Closing the Deal

What It’s Actually Like To Become A Real Estate Agent | Closing The Deal Ep. 77

Most people think being a real estate agent is just showing houses, posting sold photos on Instagram, and collecting commission checks. The reality is much different. In this solo episode of Closing the Deal, Zach Dickson pulls back the curtain on what it's actually like to become a real estate agent. He walks through why people are drawn to the career, how to get licensed, what happens after you pass the exam, and the realities that most people never see before getting into the business. From inconsistent commission income and working nights and weekends to handling rejection, emotional clients, and constant uncertainty, this episode gives an honest look at what the profession really demands. Zach also shares what makes the career so rewarding—from helping first-time buyers achieve homeownership to building meaningful relationships and creating a business with unlimited potential. Whether you're considering becoming a real estate agent or you're simply curious about what agents actually do behind the scenes, this episode offers a realistic perspective on the challenges, rewards, and characteristics that lead to long-term success in the industry. If you enjoy the episode, be sure to subscribe and follow Closing the Deal for new episodes every Friday covering real estate, home buying, mortgages, and everything you need to know to make confident real estate decisions.

What It’s Actually Like To Become A Loan Officer | Closing The Deal Ep. 76

Thinking about becoming a loan officer? In this solo episode, Sam pulls back the curtain on what it's actually like to build a career in mortgage lending. From getting licensed and passing the NMLS exam to managing clients, handling high-pressure transactions, building relationships, and navigating commission-based income, Sam shares what the day-to-day reality looks like after eight years in the business. Whether you're considering a career change, curious about the mortgage industry, or simply want a better understanding of the people helping buyers finance their homes, this episode offers an honest look at both the rewards and the challenges of becoming a loan officer. In this episode: Why people become loan officers The licensing and education process What a typical day actually looks like Commission income, flexibility, and work-life balance The stress and pressure behind every transaction Why communication is the most important skill Who thrives in this career—and who may not If you're interested in real estate, finance, or helping people achieve homeownership, this is an episode you won't want to miss. 🎙️ New episodes every Friday at 12 PM Eastern.

Why Income Isn't The Whole Story When Buying A Home | Closing The Deal Ep. 75

A lot of buyers assume that a higher income automatically means they can afford a more expensive home—but that's only part of the story. In this episode, Zach and Sam break down the relationship between income, debt, and buying power, and explain why some high-income earners actually qualify for less than buyers making significantly less. They discuss how lenders evaluate debt-to-income ratios, the monthly obligations that impact mortgage approval, and the common financial decisions that can quietly reduce your buying power. Whether you're planning to buy your first home or simply want to understand how lenders view your finances, this episode will help you see the bigger picture and make smarter decisions before starting your home search. 🏡 Topics include: • Why income alone doesn't determine affordability • How debt-to-income ratios really work • The hidden obligations that affect mortgage approval • Why car payments can dramatically reduce buying power • Strategies to improve your financial position before buying 🎙️ Closing the Deal — Helping You Close the Deal. 🏡 Chapters 00:00 Introduction: The Income Myth 00:59 Why More Income Doesn't Always Mean More Buying Power 04:23 Understanding the Full Buying Power Equation 05:15 Renting vs. Qualifying for a Mortgage 07:37 What Counts as Monthly Debt Obligations? 10:26 Hidden Debts Buyers Often Overlook 14:16 Income vs. Debt: Which Impacts Buying Power More? 14:53 The Surprising Impact of Car Payments 18:21 What Buyers Can Actually Control 21:24 Creating a Financial Strategy Before Buying 24:04 The Biggest Takeaway: Income Is Only One Piece 26:21 Closing Thoughts & Final Advice

OHFA Program Revisit | Closing the Deal Ep. 74

OHFA just made major changes — and this episode is worth revisiting. With recent updates to the Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) program, we’re bringing back one of our most valuable episodes to help buyers understand what these changes could mean for them. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, short on down payment funds, or simply trying to find a more affordable path to homeownership, this episode breaks down the programs, benefits, and key qualifications you need to know. In this episode, Sam explains: 🏡 What OHFA is and who it helps 💰 Down payment assistance options 📉 How interest rate changes can impact affordability 👨‍⚕️ Ohio Heroes benefits for healthcare workers, teachers, first responders & more 📊 Mortgage Tax Credits (MTC) and how they can help buyers qualify ⚠️ Income limits, credit score requirements, debt-to-income guidelines & important caveats With today’s market still creating affordability challenges, revisiting programs like OHFA could be the difference between continuing to wait and finally buying your home. 📲 Have questions about buying in Ohio or whether you qualify? Reach out — we’d love to help. 🎧 Closing the Deal — helping you close the deal 🏡 Chapters 00:00 Why We’re Revisiting This Episode 00:17 What is OHFA? (Ohio Housing Finance Agency Explained) 02:42 Recent OHFA Program Changes & Why They Matter 04:15 OHFA Unassisted Program (Lower Interest Rates) 07:10 Down Payment Assistance Explained 09:26 Mortgage Tax Credit (MTC) Benefits 11:18 Ohio Heroes Program Explained 13:08 OHFA Credit Score & Debt-to-Income Requirements 16:00 Income Limits & Qualification Guidelines 18:07 Purchase Price & Property Requirements 20:35 How Much Down Payment Assistance Can You Get? 22:00 Why OHFA Changes Improved Affordability 24:25 Costs, Fees & Important Caveats 26:00 The 7-Year Forgiveness Rule Explained 27:35 Why This Program Matters in Today’s Market 29:00 Final Thoughts & How to Get Help Reposted due to recent OHFA program developments and renewed relevance for Ohio homebuyers.

What If Things Don’t Go As Planned After You Buy? | Closing The Deal Ep. 73

What happens if things don’t go as planned after you buy a home? 🤔 In this episode of Closing the Deal, we tackle some of the biggest “what if” fears that stop buyers from moving forward — and what actually happens if those fears become reality. 🏡 What if rates drop after you buy? 📉 What if home prices fall? 🔧 What if something breaks right after closing? 🏠 What if your first home isn’t your forever home? We break down realistic scenarios buyers worry about, explain what options you actually have, and help you separate fear from fact when it comes to homeownership. If you’ve ever found yourself overthinking the “what ifs” of buying a house, this episode is for you. 🎙️ Whether you’re a first-time buyer or already in the process, this conversation will help you feel more confident about the road ahead. 👇 Let us know: What’s the biggest “what if” on your mind when it comes to buying a home? Chapters 00:00 – The Biggest “What If” Fears Buyers Have 01:24 – Why Buyers Overthink the Home Buying Process 02:01 – What If Mortgage Rates Drop After You Buy? 04:50 – Can You Change Your Rate After Closing? (Refinancing Explained) 08:14 – Why Rate Drops Aren’t Something to Panic About 09:01 – What If Home Prices Drop After You Buy? 11:02 – Why Real Estate Is a Long-Term Investment 13:22 – Comparing Home Values to the Stock Market 15:38 – What If Something Breaks After You Move In? 17:10 – Why Home Inspections Matter (But Aren’t Perfect) 20:25 – Unexpected Repairs & Taking Responsibility as a Homeowner 23:54 – What If This Isn’t Your Forever Home? 25:00 – Why Your First Home Is Usually a Stepping Stone 28:21 – Turning Your First Home Into an Investment Property 30:02 – Embracing Change After Buying a Home 31:08 – Wrapping Up + What’s Coming Next on Closing the Deal