

Mortgage Trends and Tips, with Todd Sheppard, Inspired Mortgage Brokers (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 866)
In this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray welcomes Todd Sheppard, owner of Inspired Mortgage Brokers, to discuss the intricacies of the mortgage industry. They delve into Todd’s background, the benefits of working with an independent mortgage broker, and the current state of the housing market. Todd shares insights into the challenges buyers face, particularly the emphasis on payment sensitivity due to rising rates and inflation. The conversation also highlights the importance of holistic financial planning, especially for seniors, and explores the often misunderstood but valuable option of reverse mortgages. Throughout the discussion, Todd emphasizes the need for empathy, detailed communication, and personalized service to alleviate the stress associated with mortgage processes.
John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. The show is produced by John Ray and North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®, and is recorded inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.
Todd Sheppard, Inspired Mortgage Brokers

Todd Sheppard was drawn to the mortgage industry for its fast-paced environment and the opportunity to help people. As company founder, he is tasked with finding the best wholesale lenders and technology companies with which to partner. As a hands-on loan officer, he is the first point of contact for many Inspired Mortgage Broker customers. Our clients are often surprised to learn that our company owner has a hand in completing their pre-approvals, quoting their rates, and discussing their program options. He also enjoys building lasting and mutually beneficial connections with our referral partners.
Often described as energetic, compassionate, approachable, and creative, over the course of his career, Todd has worked with everyone from first-time homebuyers and recent retirees to business executives and high net-worth clients. With an innate understanding of each segment and their diverse needs, he has closed on everything from starter homes to luxury beachfront properties. Todd gains his greatest rewards from helping people achieve their dreams of home ownership or their vision of a comfortable retirement. He finds joy in saying “YES” when other mortgage lenders have said no, and he takes pride in putting people at ease and instilling them with confidence. He also enjoys helping his referral partners grow their businesses.
For Todd, his vision of an “inspired life” is one where he has the freedom and ability to do whatever it takes to help his customers and referral partners succeed. His love of his work is apparent in every contact and positive impact he makes.
Topics Discussed in this Episode
00:00 Introduction and Welcome to North Fulton Business Radio
00:28 Meet Todd Sheppard: Inspired Mortgage Brokers
02:21 Understanding Independent Mortgage Brokers
03:01 Todd’s Journey into Mortgages
03:49 Navigating the Mortgage Process
07:14 Current Housing Market Trends
10:31 Mortgage Industry Insights
15:12 Special Focus: Seniors and Mortgages
21:50 Reverse Mortgages: A Viable Option?
25:32 Success Stories and Final Thoughts
28:24 Closing Remarks and Announcements
About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray
With over 860 shows and having featured over 1,300 guests, North Fulton Business Radio is the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton area, covering business in our community like no one else. We are the undisputed “Voice of Business” in North Fulton!
The show invites a diverse range of business, non-profit, and community leaders to share their significant contributions to their market, community, and profession. There’s no discrimination based on company size, and there’s never any “pay to play.” North Fulton Business Radio supports and celebrates businesses by sharing positive stories that traditional media ignore. Some media lean left. Some media lean right. We lean business.

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. The show is produced by John Ray and North Fulton Business Radio, LLC, an affiliate of Business RadioX®, and recorded inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.
The studio address is 275 South Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009.
You can find the full archive of shows by following this link. The show is available on all the major podcast apps, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Amazon, iHeart Radio, and many others.
John Ray also operates his own business advisory practice. John’s services include advising solopreneurs and small professional services firms on their value, their positioning and business development, and their pricing. His clients are professionals who are selling their expertise, such as consultants, coaches, attorneys, CPAs, accountants and bookkeepers, marketing professionals, and other professional services practitioners.
John is the national bestselling author of The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices.


With a focus on education and client empowerment, Good Friend Mortgage offers free workshops and informational sessions to help clients navigate the complexities of homeownership and mortgage financing. Their commitment to community engagement is evident through sponsorships of local events and partnerships with organizations like the North Fulton Chamber of Commerce.
Casa Nuova is a proud family-owned and operated restaurant, serving classic, authentic and traditional Italian cuisine and top tier hospitality since 1998.



Since 2002, Ken Starks has had the opportunity to help thousands of clients buy and/or refinance both their residential and commercial properties all across the country.
Carla Magee’s background is designed with the investor in mind. After obtaining her finance degree from the University of Washington in Seattle, she worked for large corporations like Boeing and Microsoft. With a critical eye and flair for analytics, she was able to shave millions in lost profits, managing cross-functional teams by utilizing her Green Belt in Six Sigma and Masters Certification in Project Management.


Sandy Hill from 


Art Wood is not your typical mortgage guy…
Jane Bishop, is CEO of
Ryan T. Sauers has spent 25 years leading and/or consulting with visual communications and marketing related organizations. Ryan is President/Owner of the consulting firm, 















