Today on Educating Homebuyers, I sit down with Cedar Rapids & Iowa City’s top agent, Alexis Kemp — a powerhouse who has built a $60M+ real estate business in just four years by leading with care, high standards, and a deep commitment to her clients’ success.We talk through what a normal market actually looks like, how buyer conversations have changed since 2021, and why understanding resale value is more important than ever. Alexis also shares the emotional realities of helping both first-time homebuyers and long-time homeowners who are selling after 40+ years.We also dive into affordability, interest rates, the recent conversation around 40–50 year mortgages, and how buyers should think about long-term equity and comfort level over simply “what they qualify for.”If you want a grounded, honest look at what buyers and sellers can expect in 2026 — this episode delivers.

00:00 – Intro00:33 – Meet Cedar Rapids & Iowa City’s top agent: Alexis Kemp01:00 – Alexis’ path to real estate02:17 – From marketing coordinator to team leader04:01 – Growing a $60M+ business05:27 – Market changes: 2021 vs. now06:39 – How buyer conversations have shifted07:34 – What a normal market actually looks like07:56 – Iowa City vs. Cedar Rapids09:15 – Emotional differences: first-time buyers vs. long-time sellers10:39 – Using client stories to market homes11:07 – Des Moines vs. her market13:27 – How far she travels to help clients15:59 – Alexis asks Brady about the lending side16:14 – What buyers really need to understand about affordability17:18 – Why rates aren’t the whole story18:02 – The truth about 40- and 50-year mortgages20:23 – Equity, amortization & realistic timelines21:14 – Why the lender consultation matters22:08 – Evaluating resale value23:13 – Long-term appreciation & expectations24:21 – Closing thoughts24:42 – How to connect with Alexis