Reckoning With Real Estate – Ep. 39: Follow The Money

Reckoning With Real Estate – Ep. 39: Follow The Money

Hello again to Matt Berna and Marc Byers joining us this week! You may have heard those names before, and that is no mistake. These are two people with a lot of information to share. For this episode, we’re talking about how loan officers are compensated. We’ve spent previous episodes talking about how Realtors® are paid; it’s about time we have the same conversation about others involved in buying and selling your home. There are similarities between the two, but what’s even more interesting is how different they can be! This conversation is a dynamic one, where we go from complex behind-the-scenes numbers talk to straight up hair-do’s. Listen in and learn with Matt about loan officer compensation. Find us at therecollab.com [http://therecollab.com] Extras: Matt Berna [https://bell.bank/mortgage/loan-officer/mattberna]– Loan Officer REC’s page on Financing [https://www.therecollab.com/financing] The REC difference: Retainer Option [https://www.therecollab.com/blog/retainer-option-saves-you-money] Learn how we approach fees here [https://www.therecollab.com/blog/dollar-and-sense] REC’s Seller Facilitation option [https://www.therecollab.com/blog/diy-the-sale-of-your-home-rec-can-help] might intrigue you Thank you to our Sponsors! Taylor Hall @ Evergreen Collective [https://ecoevergreen.co/] Matt Berna @ Bell Bank Mortgage [https://bell.bank/mortgage/loan-officer/mattberna] Ben Feldman @ Active Insurance Solutions [https://www.aisolutionsmn.com/staff-directory/BenFeldman] The post Reckoning With Real Estate – Ep. 39: Follow The Money [https://www.am950radio.com/reckoning-with-real-estate-ep-39-follow-the-money/] first appeared on AM 950 [https://www.am950radio.com].

Reckoning With Real Estate – Ep. 38: Conflicts Of Interest (Pt 2 of 2)

In Part 2 of our conversation with Doug Miller, we dive into a continuation of last episode’s discussion (watch here [https://www.youtube.com/live/QDJaIUetgZY?si=ohXX4v-qQsqc7dUX]) surrounding practices that don’t serve consumers’ best interests. We discuss the 2024 anti-trust lawsuit involving NAR, “standard fee agreements,” and other anti-competitive practices that have been commonplace in the real estate industry for years. From price-fixing concerns to workaround clauses buried in contracts, this episode takes a closer look at some of the legal and ethical questions surrounding traditional real estate practices. While meaningful change in such a large industry may take time, we believe informed consumers are an important part of pushing the conversation forward. Stay informed, stay savvy, and join us for an honest look at the behind-the-scenes systems shaping real estate today. Find us at therecollab.com [http://therecollab.com] Extras: Doug’s page on AttorneyRE [https://minneapolisrealestateattorney.com/about-doug/] Consumer Advocates in American Real Estate [https://www.caare.org/] REC’s philosophy on Dual Agency [https://www.therecollab.com/blog/no-dual-agency] Learn how we approach fees here [https://www.therecollab.com/blog/dollar-and-sense] Thank you to our Sponsors! Taylor Hall @ Evergreen Collective [https://ecoevergreen.co/] Matt Berna @ Bell Bank Mortgage [https://bell.bank/mortgage/loan-officer/mattberna] Ben Feldman @ Active Insurance Solutions [https://www.aisolutionsmn.com/staff-directory/BenFeldman] The post Reckoning With Real Estate – Ep. 38: Conflicts Of Interest (Pt 2 of 2) [https://www.am950radio.com/reckoning-with-real-estate-ep-38-conflicts-of-interest-pt-2-of-2/] first appeared on AM 950 [https://www.am950radio.com].

Reckoning With Real Estate – Ep. 37: Conflicts Of Interest (Pt 1 of 2)

We find ourselves yet again in the depths of the side of real estate most consumers never get to see. In this episode, we sit down with Doug Miller: consumer protection attorney, Executive Director of Consumer Advocates in American Real Estate, and believe it or not, a real estate agent himself. A trusted ally of REC, Doug pulls back the curtain on the practices, conflicts of interest, and industry protections quietly shaping residential real estate, many of which consumers unknowingly agree to every day. From private listing networks to the reality of dual agency, this conversation challenges the idea that the system is built with the public’s best interest in mind. If you’ve ever wondered who real estate systems are really designed to serve, this conversation is for you. Find us at theRECollab.com [http://therecollab.com] Extras: Doug’s page on AttorneyREC [https://minneapolisrealestateattorney.com/about-doug/] Consumer Advocates in American Real Estate [https://www.caare.org/] REC’s philosophy on Dual Agency [https://www.therecollab.com/blog/no-dual-agency] Learn how we approach fees here [https://www.therecollab.com/blog/dollar-and-sense] Thank you to our Sponsors! Taylor Hall @ Evergreen Collective [https://ecoevergreen.co/] Matt Berna @ Bell Bank Mortgage [https://bell.bank/mortgage/loan-officer/mattberna] Ben Feldman @ Active Insurance Solutions [https://www.aisolutionsmn.com/staff-directory/BenFeldman] The post Reckoning With Real Estate – Ep. 37: Conflicts Of Interest (Pt 1 of 2) [https://www.am950radio.com/reckoning-with-real-estate-ep-37-conflicts-of-interest/] first appeared on AM 950 [https://www.am950radio.com].

RECkoning with Real Estate – EP. 36 (Encore): Insurance Questions Homeowners Don’t Always Think to Ask

This episode originally aired February 1, 2026: In this episode, we continue our conversation with Ben Feldman. This is an encore episode that was aired previously, but that we thought important enough to re-run! Ben is one of the owners of Active Insurance Solutions, an independently owned insurance company. In this episode, we unpack often-overlooked parts of homeowners insurance, including roof coverage, minimum deductibles, and common add-ons/endorsements. These details don’t come up often, but they’re helpful to understand ahead of time, before it may be too late. Find us at therecollab.com [https://www.therecollab.com/] A few key takeaways: * Home insurance should be reviewed annually, as coverage and risk change over time. * A sewer line inspection can help clarify responsibility before it’s too late! Don’t skimp out on getting this done. * When building your real estate team (insurance broker, real estate agent, mortgage lender, home inspector, title officer, and real estate attorney), look local. Find trustworthy people that are easily accessible so that you know exactly who you’ll be talking with every time. Definitions: * Roof exclusions: Certain policies limit or exclude coverage for roof damage based on factors like age, material, or cause of loss. This can mean repairs are only partially covered—or not covered at all—depending on the situation. * Impact-resistant shingle classes: Roofing materials are rated based on how well they withstand hail and impact. Higher-rated shingles can reduce damage risk and, in some cases, influence insurance coverage or premiums. Extras: Ben Feldman [https://www.aisolutionsmn.com/staff-directory/ben-feldman] – Partner of Active Insurance Solutions [http://aisolusionmn.com] out of Chanhassen REC Blog: Read about what makes REC different here [https://www.therecollab.com/about-us]. AI Solutions Blog: How to protect your property for severe weather [https://www.aisolutionsmn.com/blog/2025/is-your-home-ready-for-severe-weather-how-to-protect-your-property] Thank you to our Sponsors! Taylor Hall @ Evergreen Collective [https://ecoevergreen.co/] Matt Berna @ TruStone Home Mortgage [https://trustonefinancial.org/mortgages/meet-our-team/matt-berna] Ben Feldman @ Active Insurance Solutions [https://www.aisolutionsmn.com/staff-directory/BenFeldman] Find REC on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@TheRealEstateCollaborative/streams] The post RECkoning with Real Estate – EP. 36 (Encore): Insurance Questions Homeowners Don’t Always Think to Ask [https://www.am950radio.com/reckoning-with-real-estate-ep-36-encore-insurance-questions-homeowners-dont-always-think-to-ask/] first appeared on AM 950 [https://www.am950radio.com].

RECkoning with Real Estate – EP. 35 (Encore): Insurance Claims Explained w/ Ben Feldman

This is an encore episode with Ben Feldman, one of our sponsors of the show! Ben Feldman is a partner of Active Insurance Solutions which is an independent insurance agency based in Chanhassen. In this episode, Ben and Paige talk about all things ‘insurance claims.’ We cover the key steps to take when an event needs to be reported, how to better understand your coverage, and best practices to keep in mind when purchasing insurance. We break down important components of homeowners insurance, including the CLUE report and the most common types of claims, and describe how these factors should influence your decision-making when filing a claim or buying a home. Listen in for a highly important and informative conversation! Find us at therecollab.com [https://www.therecollab.com/]. Extras Ben Feldman [https://www.aisolutionsmn.com/staff-directory/ben-feldman] – Partner of Active Insurance Solutions [http://aisolusionmn.com] out of Chanhassen: REC Blog: Read about what makes REC different: Here [https://www.therecollab.com/blog/retainer-option-saves-you-money], Here [https://www.therecollab.com/blog/diy-the-sale-of-your-home-rec-can-help], Here [https://www.therecollab.com/blog/to-de-couple-or-not-to-de-couple] or Here [https://www.therecollab.com/blog/no-dual-agency]! AI Solutions Blog: Insurance tips for first time homebuyers [https://www.aisolutionsmn.com/blog/2025/insurance-tips-for-first-time-homebuyers] AI Solutions Blog: How to protect your property for severe weather [https://www.aisolutionsmn.com/blog/2025/is-your-home-ready-for-severe-weather-how-to-protect-your-property] Thank you to our Sponsors! Taylor Hall @ Evergreen Collective [https://ecoevergreen.co/] Matt Berna @ Bell Bank Mortgage [https://bell.bank/mortgage/loan-officer/mattberna] Ben Feldman @ Active Insurance Solutions [https://www.aisolutionsmn.com/staff-directory/BenFeldman] The post RECkoning with Real Estate – EP. 35 (Encore): Insurance Claims Explained w/ Ben Feldman [https://www.am950radio.com/reckoning-with-real-estate-ep-35-encore-insurance-claims-explained-w-ben-feldman/] first appeared on AM 950 [https://www.am950radio.com].