Batting 1,000 with Dale Vermillion

In real estate, relationships aren’t just a bonus—they’re the foundation.

Few understand that better than Michael Tomlin, one of the top 1.5% of agents in the country and a top 5% Coldwell Banker producer globally four years running. Based on Florida’s Emerald Coast, Michael has built a thriving real estate business on one principle: relationships over transactions.

In this episode, Dale and Michael unpack:

✅ How the NAR settlement is...

In an industry where profitability and production often take center stage, credit unions have a unique edge: a service-first mindset that puts members ahead of margins.

No one understands this better than Peter Benjamin, President of ACUMA and a seasoned leader in the lending industry. A Certified Mortgage Banker and Six Sigma Black Belt, Peter has spent nearly two decades helping credit unions navigate the complexities of mortgage ...

In this episode of Batting 1,000 with Dale Vermillion, Dale sits down with Shant Banosian, America’s #1 loan officer with over $9 billion in funded loans, to break down what it takes to build a thriving mortgage business—even in challenging markets. Shant shares 10 powerful lessons on how loan officers can level up by mastering the fundamentals, controlling conversations, and building high-impact teams.

Shant doesn’t just talk about...

The average age of a first-time homebuyer in 2024 was 38—nearly a decade older than it was just 10 years ago. For too many Americans, the dream of homeownership feels increasingly out of reach, causing their overall wealth to lag behind that of their parents at the same age.

While headlines focus on the housing affordability crisis, another critical issue is unfolding—one that rarely makes the news: the widespread lack of financial ...

Endeared to history as the last great Philosopher King, Marcus Aurelius's legacy is shaped more by his stoic writings than by his imperial conquests.

Similarly, I believe Nathan Knottingham—Chief of Staff at Vetted VA and Co-Founder of MLO Force—will be remembered more for his insights into leadership, the heart of service, and the centrality of purpose than for his daily impact in reshaping our industry.

As an advocate for housing f...

If you had to rate your confidence in the mortgage industry in 2024 on a scale of 1 to 10, what number would you choose? For HousingWire president Diego Sanchez, it’s a solid 10—and for good reason.

As someone who interacts daily with lenders, vendors, and a best-in-class reporting and editorial team, Diego has his finger firmly on the pulse of the mortgage industry. Despite high rates, low inventory, and persistent inflation, he se...

Where is the mortgage market headed? Mike Simonsen and the team at Altos Research can you tell you sooner than anyone. Since before the meltdown in 2008, Mike has been collecting, analyzing, and interpreting the most real-time real estate data available. And in this episode of Batting 1,000 with Dale Vermillion, he shares exactly what the data is indicating for future housing inventory levels, home prices, and more.

Know exactly wh...

In this episode of Batting 1,000 with Dale Vermillion, Dale is joined by Barry Habib, CEO of MBS Highway, for an inspiring and heartfelt conversation. Barry shares his journey of battling cancer while continuing to make significant contributions to the mortgage industry. He discusses his experiences, the importance of gratitude, and the power of maintaining a positive mindset during challenging times. Barry also emphasizes the valu...

To kick off Season 3 of Batting 1,000 with Dale Vermillion, Dale sits down with Hunter Strong, a top-performing Mortgage Loan Officer at FirstTrust Home Loans. During the conversation, Hunter shares his journey from aspiring pharmacist to professional baseball player, and finally to a mortgage industry leader closing over 40 loans per month. With a unique approach combining hard work, dedication, and strategic relationship-building...

In the final episode of Season 2 of Batting 1,000, Dale Vermillion chats with Melissa Langdale, the new President of The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC). With over 20 years in the mortgage industry, Melissa brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. She discusses the key challenges faced by lenders in 2023 and the strategies they are employing to overcome them. Melissa also shares insights into what 2024 holds for the mortgage indus...

In this episode of Batting 1,000 with Dale Vermillion, Dale hosts Kyle Draper, the CEO of Content Compounding and author of Rethink Everything: You Think You Know About Social Media. Kyle shares his extensive experience in video marketing and social media, offering insights on how to effectively leverage these tools for personal and professional growth. Kyle and Dale discuss the importance of authenticity in social media, the power...

In this episode of Batting 1,000, Dale Vermillion sits down with Todd Duncan, the CEO and Founder of High Trust Selling. Todd, a two-time New York Times bestselling author and renowned speaker, shares his insights on thriving in the mortgage industry by embracing faith over fear. With over 5 million professionals trained and a wealth of experience from speaking engagements worldwide, Todd offers invaluable strategies for overcoming...

In this episode of Batting 1,000, Dale Vermillion sits down with Kevin Peranio ("KP"), the Chief Lending Officer at Paramount Residential Mortgage Group (PRMG). KP shares his insights on thriving in the mortgage industry despite the challenges of a high-rate environment. He emphasizes the importance of a better, faster, and more competitive approach, underlining the significance of personal value propositions, technological integra...

In this episode of Batting 1,000, Dale Vermillion speaks with Doug Duncan, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist at Fannie Mae. Doug brings his extensive expertise to discuss the current economic climate, the housing market, and future trends. He provides a comprehensive overview of market dynamics, interest rate fluctuations, and the impact of demographic shifts on housing demand.

Doug also shares valuable insights on the impor...

In this episode of Batting 1,000, Dale Vermillion is joined by Brittany Hodak, an award-winning entrepreneur, customer experience speaker, and author of Creating Superfans: How To Turn Your Customers Into Lifelong Advocates.

Brittany shares her journey from founding and scaling an entertainment startup to becoming a leading voice in customer experience. She discusses the key principles from her book, offering valuable insights on ho...

What does it take to close nearly 700 loans in a single year without buying leads? Scotsman Guide Top Originator and Mortgage Champions advocate Kara Whitman shares her replicable formula on this episode of Batting 1,000 with her former coach, Dale Vermillion.

Kara and Dale share a common commitment to putting others first, and to going the extra mile—in all things. It’s that shared commitment that has propelled both of them to not ...

On this episode of Batting 1,000 with Dale Vermillion, Dale is joined by a multi-sport, Division 1 athlete who's gone on to Cofound a cutting edge mental conditioning consultancy that is changing the way professionals think.

Harry Wilson, big brother to NFL quarterback Russell Wilson, and CEO of Limitless Minds makes the case for every professional needs a game plan for adversity, and how learning to think neutrally is an indispensa...

In this episode of Batting 1,000, Dale Vermillion hosts Garth Graham, Senior Partner at STRATMOR Group, to discuss the evolving landscape of the mortgage industry. With over 30 years of experience, Garth shares his insights on strategic investments, acquisition strategies, and the significance of the digital mortgage experience. They dive into the challenges and opportunities in today’s market, highlighting the importance of empath...

Join Dale and Jake as they relive the best moments from Season 1 of Batting 1,000, including highlights from Dale's conversations with:

S1 E01 Scott Payne, CEO & Founder of SDP Solutions

Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music

S1 E02 Kirstin Messerli, VP Financial Services at Experience.com

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