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First week reveals surprising spectrum in residential mortgage market

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Well, I recently completed my first week in residential mortgage lending business, and it was an eye-opener.

I’ve been in commercial real estate finance forever, so I guess nothing should take me off-guard. But if you need a home loan and you haven’t gotten one in a while, you’re in for a big surprise.

I have a good friend who is in excellent financial shape. He has a lot of cash in the bank and owns two homes free and clear.

So he’s a slam-dunk for a new mortgage, right?

Wrong. Because he’s an entrepreneur, he doesn’t have a steady income. The banks will evaluate based on the two most recent years of income. If last year was bad, that’s the one they’ll look at.

If you’re not perfect, it’s going to be tough.

You can chalk this up to the Dodd-Frank legislation in the wake of the 2008-2009 financial market meltdown. It’s driving a lot of lenders out of the market, making credit more scarce.

That being the case, you need someone on your side who knows which banks will be a little more flexible in their underwriting. The process is going to be difficult, so it makes sense to focus your efforts where they’re most likely to succeed.

The super jumbo mortgage business is all about service. It’s all about making sure the borrower has the best experience possible.

That’s what I want to do for my clients at Spectrum Mortgage. There’s a spectrum of mortgages out there. Every situation is different – and often surprising. I’m the guide that gets my clients to the other side of the treacherous residential mortgage landscape.

I’m here to help you. Contact me at 305-773-6300.

Very often, I’m dealing with my friends who are high-end developers. They have “lumpy” cash flow, and most of that is capital gains. That means they need someone who can craft a financial statement that helps the bank understand the nuances of the situation.

It takes an expert to do that, and Bob Gutlohn, founder and President of Spectrum Mortgage, is that expert. It’s a privilege to be working with him.

I have a ton of anecdotes that illustrate the vagaries of the residential mortgage market and how Spectrum Mortgage can help. Click here to listen to the full segment.

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In Episode 827 of Fried on Business, host Jim Fried is joined by capital markets expert Michael Cohen, founding partner of Brighton Capital Advisors, to talk about where the money is—and how to get it—in today’s evolving real estate environment.

With interest rates elevated and banks pulling back on commercial lending, many investors and developers are facing a new challenge: how to secure capital for deals in a shifting, risk-conscious market. Michael offers real-time insights into how Brighton Capital Advisors helps clients bridge that gap with creative financing strategies, tailored debt solutions, and targeted equity partnerships.

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How capital markets are reacting to rate pressure

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How to position deals to attract institutional interest

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Michael also shares lessons from working across market cycles, emphasizing transparency, speed, and strategic alignment as the new pillars of deal-making.

Whether you're a developer, investor, broker, or family office executive, this episode will give you clear insights on navigating capital markets in 2025 and beyond.

🎧 Tune in and discover how smart capital strategy is still possible—even in a tight financial environment.

🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6126418013716480

In Episode 827 of Fried on Business, host Jim Fried is joined by capital markets expert Michael Cohen, founding partner of Brighton Capital Advisors, to talk about where the money is—and how to get it—in today’s evolving real estate environment.

With interest rates elevated and banks pulling back on commercial lending, many investors and developers are facing a new challenge: how to secure capital for deals in a shifting, risk-conscious market. Michael offers real-time insights into how Brighton Capital Advisors helps clients bridge that gap with creative financing strategies, tailored debt solutions, and targeted equity partnerships.

The conversation covers:

How capital markets are reacting to rate pressure

The role of private credit and alternative lenders

Which asset classes are getting funded—and which are stalled

How to position deals to attract institutional interest

Trends in debt restructuring, refinancing, and construction lending

Michael also shares lessons from working across market cycles, emphasizing transparency, speed, and strategic alignment as the new pillars of deal-making.

Whether you're a developer, investor, broker, or family office executive, this episode will give you clear insights on navigating capital markets in 2025 and beyond.

🎧 Tune in and discover how smart capital strategy is still possible—even in a tight financial environment.

🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6126418013716480

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As homebuyers, investors, and real estate professionals navigate the uncertainty of rising interest rates, tighter lending conditions, and shifting credit strategies, Ed brings clarity and practical advice from the front lines of financing.

Drawing on decades of experience in residential and investment property lending, Ed shares:

What interest rate movements mean for first-time buyers and investors

How banks are changing their underwriting in today’s market

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Whether you're trying to secure a home loan, advising clients, or investing in income property, this episode delivers the financial insights you need to make smart, confident decisions.

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🎧 Tune in now for a real-world look at what’s happening behind the mortgage curtain—and how to use it to your advantage.



🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6126418013716480

In Episode 824 of Fried on Business, host Jim Fried welcomes Ed Cairo, founder and principal of American Home Finance Group, for a timely and strategic conversation about the state of the mortgage market in 2025.

As homebuyers, investors, and real estate professionals navigate the uncertainty of rising interest rates, tighter lending conditions, and shifting credit strategies, Ed brings clarity and practical advice from the front lines of financing.

Drawing on decades of experience in residential and investment property lending, Ed shares:

What interest rate movements mean for first-time buyers and investors

How banks are changing their underwriting in today’s market

The biggest mortgage mistakes buyers are making right now

When refinancing makes sense—and when it doesn’t

How brokers can better educate and guide their clients

Whether you're trying to secure a home loan, advising clients, or investing in income property, this episode delivers the financial insights you need to make smart, confident decisions.

Ed also discusses how private lenders and smaller firms are stepping up as big banks tighten credit, and why personalized service is more important than ever in today’s lending landscape.

🎧 Tune in now for a real-world look at what’s happening behind the mortgage curtain—and how to use it to your advantage.



🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6126418013716480

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🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6126418013716480

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With inventory rising and interest rate pressures reshaping buyer behavior, Peter gives a candid and research-backed look into what’s really happening in South Florida’s most dynamic property segment. The conversation explores pricing correction signals, stalled absorption rates, and how developers and brokers are reacting—or not reacting—to shifting conditions.

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Why cash buyers are hesitating despite opportunity

The real impact of interest rates on resale inventory

Strategic insights for brokers, investors, and buyers

Whether you’re considering a purchase, managing client portfolios, or trying to understand Miami’s evolving condo landscape, this episode offers the clarity you need.

🎧 Tune in to hear the truth behind the trends—only on Fried on Business.

🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6126418013716480

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🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6126418013716480

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🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6126418013716480

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🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6126418013716480

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Warren Henry Automotive is a sponsor of Fried on Business. This episode features a discussion of their training program as part of that ongoing relationship.

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This episode covers how the initiative works, what students can expect to learn, and why supporting workforce development in trades is not just good business—it’s a smart investment in the future.

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🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6126418013716480

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