The Future of Closings: Language, Trust, and Transparency with Leslie Lerner
In this episode of Loan Officer Life: Hustle, Heart & Homeownership, I sit down with Leslie Lerner, founder of LernMore and broker/owner of Leslie Lerner Properties in Houston.
Leslie brings a rare perspective—she’s not only a successful real estate broker and entrepreneur, but also a commissioner with the Texas Real Estate Commission.
We dig into the problem that most consumers face but rarely talk about: signing loan and real estate documents without truly understanding them.
Leslie created LernMore to solve that problem—an AI-powered platform that translates contracts into plain language, in multiple languages, with interactive explanations and FAQs.
It’s already changing the way first-time buyers, borrowers with English as a second language, and even seasoned homeowners approach critical financial decisions.
For loan officers, Leslie’s insights hit home. We talk about:
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How LernMore bridges gaps in borrower understanding during e-closings and hybrid closings
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The risk reduction benefits for LOs and real estate agents when clients can confidently say, “I understand my documents”
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Why transparency and communication are the foundation of great LO–agent partnerships
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Practical advice for loan officers who want to build stronger relationships with agents and clients in a market full of fraud, misinformation, and uncertainty
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The emotional side of the transaction—and why “showing up” at closings matters more than ever
Leslie also shares her own journey—how a teacher’s heart and a risk-averse mindset led her to innovate in a space most people take for granted.
Whether you’re a loan officer, a realtor, or anyone working with first-time buyers, this conversation is packed with takeaways on education, transparency, and trust.
Listen in and learn why the future of our industry won’t be about speed alone—it’ll be about clarity.
Leslie Lerner
CEO LernMore / Broker, Leslie Lerner Properties, LLC
Recognizing how technology was transforming the real estate process for buyers and sellers, Leslie Lerner leveraged her background in education along with her passion for customer service and sales to establish Leslie Lerner Properties in 2013. She founded the company as Houston’s first full-service brokerage offering flat-fee listings and rebated commissions. “As technology advanced, I saw an opportunity to lower commission rates while still providing the expertise needed to guide informed decisions and negotiate effectively,” she explains.
A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in education, Lerner considers herself an educator first, rather than a salesperson. Driven by a desire to empower consumers with knowledge, she developed LernMoreSM, a patent-pending, AI-driven, multi-language education platform designed to minimize contract confusion and offer clarity for better decision-making. “Real estate contracts are filled with complex legal terms that can create confusion or even lead to legal disputes,” she says. “LernMore serves as a translator, simplifying legal language into clear, easily understandable terms in multiple languages, while providing contextual explanations of contract clauses.”
A fourth-generation Houstonian, Lerner began her real estate career in 1993 with a mission to provide buyers and sellers with honest, knowledgeable, and transparent experiences. She currently serves as one of nine commissioners appointed to the Texas Real Estate Commission by Gov. Greg Abbott, contributes to the Association of Real Estate…
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