

Real Estate Today
Real Estate Today
Real Estate Today opens doors for buyers and sellers with critical and credible information on the real estate market. It’s fast-paced and fact-packed with experts, interviews, call-ins, field reports, and timely market conditions.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 5, 2024 • 35min
Investing in Real Estate in the Spring of 2024
Is the spring the time for you to invest in real estate and build wealth? REALTOR® Peter West discusses the benefits of investing in multifamily or single-family properties and the responsibilities required for each asset class. REALTOR® Bill Milliken from Michigan discusses commercial real estate investing, the impact working from home has on properties, and the trend to convert office buildings to residential space. Melissa Dittman Tracey shares whether using vinegar to clean your stone countertops is hot or not. Elizabeth Renter from NerdWallet discusses their First-Time Home Buyer Affordability Report — Q4 2023 and the challenges in the real estate market, especially for first-time home buyers.

Mar 29, 2024 • 36min
Tips for First-Time Homebuyers in 2024
National Association of REALTORS® President Kevin Sears gives the facts about the $418 million settlement and what it means for homebuyers and sellers. REALTOR® Cheyenne McGriff from South Dakota explains what first-time homebuyers should do to get ready to buy a home and how to find success in a competitive real estate market. Melissa Dittmann Tracey shares whether buying a fixer-upper home is hot or not. And, Sean Moss from the Down Payment Resource gives a quick primer on down payment assistance programs and how a homebuyer can utilize them to make a home purchase more affordable.

Mar 22, 2024 • 34min
Selling A Home During Spring 2024
If you're selling your home in the spring market of 2024, this episode is for you! Gilbert Gonzales, broker associate with Home Connect 512 discusses real estate presentation, how to showcase the home value to buyers, and whether this is still a good time to sell. J. Lennox Scott, CEO of John L. Scott Real Estate, explains "The Five Rights" in a sale and how to succeed. Krisztina Bell, home stager and design expert, discusses how home staging is a necessary marketing tool and explains how virtual home staging can benefit you. Next, Melissa Dittmann Tracey examines adding a pickleball court to your backyard: Is it hot or not? Lastly, Lawrence Yun, chief economist at NAR, discusses the latest existing-home sales data.

Mar 15, 2024 • 33min
The 2024 Spring Real Estate Market
How can you find success in the spring real estate market? J. Lennox Scott, CEO of John L. Scott Real Estate, shares how to be buyer-ready and why you should get completely underwritten to make the best offer. He also does the math and explain why buying today instead of waiting for interest rates to drop is most likely the smart choice. Danielle Hale, chief economist at realtor.com®, shares why they are forecasting a "favorable" and "promising" spring market, with increased housing inventory. Melissa Dittmann Tracey tells us if red is a hot paint color for walls and Kris Kiser, CEO of the TurfMutt Foundation, discusses their "5 Messages Your Yard Sends Potential Home Buyers" report.

Mar 8, 2024 • 35min
A Look At Mortgages in 2024
Interested in getting a mortgage or refinancing in the spring? This episode is for you! Keith Gumbinger from HSH.com shares the latest on interest rates and how today's home buyers can qualify for the best possible home loan. REALTOR® Mabél Guzmán from Chicago walks us through the process of finding a lender and successful strategies for getting the best loan in a high-interest-rate environment and walks us. Also, we have Melissa Dittmann Tracey discuss if mirrored walls and mirrored closet doors are hot or not. Lastly, REALTOR® Candice Skinner from Louisiana lets us know all about the VA home loan

Mar 1, 2024 • 35min
How To Make Your House A Home
When you're moving into a new house, there are so many ways to make the home your very own! REALTOR® Bette McTamney from Pennsylvania shares the first things most people do when they move into their home and talks about changes homeowners can make when moving. Rose Quint from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) shares downward trends that she's seen in the last few years due to rising home prices and interest rates, and what buyers are looking for in their communities. Also, Melissa Dittmann Tracey discusses whether home offices and hardwood floors are considered hot or not. Finally, Dustin Green, the head grill master at Weber Grills, talks about the decision-making process of picking the right grill for your new home.

Feb 23, 2024 • 35min
Moving Into Your New Home
One of the most important parts of a real estate transaction is moving! Gayla Dixon from UniGroup, the parent company of United Van Lines and Mayflower Transit, shares money-saving strategies for moving and how decluttering can help you feel better about getting into your new location. REALTOR® Mary Dykstra from Virginia shares how sellers and buyers should start looking for moving companies and boxing up the excess in a home early to have a stress-free move. In addition, Melissa Dittmann Tracey lets us know if having under-counter drawers instead of lower cabinets in your kitchen is considered hot or not. Dr. Jess P. Shatkin from NYU discusses the impact moving has on children and explains the best ways to talk to your kids about it. Lastly, Lawrence Yun, chief economist at NAR, tells us about the latest “Existing-Home Sales Report.”

Feb 16, 2024 • 35min
How to Close on a Home
The time has come and it's closing day! Attorney Nishad Khan talks about how a buyer should prepare, what documents they should bring to avoid hiccups along the way, and what is expected to be completed on the seller's end. Ohio REALTOR® Kelly McCormick discusses the period between the contract signing and the closing, and explains how she ensures that her clients are protected on closing day. Lawyer Vanessa Goggans talks about cautioning home buyers and sellers with regard to real estate scams related to wire fraud. And, financial expert and host of the Money Girl Podcast, Laura Adams, explains why the buyer needs to have a homeowners insurance policy. Lastly, Melissa Dittmann Tracey lets us know if bows and hues of soft greens are considered hot or not.

Feb 9, 2024 • 35min
The Best Way To Love Your Home
This Valentine's Day, show your home some tender loving care! REALTOR® Troy Zwickle of Loveland, Colorado, tells us about buying or selling homes in the “Sweetheart City.” In addition, he talks about if interest rates have been scaring first-time home buyers away, advises potential buyers about offers, talks about seller's concessions, and the buying power with equity. Dustin Green, head grill master at Weber Grills, walks us through what makes a great surf and turf, and explains how to select and prepare every course from the appetizers through the main dish. Also, Melissa Dittmann Tracey talks about whether symmetry in your home is hot or not. She also dishes on strategies to personalize your home to get the highest ROI. Lawrence Yun, chief economist at the National Association of REALTORS®, shares the latest “Metro Home Price Report” from NAR, and he walks us through the status of mortgage rates.

Feb 2, 2024 • 34min
Writing a Winning Offer on a House
Get tips on writing a winning offer for your dream home, understand the appraisal process, discover the comeback of beige in home design, learn about the resurgence of herringbone patterns, and find out the best markets for first-time homebuyers in 2024.