In this episode of Educating Homebuyers, Brady sits down with Rich Bales, owner of Avanti Group, to talk about something every homeowner needs to hear: why cheap insurance can actually cost you more in the long run.

Rich shares how his team is redefining what it means to protect what you’ve built — from home and business coverage to client relationships built on trust, not transactions.
You’ll learn what to watch for in your policy, what’s worth paying for, and how to avoid coverage gaps that could leave you exposed.

🎧 You’ll hear about:

• Why the cheapest insurance can be the most expensive mistake
• How replacement cost coverage really works
• The hidden risk behind high deductibles
• Why authentic relationships outperform cold leads
• How technology and proactive service can actually protect you

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 – Introduction
00:33 – Meet Rich Bales & Avanti Group
02:00 – From Medical Sales to Modern Insurance
08:00 – Why People Hate Insurance (and How to Fix It)
09:45 – What to Look for in a Homeowners Policy
12:00 – The Real Cost of “Cheap” Coverage
16:00 – Building a Referral-Driven Business
20:30 – Leveraging Tech for Better Client Protection
23:00 – When Your Agent Actually Has Your Back
25:00 – Closing Thoughts

In this episode of Educating Homebuyers, Brady Haye sits down with Ela Knapp, a rising real estate agent in Ankeny, Iowa, who’s redefining what it means to start strong in real estate. With a background in marketing and social media, Ela brings a modern approach to connecting with clients, simplifying the process, and keeping authenticity at the heart of every transaction.

Together, Brady and Ela discuss:

• How Ela transitioned from college marketing student to full-time realtor
• Why listening is the #1 skill in real estate
• The power of social media and authenticity in today’s market
• How younger agents are reshaping the industry
• Tips for balancing content creation with client service
• What every homebuyer should know about FHA rules and flip properties

Whether you’re a new agent, an experienced realtor, or a first-time homebuyer, this episode offers real-world lessons on communication, trust, and consistency.

Follow her at @eknapprealestate on all social media platforms!

In this episode of Educating Homebuyers, I sit down with husband-and-wife duo Dustin and Allison Kupka to unpack their inspiring journey from setbacks to success in the real estate world.

From running restaurants to facing financial hardship, to flipping homes and eventually building a thriving real estate business, the Kupkas share how resilience, faith, and community support shaped their path. We talk about balancing life as business partners and parents, what it’s really like to build a business as a couple, and how they’ve built a reputation for serving clients with heart and authenticity.

Whether you’re a homebuyer, real estate agent, or entrepreneur, you’ll gain powerful lessons about perseverance, taking leaps of faith, and why real estate is always about more than just houses—it’s about people, stories, and community.

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe for more episodes of Educating Homebuyers featuring real estate pros, past clients, and community leaders who share the advice you actually need to know.

In this episode of Educating Homebuyers, Brady Haye sits down with Megan Avila, a compassionate Realtor with Century 21 Signature, to talk about her journey from social work to real estate, and how her people-first approach helps clients feel informed, powerful, and comfortable.

Megan shares her story of buying her first home, how mentorship from Jason Mickelson guided her into real estate, and why honest communication—even talking clients out of the wrong home—is central to her success.

They discuss:

• Megan’s transition from corporate America/social work to full-time real estate
• How buyer consultations set clear expectations and reduce surprises
• Seasonal trends in the Iowa market (back-to-school slowdowns, fall upticks)
• Timing strategies: when to start the home search and how payment schedules create grace periods
• The rise of move-up buyers and strategies like subject-to-sale vs. home of choice contingencies
• Stories of helping families balance buying and selling simultaneously
• Why professionalism, availability, and great communication are non-negotiables in today’s real estate world

Whether you’re a first-time buyer, a growing family, or considering a move-up purchase, Megan’s insights bring clarity to the process.

Follow Megan on Instagram & Facebook: @MeganAvilaRealtor
📞 Contact: (641) 812-5290

In this episode of Educating Homebuyers, I sit down with Jamie Thompson (@JamieThompsonRealEstate) — a Des Moines real estate leader, community connector, and co-host of the Waukee Podcast.

With over 20 years in the business, Jamie shares:

• How she built her career through referrals and authentic relationships
• The challenges and wins of running a business alongside her husband
• Why she created “What’s Up Waukee” and how community-driven social media can grow trust
• The importance of buyer consultations, honesty, and client education
• How she balances motherhood, real estate, and serving her community through initiatives like the Birthday Bag Program

Whether you’re a homebuyer, agent, or entrepreneur, you’ll leave this episode inspired by Jamie’s commitment to people over transactions — and her practical tips for building a referral-based business that lasts.

👉 Connect with Jamie: Instagram @JamieThompsonRealEstate
👉 Follow me for mortgage insights: @BradyHayeMortgage

Thinking about buying a home but confused by the mortgage process? In this episode of Educating Homebuyers, Brady Haye sits down with mortgage industry leader @JohnCornish_KeyMortgage to break down the entire mortgage process from start to finish — no fluff, no jargon, just real steps every homebuyer needs to know.

✅ What you’ll learn in this episode:

• How lenders evaluate your application and documents
• The difference between Conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA loans
• Why pre-approval is more than just an online form
• How to avoid mistakes that delay closing
• What to expect at every stage — from lead received to post-closing
• Tips to feel informed, educated, and comfortable in your homebuying journey

Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned homeowner, this is your complete guide to navigating the mortgage process with confidence.

📌 Chapters:
0:00 – Intro
1:00 – John Cornish’s background in lending
2:30 – Why process and preparation matter
5:00 – Lead intake and first conversations with buyers
10:00 – Application + verifying documents
18:00 – Explaining loan options (Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA)
26:00 – Buyer consultation and budgeting
38:00 – Writing offers & working with agents
44:00 – Loan estimate video + disclosures
50:00 – From underwriting to clear-to-close
58:00 – What happens after closing

🔥 Follow Brady & John on Socials:

• Brady Haye (Host) → @bradyhaye_mortgage
• John Cornish → @JohnCornish_KeyMortgage

👉 If this episode helped you understand the mortgage process, hit Subscribe and share it with someone buying a home this year!

📄 Episode Description

In this episode of Educating Homebuyers, Brady sits down with Angie Sly, one of the most caring and client-focused realtors in Des Moines. Angie shares her journey from leading a national direct sales team to partnering with her husband, Tony, to build a real estate business rooted in trust, education, and family values.

You’ll hear how the Sly Team:

• Guides clients through every step of the process with transparency.
• Identifies hidden red flags in homes (like roofs, foundations, and seller disclosures) before it’s too late.
• Uses creative strategies with lenders to keep buyers comfortable with their payments.
• Turns client events and community give-backs into lasting relationships.

Angie even shares her “Christmas Miracle” story—a real example of persistence, program knowledge, and heart that changed a first-time homebuyer’s life.

Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned homeowner, Angie’s insights will inspire you to find representation that truly has your back.

📲 Follow the Sly Real Estate Group on Facebook: facebook.com/theslyrealestategroup📞 Call Angie directly: (515) 202-0682

In this episode of Educating Homebuyers, Brady sits down with Matt Mauro — broker, investor, team leader, and part owner at RE/MAX Concepts with over 30 years of experience in the Des Moines market.

Matt reveals why 2025 is the best time in 13 years for buyers to finally gain leverage. He shares his journey from getting licensed in 1995 at just 18 years old to becoming one of the most respected voices in Iowa real estate — plus the biggest lessons he’s learned along the way.

Inside the episode:

• Why buyers have more leverage today than at any time since 2012
• The $23,000 flipping mistake Matt will never make again (and how you can avoid it)
• The truth about renting vs. buying in today’s market
• Creative negotiation strategies that actually work right now
• What first-time buyers need to know about equity, timeframes, and risk

If you’ve been waiting for the right time to buy a home — this episode explains why it might be here.

👉 Connect with Matt: @MattMauroDSM @MauroTeam_RemaxConcepts
👉 Follow Brady: @BradyHayeMortgageTeam

In this episode of Educating Homebuyers, Brady sits down with Katie Stiles (@stilessells), a former middle school teacher turned Realtor who has built her business on relationships, advocacy, and guiding clients through one of life’s biggest decisions.

Katie shares the most common mistake first-time buyers make — and how to avoid it. From inspections to negotiations, she breaks down the hidden pitfalls and practical steps that can save buyers thousands.

We also dive into:

• How Katie made the leap from teaching to real estate
• Why first-time buyers need to budget beyond the down payment
• The real value of inspections (and why sewer scopes matter)
• How to negotiate closing costs in today’s balanced market
• Why choosing the right Realtor and lender makes all the difference

Packed with stories and strategies, this episode is a must-listen for first-time buyers and anyone thinking about making a move.

In this episode of Educating Homebuyers, Brady sits down with Sydnee Yetmar(@SydneeYetmar), a Des Moines-area Realtor with RE/MAX Concepts, who built her business on relationships instead of transactions.

We dive into the secrets homebuyers often overlook, what it’s really like to buy and sell at the same time, and how communication between your Realtor and lender can completely change your experience.

Sydnee also shares her personal journey — from working in corporate logistics to finding her passion in real estate — and how she now guides clients through one of the most important decisions of their lives.

And before we dive in, a huge congratulations to Sydnee and her husband on their recent wedding! 🎉