Episodi

  • Mikey Taylor: Skateboarder-Turned-Mayor On Housing, Downtown T.O. Growth, And Keeping The City Safe :: Ep 29 Mortage Wise with Mike Wise

    Mikey Taylor: Skateboarder-Turned-Mayor On Housing, Downtown T.O. Growth, And Keeping The City Safe :: Ep 29 Mortage Wise with Mike Wise
    Jul 22 2026
    The real estate market isn’t just about prices and rates—it’s about policy, infrastructure, and how cities respond to massive state and federal pressure. In this episode, former pro skateboarder and current Thousand Oaks mayor Mikey Taylor sits down with Mike to unpack how housing laws, downtown redevelopment, and city budgeting are reshaping Thousand Oaks and the Conejo Valley.From the controversial seven‑story downtown project to ADUs, senior housing, mixed‑use developments, and what “affordable housing” really means under California law, Mikey explains how local leaders are trying to keep Thousand Oaks safe, livable, and economically competitive—without losing its small‑town feel. If you’re a realtor, lender, investor, or homeowner, this conversation gives you rare “inside the room” context on what’s coming next.Timed Highlights:00:00 – Intro: Mortgage Wise with Mike Wise opens the show00:20 – Meet Mikey Taylor: pro skater, investor, and mayor of Thousand Oaks00:58 – Life on tour, Paris stories, and five kids later01:59 – From brewery founder to co-president of Commune Capital02:39 – The “seven stories in Thousand Oaks” controversy explained04:13 – Builder’s Remedy: how state housing law overrides local control05:22 – Why T.O. must add 2,600 new units and why the 101 corridor matters06:32 – Matching the Civic Arts Plaza parking structure height and optics07:33 – Can seven‑story buildings spread citywide in the future?08:31 – Who builds the project and how the RFP/RFQ process will work09:21 – What downtown could look like: park, splash pad, amphitheater, food hall10:48 – Business incubator vision: keeping youth and startups in Thousand Oaks12:17 – All‑in‑one mortgage explainer (principal-first “checking + mortgage” concept)15:37 – Will the city subsidize developers? TIF bonds and future financing17:53 – Traffic, parking, and environmental impact reports for new projects19:41 – Population actually falling while traffic still feels worse21:00 – Who’s leaving T.O. and why ages 25–50 matter so much22:00 – Rentals vs. for‑sale units and the struggle to build ownership options24:06 – Where new for‑sale homes may be built in Newbury Park24:13 – Key development sites: Kmart, Sanctuary, Amgen corner and more25:39 – State and federal pressure for affordable and mixed‑use projects25:39 – What “affordable housing” legally means vs. what residents think it means28:45 – Density bonuses and why 10% affordable became the local threshold29:36 – Why “affordable” rents can still be $2,300–$2,500 a month31:33 – Are these new units for local workers or commuters?33:14 – Employers’ challenge: hiring when workers can’t afford to live nearby34:00 – ADUs and why the mayor is more worried about them than big multifamily35:30 – “Open season” on ADUs and the impact on single‑family neighborhoods37:07 – Thousand Oaks Mall and Janss Mall: what’s next for struggling retail39:20 – Analog is back: why younger generations want in‑person experiences41:04 – “There’s nothing to do here”: sports complexes, Liberty Station, and ideas43:16 – Food halls, restaurants, and making downtown attractive to young families43:38 – Newbury Park: roads, aesthetics, overhead wires, and possible facelifts45:30 – Potential utility undergrounding and working with Edison47:04 – Jobs, commutes, and why diversification beyond Amgen matters49:07 – How businesses decide whether a city council is “investable”49:28 – Why Mikey ran for office and what four years in office have changed50:49 – Homelessness strategy: shelter first, treatment, and a 46% reduction52:49 – Crime at historic lows and why safety is non‑negotiable53:44 – Re‑election, family sacrifice, and what’s next politically53:58 – Staying a top‑10 safest city while adding thousands of units55:22 – Partnering with CLU and Hub 101 for entrepreneurship and jobs58:20 – How new rentals might (or might not) affect single‑family prices59:02 – City budget, surplus, and why Thousand Oaks runs very lean59:34 – Who actually runs the Civic Arts Plaza and how it’s structured59:57 – Caltrans, freeways, and what the city can and can’t control1:00:25 – Residents ask: any “fun” things coming? Cool restaurants, sushi, chefs1:02:00 – The missing rungs: starter housing and senior housing gaps1:03:33 – Converting struggling retail to living units over time1:04:10 – Mixed‑use challenge: multifamily operators aren’t always good at retail1:05:01 – Waiving fees? Land sales vs land leases and getting deals to pencil1:06:44 – How much city cash is earmarked for the project and what comes next1:08:10 – Why the city avoids debt and keeps taxes at the floor1:09:08 – The decline of neighborhood centers and the rise of walkable mixed‑use1:11:34 – Government’s role in pricing vs letting the market correct1:12:12 –...
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    1 ora e 13 min
  • How Top Agents Negotiate: Winning Deals in a “Weird” Market w/Katie Connelly :: Ep 28 Mortgage Wise with Mike Wise

    How Top Agents Negotiate: Winning Deals in a “Weird” Market w/Katie Connelly :: Ep 28 Mortgage Wise with Mike Wise
    Jun 26 2026
    The real estate market is “weird” right now – higher rates, high prices, and buyers and sellers stuck on the sidelines. In this episode, Mike Wise sits down with Ventura County Realtor of the Year and Real Estate Negotiation Expert, Katie Connelly, to unpack how smart agents are still winning great deals.Katie shares what she learned managing 200+ agents, how her military relocation and VA loan expertise helps service members build long-term wealth, and why negotiation is really about personality, tactical empathy, and structure – not just price. Mike also breaks down the “all-in-one” mortgage strategy that can shave years off a home loan and save hundreds of thousands in interest.If you’re a buyer, seller, or agent trying to navigate today’s market, this conversation gives you practical, real-world tactics you can use right now.Timed highlights:- 0:36 How Katie got started in real estate (and 10+ years in the business) - 1:36 Managing 200+ agents at a major brokerage - 2:09 Why Katie went back to full-time sales - 2:52 What top-producing agents do differently from “hobby” agents - 3:58 Breaking six figures during Covid while parenting - 4:41 Do certifications really matter to clients? - 5:08 Katie’s key designations explained (ABR, SRS, RENE, military relocation, forms) - 5:46 Serving military buyers and sellers in Ventura County - 6:38 Why VA loans are so powerful – and safer than people think - 7:42 Biggest risk with 100% financing (and relocations) - 8:03 Negotiation: lessons from “Never Split the Difference” - 8:50 Reading personalities and adapting your negotiation style - 9:23 Katie’s golden rule: “Both sides give more than they’re comfortable with” - 10:08 How Katie handles sellers who want above-market pricing - 10:49 Checks and balances: buyers, banks, appraisers and sellers - 11:28 Biggest mistake agents make at listing appointments (and commissions) - 11:56 The Walmart vs. Nordstrom analogy for agent value - 12:19 Using negotiation credentials as a listing advantage - 12:44 Standing firm vs. caving: what it signals to sellers - 13:05 Why Katie loves working with buyers and first-timers - 13:41 “No” is not the end of negotiations (inspection, as-is, concessions) - 14:13 How buyers use inspections to decide whether to walk away - 14:56 Emotional buyers, leverage, and not showing your hand - 15:29 Local hot-button negotiating issues in Ventura County (repairs, ordinances) - 16:05 Sewer laterals, AB-38 and wildfire hardening requirements - 16:10 Why experience and deep forms knowledge really matter - 17:23 1,800 forms and almost being “part attorney, part advisor” - 17:51 Where AI helps – and where it can seriously mislead clients - 18:27 Why you still need a human fiduciary, not just ChatGPT and Google - 19:06 How Katie uses AI (and why she still fact-checks everything) - 19:12 Explaining principal-first and the all-in-one mortgage - 20:22 How traditional 30-year loans front-load interest - 22:48 Funniest/strangest things Katie has seen in homes (guns, tarps and more) - 24:36 Sellers’ top objections to listing right now - 25:07 Interest rates vs. bidding wars: which is really worse? - 25:54 Why buyers actually have more options now - 26:26 Why rates probably aren’t dropping dramatically anytime soon - 27:07 Using seller credits to buy down rates instead of “waiting for later” - 27:38 Rent-control ordinances and why rents still keep rising - 28:09 30-year fixed as an “inflation buster” vs. rent increases - 28:41 Refinancing wins: lowering payments and “giving yourself a raise” - 29:22 Stretching to buy in California – and why it often pays off - 29:33 Lifestyle changes, raises, inheritances and long-term affordability - 29:51 Sellers stuck because of ultra-low rates – and how to move anyway - 30:19 Trading a big house for better quality of life (and using equity) - 31:43 How structure and creativity in lending can change the whole picture - 32:38 Why some listings fly and others sit for 60–90 days - 33:03 What’s selling now: move-in ready homes vs. projects and condos - 33:32 Investor behavior and buying “right” in this cycle - 33:50 NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun’s price projections - 34:36 Could median Ventura County prices hit $2M by 2050? - 35:06 Experiences vs. ownership: how younger buyers think - 35:52 Early 20s homebuyers and the return of the mall - 36:36 Starter homes in your 20s vs. lifestyle homes in your 40s - 37:23 Remote work, geography and moving to more affordable markets - 38:03 Introducing the All-In-One Loan concept - 38:17 How pairing a line of credit with your checking pays down principal faster - 40:42 Common borrower objections and why this loan is so different - 40:56 25 years of performance: no delinquencies, no foreclosures - 41:41 Why the 30-year fixed was created in the ...
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    45 min
  • Mortgage Lock-In, Housing Shortage & Smart Debt: Mayor Mikey Taylor on Real Estate Reality

    Mortgage Lock-In, Housing Shortage & Smart Debt: Mayor Mikey Taylor on Real Estate Reality
    Jun 9 2026

    Mayor of Thousand Oaks and real estate investor Mikey Taylor joins Mortgage Wise with Mike Wise to break down what’s really happening in today’s housing market. From California’s aggressive housing mandates and the “builder’s remedy” to interest rate whiplash, the lock-in effect, and why younger generations view homeownership differently, this episode digs into the emotional and financial side of real estate decisions.

    They also unpack financial freedom, passive income, and why treating your home as an investment can backfire emotionally. In the final segment, Mike walks through the All-In-One loan strategy that turns your mortgage into a flexible line of credit, giving investors more control over equity and cash flow.

    Perfect for homeowners, first-time buyers, investors, and anyone trying to make sense of housing, rates, and long-term wealth building.

    Timed Highlights:

    00:21 – Meet Mayor Mikey Taylor of Thousand Oaks
    01:09 – How the mayor role works and why it’s so demanding
    02:08 – What Commune Capital does for passive real estate investors
    02:49 – Why 1031 exchanges are tough with ground-up development
    04:08 – State housing mandates, builder’s remedy, and loss of local control
    05:50 – Where do you put 3,000 new units in a built-out city?
    06:22 – New developments, traffic concerns, and ADUs
    08:06 – Population decline in Thousand Oaks and 25-year growth outlook
    09:17 – Pivot to interest rates, inflation, oil, and geopolitical conflict
    11:08 – Will rates actually come down in the next 6–12 months?
    11:41 – Monetary policy, money printing, and “short-lived” inflation shocks
    12:00 – Glenn Beck’s “cancer and chemo” analogy for the economy
    13:01 – The real problem: prices vs. rates and lack of a housing reset
    14:04 – The lock-in effect: why nobody wants to give up a 2–3% mortgage
    15:05 – Structural lack of housing supply and decades of underbuilding
    16:25 – Population growth vs. housing growth: the basic math
    17:14 – Austin, overbuilding, and why different markets behave differently
    17:33 – Record home equity and why this isn’t 2008
    18:00 – History of the 30-year fixed mortgage and global comparisons
    18:32 – Should the U.S. move to 5- or 7-year loans?
    18:43 – What the Fed got wrong with 0% rates and cheap money
    20:07 – What is a “healthy” mortgage rate? Mikey’s target range
    21:22 – If rates drop, do prices have to go up? Mikey’s contrarian take
    22:49 – Long-term housing appreciation and why this cycle is different
    23:21 – How younger buyers think: rent vs own vs invest
    24:41 – Freedom, flexibility, and why some prefer renting and investing
    25:45 – Living with parents, affordability pressure, and trade-offs
    26:07 – The math of owning vs renting in Southern California
    27:27 – Why California behaves differently than the rest of the country
    28:33 – Regulation, land constraints, and investor hesitation in CA
    29:24 – Landlord headaches, regulation, and short-term rentals
    30:01 – Generational attitudes: home as dream vs home as burden
    32:11 – Is your home an investment or just a home? The emotional trap
    33:52 – When remodeling math kills joy: the wrong calculation
    34:23 – Why so much net worth is trapped in home equity
    35:35 – The problem with “house + 401(k)” as your only plan
    36:16 – Redefining financial freedom and passive income
    37:31 – Using your job to buy assets that pay you
    38:23 – Why paying off your mortgage isn’t always the best move
    39:02 – Sacrifice vs lifestyle: young people and investing early
    39:13 – Trump accounts for kids and how to use them wisely
    40:00 – Compound growth, options, and planning for your kids’ future
    40:43 – Break: explainer on the All-In-One loan concept
    44:33 – Back from break: how the All-In-One loan actually works
    45:06 – Why Mikey likes the flexibility of the All-In-One structure
    46:08 – Using cheap debt vs tying up cash in your home
    47:25 – The spread: borrowing costs vs returns from investments
    48:33 – Killing “lazy money” and making idle cash work
    48:58 – How investors use the All-In-One loan on rentals
    49:08 – Why investors value options and flexibility above all
    49:40 – Unlocking equity up to 80% and redeploying capital
    50:02 – Mikey’s final months as mayor and his re-election campaign
    50:31 – Support from realtors and community relationships
    50:48 – Closing thoughts and invitation to invest with Commune Capital

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    51 min
  • Mortgage Wise: How Reverse Mortgages Really Work (Safety, Strategy and Retirement Cash Flow)

    Mortgage Wise: How Reverse Mortgages Really Work (Safety, Strategy and Retirement Cash Flow)
    Apr 20 2026
    On this episode of Mortgage Wise with Mike Wise, Mike sits down with Sean Kirksey, Vice President of Reverse Mortgage at CMG, to break down everything you need to know about reverse mortgages. They explain who reverse mortgages are really for (hint: not just “desperate” borrowers), how seniors can eliminate their monthly mortgage payment, and how to safely tap home equity for retirement income, healthcare costs, and even to buy a new home with no required mortgage payment. Sean also walks through powerful strategies using reverse mortgage lines of credit, how they grow over time, and why they can be a key piece of a modern retirement plan alongside Social Security and investments. If you or a family member is 55–62+ and sitting on a lot of home equity, this episode will give you a clear, jargon-free understanding of your options. What you’ll learn in this episode: – What a reverse mortgage actually is and how it works for seniors who want to stop making mortgage payments – How homeowners can qualify even when they’re mostly on Social Security – Using a reverse mortgage to supplement retirement income and cover rising healthcare costs – Why reverse mortgages are non-recourse and what that means for your heirs – How reverse mortgage lines of credit grow over time and can be used strategically with your investment portfolio – Real-life examples of eliminating a mortgage payment and improving monthly cash flow – How to buy your next home (even move states) using a reverse mortgage for purchase – What really happens to the house when the homeowner passes away 1:02 – What is a reverse mortgage and who is it designed for? 2:13 – Turning home equity into liquid funds without giving up ownership 3:10 – Structuring reverse mortgages for supplemental retirement income 4:39 – How people on Social Security can still qualify 5:35 – Using available line-of-credit equity as qualifying income 6:44 – Reverse mortgages are not “loans of last resort” and who really qualifies 8:12 – Reverse mortgages for high net worth clients and “household names” 8:51 – Using reverse mortgages to age in place and access large amounts of cash 9:34 – Covering healthcare costs and in-home care with home equity 10:42 – Planning ahead: setting up a line of credit before you need it 11:16 – Why getting a reverse earlier can be a powerful long-term strategy 11:54 – How reverse mortgage lines of credit grow and compound over time 13:26 – Example: 100k line of credit growing year after year 14:16 – “My house is paying for me” – rethinking the American dream in retirement 14:27 – Can you get stuck owing more than your home is worth? (non-recourse explained) 15:29 – All upside, no downside: what happens if your home value crashes or soars 16:35 – Eliminating a traditional mortgage payment with a reverse 17:16 – Case study: Grandma with a 200k mortgage and 2k/month payment 18:37 – What it really means to “spend” equity vs. quality of life in retirement 20:33 – Lifestyle, dignity and financial reality for higher-earning retirees on Social Security 22:32 – Pride, stigma and why a reverse mortgage is not a handout 23:49 – Inheritance, kids, and what usually happens at the end of life 24:21 – Who pays the mortgage when Mom or Dad passes away? 28:20 – Why a reverse can actually make things easier for adult children 29:01 – The six-month (plus extensions) window heirs get to decide on the home 31:42 – What servicers expect from heirs and how the process works 32:46 – Heirs buying the home at 90 percent of appraised value 33:48 – Getting strategic with a reverse mortgage line of credit 34:39 – Freedom to use your funds however you choose 36:06 – Using a reverse line of credit as the “steady” bucket in your portfolio 36:15 – Why banks can’t just shut off a reverse line of credit in downturns 38:15 – Coordinating a reverse with your financial advisor 39:39 – Using a reverse mortgage to buy your next home 40:09 – Real example: moving from Texas to California with a reverse for purchase 43:25 – Cash buyers over 62 and a “smarter way to buy with cash” 43:59 – Turning sale equity into both a new home and extra retirement cash 45:07 – Moving from high-priced markets to lower-cost areas using reverses 45:49 – Retiring more comfortably by re-deploying home equity 46:08 – The million-dollar California homeowner moving to Texas scenario 47:16 – Recap: key ways reverse mortgages can support retirement, health and lifestyle 49:39 – Why CMG built a reverse platform focused on operations and client experience 50:50 – Real client story: improving a reverse strategy with CMG’s team input 51:19 – Why reverse is just one tool in a much bigger mortgage toolbox 51:53 – Closing thoughts and future deep-dive topics on reverse ...
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    52 min
  • Turn Your Checking Account Into a Mortgage-Crushing Machine: The All-In-One Loan Strategy :: Ep 25 Mortgage Wise with Mike Wise

    Turn Your Checking Account Into a Mortgage-Crushing Machine: The All-In-One Loan Strategy :: Ep 25 Mortgage Wise with Mike Wise
    Aug 28 2025

    Tired of your money sitting lazy in your checking account while you pay thousands in mortgage interest? In this episode of Mortgage Wise, Mike Wise reveals how the All-In-One Loan can transform your boring checking account into a powerful debt-crushing tool. Discover how this revolutionary first lien home equity line of credit lets you pay down your mortgage principal automatically while keeping your money completely liquid for emergencies. Learn why over the next five years, more money will flow through your checking account than what you owe on your mortgage - and how to make every dollar work double duty. Mike breaks down real examples showing how a simple $5,000 deposit can save you hundreds in interest while maintaining full access to your funds. Perfect for financially disciplined homeowners who want to accelerate their mortgage payoff without sacrificing financial flexibility. Plus, hear about the special $250 closing cost credit for Mortgage Wise listeners!
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    17 min
  • Beating Big Tech at Their Own Game: How Local Real Estate Agents Can Compete with Rocket, Zillow & AI :: Ep 24 Mortgage Wise with Mike Wise

    Beating Big Tech at Their Own Game: How Local Real Estate Agents Can Compete with Rocket, Zillow & AI :: Ep 24 Mortgage Wise with Mike Wise
    Aug 25 2025

    In this episode of Mortgage Wise, Mike Wise sits down with Tristan Amada from Why Realty to discuss how AI and major tech companies are reshaping the real estate landscape. They explore strategies for local agents and lenders to compete against industry giants like Rocket Mortgage (which acquired Redfin) and Zillow by leveraging hyper-local branding and relationship-building tactics. Tristan shares his proven "Local Legends" directory system and reveals how to use AI tools like ChatGPT for daily content creation while maintaining that personal touch that big corporations can't replicate.



    **[0:52] The Big Tech Takeover**
    - How Rocket's acquisition of Redfin and Mr. Cooper is changing the game
    - Why the $5 trillion mortgage/residential market is the "last uncharted territory"


    **[3:46] The AI Advantage vs. Local Expertise**
    - How major companies plan to use AI for customer targeting and retention
    - Why local agents still have the upper hand in niche markets


    **[8:58] Where Your Customers Really Are**
    - The top 5 most visited websites (spoiler: ChatGPT is #5)
    - Why you need to show up on Google, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and ChatGPT


    **[13:28] The MRI Strategy**
    - Tristan's game-changing approach: Maintenance, Repairs, and Improvements
    - How to own the customer workflow throughout homeownership


    **[16:48] Building Your Local Legends Directory**
    - Step-by-step process for creating a vetted service provider network
    - The exact scripts and follow-up system that generates referrals

    **[23:14] AI as Your Daily Assistant**
    - How to use ChatGPT to pull trending real estate news every morning
    - Creating 90-second video scripts automatically for social media
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    25 min
  • What if you could retire 6 years early—and never make another mortgage payment again?

    What if you could retire 6 years early—and never make another mortgage payment again?
    Jul 4 2025

    Retire Sooner, Mortgage Free: A Revolutionary Loan Strategy


    Discover how one strategic financial move can help you eliminate mortgage debt, retire years earlier, and reclaim your financial freedom. In this eye-opening episode, we dive into a game-changing loan strategy that could save you over $200,000 and cut your mortgage payoff time by more than 80%.


    Learn how the all-in-one loan can:


    - Accelerate your mortgage payoff

    - Provide daily interest calculations that work in your favor

    - Give you financial flexibility without lifestyle changes

    - Help you retire with confidence and peace of mind


    Whether you're approaching retirement or helping a loved one plan their financial future, this episode offers a fresh perspective on managing mortgage debt. Tune in to unlock the secrets of smarter financial planning and take control of your retirement journey.
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    5 min
  • Mortgage Mastery: Rewriting the Rules of Home Financing with the All-In-One Loan

    Mortgage Mastery: Rewriting the Rules of Home Financing with the All-In-One Loan
    Jul 2 2025

    Join us as we challenge traditional mortgage thinking with insights inspired by Coach John Wooden's wisdom. Learn how the revolutionary All-In-One Loan can transform your home financing strategy, potentially saving you hundreds of thousands in interest, providing unprecedented financial flexibility, and helping you pay off your mortgage years faster. Discover a new approach to managing your money that puts you in control, breaks free from 90-year-old lending models, and turns your home into a powerful financial engine.
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    4 min