Pat and Andres kick things off with a little Bon Jovi and a lot of life updates, then slide into a sharp mix of real-estate headlines before tackling a big one: why first-time buyers can’t find true “starter homes” anymore, and what might bring them back.

Hot Finds – [00:12:18]

Pat’s pick: a new series he and Jenny are hooked on, The Lowdown (Ethan Hawke), “cool, edgy, and weird” in all the right ways.

Andres’ find: a tequila-in-a-lime shot setup he spotted: a carved lime as the shot glass, salt + chili on top, squeeze as you sip. He hasn’t tried it yet, but it’s too clever not to share.

Plus: the guys shout out Fidelity National Title for supporting the pod.

Rip From the Headlines – [00:22:48]

Gov’t shutdown → mortgage rates: short-term impact looks small, but missing economic data could make rates jumpy.

NFIP lapse: closings that normally require flood insurance may proceed without policies during the shutdown, great for speed, risky for homeowners in storm season.

Escrow scandal: a Massachusetts broker allegedly diverted $11.6M in client funds; Pat breaks down why co-mingling escrow is a hard no and how reputable firms avoid it.

Real-estate dynasty drama: America’s richest property tycoon publicly distances himself from his son amid a luxury “man cave” club fiasco.

Main Topic – [00:46:04]
The Death and Hopeful Rebirth of the American Starter Home
What changed from the “small lot, simple finishes” days? Pat walks through land costs, zoning minimums, construction inflation, and buyer expectations (“granite and open-concept” at entry-level prices). Then the path back: ADU/duplex-friendly zoning, smarter small-footprint builds, and first-time buyer programs that actually open the door.

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