Is Your Money Better Kept in Real Estate or Taken Out? What Agents Need to Know. | Rethink Real Estate S4E63

In this episode of Rethink Real Estate, host Ben Brady unpacks a real conversation he had with sellers in Southern California—a situation that highlights one of the toughest questions agents must help clients answer: is their money better kept in a property or taken out and redirected elsewhere?Ben breaks down how inventory levels, buyer feedback, and the realities of property-specific challenges often mean that simply waiting for “better market conditions” isn’t the right move. Using a Huntington Beach studio apartment as a case study, he illustrates how buyers with the right budgets can still pass on a property—not because of price, but because of product.You’ll learn how to frame seller conversations around opportunity cost, the expense of holding property, and alternative investments—from upgrading to larger units, to exploring other markets, to even comparing real estate to the S&P 500. This practical session provides agents with the scripts and strategies to guide sellers through difficult truths while preserving trust and positioning for long-term business.⏱️ Timestamps & Key Topics[00:00:00] – The seller conversation that inspired this episode[00:01:06] – Why price reductions don’t always solve the problem[00:01:49] – What really happens if interest rates drop 1%[00:02:17] – Why 50% of listings are being pulled off-market prematurely[00:03:38] – The Huntington Beach studio: a case study in product vs. price[00:05:17] – Helping sellers see buyer budgets vs. perceived value[00:06:14] – Framing the decision: is this really a “wait 2 years” move?[00:07:39] – Alternatives: upgrading units, other states, or the S&P 500[00:09:18] – Identifying property problems vs. market-driven issues[00:10:36] – The hidden costs of “holding” property[00:11:37] – Why time won’t always fix the seller’s problem🔗 Related Resources:For more info on Harcourts Auctions, our non-distressed auction platform, visit: https://www.harcourtsauctions.comConnect with Ben Brady and the Harcourts Auctions team:Facebook: www.facebook.com/BenbradyharcourtsLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ben-brady-0b223517Instagram: www.instagram.com/harcourtsauctionsFacebook: www.facebook.com/HarcourtsAuctions🎯 Subscribe for more industry insights, and don’t forget to like, comment, or share your take on how YOU help sellers make these tough calls.