Coffee with Real Estate

Thinking about tackling a project yourself before you buy, sell or move in? In this episode, Kurt and Susan dig into DIY projects gone wrong, and what a bad DIY job can really cost you. Susan shares what she has learned to do herself after owning several properties (ceiling fans, wallpaper that's still up after seven years, and painting, the first step for any DIYer), and why "move-in ready" isn't always the best way to get a good deal.

Then the numbers from a new Home Oops Report from Angi: 78% of homeowners who went the DIY route had a project take a sour turn, the average fix for a single mistake ran $1,171, and homeowners spent an average of $3,166 over three years on project blunders. Kurt tells the story of the garbage disposal full of screws that turned into a three-day battle (a plumber would have charged about $120), they agree you never want to open up a wall, and they explain how replacing their own water heater cost about $600 instead of a $2,200 quote. Susan's advice: start simple, add slowly, watch the pros when they come over, and leave electrical and major plumbing to the professionals.

Then it's The Human Condition: making friends as an adult. Loneliness used to be a secret, and now people are posting on social media to find friends. Kurt quizzes Susan, they talk about why friendships get harder after college, and they play a game: what would your "looking for a friend" post say? Thrift shopping on a Thursday at 2, a horse-jumping friend, an art friend. Their take: find people who share your values and interests, and don't be a lump on a log.

If you enjoy the show, please give us a follow. Susan and Kurt really appreciate it, and it helps the show get better. And if you can, leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Coffee with Real Estate, with realtor Susan and co-host Kurt. Instagram: @coffeewithrealestate. Also on YouTube Music, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music and Pandora.

Credits:
Music: "Easy Lemon" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Announcer: synthetic voice (Microsoft Edge TTS).
Photos (video): Pexels contributors, Pexels License.

Thinking about selling, or just want your dining room to feel like home? In this episode, Kurt brings Susan the vintage furniture find designers are adding to all their projects right now: the vintage dining table. Susan's longtime favorite is a big, heavy farm table, and she explains how to dress it up with Parsons or upholstered chairs, or keep it casual with rustic ones.

They talk about what "slowly curated" really means (no matching sets, finishes or fabrics, just pieces that complement each other and a handful of statement pieces), why home stagers use the same idea to bring interest to a space, and why the all-farmhouse house is out but one great farm table still adds history and charm. Then three tips for designing with a vintage table: mix and match it with contemporary chairs and lighting (but don't mix seven styles), repurpose it as a kitchen island, home-office desk or a console behind the sofa, and lean into the patina instead of sanding away every scratch. Plus Kurt's story about his grandmother's table and the scratch he got blamed for.

Then it's The Human Condition: why we can't stop watching strangers pay off their debt on TikTok. A flight attendant's debt video hit 1.5 million views, more than 28,000 debt videos went up in a year, and Susan and Kurt guess the average American's debt, talk car payments, student loans and the "anything with wheels and motors" rule.

If you enjoy the show, please give us a follow. Susan and Kurt really appreciate it, and it helps the show get better. And if you can, leave us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Coffee with Real Estate, with realtor Susan and co-host Kurt. Instagram: @coffeewithrealestate. Also on YouTube Music, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music and Pandora.

Credits:
Music: "Easy Lemon" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Announcer: synthetic voice (Microsoft Edge TTS).
Photos (video): Pexels contributors, Pexels License.

Selling your home? Learn how to style a bookshelf that helps sell your house, with home staging tips and bookshelf decorating ideas from professional home stagers.
Enjoying the show? Follow Coffee with Real Estate and leave a 5-star rating, it really helps!
In this episode, Kurt brings Susan a stack of staging tips, and she shares what actually works when you're styling shelves for showings and listing photos.

Susan explains why you should keep displays neutral (save the Beanie Babies for after closing), how to add height with stacked books, plants and pedestals, and why she organizes books by color, or turns them around so the spines don't distract. Then they run through the big rules: create one focal point slightly off-center, group items in odd numbers, vary heights, layer pieces front to back, balance without matching, and leave 20 to 40 percent of the shelf open. Plus a color story of three to five colors, the 60-30-10 rule, and the big, medium, small formula. Her bottom line: if styling isn't your talent, get help, because a well-styled shelf really catches the eye.

Then it's The Human Condition: how mid-century modern went from cool to cringe. Millennials, Pottery Barn, knockoff Eames chairs in every Airbnb, IKEA, tiny European kitchens, and the "anything goes" look taking over.

Music: "Easy Lemon" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

#realestate #homestaging #homestagingtips #bookshelfstyling #shelfie #bookshelfdecor #homedecor #sellingyourhome #homesellers #realestatetips #interiordesign #midcenturymodern #realtor #realestatepodcast #coffeewithrealestate

Selling your home or buying a home? Here's how to read a home appraisal report, what to do about a low appraisal, and how an appraisal vs. home inspection really differ. In this episode, Kurt walks Susan through the appraisal report section by section, and she explains what each part means for buyers and sellers.

Susan covers the property description and condition, neighborhood and market trends, and how the appraiser picks comparable sales (comps) and adjusts for things like an extra 100 square feet or a pool. Her best tip for sellers: be home when the appraiser comes by and hand over a list of the improvements they can't see, like a new roof or updated HVAC. (Donuts are optional. A bag of cash is not recommended.)

If you're under contract at $500,000 and the appraisal comes in at $475,000, the lender will only lend on the appraised value. The buyer can make up the difference, you can renegotiate, or you can meet somewhere in between. Susan also shares how waiving the appraisal helped her buyers win a bidding war, and why an appraisal and a home inspection are two very different things.

Then it's The Human Condition: why people collect airline amenity kits, from a Star Wars kit to designer pouches to a German collector who keeps his in an airline trolley.

Music: "Easy Lemon" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

#realestate #homeappraisal #appraisal #appraisalreport #lowappraisal #homeinspection #homebuying #homeselling #firsttimehomebuyer #sellingyourhome #realestatetips #realtor #realestatepodcast #coffeewithrealestate #amenitykits

Remember when every house got multiple offers and sold over list? A friend's house went 10% over list just a year ago. Now a lot of sellers are hoping for one good offer. In this episode, Kurt throws seller questions at Susan about what to really expect in a slower market.

If your house was worth $500,000 at the top of the market, don't count on that number now. Susan says to look at comparable sales from the last 90 days and expect maybe 5 to 10% less, depending on where you live. In their market, homes are taking around 120 days to sell. She covers fixing deferred maintenance, fresh paint, why landscaping is the number one thing, and why buyers may ask for a new roof if yours is 15 years or older. Be ready to pay the buyer's agent commission and maybe help with closing costs or a rate buydown. Not sure it's worth it? Depending on your goals, renting it out could make more sense.

Then it's the social issue of the day: are arms the new abs? Susan shares why toned arms are getting so much attention and the moves she uses, like "bus drivers" with a 10-pound plate.

#realestate #sellingyourhome #homesellers #housingmarket #realestatetips #realtor #realestatepodcast #coffeewithrealestate #armday #fitnesstrends

#RealEstatePodcast, #HousingMarket, #MortgageRates

Are today’s mortgage rates really that high, or have years of historically cheap money changed what buyers consider “normal”?

On this episode of Coffee with Real Estate, Susan and Kurt take a practical look at the housing market beyond the negative headlines. They revisit decades of mortgage-rate history, including the double-digit rates previous generations faced, and discuss why waiting for rates to return to 2% or 3% could leave buyers sitting on the sidelines for a very long time.

They also look at the current market from both sides. Buyers have more homes to choose from and potentially more room to negotiate, while sellers can no longer assume that simply putting a sign in the yard will produce multiple offers overnight. Pricing, preparation, deferred maintenance and good representation matter again.

Then the conversation takes a completely different turn: dating apps. As singles grow tired of endless swiping, dating platforms are experimenting with in-person events while people rediscover running clubs, sports leagues, matchmaking and simply meeting people face-to-face.

Housing and dating may have something in common: sometimes you have to stop waiting for perfect conditions and get into the market.

#HomeBuying, #HomeSelling, #RealEstate, #HomeBuyers, #MortgageTips, #DatingApps

#FrenchButter,#LuxuryRealEstate, #GenerationalWealth, #RealEstateMarket, #WealthTransfer, #HomeBuying, #LuxuryHomes, #FrenchButter

A massive wealth transfer is underway, and it's having a bigger impact on real estate than many people realize. In this episode of Coffee with Real Estate, Susan and Kurt explore how family money is reshaping the luxury housing market and helping younger generations purchase homes that might otherwise be out of reach.

The discussion centers on the estimated $4.6 trillion in global real estate wealth expected to transfer to Gen X and Millennials, with more than half of that wealth tied to American property. Susan and Kurt examine how gifts, inheritances, family trusts, and estate planning are fueling demand for luxury homes while creating opportunities for some buyers and challenges for others.

They also discuss the importance of starter homes, the long-term benefits of homeownership, and why comparing your housing journey to someone else's can be a mistake.

Then the conversation takes a lighter turn as they dive into an unexpected travel trend: tourists returning from France with suitcases full of premium butter. From the famous Paris food halls to airport security challenges, they explore why artisanal French butter has become one of Europe's hottest souvenirs.

Whether you're interested in real estate, wealth building, or simply love great food, this episode delivers plenty of insights and laughs.

Susan and Kurt explore the fascinating story of E. Fay Jones, often called the "Frank Lloyd Wright of the South." As an apprentice of Frank Lloyd Wright, Jones developed his own architectural style that blended breathtaking natural landscapes with dramatic wood, glass, and open-concept living spaces. From the famous Thorncrown Chapel in Arkansas to stunning million-dollar homes built around creeks, forests, and rolling hills, the conversation examines why these unique properties continue to attract devoted buyers decades after they were built.

The discussion also dives into how architectural tastes have changed over time, comparing today's large modern homes with the artistic, nature-centered designs that made Jones and Wright legendary. Susan and Kurt examine who buys these distinctive properties and why they remain highly sought after.

In the second half of the show, the conversation shifts from architecture to travel and entrepreneurship with the remarkable story of a tiny cave shop in Santorini, Greece. Hidden beneath a famous church, a local leather artisan has built a global following selling handcrafted bags to travelers from around the world. It is a story of craftsmanship, social media, and how authenticity can create international success from the most unexpected places.

Are those old bathroom features really outdated, or are some of them making a stylish comeback?

In this episode of Coffee with Real Estate, Susan and Kurt dive into four surprising bathroom trends from the 1980s that are finding new life in today's homes. Susan shares what she's seeing in real homes and explains which vintage features are worth preserving when remodeling.

The conversation explores how homeowners can blend classic materials with modern colors, fixtures, and layouts to create spaces that feel updated without losing character. Susan also discusses why not every old feature should be ripped out and how thoughtful design can make a home stand out from today's cookie-cutter renovations.

In the second half of the show, Susan and Kurt shift gears and discuss the growing fashion trend known as "naked dressing." They share their opinions on transparency in fashion, workplace appropriateness, confidence, and how personal style affects first impressions.

Whether you're planning a renovation, buying an older home, or simply enjoy design and lifestyle discussions, this episode offers practical insights, plenty of opinions, and a few laughs along the way

Subscribe, share with a friend, and grab a cup of coffee.

#FlooringTrends, #HomeValue, #LuxuryVinylPlank, #HardwoodFloors, #Oktoberfest, #RealEstateAdvice

In this episode of Coffee with Real Estate, Susan and Kurt tackle a surprisingly important topic that affects nearly every homeowner: flooring. From hardwood and engineered wood to luxury vinyl plank, tile, laminate, and carpet, they break down which flooring options hold value, which ones buyers love, and which choices can end up costing sellers money at resale.

Susan shares real-world examples from current transactions, including how mismatched flooring and outdated surfaces can reduce buyer interest and lead to price reductions. The discussion covers flooring longevity, maintenance costs, replacement timelines, and why the cheapest flooring often becomes the most expensive option in the long run. They also discuss current design trends, popular wood tones, flooring mistakes to avoid, and why getting your realtor's opinion before replacing floors can save thousands.

In the second half of the show, the conversation takes a fun international turn as Susan discusses Germany's famous Oktoberfest traditions and the controversy surrounding who gets to sell beer at the world's largest festival. From authentic small-town festivals to Munich's massive celebration, the hosts explore tradition, tourism, and what makes local festivals special.

#CoffeeWithRealEstate, #RealEstatePodcast, #HomeSellingTips,