In this episode of Head in the Clouds, Heather Fowler sits down with Tim Arrington, a seasoned mortgage broker and owner of Mortgage Core, to unravel the truth about home loans, down payment myths, and how buyers and agents can finally stop losing deals to financing chaos.

Guest Bio:
Tim Arrington is the owner and broker at Mortgage Core. With over 25 years of experience, Tim is a trusted partner for real estate agents and buyers who need transparency, strategy, and a path to the closing table.

We cover:

• Why the mortgage game has changed—and how to play it smart

• Common buyer misconceptions that cost them their dream home

• A behind-the-scenes look at what lenders actually look at

• The truth about down payment assistance (and who should avoid it)

• Real talk on rates, refis, DTI, and what’s next in the 2025 market

Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, a seasoned agent, or somewhere in between, this episode will arm you with the clarity and strategy to win in today’s housing market.

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with a fellow agent or home shopper who needs this clarity.

• Apply with Tim at https://mortgagecore.com/

• Call/Text Tim: (770) 856-6397

• Link with Heather, Let's Connect!

• Got questions or want to work with Heather? Book a

  Strategy Session

In this episode of Head in the Clouds, Heather sits down with Georgia-based real estate agent Tony Holden — a top producer who pivoted from residential sales to investor-focused real estate deals.

Tony opens up about:

• Why the 2022 market shift pushed him into working with investors

• The exact process he follows to find, vet, and flip properties

• What agents need to know before jumping into the investing game

• How he built rock-solid trust with buyers who spend $400K sight unseen

• The biggest myths new investors believe (and how to avoid costly mistakes)

Whether you're an agent looking to work with investors or a first-time buyer eyeing your first flip, this episode is packed with real talk, tactical advice, and golden nuggets you won’t want to miss.

Guest: Tony Holden
Location: Cumming, Georgia
Website: HoldenHomesRE.com
Instagram: @tonyholdenrealtor
Facebook: Tony Holden

Contact Tony: 770-800-8216

Learn more about how you can transition from traditional real estate to the investment side and create consistent cash flow—even in shifting markets.

Ready to ditch the hustle and scale smarter? Join us at Cloud Realty and get your own Pipeline on Demand.

Discover how former military logistics expert turned real estate agent, Andres Castro, scaled his real estate business using Cloud Realty’s lead generation system. Learn the secrets behind warm transfers, automated follow-up, agent attraction, and converting leads like a pro. Whether you're new to real estate or managing a team, this episode breaks down exactly how to scale without burning out.

Ready to stop renting and start owning in Huntsville?
Let’s make homeownership your reality.
Schedule your free consultation with Andres today: acastroproperties.com

Serving Huntsville, Madison, and beyond. Spanish-speaking? ¡Hablo Español!

Agents: Drowning in dead leads and DIY marketing?
It’s time to scale smarter—not harder.
Book your strategy call with Heather: https://heatherfowler.realestateus.co/Main-Heather

‍♀️ Heather helps agents build systems that work—even when you're off the clock.

• (00:00:06) - Immigrant Real Estate Agent at Cloud Realty
• (00:07:13) - Four Main Engines at Cloud Realty
• (00:10:13) - How has cloud changed the way you do lead generation?
• (00:11:27) - 5 Rules for Lead Acceptance
• (00:16:47) - How to Respond to a Lead in 60 Seconds
• (00:18:45) - How To Live Transfer Leads From Cloud to Real Estate Agents
• (00:24:30) - How to Budget for Advertising on Cloud
• (00:29:54) - Pipeline on Demand: Business Engine #1
• (00:32:07) - Will Real Estate Brokerage Need a Cloud?
• (00:34:25) - How to Get More Agents to Join Your Team with Cloud Realty
• (00:39:30) - Cloud Realty Agent Engagement 3
• (00:49:23) - How to Build a Referral Team with 60 Agents
• (00:50:18) - Cloud Realty: Last Words for Our Agents
• (00:54:54) - Head in the Clouds

In this conversation, Heather Fowler discusses the challenges faced by real estate agents, particularly the exhaustion from managing all aspects of their business alone. She introduces Cloud's solutions, which consist of three engines designed to help agents generate leads, recruit other agents, and streamline their operations. The discussion emphasizes the importance of leveraging technology and support systems to achieve success in real estate, while also addressing the investment required to utilize these tools effectively.

takeaways

• Agents often feel overwhelmed and tired from managing everything themselves.
• Real estate success requires a strategic approach to lead generation and follow-up.
• Cloud offers tailored solutions to help agents streamline their processes.
• The first engine, Pipeline on Demand, focuses on lead management and conversion.
• Agent attraction and recruiting is the second engine, designed for team leads and brokerages.
• Cloud Command is the third engine, providing a fully customized and scalable system.
• Investing in marketing and technology is crucial for real estate success.
• Agents need to be proactive in their follow-up to avoid losing leads.
• The systems provided by Cloud are designed to work for agents who are willing to put in the effort.
• Success in real estate is achievable with the right tools and support.
  Book a Strategy Session Join Head in the Clouds Follow me Heather

• (00:00:00) - The Exhaustion of Real Estate Agents
• (00:02:40) - Understanding the Challenges in Real Estate
• (00:05:10) - Introducing Cloud's Solutions
• (00:07:56) - Pipeline on Demand: The First Engine
• (00:15:54) - Agent Attraction and Recruiting: The Second Engine
• (00:22:01) - Cloud Command: The Third Engine
• (00:26:16) - Investment in Success