burning out 💡 The importance of great processing teams and real teamwork in lending

Paul and Kyle also discuss market projections showing a 13% increase in total originations and a 24% jump in refi volume for 2026 — and what that means for brokers and homeowners alike.

Whether you’re a loan officer, real estate agent, or homebuyer, this episode delivers actionable insights and authentic conversation from the front lines of the mortgage industry.

📍 Recorded inside the Clear2 Mortgage Sprinter Van in Downtown Royal Oak, Michigan.

👉 Subscribe to Road 2 Close for more conversations with top producers, industry leaders, and real estate pros shaping the future of housing and lending.

Live from the Clear2 Mortgage Sprinter Van, Road 2 Close brings you real estate that meets real talk. Host Paul Apostolakis, mortgage pro and dealmaker, sits down with Mark Shaftner, Team Leader at Keller Williams Domain, to talk about the truth behind today’s Michigan real estate market.

Mark Shaftner shares more than twenty years of experience in the industry, from selling new construction with Pulte Homes to building a multistate brokerage and now leading one of Michigan’s top Keller Williams offices. Together, Paul and Mark break down the key issues shaping real estate today.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• How great agents create real value and earn their full commission

• Why the Detroit and Oakland County markets stay strong even with high mortgage rates

• The real story behind agent turnover and why training makes all the difference

• What makes Keller Williams Domain a people-first company that builds true entrepreneurs

• 2025 housing trends including inventory shifts, buyer confidence, and first-time buyer data

• How leadership, mentorship, and consistency can build lasting wealth in real estate

Mark and Paul also talk about why winter might secretly be the best time to buy a home, what makes a great brokerage worth paying for, and why long-term vision beats short-term commission.

Detroit real estate podcast, Michigan mortgage show, Keller Williams Domain, Mark Shaftner, Paul Apostolakis, Road 2 Close, Clear2 Mortgage, Metro Detroit housing market, real estate leadership, real estate training, first-time homebuyers Michigan, mortgage podcast, Detroit housing affordability, 2025 housing forecast, mortgage insights, real estate broker Michigan, down payment assistance Michigan, Keller Williams coaching, Michigan real estate career

In this episode of Road 2 Close, host Paul Apostolakis sits down inside the Clear2 Mortgage Sprinter Van with Josh Taylor, veteran Realtor and Associate Broker at Good Company Realty. With over 23 years of experience in Metro Detroit real estate — from co-owning Skyward Real Estate to leading across the Royal Oak and Woodward Corridor — Josh brings unfiltered insight into the realities of today’s market.

Together, Paul and Josh unpack what’s really happening in the Michigan housing market as interest rates drop into the sixes, inventory tightens, and buyers return. They dive into:

• Why homeownership still outperforms renting — even in a high-rate environment.

• How more homeowners are becoming accidental landlords by renting out their 3% homes.

• What’s driving the inventory shortage and the pressure on entry-level price points.

• How agents can stand out through real communication, not text chains.

• Why data mastery and market knowledge separate the pros from the pack.

• The psychology of first-time buyers and how misinformation still keeps many on the sidelines.

• FHA and VA assumable loans — what they are, how they work, and why they might make a comeback.

They also trade stories about work ethic, family life, and even a shared Fort Lauderdale trip that proved realtors never really clock out. The episode wraps with Josh’s perspective on the future — predicting a hot 2026 spring market, more refis, and opportunities for those who prepare during the lull.

If you’re a Michigan Realtor, loan officer, or first-time homebuyer, this conversation delivers the market truth you won’t hear anywhere else — authentic, local, and straight from the street.

In this episode of the Road 2 Close Podcast, host Paul Apostolakis of Clear2 Mortgage sits down with Matthew Berney, top realtor and founder of The Berney Group at Quest Realty, to unpack what’s really happening in the Michigan housing market 2025.

Matthew shares how he built a 5-star real estate brand rooted in trust, strategy, and results. From his early days as a President’s Club mortgage banker at Quicken Loans to leading one of Metro Detroit’s highest-rated real estate teams, Matthew breaks down exactly what buyers and sellers need to know right now.

They discuss: ✅ How to win as a buyer in a competitive market ✅ Why communication and trust define today’s best agents ✅ Smart pricing and marketing strategies that sell homes faster ✅ How family, community, and authenticity drive long-term success

Whether you’re a homebuyer, seller, or real estate professional, this conversation delivers real-world insights on navigating Michigan’s changing market, building a lasting brand, and delivering true 5-star service.

In this episode of the Road 2 Close Podcast, host Paul Apostolakis of Clear2 Mortgage sits down with Dylan Tent, luxury real estate powerhouse and top agent with Sotheby’s International Realty.

Known for his helicopter home tours, Hollywood-quality property videos, and record-breaking sales, Dylan has built one of Michigan’s most recognizable brands in luxury real estate. From selling multimillion-dollar estates to creating viral marketing content that generates over 400% more engagement per listing, Dylan’s approach is redefining what it means to be a modern Realtor.

🚁 Inside this episode: ✅ How Dylan turned his passion for aviation into a luxury real estate career ✅ The marketing strategies that help his listings dominate online ✅ The importance of relationships and consistency in an AI-driven market ✅ Wild behind-the-scenes stories from Michigan’s luxury listings (including a real castle sale) ✅ How creativity, discipline, and competition drive Dylan’s success

Dylan Tent is not your average Realtor — he’s a commercial helicopter pilot, Ducati racer, and marketing innovator whose work ethic and creativity have made him a leader in Michigan’s high-end market.

🎧 Tune in to hear the full conversation on Road 2 Close, the show where real estate meets real talk.

#Road2Close #Clear2Mortgage #DylanTent #SothebysRealty #LuxuryRealEstate #MichiganRealtor #RealEstatePodcast #MortgagePodcast #MarketingStrategy #HelicopterRealtor #DetroitLuxuryHomes

This week we sat down with Holly Amato of EXP Realty inside the Clear2 Mortgage Sprinter Van for a raw conversation on where the real estate market is heading.

We break down: ✅ How the government shutdown could impact mortgages and real estate ✅ Why divorce and real estate are more connected than most people realize ✅ What a “balanced market” really looks like in Metro Detroit versus national trends ✅ How affordability, inventory, and interest rates are shaping buyer and seller decisions right now ✅ The strategies top agents use to help clients win in multiple offer situations

Holly also shares her journey from teacher to real estate broker, her work as a certified divorce specialist, and why understanding the numbers is the key to building wealth through homeownership.

If you are a buyer, seller, investor, or agent looking to navigate today’s market with clarity and confidence, this episode is packed with insights you cannot afford to miss.

🎧 Watch or listen now and subscribe to Road 2 Close for more unfiltered conversations with the power players who move the market.

#Clear2Mortgage #Road2Close #RealEstatePodcast #DetroitRealEstate #MortgageTips #HomeBuying #MarketUpdate #RealEstateInvesting