Real Estate Today – Details, episodes & analysis

Spring is one of the hottest times to sell a home, but what does it take to sell quickly and get top dollar in today’s market? Lennox Scott, chairman and CEO of John L. Scott Real Estate, shares strategies for a successful home sale this spring. Then, Tori Toth, REALTOR® and founder of The Stage 2 Sell Strategy, explains how home staging helps attract buyers and boost their sale price. Melissa Dittmann Tracey highlights what paint colors are trending and which to avoid. Lastly, Lawrence Yun, chief economist at the National Association of REALTORS®, breaks down the latest Existing-Home Sales Report and what it means for sellers in the current market.

The 2025 spring real estate market is here, bringing new opportunities for buyers and sellers! First, Lennox Scott, chairman and CEO of John L. Scott Real Estate, shares winning strategies for home buyers to succeed in a competitive market. Then, Elizabeth Renter, senior economist at NerdWallet, brings good news for first-time home buyers based on the latest First-Time Home Buyer Affordability Report. Next, Paul Pastelok, senior meteorologist at AccuWeather, provides a spring weather forecast tailored for real estate, highlighting areas with sunny skies and those likely to face more unpredictable weather. Finally, home design expert Melissa Dittmann Tracey breaks down the latest design trends. Tune in for everything you need to prepare for the 2025 spring market! This week’s episode is sponsored by Opendoor. Serve your clients the simpler way.

Planning to buy a home in 2025? REALTOR® Shad Bogany from Houston, Texas walks us through the homebuying process, from the first consultation to making an offer that will be accepted. Then, Keith Gumbinger with HSH.com shares what to look for in a mortgage, how to qualify for a home loan and what mistakes to avoid. Plus, Rob Chrane with Down Payment Assistance explains why home buyers should explore down payment assistance programs regardless of their income and purchasing power. Also, home design expert Melissa Dittmann Tracey shares if shower rooms and high-contrast spaces are hot or not.

What type of mortgage should you get with the current interest rates? Keith Gumbinger from HSH.com shares how interest rates are impacting the mortgages home buyers are qualifying for and why they may need a 30% increase in income to qualify for the same loan they would have been able to get last year. Las Vegas REALTOR® Linda Rheinberger shares how home buyers can utilize down payment assistance programs, temporary buydowns, or adjustable-rate mortgages to get the house they thought they were shut out of purchasing. Also, Virginia REALTOR® Peter Crouch discusses whether it’s a good idea to pay off that mortgage early. And is a clover lawn HOT or not? What about decks with an orange-tone stain? Melissa Dittmann Tracey lets us know.

Want to know how you can increase the value of your home? Ohio REALTOR® Greg Blatt talks about floors, landscaping, and other home improvement projects that a homeowner can do easily and affordably to get the most value out of their house. Newport, Rhode Island REALTOR® and home appraiser Jamie Moore shares the home appraisal process steps and what an appraiser is looking for so you can make sure your home gets the highest appraisal price. Do you renovate your basement or the space above your garage? Jamie gives her advice. And April is Fair Housing Month; Baltimore, Maryland REALTOR® JoAnne Poole talks fair housing and how far the U.S. has come in ending discrimination in real estate but also tells us just how far we still have to go to make sure every person has equal ability to get a home they can afford. Also, Melissa Dittmann Tracey lets us know which kitchen countertops and finishes are HOT or not?

How can you get started investing in real estate this spring? Louisiana REALTOR® Matt Ritchie explains how to get going despite higher interest rates and how today’s real estate market can be an opportunity. Plus, he defines many of the most important terms that real estate investors need to know. Chicago REALTOR® Dan Wagner explains 1031 like-kind exchanges and how you can use the tax deferral program to build your portfolio. And REALTOR® Luke Worrell from Jacksonville, Illinois tells us about investing in land and he explains what makes ‘good’ land ‘good!’ Also, Melissa Dittmann Tracey shares what’s HOT or not in spring cleaning.

How can first-time buyers achieve homeownership despite low housing inventory and mortgage rates in the sixes? Colorado REALTOR® Natalie Davis shares the steps renters can—and should—take to become homeowners. She also explains why finding a good local lender to walk you through different loan products is so important. Sean Moss of Down Payment Resource takes us through a variety of down payment assistance plans and says why it’s a mistake to assume you don’t qualify for one. Frank Lesh from the American Society of Home Inspectors unveils what home inspectors truly look for during the inspection process and why inspecting the roof and foundation is so critical. Finally, Melissa Dittmann Tracey tells us if huge kitchen islands or vent hoods are HOT or not.

Are you ready to sell your house this spring? NAR Deputy Chief Economist Dr. Jessica Lautz explains why the latest existing-home sales data saw the largest increase since the summer of 2020, what the median home price in the United States is, and if home sellers are once again getting multiple offers for their houses. REALTOR® J. Lennox Scott discusses how home sellers are dealing with higher interest rates and what they need to do to get their homes ready to sell for the best price. And interior designer Karen Post gives tips on how to prepare your home to sell without spending a lot of money. Also, are floor-to-ceiling mirrors on walls and closets or barn doors HOT or not? Melissa Dittmann Tracey lets us know.

Will the spring real estate market be hot or cool for home buyers and sellers? Washington state REALTOR® J. Lennox Scott explains how interest rates and inventory are impacting the real estate market and why potential home buyers should get fully underwritten before they sign a purchase agreement. Alicia Huey, chairman of the board of directors for the National Association of Home Builders, talks new build timelines and how labor challenges and supply issues are impacting the construction of new homes. And Keith Gumbinger of HSH.com shares what higher interest rates for home mortgages mean for you and where we can expect rates to go. Also, Melissa Dittmann Tracey shares if curved furniture with rounded edges or if fast furniture is HOT or Not.

Do you wish you had a new home? Can you improve your home or should you move to a new house? We look into what may be the best option for you. Idaho REALTOR® Chris Pelkola Lee discusses the pros and cons of moving to a new home versus renovating or fixing your current house. NAR Deputy Chief Economist Dr. Jessica Lautz shares what they found in their Home Remodeling Impact Study. What projects do homeowners want, do the improvements warrant the cost, and were people happy with their decision? Elizabeth Renter from NerdWallet shares what they found in their First-Time Home Buyer Metro Affordability Report and why things are getting better for first-time buyers with improved affordability and higher inventory and where they can buy an affordable home. And, Melissa Dittmann Tracey talks about hydro dripping home accessories and if it’s a hot home trend.