Finance With Factor

Many homebuyers stretch and twist themselves into painful positions trying to save 20% down — and listing agents often (incorrectly) view down payment size as a measure of a buyer’s qualification. In this episode, Louis Chinappi of Arch MI explains why low-down payment loans with private mortgage insurance (PMI) can be a smart homebuying strategy.  Louis breaks down what mortgage insurance really is, how PMI pricing works, and how homebuyers can balance cash on hand vs. monthly payment to improve affordability and opportunity cost.  We discuss how MI can be a tool to help balance the scale of monthly payment vs. available cash — keeping reserves to strengthen offers, cover appraisal gaps, or handle renovations and repairs. If you think PMI is a deal-breaker, this episode may change your mind. 

Bea Murphy (@bmurphy388) of Lamacchia Realty to break down how she’s leveraged raffles, giveaways, and community-focused contests to quickly grow her social media following — and her real estate business.  She shares how to host online giveaways to find clients, grow your social media followers, and translate online buzz into real-life clients.

If you want to boost engagement, grow your audience, or elevate your real estate brand on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook, this episode is basically your cheat code.

Hit play and steal some of Bea’s best growth hacks.

What if your dream home in retirement feels just out of reach—unless you cash out your investments? This is the dilemma so many homeowners face, living on a fixed income and feeling stuck in the wrong home because they are mortgage free or in a 3% rate.

In this real-life client call, our team walks through homebuying and financing options for a soon to be retiree whose income alone couldn’t qualify her for the home she wanted. Hear how we built a solution that let her buy without disrupting her retirement cash flow, preserved her estate plans, and enabled her to retire with confidence that she can stay in her new home comfortably for as long as she wants!

If you’re a Realtor helping downsizing clients or a financial advisor guiding retirees through asset management, this episode is a must-listen case study in strategic mortgage planning.

Abigail Gaw, a personal wellness and business consultant joins me for a coaching session.  We explore the true meaning of health and wellness, emphasizing the importance of holistic approaches that go beyond diet and exercise. Abigail shares insights on digital wellbeing, work-life balance, and the necessity of setting boundaries in both personal and professional life. The discussion highlights the significance of self-care, the power of saying no, and the impact of leading by example for your children. She concludes with practical tips for maintaining a healthy relationship with technology and prioritizing your well-being.  This is a must listen for any top producer, realtor, or self-employed business owner...actually everyone can probably pull a meaningful takeaway from our conversation.

Guest: Abigail Gaw

Https://abigailcook.my.canva.site/coaching

Every client meeting is basically an audition. If you are a Realtor, sales professional, and business owner, tune in and learn from how performers prepare, manage nerves, and deliver their best when the spotlight’s on. You will be surprised by how much of Kevin's tips and advice is relevant to your business. This episode is packed with takeaways on how to: build confidence, prepare like a pro, and win the “audition” with clients.

Darren Lee, board member of Friends of Boston’s Homeless, shares his powerful story of resilience. At 7 years old, Darren became unhoused when his mother courageously escaped an abusive spouse. With the support of community organizations and advocates, he found stability and went on to achieve personal and professional success.

We talk about the realities of childhood homelessness, domestic violence, and the critical role of community support in breaking cycles of hardship. Darren’s journey is heartbreaking and hopeful, but not unfamiliar.  He shares the impact that nonprofits like Friends of Boston’s Homeless can make for our community.

Listen now to hear Darren’s inspiring story—and learn how you can get involved to help vulnerable neighbors facing homelessness and housing insecurity.

***Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of domestic violence, homelessness, and substance abuse. Listener discretion is advised.

Back-to-school isn’t just for kids—real estate pros need engaging education too. Marisa Suescun of the Boston Debate League shares strategies to design workshops, panels, and seminars that captivate well-seasoned colleagues and first-time learners alike.

Adam Shulman, Realtor with Leading Edge, reflects on how his background as a social worker shaped the way he approaches real estate. He shares how listening skills, patience, and adaptable communication have helped him serve clients more effectively. Through relatable stories and practical advice, Adam reveals how to consciously draw lessons from your own life experiences to grow both personally and professionally.

In a fast-moving, competitive market, writing a winning offer is as much an art as it is a science. Angela Zullo, Realtor with Lamacchia Realty and YPN GBAR Committee Board Member, joins the podcast to break down the most effective strategies we discussed at GBAR’s recent panel "The Art of the Offer" to share our key takeaways. Tune in to learn the tips and stratagies some of Boston’s best agents are using to get their homebuyers to the closing table.