In this first episode of Mortgage Cowboys, we get real about what the housing market actually looks like behind the headlines. From the 2008 crash and short sales to today’s high-rate environment, this conversation breaks down how real estate cycles work, why panic narratives keep repeating, and what buyers, sellers, agents, and lenders consistently get wrong.

We’re joined by real estate broker Garrett Thill, who shares his firsthand experience surviving the 2008 collapse, navigating foreclosures and short sales, building a top-producing brokerage, and why today’s market is nothing like the last crash despite what social media and headlines suggest.

We dive into:

• What actually caused the 2008 housing collapse (and why those conditions don’t exist today)

• How short sales worked, who they helped, and why they mattered

• Why waiting for a “market crash” keeps buyers stuck on the sidelines

• The real impact of interest rates vs supply and demand

• Why affordability is misunderstood by most buyers

• How agents and lenders can pivot in any market

• The difference between fear-driven decisions and informed ones

• Why experience, not headlines or AI, wins in real estate

If you’re asking questions like “Is the housing market going to crash?”, “Should I wait to buy a house?”, “How is this market different from 2008?”, or “Can I still win as a buyer or agent right now?” This episode cuts through the noise and gives you real perspective from people who’ve lived it.

00:00 Welcome to Mortgage Cowboys

01:23 Garrett's Journey into Real Estate

02:19 The 2008 Financial Crisis

06:12 Flipping Houses and Foreclosures

28:33 Building a Real Estate Business

44:38 Moving to Boise and Remote Work Challenges

50:19 The Reality of Real Estate Work

01:01:58 Role Play and Industry Jokes

01:07:33 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up