LIFE WITH MIKEY

Jaksot

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  The 4 Reasons Mortgage Rates Won't Drop Now 15.09.2026 27min

  Many buyers are waiting for mortgage rates to drop. In this episode, Mikey Taylor and Michael Michalov explain why that wait could last a lot longer than you think.They break down where rates stand right now, why the 10-year Treasury, not the Fed, is what can determine mortgage rates along with other market conditions, and how the national debt is high borrowing costs. Then they get into the housing market itself: a standoff where sellers locked into low rates are less inclined to sell, and buyers priced out by today's payments hold off to buy.If you're renting, saving for your first home, or trying to make sense of this market, this conversation gives you a picture.In this episode:Where mortgage rates stand right now and why they're not movingThe 10-year TreasuryHow $40 trillion in national debt affecting mortgage paymentsThe rent vs. own math that's keeping buyers on the sidelinesWhat to consider if you're waiting to buy your first home
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  The New Law That Just Changed 8 California Counties 08.09.2026 24min

  Eight California counties just lost control of their own zoning and residents may have no idea it happened.In this episode, Mikey Taylor and Michael Michalov break down SB 79, one of the most aggressive transit-oriented housing laws in California’s recent history. The two unpack how the state took zoning power away from local cities, what it means for the housing shortage, and how some real estate investors are responding.In this episode:What SB 79 does and the counties it affectsHow the Builder's Remedy forced cities into a choiceWhy Orange County's legal fight against the state failedThe zero-parking problemInstitutional money vs. mom-and-pop investors: who can actually build under this lawDoes more vertical housing turn California into a renter state?This content is for informational purposes only, is not offered as investment advice and should not be deemed as investment advice, and reflects the opinions and projections of COMMUNE as of the date of publication, which are subject to change without notice at any time subsequent to the date of issue. COMMUNE does not represent or warrant that the information presented in this message is accurate, current, or complete or that the estimates, opinions, projections or assumptions made in the message will prove to be accurate or realized.Certain statements reflect projections or expectations of future financial or economic performance of the project.  Such “forward-looking” statements are based on various assumptions, which assumptions may not prove to be correct.  Accordingly, there can be no assurance that such assumptions and statements will accurately predict future events or the project’s actual performance. Past performance is not an indication of future results.This content does not constitute an offer to invest and such offer will only be made by means of an offering document that should be carefully reviewed before determining whether to invest. As with any investment there is a risk of loss, including up to the amount of investment.Neither this message nor its contents should be construed as legal, tax, investment, or other advice.  Individuals are urged to consult with their own tax, legal, and investment advisers before making any investment decision
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  $875 Billion in Real Estate Debt Comes Due This Year 01.09.2026 30min

  $875 billion in commercial real estate debt comes due this year.In this episode, Mikey Taylor and Michael Michalov break down the "maturity wall": why loans made during the low-rate years of 2021–2022 are now coming due into a completely different market, why even some stabilized properties are being handed back to banks, and the four moves operators can consider when their loan matures. They also share why moments of fear in the market have historically been when some  long-term investors pay the closest attention.In this episode: • What is the $875 billion maturity wall and its breaking point? • How a stabilized property can end up worth less than half • Why CMBS delinquencies just hit a nine-year high • The four options an operator can evaluate when a loan comes due • Why "waiting for the bottom" usually means missing it • How regulators are handling distressed loans differently than 2008This content is for informational purposes only, is not offered as investment advice and should not be deemed as investment advice, and reflects the opinions and projections of COMMUNE as of the date of publication, which are subject to change without notice at any time subsequent to the date of issue. COMMUNE does not represent or warrant that the information presented in this message is accurate, current, or complete or that the estimates, opinions, projections or assumptions made in the message will prove to be accurate or realized.Certain statements reflect projections or expectations of future financial or economic performance of the project.  Such “forward-looking” statements are based on various assumptions, which assumptions may not prove to be correct.  Accordingly, there can be no assurance that such assumptions and statements will accurately predict future events or the project’s actual performance. Past performance is not an indication of future results.This content does not constitute an offer to invest and such offer will only be made by means of an offering document that should be carefully reviewed before determining whether to invest. As with any investment there is a risk of loss, including up to the amount of investment.Neither this message nor its contents should be construed as legal, tax, investment, or other advice.  Individuals are urged to consult with their own tax, legal, and investment advisers before making any investment decision
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  Your Retirement Money Might Not Be Invested at All 25.08.2026 24min

  There is $19 trillion sitting in American retirement accounts and approximately 1 in 5 of those accounts isn't invested in anything. The money is in cash, and those people may not know.In this episode, Mikey Taylor and Michael Michalov break down what some don’t realize they do with their 401(k)s and IRAs. From the 100% matching  employees may be leaving on the table, to the Roth conversion strategy Mikey used the year he started his company, this is the retirement conversation you may not have had before.In this episode:• The $19 trillion problem• The Vanguard study: most people sitting in cash don't know they are• Max the match: the closest thing to “free money” people ever get?• Roth vs. traditional — where do you want to be taxed?• The Roth conversion move (income limits don't apply to conversions)• IRA diversification beyond the stock market — real estate and private marketsThis podcast is for education only and is not financial, tax, or legal advice. Talk to your own advisor before making any moves.
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  Estate Planning Explained: Trusts, Wills, and Powers of Attorney 18.08.2026 30min

  Here's the part you may not know: if you never write down what happens when you die, the government already wrote it down for you.In this episode, Mikey and Michael break down estate planning without the legal jargon, what a trust actually does, why a will is only part of it, and the one mistake that can make the whole thing worthless. If you have kids, this is not about money. It's about who raises them, who speaks for you, and who gets to make the hardest decisions of your life if you can't.This isn't just a wealthy-person conversation. In a typical year, more than 99% of Americans will never owe a dollar of federal estate tax. That's not the point. The point is control — over your kids, your health, and your family's peace.In this episode:•  The 4 questions your estate plan answers (and what can happen when you don't answer them)•  Why some people set up a trust and never actually fund it•  Who raises your kids if you're gone — and why the court's answer may not be yours•  The difference between a trust, a will, a power of attorney, and a health care directive•  The conversation with your spouse that nobody wants to have•  How often to revisit your plan (and the client who hadn't touched theirs in 20 years)
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  The Truth About Side Hustles 11.08.2026 26min

  There's an invisible economy cooking. Almost half of Americans earned side hustle money this past year, and most of them are still trading time for dollars.In this episode, Mikey Taylor and Michael Michalov break down the ladder from side hustle to business and the three levels of making money, and why people never get past level one. You'll learn when the IRS technically considers you a business (it's a lower number than you may think), how to set up your entity without overcomplicating it, when to consider your first hire, and how to potentially build a company that pays you even when you step away.They also get into the AI question everyone's asking: do you even need employees anymore  and what's the single best money opportunity on the table right now?What we cover:The real numbers behind the side hustle boom (27%–47% of Americans)Hustle vs. Business vs. Asset — and how to graduate between themThe $400 threshold that makes you a business in the eyes of the IRSSole prop vs. LLC vs. S-Corp — and what it actually costs per yearThe 70% rule for your first hire and the 60% rule for building systemsWhy an AI integrator might be the best business to start today
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  Foreclosures Just Jumped 21%. Is This 2008 Again? 04.08.2026 21min

  Foreclosures just spiked 21% and everyone is asking the same question: is this 2008 all over again?We pull the curtain back on the scariest housing number of the year. You'll learn why 230,000 foreclosure filings is still 87% below the last crisis, why today's problem is carrying costs not bad credit and which loans are actually first in line to go underwater. Plus: the debate that had to be settled live with data (let us know in the comments who won).In this episode:- Delinquency vs. foreclosure vs. short sale. What each one really means- Why 2008 was a credit crisis and 2026 is a cost squeeze- The COVID forbearance backlog finally hitting the numbers- The 4 states getting hit hardest right now- How investors buy pre-foreclosures at 70–80 cents on the dollar
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  Why $700 Billion Is Flooding Into One Asset 28.07.2026 28min

  Cities across the country are voting no on data centers and people may not know what they're actually voting on.In this episode, Mikey Taylor and Michael Michalov break down an asset class that has recently drawn controversy. It’s not necessarily the buildings. But the power. You'll learn why a data center lease can end up looking similar to a Walgreens lease, why the same building can carry completely different risk depending on who's inside it, and why nearly $700 billion is chasing this asset. Then the conversation turns: is America's AI race the path out of our debt problem or the biggest bet we've made?What we get into: • Why the real estate is the lesser important part of a data center • The three tiers of data centers and which are fought about • Why operators are building their own power plants • Whether AI is America's only way out of the debt burden
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  5 Ways the New Housing Law Could Affect Real Estate 21.07.2026 21min

  One of the biggest housing laws in 30 years just passed and both parties agreed on it.In this episode, Mikey Taylor breaks down the "21st Century Road to Housing Act": including who the legislation applies to, what changed during the legislative process, and what economists and housing experts continue to debate about institutional investment and housing affordability.Rather than focusing on headlines, we explore what the bill says, how it could affect different parts of the housing market, and where uncertainty remains.Inside the episode:What the new 350-home threshold meansWhat researchers say about institutional investors and home prices How federal housing incentives compare with California's approach Why digital currency language appears in the legislation
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  The Truth About Mortgage Rates 14.07.2026 33min

  The Fed isn't the reason your mortgage costs what it costs and  buyers may be watching the wrong numbers.In this episode, Mikey Taylor and Michael Michalov break down why the housing market stalled, what's really driving rates in 2026, and the honest options left for a first-time buyer who feels priced out. No hype, no doom, just how the money actually moves, from the oil pump to the closing table.They get into why gas prices jump even when the U.S. doesn't buy oil from the conflict zone, how $6 trillion in printed money still echoes through your grocery bill, and why it feels like nobody with a 2.5% mortgage wants to sell.In this episode: • Why your mortgage follows the 10-year Treasury, not the Fed • How a global oil market hits your local gas station • The real reason 600,000 more sellers didn't crash prices • The 3 doors priced-out buyers have • Is AI about to create more business owners than it replaces? • Class B & C apartments: the quiet “winner” of 2026
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  The 5 common behavioral biases that can influence investment decision-making 07.07.2026 28min

  The biggest threat to your portfolio may not be the market. It could be the story your brain is telling you.In this episode of Life With Mikey, we explore five common behavioral biases that can influence investment decision-making. Using historical examples including investor behavior during periods of heightened interest in cryptocurrencies and real estate markets between 2020 and 2022, we examine how cognitive biases can affect financial decisions. You'll learn practical self-assessment frameworks used in behavioral finance to help evaluate your own decision-making process, including a reflective question that can help you reassess whether certain holdings continue to align with your investment objectives, risk tolerance, and overall strategy.In this episode:The story trap that moved money into cryptoWhy the people fall for confirmation biasThe coffee mug experimentThe client who couldn't sell his Facebook stockThe three assumptions that broke real estate dealsCows, sharks, and why headlines may influence your risk radarChapters0:50 - The Story Trap That Moves Money3:22 - "Real Estate Always Goes Up" — Remember?6:15 - Is Your Brain Defending Its Own Lies?9:33 - The Algorithm May Impact Your Research12:35 - The Coffee Mug That Explains Your Portfolio14:47 - The Client Who Wouldn't Sell Facebook17:55 - The Bias That Broke Deals22:18 - Write the Failure While you Evaluate Your Investment23:37 - Cows, Sharks, and Your Risk Radar
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  The Real Reason Homes Got So Expensive 30.06.2026 13min

  For two years, everyone's been watching interest rates. But there's a quieter number shaping home deals right now and many people aren't talking about it.In this episode, Mikey breaks down how home insurance went from a simple line item to a major factor in what can impact what you can actually afford. You'll learn why California got so expensive (it's not just the fires), how a 1988 law helped set this in motion, and the moves to consider that may help protect you before you remove a contingency.What we cover:Why insurance can be as high as ~9% of a typical housing payment — a record highThe 1988 law that may have reshaped the marketWhy your roof's age mattersWhat happened when 7 of 12 big insurers pulled backThe 3 moves to consider before you fall in love with a houseIf you're buying in California or anywhere premiums are climbing, this one's worth your time.
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  Can $100K Survive in California? 23.06.2026 32min

  A viral clip says a family of six can "easily" live on $100,000 a year in California. So we pulled out the calculator and tested it line by line.Mikey Taylor and Michael Michalov break down the budget behind the clip. They look into mortgage, groceries, gas, health insurance, all of it and find out where it holds up and where it completely falls apart. The truth? The number you bought your house matters more than the number on your paycheck. By the end, we land on what it costs to live here today, and the difficult choice that a growing number of California families are facing.In this episode: • Why a $2,000 mortgage is out of reach for many buyers today  • The grocery, gas, and health insurance numbers nobody budgets for • The income you may need to live in California with kids • Stay and sacrifice, earn more, or leave the state entirely • Why it feels like people are living in two different economiesIf you've ever felt like you're drowning while making "good money," this one's for you.
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  The Government Loan Owners May Not Know About 16.06.2026 25min

  On July 4th, 2026, a rule will change that lets you do something you literally could not do before: borrow to buy your business AND the building it operates in, with the government standing behind both loans.In this episode, Mikey Taylor and Michael Michalov break down the two SBA programs. Every business owner should understand the 7(a) and the 504 in plain English, without the lending jargon. They cover why the $5M cap just decoupled (giving you twice the borrowing power), how the 504 lets you put just 10% down on owner-occupied real estate, and the new Made in America Loan Guarantee that takes 90% of the risk off your bank's table if you make a physical product.This is the Commune lens on leverage: the same programs the biggest builders use are sitting in front of the small business owner who simply never knew they existed.What we cover: • The two SBA programs and what each one is actually for • Why the July 4th decoupling doubles your real borrowing power • The 10% down structure most people get wrong on the 504 • Owning vs. renting the building you operate in • The Made in America guarantee and who qualifies • How to underwrite a deal as if the government backing didn't exist
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  The Truth About the $1,000 Trump Account 09.06.2026 18min

  The government is proposing a $1,000 contribution into an investment account for eligible children born between 2025 and 2028. Many parents may overlook it because of one thing: the name.In this episode, Mikey Taylor and Michael break down what the new "Trump Account" is, how it is designed to work, and the questions families may want to consider when evaluating it. They walk through the math behind hypothetical growth scenarios, including how $1,000 could potentially grow to roughly $81,000 by retirement under certain assumptions, how maximum contributions could affect account value over time, and the key considerations surrounding the program.What we cover: • The free $1,000 seed and who qualifies • How the account is built (and the penalty rules at 18) • Trump Account vs. a 529 plan • Who can contribute — parents, grandparents, even employers • The math: $1,000 today vs. millions at retirement • What happens if the rules change laterIf you've got kids or you know someone who doesn't, don't be the one left out.This content is for informational purposes only, is not offered as investment advice and should not be deemed as investment advice, and reflects the opinions and projections of COMMUNE as of the date of publication, which are subject to change without notice at any time subsequent to the date of issue. COMMUNE does not represent or warrant that the information presented in this message is accurate, current, or complete or that the estimates, opinions, projections or assumptions made in the message will prove to be accurate or realized.Certain statements reflect projections or expectations of future financial or economic performance of the project. Such “forward-looking” statements are based on various assumptions, which assumptions may not prove to be correct. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that such assumptions and statements will accurately predict future events or the project’s actual performance. Past performance is not an indication of future results.This content does not constitute an offer to invest and such offer will only be made by means of an offering document that should be carefully reviewed before determining whether to invest. As with any investment there is a risk of loss, including up to the amount of investment.Neither this message nor its contents should be construed as legal, tax, investment, or other advice. Individuals are urged to consult with their own tax, legal, and investment advisers before making any investment decision.
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  Mikey Taylor: The Truth About Selling Your Business 02.06.2026 34min

  In this solo episode, I break down the six pillars I use to run Commune Capital today, the operating system I wish I had when we were building Saint Archer, and walk through the three things you have to fight for at the closing table if you’re considering  selling a business. I also share a 90 day test that will tell you whether you’ve built a real company or just a high paying job with a brand attached to it.Vision Pillar Questionnaire - https://we.tl/t-0GbXHpaRCcKydRHb This episode is for founders who are 3 to 5 years in and starting to feel the cracks, founders quietly talking to buyers, and founders who want to stop being the bottleneck in their own business.Inside this episode:• The Saint Archer moment that changed how I build companies• The 6 pillars that may turn a startup into a sellable business• The 8 questions every team should answer the same way• Why “right person, wrong seat” kills businesses• The 3 clauses that matter more than price• The earn out trap that makes founders quit• The 90 day test for real ownershipThis content is for informational purposes only, is not offered as investment advice and should not be deemed as investment advice, and reflects the opinions and projections of COMMUNE as of the date of publication, which are subject to change without notice at any time subsequent to the date of issue. COMMUNE does not represent or warrant that the information presented in this message is accurate, current, or complete or that the estimates, opinions, projections or assumptions made in the message will prove to be accurate or realized.Certain statements reflect projections or expectations of future financial or economic performance of the project. Such “forward-looking” statements are based on various assumptions, which assumptions may not prove to be correct. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that such assumptions and statements will accurately predict future events or the project’s actual performance. Past performance is not an indication of future results.This content does not constitute an offer to invest and such offer will only be made by means of an offering document that should be carefully reviewed before determining whether to invest. As with any investment there is a risk of loss, including up to the amount of investment.Neither this message nor its contents should be construed as legal, tax, investment, or other advice. Individuals are urged to consult with their own tax, legal, and investment advisers before making any investment decision.
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  I Almost Believed Graham Stephan 18.05.2026 35min

  Graham Stephan told millions of people why he shifted away from real estate and is moving over to investments like stocks, bonds, and ETFs. The math may sound straightforward. The psychology behind decisions like this often isn’t.In this episode, Mikey Taylor and Michael Michalov break down the 5 behavioral finance biases that can influence major investing decisions. This isn't a takedown. It's the discussion about how even experienced, successful investors can be influenced by cognitive biases, market narratives, and emotional decision-making. What you'll learn:How loss aversion can shape financial decisions in unexpected waysWhy short historical windows can distort long-term expectationsHow herd behavior shows up even when you think you're going against the crowdThe overconfidence trap that hits after a winning streak, not beforeWhen walking away is wisdom and when it's just sunk-cost overcorrectionThis content is for informational purposes only, is not offered as investment advice and should not be deemed as investment advice, and reflects the opinions and projections of COMMUNE as of the date of publication, which are subject to change without notice at any time subsequent to the date of issue. COMMUNE does not represent or warrant that the information presented in this message is accurate, current, or complete or that the estimates, opinions, projections or assumptions made in the message will prove to be accurate or realized.Certain statements reflect projections or expectations of future financial or economic performance of the project. Such “forward-looking” statements are based on various assumptions, which assumptions may not prove to be correct. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that such assumptions and statements will accurately predict future events or the project’s actual performance. Past performance is not an indication of future results.This content does not constitute an offer to invest and such offer will only be made by means of an offering document that should be carefully reviewed before determining whether to invest. As with any investment there is a risk of loss, including up to the amount of investment.Neither this message nor its contents should be construed as legal, tax, investment, or other advice. Individuals are urged to consult with their own tax, legal, and investment advisers before making any investment decision.
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  Why $500,000 Per Door Is Breaking LA Housing 12.05.2026 50min

  This week, LA land use attorney and California State Senate candidate Sara Hernandez sits down to break down Executive Directive 1, why banks have stopped lending on multifamily projects, and the math behind why rent doesn’t seem to be dropping anytime soon. Mikey and Michael lay out the 3 milestones most real estate development projects must navigate.If you’re trying to understand LA real estate, the housing crisis, or why some capital is leaving California, this conversation is the breakdown.What you’ll learnWhy LA feels “redlined” for new multifamily developmentThe 3-milestone framework every developer should knowWhy 1 in 5 LA community college students are “homeless”The 26th District State Senate race and what’s at stakeThis content is for informational purposes only, is not offered as investment advice and should not This content is for informational purposes only, is not offered as investment advice and should not be deemed as investment advice, and reflects the opinions and projections of COMMUNE as of the date of publication, which are subject to change without notice at any time subsequent to the date of issue. COMMUNE does not represent or warrant that the information presented in this message is accurate, current, or complete or that the estimates, opinions, projections or assumptions made in the message will prove to be accurate or realized.Certain statements reflect projections or expectations of future financial or economic performance of the project.  Such “forward-looking” statements are based on various assumptions, which assumptions may not prove to be correct.  Accordingly, there can be no assurance that such assumptions and statements will accurately predict future events or the project’s actual performance. Past performance is not an indication of future results.This content does not constitute an offer to invest and such offer will only be made by means of an offering document that should be carefully reviewed before determining whether to invest. As with any investment there is a risk of loss, including up to the amount of investment.Neither this message nor its contents should be construed as legal, tax, investment, or other advice.  Individuals are urged to consult with their own tax, legal, and investment advisers before making any investment decision.
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  Why This Housing Market Is Not 2008 05.05.2026 27min

  Mortgage rates just hit around 5.99%. Existing home sales hit a nine-month low. A lot of people see those two numbers and assume the market is dead, but that may not tell the full story.Mikey and Michael break down what some are calling the biggest buying window in years, the hidden cost of waiting, and why today’s market may look very different from 2008.. They unpack the shifting trends between Sun Belt and Rust Belt markets,, a $68M Chicago office building that just sold for $4 million, and the wild loop where pension funds are funding the rent hikes on their own apartments.Plus: why AI-staged listing photos are turning into bait-and-switch, and what real estate agents may need to do to maintain buyer trust.If you’ve been waiting to buy, this episode explores the pros and cons of timing the market.This content is for informational purposes only, is not offered as investment advice and should not be deemed as investment advice, and reflects the opinions and projections of COMMUNE as of the date of publication, which are subject to change without notice at any time subsequent to the date of issue. COMMUNE does not represent or warrant that the information presented in this message is accurate, current, or complete or that the estimates, opinions, projections or assumptions made in the message will prove to be accurate or realized.Certain statements reflect projections or expectations of future financial or economic performance of the project.  Such “forward-looking” statements are based on various assumptions, which assumptions may not prove to be correct.  Accordingly, there can be no assurance that such assumptions and statements will accurately predict future events or the project’s actual performance. Past performance is not an indication of future results.This content does not constitute an offer to invest and such offer will only be made by means of an offering document that should be carefully reviewed before determining whether to invest. As with any investment there is a risk of loss, including up to the amount of investment.Neither this message nor its contents should be construed as legal, tax, investment, or other advice.  Individuals are urged to consult with their own tax, legal, and investment advisers before making any investment decision.
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  The Housing Market Is Broken Into 3 Parts 21.04.2026 37min

  The housing market is not one market. It's three. And most people can't tell which one they live in.In this episode, Mikey and Michael give commentary on what's happening in 2026. Forty percent of U.S. cities are seeing prices drop. Other areas are still going up. The national news won't tell you which side your city is on. Your local data will.They walk through the numbers, months of supply, price to rent ratio, permit activity, job growth, and city policy. They explain a common way brokers may present optimistic projections, and show how you can use tools like AI to analyze a deal from different angles.Whether you’re exploring a home purchase, rental property, or real estate fund, this is a guide for reviewing numbers and assumptions before making decisions.This content is for informational purposes only, is not offered as investment advice and should not be deemed as investment advice, and reflects the opinions and projections of COMMUNE as of the date of publication, which are subject to change without notice at any time subsequent to the date of issue. COMMUNE does not represent or warrant that the information presented in this message is accurate, current, or complete or that the estimates, opinions, projections or assumptions made in the message will prove to be accurate or realized.Certain statements reflect projections or expectations of future financial or economic performance of the project.  Such “forward-looking” statements are based on various assumptions, which assumptions may not prove to be correct.  Accordingly, there can be no assurance that such assumptions and statements will accurately predict future events or the project’s actual performance. Past performance is not an indication of future results.This content does not constitute an offer to invest and such offer will only be made by means of an offering document that should be carefully reviewed before determining whether to invest. As with any investment there is a risk of loss, including up to the amount of investment.Neither this message nor its contents should be construed as legal, tax, investment, or other advice.  Individuals are urged to consult with their own tax, legal, and investment advisers before making any investment decision.