The Clarified Realty Podcast | Real Estate Secrets Your Agent Doesn't Want You To Know!

People mainly buy or sell real estate because they are going through some sort of transition, i.e.: they are getting a new job or someone has passed away. One of the most prevalent reasons is divorce. We're talking to Douglas Wolf, a family law attorney who specializes in the worst of the worst of these cases involving spousal abuse cases. He takes us on a step-by-step guide of how someone can sell their home during a divorce. Hopefully, it can help reduce the stress of an already awful circumstance.

This is an episode Tom has wanted to do for a while. We are talking with fitness expert, J. D. King about how people going through the stressful process of buying a home can avoid the pitfalls of eating poorly and stay healthy. He gives great advice about what types of foods are best when you need the energy to get through a full day of open houses and how you can better wind down (without alcohol) afterwards. We also talk about caffeine, its role in adding to stress, and how to ease off of your addiction.

In this episode, we cover the latest real estate news for the week. First, is news that Facebook has come under fire for facilitating de facto housing discrimination in their ad targeting platform by restricting who sees what types of ads. After that, we discuss a new real estate artificial intelligence company called "Rex" that is attempting to replace your real estate agent. And last, we discuss how a seller in California has told their agent that they do not want any buyers who voted for Donald Trump.

Trusting someone with the remodeling of your home can make even the most courageous tremble with fear. That's why we're talking to J. R. Mariano of Jamie's Kitchen Cabinets and baths about how contractors as a whole don't have the most stellar reputations and how that image is well earned. He gives us tips about how you can separate the mercenaries and amateurs from the talented and the experienced. He also discusses how he goes about bidding projects and the latest technologies in the business.

Real Estate Inspector extraordinaire, Ian Mayer, is back again and we've got two very interesting topics we're covering. Ian starts off with a conversation about how different companies are now trying to mine customer data much earlier in the process. By the time it becomes public record, it's much too late for some companies, so they're trying to get it from home inspectors. And then we move on to the new pool inspection regulations mandatory in the state of California and their impact on transactions.

In this episode of the Clarified Realty Podcast, we're talking Real Estate with Ani Galyan, a CPA and an attorney, with a specialization in the tax and legal aspects of foreign investment in Real Estate. We discuss things Americans need to watch out for when buying real estate overseas -- and what non-Americans need to watch out for when buying real estate here in the U.S. We also discuss how the EB-5 program was used to encourage investment by offering green cards in return for purchasing real estate.

We're interviewing Sandy Rosenholz of Senior Resources Inc. regarding the real estate needs of the elderly. We ask him who usually reaches out to him (is it the person that needs to move, or a relative/freind). We then talk about different forms of senior housing (+55 communities, independent living, assisted living, and finally, memory care) and how they used to be considered as inhumane places to now - "cruise ships without water." We also discuss the process of selling the real estate of the elderly.

We're talking with Dina Newman of Organizing Concepts And Designs about how to prepare for selling your home by decluttering prior to your move. Also, we cover how many people don't understand that a good percentage of "staging" is about removing things from the house and not adding furniture. Dina then talks about the emotional issues people sometimes have giving up possessions during periods of transition. We also talk about how moving the elderly has it's own challenges and how to work with them.

We're talking with Richard Hayes of G & G Granite about home remodeling and just how far homeowners should take their projects. We discuss a recent study that showed that most full kitchen remodels are less likely to get their value returned than "facelifts" where only minor changes are made. We also discuss the current climate of the kitchen remodeling industry and how the companies advertising on HGTV are dictating the tastes of and potentially spreading disinformation to the general public.

We're speaking with Richard Hershey of WeReduceTaxes(dot)com, an expert in 1031 exchanges and their alternatives. We discuss 1031 exchanges in an easy-to-understand way -- and how they help sellers defer the payment of capital gains taxes. However, because of the lack of inventory in today's market, there is a lack of viable properties to exchange. Instead, his company has another alternative -- a "Deferred Sales Trust." He let's us know in detail how the trust works and how it can be another option.

We start off talking about how inflation could create four interest rate hikes over the next year, making buying a home even more expensive. Then, you won't believe the latest fad in real estate development -- sleeping! Developers are studying sleep patterns to create better environments for their purchasers to get their rest. We finish by discussing something new in real estate - LetGo. Until now, it's an app that's sold junk you don't want, like Craigslist. Now, they want to start selling houses!

In this episode, we talk to Stephen Rischall of 1080 Financial Group about the specific obstacles Millennials need to overcome in order to become home owners. We discuss the importance of home ownership as a facet of a healthy financial future and how YouTube "Do-It-Yourselfers" hacking their own finances can lead to dangerous and unfortunate results. We also talk about the downside of millennials being drawn toward bitcoin and cryptocurrencies, when it's really the blockchain technology that's where the future is leading.

This episode, we interview Jordan Scheltgen, host of the Mind Your Marketing Podcast and founder of Cave Social Marketing Agency. We discuss about what both buyers and sellers should be looking for in the social media feeds of agents they might be considering hiring, how great marketing is about making a deeper connection and "telling a story" in order to connect with a specific audience that might be interested in your home, and how agents can continue to keep you in love your house, even after the sale.

This week, we're looking into the real reason real estate is more expensive in California. It's the weather, right? But it turns out the answer is much more complicated than that. While the sun and celebrity lifestyle might be the main reasons people come to West Coast, they instead find high housing prices created by over regulation, hypocrisy, and a general philosophy of NIMBYism (Not In My Back Yard). We discuss how all these contribute to our drastic housing shortage and what can be done about it.

In this episode, we're talking to termite specialist, Alionso Angel of Two Guys Termite in Burbank, CA. He takes us through a step-by-step walk through the average termite inspection.. He then discusses what he considered to be the priorities that should be fixed compared to those that aren't as serious. Ron then chimes in on how a termite inspection can affect a loan closing. We then go into tenting and how termite issues are remedied. We close up discussing the worst nightmare he's seen in his career.

It's another look at the year with part two of our "Best Of 2017" episode. We start off talking negotiation and how Tom was taught to haggle by his wife -- and how he applies this in his real estate career. After that, it's part of our interview with David Duley, a serial real estate investor, about the current real estate market. And then, it's Eric Petz, a specialist in distressed properties. And we round it all up with my wife, Julie Clary, about estate plans and how important they are to real estate.

It was the first year of the podcast, so we thought it would be fun to start off by going back to our first episode and hear how it all began. We follow that with a great clip from CPAs extraordinaire, Steve Landsman and Vahan Papyan, about how freelancers can overcome obstacles to buy a home. Next up, a segment from one of our most popular episodes with Ian Mayer of IM Home Inspections talking about what to look for when hiring an inspector. And then a final rant from me about how to avoid helplessness.

The pressure is intense. You went to an open house and gave all your personal information on the sign in sheet. Since then, you've been inundated by endless emails -- and potentially -- unsolicited phone calls. This is a situation all too common in the real estate industry. We'll go through the ways real estate agents "trap" your information and put you into their marketing campaigns, harassing you until you cry for mercy. We'll show you how to avoid this mess and choose a real estate agent you can trust.

Tom is getting the same question over and over - "Should I buy a house now? Or, should I wait?" He likes to hear folks be cautious when buying a home, but facts have come to light regarding the real estate market that may mean waiting is not the best choice for them. Inventory is at critical levels (meaning prices will continue to rise) and interest rates will go up. These mean that buying a house will soon be even more expensive to do. Buying a house sooner rather than later might be a better strategy.

It's the holiday season, so we're giving out tips about how you can discuss the real estate market with your family around the Christmas buffet. We know that Aunt Beatrice has heard on the news that it's a terrible time to buy a house and Uncle Bernie is saying "Bah-Humbug," telling you we're in a bubble and it's about to burst -- so, we thought it would be helpful to arm you with all the facts and strategies so you can hold your ground when you tell everyone you're looking to buy a home.

We're back and we've got lots of news to talk about. First, we discuss how the National Association of Realtors is finding new ways and options to help buyers save up their down payment. Then, we discuss how Millennials are coming off the bench and buying homes, leaving large scale landlords like Blackstone, who had made big bets in rentals, in the lurch. Then, we talk about the use of augmented reality in real estate and how some folks are building their entire homes around one piece of art.

 In this episode, we're helping out with your move! Maybe not in the "heavy lifting" in exchange for cold pizza kind of way, but with lots of great advice from moving expert, Ted Cotter of Inside Moves Relocation Services, Inc.. Ted has amassed an incredible amount of knowledge and expertise when it comes down to the moving process with his over 30 years of working in the field. We discuss the process of training movers, how to protect your belongings, and the biggest mistakes people make when they move. 

In this episode, we take a closer look at one of the most important facets of the real estate transaction - communication. Deals can fall apart if not enough attention is made to keep everyone talking. We focus on the topic of communication by breaking it down into the three main stages of the transaction: before the offer (How do you want to be spoken to as a client?), during the escrow (Are both parties talking to each other?), and after the deal closes (Do you want to stay in touch with your agent?).

It's time for a very special Halloween episode of The Clarified Realty Podcast. First up, we discuss word that real estate will appreciate at a slower level next year in California (Tom disagrees). Then, a study says there might be a correlation between crime and rent control. In extra scary news, Ron brings up the possibility of the new Trump tax plan gutting the mortgage interest deduction. Finally, we cover a spine-tingling survey done to see what it would take for someone to buy a haunted house. BOO!

We're talking with Geoff Jaime of GT Investments about how he started buying apartments buildings and managing them. He talks to us about his first multi-family property purchase and how he made that move after some good advice from his landlord. He then discusses what potential investors should look for when they are going to buy properties and what they have in store for them as they manage their purchase. We also discuss the pros (and mostly) cons of rent control. It's a very interesting conversation!

Ron and Tom start start with The Fed and will it be increasing rates by the end of this year and how that could affect the real estate market. They then discuss Blackstone's big bet the American Dream is dying, evidenced by their purchase of thousands of single-family homes to rent out. The conversation then moves towards the re-emergence of appraisal free loans and how that could mean transactions takes less time. Then things take a "Minority Report" turn with new real estate A.I. backed by Kobe Bryant.

This episode couldn't be more timely. We talk to Mark Trachtenberg, an investigator with the U.S. Postal Service about the recent Equifax security breach and how that can affect homeowners. Mark has been chasing down con-men and ponzi-schemers for almost a decade and has some very good insight. He also tells us about the latest scams, who are the most vulnerable when it comes to getting scammed, and what to look for so don't get taken in the first place (hint: if it's too good to be true -- it probably is).

They've been maligned and misunderstood, but home equity sharing programs may just be a helpful way that buyers can either provide more of a down payment to potentially get more house or even keep their monthly payments lower. In this episode we're talking to Michael Micheletti and Lara Watson of Unison Home Ownership Investors about how their company provides these programs to potential home buyers and home owners (for improvements), how the perception of these programs is changing, and how the programs can help homebuyers and homeowners in very specific ways. We start off with with the mechanics of their programs and what it entails. In short, Unison will double your down payment (up to a certain amount). In return, when you go to sell, they will share in the appreciation that your home has experienced (not full equity of your home) over the time you have had it. If you wish, you can also buy yourself out early for a lesser amount. Michael and Lara then discuss the rough road to acceptance of these programs and how most people above a certain generation are very hesitant to be involved in anything that "takes away their piece." Tom talks with them about how it will take interfacing with the parents of the potential customers in order to help make the transition happen. The conversation also turns to very specific ways that the Unison programs can be of assistance. The big one that changed Tom's mind was realizing that many people who want to move into specific school districts -- but can't traditionally afford the homes there -- could potentially now be able to afford a home in the area and, thus, save a small fortune by not having to send their kids to private schools. This was a game changer in his mind and started him thinking on other ways that Unison and their programs could help. This is a really fascinating episode with some very interesting ideas for using Home Equity Sharing as a process to get more millennials introduced to the housing market. Great conversation!

This episode is blazing white hot with the energy of the sun! We're talking to Steve Hochman, the owner of Solarhawk Renewable Solutions. He starts off by letting us know what inspired him to turn from a life as a producer in the entertainment industry into working to bring more environmentally friendly energy solutions to the public. He explains to us the importance of renewable energy and how just one day of sun, when harnessed, can power the world for a very, very long time. We then discuss how the public is starting to embrace renewables like solar -- and what can be done to make even more see the reason that it is the wave of future. We then discuss how various organizations, like the military, are incorporating solar into their energy solutions and saving tons of money by doing it. We then finish up by going into the economics of getting solar installed on a house -- and how it can pay for itself over time. By the end of this episode, we were all impressed by the passion that Steve showed for what he does and how this is more than just a job to him -- it's a movement. We hope you give it a listen and tell us what you think!

This week on The Clarified Realty Podcast — we were supposed to talk about news stories, but we got a rant instead! Tom starts off the podcast with a story about a phone call with a real estate agent that goes from bad to worse when, even though he admittedly called the wrong number, the agent treats him like a three-year old and spends the rest of the conversation making Tom feel like crap. Tom tells the story in order to give fair warning to homes sellers out there that the agent answering their phone is the first line of defense when it comes to customer service. If a buyer's agent is not treated nicely, or with respect, it could really cool the agent's enthusiasm for working with you. We follow that story up by discussing some of Ron's tough transactions working with an agent that is less that cooperative. He tells a couple of stories about how he's been able to keep deals on track, even though the agent on the other side is being difficult or downright uncooperative. Tom then tells a story of another agent that was playing games during one of his current transactions. He gives us examples about why that doesn't work to the seller's advantage in the long run — and could have ruined a very sweet deal. When you have a golden opportunity in your hand, don't let the get away because of greed. Recognize the sure thing and grab it with both hands. The unknown of having to start the deal fresh with someone new is never worth it. And then, just when things couldn't get any worse, Tom goes into a story about a Realtor he saw in the checkout line at his grocery store. The poor checker off-handedly mentioned to him that someone she knows was looking for a house — and they guy just couldn't help but give the her the hard sell. Tom talks about his disgust agents like this and his overall condition of the industry and how guys like this make all agents have a bad name. When the guys are able to get to the news, Ron tells us about how Blackstone, one of the biggest landlords in the country has merged with another company, Starwood Waypoint Homes, to become the biggest landlord in the country. They believe there is a movement of millennials away from buying homes and they are making a big bet on it. So, what are millennials spending their money on if not real estate? Apparently, bachelor parties. For an episode that was supposed to be news, there sure was a lot of rant in there! But it's a really fun listen! We hope you enjoy it — and please leave your comments below or leave us a review on iTunes!

In this episode, it's a recast of an awesome Facebook Live of The Clarified Realty Happy Hour we did at the Wework in Burbank, CA. The focus of this episode is on freelancers and people who go from gig-to-gig. How do they make it work for themselves so that they can last until the next job or show? We were lucky enough to have John Ales, an amazing actor from  Bosch (Amazon) Sex, Drugs, & Rock and Roll (FX) and countless other movies and TV shows discuss his life and what he focuses on each day to keep his career on track. We cover such topics as second or third jobs, working on your craft for 40 or more hours a week, and when you should or shouldn't say "no" to a non-paid opportunity. It's a fascinating conversation and he takes us behind the curtain of what it takes to be a "working actor" in the entertainment industry. We then talk to Vahan Papyan, CPA and owner of Papyan Accountancy Corporation, who specializes in working with freelancers. He guides sole proprietors, self-employed individuals, and freelancers into how they can maximize their deductions, while at the same time preparing for large purchases (like real estate). He speaks about the pros and cons of becoming incorporated and gives us advice about the best ways to go about implementing a strong tax strategy. It's a fantastic episode and we really think there is a some amazing content for everyone to hear. Please note that there is a little bit of an audio problem with the microphones, but we felt that what went down in the discussion was incredibly valuable and worth listening to. And we hope that you will join us at our next Happy Hour! "Like" our Facebook page and we will keep you in the loop!

In this episode of the podcast, Tom and Ron are talking about the latest and greatest in Real Estate news. There's a lot of interesting ground to cover this week, so they dive right in. They start off the episode by taking on the topic of home buyer's remorse. A recent survey from Trulia found that almost half of Americans have suffered some sort of buyers remorse when they purchased their home -- though not the type of remorse you would expect. They actually wish they had bought a larger home! On top of that, most renters say they are remorseful that they haven't bought at all. Tom talks about how to look at the big picture when home shopping and trying to find larger homes by expanding your search -- not necessarily by spending more money. Up next, Ron tells Tom about an article from the New York Times reporting on the worsening housing crisis here in California. We discuss the different ways governments are trying to alleviate the problem (Property Tax Initiatives, Zoning De-Regulation), while also going into how there is a growing YIMBY (Yes In My Backyard) movement trying to get the developments happening where we need them most. It's a fascinating conversation about how residents of certain areas actually do themselves a disservice by not allowing growth. When it gets to be too late -- they are out of control of the process and could have had more of a say along the way. Next up, we talk about a new trend in home burglars where they are casing their hits virtually through home listing photos left on Zillow. We discuss the dangers of leaving your listing photos online and not taking them down after the sale. And speaking of home break-ins, we talk about Ryan Lewis (the other guy who isn't Macklemore) selling his 7 million dollar estate with the help of a video where a friend/musician pretends to break in and take a tour. We discuss what it takes to market your home with an original and clever video like this -- and the potential ways it could actually work against you if you're not careful. It's an awesome news-packed episode and we hope you'll listen and enjoy!

You may have never heard of them -- and there might be a very good reason for that. Most Real Estate Agents don't want you to think that they exist -- but the Transaction Coordinator is the unsung hero of the Real Estate Industry. On this episode, we interview Lauren Senecal, a Transaction Coordinator and owner of TC Advantage here in Southern California and we find out a lot about what happens behind the scenes when you are buying or selling a home that you may have never have even guessed. We begin by speaking to Lauren about how she started in the industry and what has brought her to opening her own TC (that's what they're known as in the biz) company -- TC Advantage. We then talk about her day-to-day duties and how she assists agents with the process of buying or selling a house from beginning to end, making sure that deadlines are hit, the proper forms are filled out by the right people, and making sure the entire process stays organized. We then talk about the various reasons why agents prefer to keep Transaction Coordinators a secret in order to create the illusion that they do everything from beginning to end. Lauren also talks about the things that she thinks makes transactions run smoothly and how she would change the process if she could. We also talk about various horror stories she's seen and how they could have been avoided beforehand. It's another very interesting episode and we're so glad that Lauren could stop by to show us her wealth of knowledge and expertise. Please listen and give us comments below! We'd love to hear what you think and to know what we can do better. Also, if you have any ideas for future episodes, please let us know! 

Well, we've got an extra special guest on today's podcast and we just couldn't be happier. This week we're talking to an incredible woman, an accomplished Estate Planning Attorney, and -- oh, yeah -- she just so happens to be our intrepid host's wonderful wife, Julie Clary! This week's episode is incredibly informative and lots of fun, too! Ron starts us off by stopping everything and bringing us back to one of Tom's earlier episodes and rants about negotiation. He asks Julie if it was true that Tom had learned how to negotiate from Julie during their trip to purchase his wedding ring in the Los Angeles jewelry district. Julie confirms the story and also gives some incredibly useful advice on how to negotiate and never pay full price if you have to! Julie and Tom also discuss how important it is not to show how much you may love a house (you lose all the leverage in the deal) and how you should not get emotionally invested right away in your potential new home (you may have to walk away from the deal). A bit off on a tangent -- but incredibly useful information when it comes to purchasing a new home. Afterwards, we get into the main reason for Julie's visit -- to discuss estate planning, wills, trusts and how someone can help their heirs avoid the mess of the probate courts. She tells us how the process works when done correctly, what "no contest" clauses are for, and how to potentially avoid issues with family members that may want more than their share. We also have a great conversation about what someone should look for when choosing an Estate Planning Attorney that will make sure their trust is "tailor made" for their specific situation and that their wishes are taken care of after they pass. Julie really is an incredible attorney and this conversation is full of fun and great advice. We're really excited to have her as a guest and we hope that everyone will give this episode a listen and tell us what you think! 

It's the day after July 4th and we're back with a BANG! (Get it? A BANG? You know? Fireworks? Oh, nevermind...) When we first started The Clarified Realty Podcast, we promised that we would be learning right alongside all of you. This episode is definitely no exception. We're talking with Cheryl Courtney of Polycomp Administrative Services who has over 20 years of retirement planning experience. Cheryl starts off by talking to us about her role as a Third Party Administrator and what that has to do with Real Estate in general. She explains to us how someone can own Real Estate as part of a retirement account and what other financial vehicles can be used to house Real Estate investments. She gives an introduction to REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts), which are a lot like mutual funds for properties -- as well as what their pros and cons can be. We talk briefly about how someone can borrow (briefly) from their 401K in order to purchase a home and we wrap up with a discussion about how business owners who are used to spending all their money to re-invest in their companies can structure their 401k plans to put away large sums of retirement in a shorter period time when they need to. I'm not ashamed to admit that I learned a lot during this episode and I'm pretty certain that if I did -- you will, too. Please give it a listen and let us know what you thought. And, as always, we'd always appreciate if you'd take a moment and give us a review on iTunes!

The news is back! After we had such a great response from our last "All News" episode, we thought that we'd do another one. This episode is chock full of interesting real estate news and views.  We start off with a conversation regarding whether or not foreign buyers are the cause of the lack of inventory we are now seeing in the market. Turns out -- not so much... Even if the source telling us has a very silly name and Tom doesn't completely trust it, either (I mean, "BuzzBuzz?" -- c'mon!). It does appear that buyers from other countries are not grabbing up properties like they used to and Tom gives reasons why this is no surprise to him at all. Next up is a story regarding the news that the Fed's Robert Kaplan is sticking to his forecast that there will be two more rate hikes in the coming year, which leads to a conversation about Fannie Mae relaxing its regulations on potential buyers that carry student debt. Both Tom and Ron are optimistic about the move and hope that it is a shot in the arm to get Millenials off the bench and into the game. And last, but not least, we take a trip into Margaritaville! Everyone's favorite "parrot head," Jimmy Buffett is expanding his empire to include developing a retirement community for baby boomers. We take a look at the project and how he has found ways to appeal to this generation throughout his career -- all from just a catchy tune and a whole lot of really smart entrepreneurism. We hope that you enjoy this episode as much as we did making it. Please, please, please... Leave comments below to let us know what you think! And we'd be so grateful if you'd take a moment and leave a review on iTunes, too!

This episode is a real fascinating one, delving into an aspect of real estate that few ever see. Have you ever wondered how real estate developments start? How a city or county agrees to allow a building to be built in the first place? Well, we're talking to one today -- Ben Rocca of Rocca Development Group. In a nutshell, he works with developers and the local governments to expedite projects and keep everything running on schedule. Whether it's getting permits or doing due diligence, he makes sure that any bureaucratic blocks are taken care of in order to make sure a project completes.  His process is very interesting and he takes us through what he does during a project from beginning to end. We also discuss how neighborhoods interface with new projects -- how initial resistance can be overcome and developments are eventually accepted. This is a really interesting episode and I hope you guys like it! Please let us know what you think in the comments!

In this episode, we are giving tips on how to get your offer accepted in this crazy seller's market. Whether it's making sure you're completely approved by your lender BEFORE making your offer, shopping below your top price, or finding out things (other than cash) that the seller might want... There are lots of way to give you more an advantage as you go up against the multiple offers and deals that are cash. Ron and Tom give 10 solid ideas for shaking up your home search and keep you from getting frustrated at every turn. Buying a home in a seller's market may be a lot of work, but it doesn't need to be painful or scary, either!

Welcome back! In this episode of the podcast, we're taking a look at an often-times misunderstood aspect of the real estate transaction: Title Insurance. To start off though, Ron and Tom discuss the news of the day -- a story regarding the CEO of Redfin being "freaked out" by the lack of inventory out in the market. They discuss why inventory is such a growing problem and why Redfin is ill-prepared to deal with it. They then bring in their guests, Marisa Azra and Tony Taranto of Chicago Title Company, who take us through the process and explain what exactly title is. At its most basic, it means "Do the people who are selling me their home -- actually own it?" Tony and Marisa explain that title insurance is insurance that protects a homeowner should anyone come along later and claim that they have a right to the property. We then chat about how the process has changed through the years through the incorporation of technology. We then talk about the several types of Title Insurance and how each one affects/protects each type of transaction. The conversation then moves into potential problems that can happen in title and how they can be resolved (Quiet Title Action). We then wrap up with a conversation about the worst "horror stories" they've seen in their experience. It's an incredibly fascinating and educational episode -- and pretty fun, too! We hope everyone enjoys it and leaves lots of comments below! 

We've reached Episode #025 of the Clarified Realty Podcast and we're trying something a little new! This week Tom And Ron are taking a look at some of the latest news stories having to do with Real Estate. The first news item they discuss is how home values, contrary to current popular opinion, still have not risen to meet what they were prior to the crash. For some areas, there is still a very long way to go. This also appears to have less to do with the quantity of jobs and more to do with the level of wages. Cities with higher wage jobs are also doing better when it comes to the values of their homes. Also, in a related story, Redfin is claiming that buyer demand is down. We dissect this idea and find that the headline is a bit misleading. We use this as a cautionary tale to show people that you shouldn't always make decisions without having all the information first, as well as a more complete understanding of the big picture. The second news story is regarding a lawsuit against Zillow and their “Zestimate.” A homeowner is having a difficult time getting the price she deserves for her home because the Zillow's estimate is erroneously including homes from a cheaper area as comps. We discuss how even Zillow admits that they estimates are inaccurate and not to be relied upon. The next item is really a combination of two stories. Ron brings up a survey that was done to gauge different generations' knowledge of basic financial terms (like 401k, CDs, HELOCS). Tom is discourage to hear that the numbers are not adding up to what you would hope them to be. This brings up another article regarding a new mortgage website called “Morty” that allows buyers to be more involved in the process. Tom brings up the question — if most people “don't know what they don't know,” should they really be trying to do the job traditionally done by an expert? While both Tom and Ron are firm believers in educating their clients, at some point a line can get crossed and the client is actually hurting themself more than helping. And lastly, we talk about the new 100 million dollar listing here in Los Angeles… Opus. The agent has made news recently because he is using naked women in his marketing video for the property. While Tom has no objections philosophically about this… He does think the video sucks and also sabotages the message that the agent really should be trying to communicate. It's a great episode with lots of fun and interesting topics. We hope you enjoy listening and that you'll leave us some comments or give us a review on iTunes. We'd be forever grateful!

It's Episode 24 of The Clarified Realty Podcast and Tom and Ron hit the ground running with a discussion about the difficulty companies in Los Angeles are having hiring employees due to the high cost of housing here. They discuss various ways that governments can help -- by changing zoning laws so that more inventory can be built, bringing prices down. They then bring in their guest, Brian Darling. Brian is a business manager and owner of Darling Business Management. We start off with a conversation about how someone finds that they need a business manager and how he gets to know the idiosyncrasies of each of his clients. He then talks to us about his role he takes with his clients when they tell him that they wish to purchase a house. We then discuss how working with artists and creative people is completely different that working with others -- and how they very often want others to deal with the details of their business. We finish up by talking about Brian's work with the LGBT community and if he approaches his work with them any differently. This is another really interesting episode and we hope that you'll give it a listen and tell us what you think in the comments. And if you like what you've heard, we'd really appreciate it if you could take a moment and review it on iTunes!    

In this episode of The Clarified Realty Podcast, Tom is taking a deep look into the sparse inventory out in the real estate market right now and how buyers need to embrace the "Hunter Mentality" for finding a home. When fewer and fewer homes and condos are for sale in your price point an entirely different strategy is needed. Right now is an optimal time to purchase a home; prices are still rising and interest rates are going to rise soon, too. That means that waiting on the sidelines will only make buying a house more expensive the longer you wait.   Tom starts off by discussing how the market got this way in the first place and what it would take to get more supply to open up and provide more opportunities for those who want to enter the market. In all likelihood, the market will remain in this condition for some time, so there are some key things that buyers can do to make things a bit easier on themselves. They are: - Actually go and see as many places as you can in-person. - Make sure to pick an agent that is ok with seeing more places. - Be ok with only putting down 3%. - Don't fall in love with a house until it closes. - Don't get tricky with your offers. - Have the right strategy for bidding wars. - Lowered expectations are a bonus. - No whiners. All of these strategies will help someone not only survive a tough real estate market -- but maybe even enjoy it, as well! If you're thinking that you are in the going to be buying in the next 6 to 12 months, you definitely need to give this episode a listen. We hope you enjoy it! Please leave us a comment and let us know how you liked it!

On this week's Clarified Realty Podcast, we're taking a trip into territory that's a little less traveled -- Vacant Land. When people talk about real estate, they're usually thinking mostly about purchasing or selling a pre-existing, pre-owned, pre-built single-family residence or condo. But, it doesn't have to be that way. There's another option -- buying land and building your own. But as our guest for this week, Zack King, will tell you, it's definitely not always that easy. Zack is a rock star when it comes to representing buyers or sellers of vacant land and he is an expert of determining whether or not building your "dream home" from scratch is really a viable option in the first place. We start off by discussing an interesting fact -- that only 30 years ago, 1 in 3 houses were owner built. We talk about what type of atmosphere could have possibly led to such a change in attitudes in the market since then and how realistic it is for someone to build their own house on land that they purchase. We talk about challenges that need to be overcome, like zoning, easements, and getting utilities to the property (spoiler: there's only one utility that is the most difficult, but, unfortunately, that's the one you most need to live). We also go over the types of inspections that a potential buyer should need to have done (soil, perc, etc.) and how they impact whether or not the land is buildable in the first place. We then talk about how developers are primarily the main purchasers of vacant land and what they seem to be building these days. We then wrap up with a conversation with both Ron and Zack about how lenders deal differently with vacant land compared to homes. It's a really fascinating episode and definitely off the beaten track! I really hope you'll give it a listen and tell us what you think in the comments! 

So you say you really want to buy a foreclosure -- or a short sale -- but do you really know that that means? In this episode, we take the topic of buying distressed properties head-on and reveal the reality (and oftentimes... futility) of making one of these transactions. Our guest today is Eric Petz, a long-time, incredibly successful short sale negotiator. He takes us step-by-step through the terminology of distressed properties (Notice of Defaults, Trustee Sales) and tells us how each of these apply to the foreclosure process. We then take a short side-trip to the courthouse steps where he let's us know how developers and investors make sure you never come back to future auctions by, believe it or not, helping you win your bid -- but making sure you lose a whole lot more. They want to make sure you not only lose your appetite for foreclosures, but that you never, ever want to pull your chair up to the table for a meal again. The topic then turns to the multitude of people that approach Eric and Tom about "buying a foreclosure" without ever considering how that's a next-to-impossible thing to do. Just because someone has missed a few payments and the home has received a Notice Of Default, they almost never have any desire to sell -- and that's what you really need to get the home in the end. We then talk with Eric about the best strategy for buying a short-sale. Eric let's us know that there are two things that his all balances on -- close ability of the buyer and how much the listing agent is going to make from the deal. He discusses a couple of strategies for maximizing these priorities and potentially getting the job done. We then close up with a conversation about how to figure out purchase price for the short sale -- here's a hint, it ain't full price.. Eric has so much experience and success in this field that every bit of advice is like a masterclass in how to buy a short sale. For anyone who has ever thought about investing in real estate — or just about how to purchase a short sale, this episode is a definite must listen! Please let us know what you think of it in the comments! If you'd like to talk to Eric, drop us a line on our Contact Page and we'll get him in touch with you.

Instead of our usual episode this week, we're telling you a little bit about something else special we're doing -- The Clarified Realty Podcast Happy Hour! That's right, tomorrow, April 6th, we're taking our show on the road and we're going to be on Facebook Live! This month, it will be two of our previous guests -- Tim Denton and Zack Schneiderman. We're also being joined by the hysterical comedian, Daniel Weingarten, who is going to give the millennial POV on home ownership. It's going to be an amazing time and we hope you join us either on Facebook or -- in person! That's right you can be there and watch it all go down in person! If you're interested, just leave a comment below and we'll in touch with the details. Have a beer, have some laughs and get your weekend started with us! You know, as they always say, Thursday is the new Friday! 

We've reached episode 20 -- and we've got a special treat for you. Today our guest is David Duley, the co-host of The Controversial Truth Podcast and author of the book, "I Can Fix America: 52 common sense ways YOU can make the United States great again." Not only is David a serial entrepreneur, inventor, and businessman, but he is also a very successful real estate investor. On this episode, David takes us through how he got started investing in real estate, how he overcomes the "fear" of being a Landlord, and the economics of buying rental property in today's market. He has incredible advice for anyone just getting into buying their first rental and a fantastic strategy for how take advantage of the next down market. It's an episode chock-full with great information and advice. Please let us know what you think in the comments!

This week on the podcast, we tackle the tough subject of bankruptcy. When should you declare Bankruptcy? What are the different types of bankruptcy? And more importantly with regards to real estate -- if I declare bankruptcy, will I be able to keep my house. Our guest, is Daren Schlecter, a real-estate attorney with a specific focus on helping clients going through this incredibly stressful time. He starts off by letting us know about what can be done to possibly avoid declaring bankruptcy in the first place (re-organizing your debts, negotiating with your creditors on your own). We then go over the various types of "Chapters" in bankruptcy law, discussing what each one means, what they cover, and what potential impact they have on a homeowner. We then move on to -- moving on. If you do need to declare bankruptcy, how long is it before you can buy another home? It turns out, it may not be as long as you think! Ron covers the timeframes that lenders make you wait before they will loan to you again, and you'll be surprised by how short that time actually is. We also talk about the "stigma" of declaring bankruptcy, how to deal with it, and more importantly, how to get up off your couch and get on with your life.  If you are going through a tough time financially and you're not sure what might be your next move -- this podcast has lot's of great information for you and advice.  We hope you'll give it a listen -- and please leave comments and reviews!

In this episode, we cover several ways that Real Estate Agents trick and trap their clients into making the choices that are beneficial to them. They either get more commission or they spend less on marketing your property. Either way, potential buyers and sellers need to educate themselves and be aware of how cherry picking comps, bait-and-switches, and misleading marketing promises can hurt them and their bottom line. Please give it a listen and leave your comments below! We'd love to hear what you have to say!

You know that you've wanted to buy a home or condo for a while now, so the real question you need to ask yourself is, "What the hell are you waiting for?" For the very near future, it looks like prices are only going to go up and mortgage prices are rising... Buying a house is only getting more expensive. So, why haven't you even made a single phone call? Why haven't you spoken to a financial planner or a lender about the reality of whether or not you can make a purchase? In this episode, Tom takes a look at some of the fears that keep most people on the sidelines. The first thing up is the factor of "Unrealistic Expectations" and how that can ruin a home search before it even begins. Second, is the idea that potential buyers think the "sacrifices" they need to make will be too much, that suffering won't be worth what they will get in return. Tom also covers the idea of what he believes to be the reason most millennials are as staying out of the market -- an irrational fear of another crash. They witnessed many other people lose their homes -- what kind of psychological damage has this done to this generation? And lastly, Tom covers what part negative peer pressure, from both family and friends, has on potential home buyers -- and what can be done to overcome it. It's another great episode! Please let us know what you think!

On this episode of The Clarified Realty Podcast, number 016, we've got an incredible guest -- Interior Designer and Real Estate Stager, Pamela Sandall. She's got an lots of great advice and tips for how to stage your home in order to help get it sold. But before we start, Tom and Ron have a conversation about a new loan product that could shake up the industry. Unison, is an investment company that is providing matching funds for down payments for potential home buyers. Some of the benefits of such a program is that by helping to get a 20% down payment (10% from you, 10% from them), a home buyer avoids the necessity of mortgage insurance. This can either reduce the monthly payment -- or give them more buying power to purchase more house. In return, Unison ask for repayment and a percentage of the home's appreciation over a certain period of time. Tom and Ron go into the details, but it is an interesting new option for folks thinking about entering the market. We then bring in Pamela, who let's us know how she got started in Interior Design (hint: it started with a Barbie and a dream). She then tells us how she approaches each home that she stages and how her process is different that most home stagers. We then go into detail about how she and Tom "Tell The Story" of the home (see episode 012 for more detail) and how, room by room, you can make small changes to remove any question marks from buyer's minds and, hopefully, get more money for your home. This is a great episode and we can't wait to hear what you think about it. Please leave comments!

In this episode, we are taking a much closer, fascinating look at home insurance and the way that you can protect your home should disaster strike. But first, as usual, we start off with a little bit of news. Tom and Ron talk about a survey regarding the lack of knowledge most buyers have regarding closing costs -- and Tom reads them the riot act. We then move into a study about cats, dogs, and family pets done by the National Board of Realtors that seems to get Tom a lot more worked up than what the subject would suggest. We then bring in our guest Zachary Schneiderman of The Schneiderman Insurance Agency. As Tom says, "Zach is a wizard of all things having to do with insurance" and he doesn't disappoint. We go over the types of insurance that you can get, but more importantly, we talk about what kind of insurance agents would get for themselves. We discuss how to find a good agent in the first place and what major items a policy should cover. We then go a little deeper with a talk about umbrella policies (are they needed and what do they cover?), earthquake insurance, condo insurance, and even inspections that can be done AFTER you buy your house. This conversation has lots of interesting new information about home insurance that you may have never considered. If you are a potential buyer and looking to buy a house soon, we highly recommend giving this podcast a listen.