Many people assume they're not ready to buy a home long before they ever speak with a lender or Realtor.

In this episode of Educating Homebuyers, Brady sits down with Ashley Noethe, Realtor, investor, former high school business teacher, wife, and mother of four. Ashley shares her journey from education into real estate, how she and her husband built wealth through real estate investing, and why so many people rule themselves out of homeownership before ever finding out what's possible.

Together, Brady and Ashley discuss first-time homebuyer misconceptions, Iowa Finance Authority programs, home appreciation, building equity, real estate investing, social media, personal branding, and why asking questions is often the most important step in the homebuying process.

If you've ever wondered whether you're ready to buy a home, this conversation is packed with practical advice, real-world experiences, and encouragement to help you move forward with confidence.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
00:30 Meet Ashley Noethe
01:00 Growing Up in California and Moving to Iowa
02:04 Finding Her Path Through College
04:24 Building Confidence Through Entrepreneurship
04:48 Their First Real Estate Investment
07:10 How Ashley Became a Realtor
09:15 Leaving Education for Full-Time Real Estate
11:02 Building a Business Through Authenticity
13:07 Social Media, AI, and Personal Branding
16:00 People Buy People
17:15 Is Now a Good Time to Buy a Home?
18:18 The Reality of First-Time Homebuyer Programs
20:00 New Construction vs Existing Homes
24:04 The Power of Starting Early
25:25 Leveraging Equity to Build Wealth
27:09 Why You Can't Time the Market
28:46 Ashley's Advice for Future Homebuyers
30:06 Final Thoughts

What’s REALLY causing the housing affordability crisis right now?

In this episode of Educating Homebuyers, Brady Haye sits down with luxury real estate agent, developer, and industry leader Adam Pretorius to unpack the true challenges facing today’s housing market.

This conversation goes far beyond just interest rates.

Adam shares insight into:
• Why housing affordability has become such a major issue
• The exploding cost of new construction
• Why builders can’t keep up with demand
• Luxury real estate trends
• Mixed-use developments and townhome communities
• The future of the American Dream
• Why younger buyers may value community amenities differently
• The realities of development, zoning, and housing inventory

Whether you're a first time homebuyer, investor, realtor, or simply curious about where the market is headed, this episode offers valuable perspective on the future of housing.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro
01:01 Adam’s journey into luxury real estate
02:40 Breaking into the luxury housing market
04:08 Why design & development matter
05:47 What luxury buyers are really looking for
07:17 Relocation buyers & selling lifestyle
08:45 Inside large scale housing developments
12:17 The REAL affordability problem
14:05 Why townhomes may become more popular
17:47 Mixed-use communities & Prairie Trail
20:06 The future of real estate & housing

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone navigating today’s housing market.

Connect with Brady Haye Mortgage Team:

Website: Brady Haye Mortgage Team
Instagram: Instagram

Buying a home today can feel overwhelming, especially with higher rates, limited inventory, and constant market headlines. In this episode of Educating Homebuyers, Brady sits down with realtor Micole Chapman to talk about how buyers can navigate today’s housing market with confidence.

Micole shares her inspiring story of becoming a single mom, rebuilding her life through real estate, and growing a referral-based business centered around relationships, education, and trust. Together, Brady and Micole break down what buyers should actually expect during the process, from buyer consultations and inspections to payment expectations, hidden costs, and staying confident in today’s market.

Whether you’re a first-time buyer, planning your next move, or just trying to better understand the market, this episode is packed with practical advice and real conversations.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro
00:48 Micole Chapman’s Story
02:58 Why She Chose Real Estate
04:07 How Social Media Built Her Business
05:36 Why Referrals Matter
06:57 Helping Clients Through Life Changes
09:18 What Happens During a Buyer Consultation
11:16 Hidden Costs Buyers Forget About
13:48 Setting Realistic Payment Expectations
15:31 How Realtors Get Paid
17:36 Building a Real Estate Team
20:02 Balancing Real Estate and Family Life
22:56 Using Social Media to Stay Relevant
25:47 Why Relationships Matter in Real Estate
26:40 Final Thoughts

Most real estate agents are chasing deals.

Very few are building a brand that actually brings the business to them.

In this episode of Educating Homebuyers, we sit down with a Des Moines real estate agent who’s done exactly that. We break down what’s actually working right now in today’s market, how buyers should be thinking about interest rates, and what agents need to be doing if they want to stand out.

If you’re thinking about buying a home or you're in real estate and want to grow your business, this episode is packed with real, practical insight.

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 – Intro
00:33 – Why most agents struggle to stand out
01:12 – Getting started in real estate (and early success)
02:36 – How to win FSBO conversations
04:13 – Why content + education builds trust
04:41 – The easiest way to generate opportunities (new construction strategy)
07:24 – Why understanding the market actually matters
08:09 – What’s really driving interest rates right now
10:23 – Why timing the market doesn’t work
12:08 – The right way to think about buying in today’s market
14:56 – Why people will still move (regardless of rates)
17:18 – First-time homebuyers: what’s changed
18:28 – Why expectations are hurting buyers
20:49 – How to structure a home buying game plan
21:56 – The real reason affordability feels harder today
23:18 – What’s actually happening with inventory
25:07 – Why you need to control what you can control
26:45 – The hidden danger of easy debt
28:22 – Does content actually generate business?
31:16 – Why content builds trust (even if it doesn’t create leads)
33:15 – Stop overthinking content
35:35 – Simple content ideas that actually work
36:29 – Final thoughts + where to connect

Most realtors are posting content… but not getting clients.

So what’s missing?

In this episode of Educating Homebuyers, we break down how social media actually turns into real estate business. From listing videos to local content, personal branding, and consistency, this conversation dives into what works, what doesn’t, and how to stand out in a crowded market.

We also talk about how strong marketing can directly lead to accepted offers, why local content is outperforming traditional real estate posts, and how today’s buyers are finding agents in completely different ways than even a few years ago.

If you’re a realtor, business owner, or someone trying to grow through social media, this episode will give you a real blueprint.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro
00:33 Meet today’s guest
01:35 Growing up around real estate
02:56 How she got into the business
04:05 Using marketing and broadcasting in real estate
04:59 Best social media platforms for realtors
05:39 Why local content is outperforming everything else
06:19 How community content creates real clients
08:08 Working with a family real estate team
09:48 What the Des Moines market looks like right now
12:08 Why buyers move when they are ready
12:24 Why preapproval matters before house hunting
14:31 Local lender vs online lender
16:25 The marketing strategy that sold a $2M property fast
17:41 How targeted ads actually work
18:15 How realtors are using AI today
19:14 How AI is changing how people find agents
21:17 Where to follow and connect

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make… but most people overlook one of the most important pieces of the puzzle: insurance.

In this episode of Educating Homebuyers, we sit down with a bilingual insurance broker who’s helping families and business owners make smarter, more informed decisions when it comes to protecting what matters most.

From breaking down confusing policies to helping clients truly understand their coverage, this conversation is all about clarity, transparency, and confidence — the same things every homebuyer deserves.

If you’ve ever felt unsure about your insurance (or just picked the cheapest option), this episode is going to change the way you think.

CHAPTERS

0:00 Welcome to Educating Homebuyers
0:33 Guest Introduction
1:10 How He Got Started in Insurance
3:00 Why Insurance is So Misunderstood
5:45 Common Mistakes Homeowners Make
8:20 What Coverage Actually Matters
11:30 How to Shop Insurance the Right Way
14:10 Bilingual Advantage & Serving More Families
16:40 Working with Homebuyers & Lenders
19:30 Building Trust with Clients
22:15 Advice for First-Time Homebuyers
25:10 Final Thoughts & Takeaways

📲 CONNECT WITH ALE

Instagram: @alehernandez
(Add any other links if applicable)

📲 CONNECT WITH BRADY HAYE

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradyhayemortgageteam
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bradyhayemortgageteam
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bradyhayemortgageteam

If you’re thinking about buying or refinancing, my goal is simple:
👉 Help you feel informed, educated, and comfortable every step of the way.

Buying a home can feel overwhelming, especially if you don’t have someone in your corner guiding you through the process.

In this episode of Educating Homebuyers, Brady sits down with Des Moines mortgage lender Luis Solis to talk about how he built his personal brand “Loans with Luis” and why relationships and culture are the foundation of a great mortgage experience.

Luis shares how he entered the mortgage industry with no prior real estate background, what he learned navigating one of the most challenging housing markets in recent history, and how focusing on people instead of transactions helped him build a growing business.

They also discuss the culture inside Key Mortgage Group, the transition to Atlantic Coast Mortgage, and how technology, communication, and teamwork help create a better experience for homebuyers and real estate partners.

If you're thinking about buying a home, working in real estate, or simply curious how the mortgage process works, this episode offers valuable insight from professionals who live it every day.

Follow Luis Solis

Instagram
https://instagram.com/_loanswithluis

Be sure to follow Luis for mortgage tips, social media content, and behind-the-scenes looks at the homebuying process.

Connect with Brady

Apply for a mortgage
https://teambhaye.com

Follow Brady
Instagram: https://instagram.com/bradyhaye
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@bradyhaye

⏱️ YouTube Chapters

0:00 Intro
0:33 Meet Luis Solis
2:04 How Luis Got Into the Mortgage Industry
4:23 Starting a Mortgage Career in a Tough Market
6:06 Controlling What You Can in Real Estate
7:29 Creating a Better Client Experience
9:28 The Culture Inside Key Mortgage Group
11:55 Transition to Atlantic Coast Mortgage
16:15 Technology and Systems in the Mortgage Process
17:32 How Luis Built “Loans with Luis” on Social Media
20:32 Why Most Mortgage Content Doesn’t Work
23:21 The Right Way to Create Real Estate Content
26:06 Sharing Client Stories vs Just Sold Posts
28:29 Why Relationships Matter in Mortgage Lending
29:24 Final Thoughts

He helped win back-to-back national championships. Now he’s bringing that same discipline into the mortgage world.In this episode of Educating Homebuyers, we officially introduce Tucker Dickherber — the newest loan officer at Key Mortgage Group.Tucker grew up along the Mississippi River, played college football at Grand View University, and was part of two national championship teams. What made those teams successful? Discipline. Accountability. Showing up every single day.Now he’s applying that exact mindset to serving homebuyers.We talk about:• Growing up in a competitive household• What it really takes to win back-to-back national titles• Passing the mortgage licensing exam on the first try• Why consistency matters more than early success• Treating every client like a teammateIf you’re buying, refinancing, or you’re a realtor looking for someone hungry and coachable — Tucker is someone you want in your corner. CHAPTERS00:00 Welcome & Introduction00:33 Small-Town Roots03:34 Grand View & National Championships07:53 Translating Football Into Business11:16 Passing the Mortgage Exam14:52 Building Relationships in Mortgage17:02 Execution & Referrals19:16 Why Now Is the Time to Connect

She’s 21 years old, licensed since October 2025, and already making an impact.

In this episode, I sit down with Allison Colyn to talk about what it’s really like starting a real estate career right out of college. From growing up in Baxter, Iowa to double majoring in Marketing and Real Estate at the University of Northern Iowa, Allison shares how she found her path — and why confidence, mentorship, and fighting for your clients matters more than experience alone.

We cover:
• What real estate school doesn’t teach you
• Why young agents can be a huge advantage
• The importance of mentorship and team structure
• How to build confidence early in your career
• What first-time buyers should do before looking at homes
• The behind-the-scenes mortgage process

If you’re a young professional thinking about real estate, or a first-time homebuyer wondering where to start, this episode will give you clarity.

00:00 – Intro
01:13 – Growing Up in Baxter, Iowa
03:30 – Why She Double Majored in Marketing & Real Estate
05:57 – Joining a Team Right Out of College
09:22 – Advice for New Agents
11:38 – Fighting Tooth and Nail for Clients
15:31 – Taking Risks at 21
19:13 – The Parrot Listing Story 🦜
21:33 – What First-Time Buyers Should Do First
22:22 – Inside the Mortgage Consultation Process
28:03 – Final Thoughts

Most buyers think negotiation is about offering less.

It’s not.

It’s about leverage, timing, positioning, and understanding what sellers actually care about.

In this episode, we sit down with Kelsey Russell to break down how negotiation has shifted in today’s market — and why buyers who move strategically right now have real opportunity.

We discuss:

• Why 2026 favors prepared buyers
• Builder concessions and hidden leverage
• Resale negotiation strategies that actually work
• When price reductions beat rate reductions
• The mindset shift buyers need
• Why rushing into 17-offer situations is a mistake
• Payment strategy vs rate obsession

If you’re thinking about buying, building, or selling — this conversation will change how you approach your next move.

 Chapters

0:00 – Intro
1:05 – From Architecture to Real Estate
3:40 – The 3 Big Decisions When Building
7:45 – Lessons from Investing Personally
11:10 – Short-Term Rental Strategy
20:05 – Staging & Pricing Psychology
22:00 – Construction vs Resale in 2026
27:00 – Where Buyers Have Leverage Right Now
30:30 – Why Payment Matters More Than Rate
34:00 – The Danger of Emotional Buying
38:45 – Intentional Decision Making
41:00 – Culture & Doing Business the Right Way