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.