Real Estate Today

Why do you still need a real estate professional in the age of AI? You could lose thousands of dollars on the biggest transaction of your life — and not even know it until it's too late. In this episode, we pull back the curtain on everything buyers and sellers get wrong: why AI-generated comps can be dangerously misleading, why interviewing just one agent leaves you flying blind, and why the moment you go under contract is actually when you need an expert the most. Two real estate professionals break down the difference between a real estate agent and a REALTOR®, what those letters after an agent's name really mean, and why choosing the lowest fee could be a costly mistake. Plus: buyer representation agreements, listing agreements, new construction traps, FSBO pitfalls, and why the smartest move you can make is contacting an agent earlier than you think.  Joining host Melissa Tracy are Chris Garrett, 2026 president of Tennessee REALTORS® and broker/co-owner at Weichert Realtor, The Andrews Group, and Jim Gruler, Phoenix-based broker and co-founder of Seeking Agents

This week on Real Estate Today, we're exploring the spooky side of real estate, from creepy home discoveries and home inspection nightmares to scary mortgage rates and high home prices. Hear 10 of the wildest real estate listing stories, including bats in the attic, a home sliding down a hill and a shocking discovery hiding behind a wall. Plus, we dig into the housing market headlines haunting today's homebuyers and the unexpected surprises that can turn a dream home into a nightmare. Joining us this week is Jake Krimmel, senior economist at Realtor.com®, and Jesse Durham, home inspector at Pillar To Post in Dallas, Texas.

The home buyer wish list is getting a makeover. This week on Real Estate Today, we explore the home features today's buyers want most, from flexible living and entertaining spaces to outdoor areas designed for relaxing and gathering. Discover why buyers are putting a bigger premium on outdoor living, how wellness trends such as saunas and meditation spaces are making their way into homes, and which outdoor improvement sellers should consider to help catch buyers' attention. Guests include Shelton Wilder, CEO and lead agent of the Shelton Wilder Group in Los Angeles, and Ginger Wilcox, global president of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate.

Home equity can be one of the biggest financial benefits of homeownership, but what should you do once you've built it? This week on Real Estate Today, we explore how homeowners can estimate their home equity, decide whether to leverage it or let it grow, and make improvements and upgrades that could help build more equity over time. Learn which types of homes tend to appreciate the most, common misconceptions about home equity and whether paying off your mortgage as quickly as possible is always the smartest financial strategy. Guests include Michael Perna, REALTOR® and CEO of The Michael Perna Team in Detroit, Michigan, and Jack Mullen, private wealth advisor at Merrill Lynch in Chicago.

Hidden homeownership costs can catch you by surprise if you're not prepared. This week on the 900th episode of Real Estate Today, we look at common homeownership expenses that buyers should prepare for. Melissa Bailey, sales team lead at Real Broker in Phoenix, AZ., and Shane Brady, agent at Keller Williams in Boston, MA. discuss the true impact of rising insurance costs, how home inspections can flag potential maintenance issues, and the future expenses to look out for when buying a home.

Building wealth through real estate starts with making smart decisions. This week on Real Estate Today, we explore how homeowners and investors can make their properties work harder for them and build long-term value. Learn which property characteristics can boost value, what can hurt an investment, what to look for in a property with long-term potential and the biggest mistakes first-time rental property investors should avoid. Guests include Jonathan Greene, real estate investor and host of the podcast "Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing," and Lisa Patterson, REALTOR® in Charleston, S.C.

A fixer-upper can look like a money pit, but with the right vision, it could become a hidden gem. This week on Real Estate Today, we explore how to turn overlooked and neglected homes into standout properties, from identifying renovation potential to deciding which rooms to tackle first. Discover how to modernize a home while preserving its original character, which renovations can make the biggest impact and how to approach a property transformation with confidence. Guests include Konya Hendricks Shuh, REALTOR® with CENTURY 21 Affiliated and host of A&E's "Betting on Beloit"; and James Dainard, real estate investor, entrepreneur and host of A&E's "Million Dollar Zombie Flips."

This week on Real Estate Today, we break down how to get your home ready to sell without wasting time or money. Learn which repairs are worth making before you list your home, which renovations you can skip, and the small updates that can have the biggest impact on buyers and help your home sell faster and for the best possible price. We also discuss a practical home-selling checklist, reveal the behind-the-scenes work a great REALTOR® does to help sell a home, and discuss the warning signs every homeowner should know before putting their property on the market. Guests include Alexis Scott, a REALTOR® from Tennessee, and Vanessa Van Holland, restoration expert and co-owner of Restoration 1. 

This week on Real Estate Today, we answer one of today's biggest homebuying questions: Is now the right time to buy new construction? From builder incentives to inspections, we break down what buyers need to know before signing on the dotted line. Discover the advantages and disadvantages of buying a newly built home versus an existing one, whether every new-construction home should be inspected, the smartest upgrades to invest in, and which room is worth splurging on. Plus, learn why working with a REALTOR® can make all the difference when buying directly from a builder and how to navigate the new-construction process with confidence. Guests include Christina Rordam, REALTOR® with Florida Realty Investments, and Selma Hepp, chief economist at Cotality.

Home design is evolving, and today's buyers are looking for more than just beautiful finishes. This week on Real Estate Today, we explore the latest home design trends inside and out, from the features and layouts buyers want most to the curb appeal projects homeowners are tackling this summer. We also examine whether the open floor plan is losing popularity and what today's design preferences could mean for buyers and sellers. Discover the home upgrades making the biggest impact, insights from Thumbtack's 2026 Curb Appeal Report, and the outdoor projects helping homeowners create a lasting first impression. Guests include Christian Perry, homebuilder and REALTOR® with Sotheby's International Realty, and Kendra Sinclair, home trends expert at Thumbtack.