Educating Homebuyers.

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

Most people think clients choose a real estate agent or lender because of the company name behind them.

That’s not true.

In this episode of Educating Homebuyers, I sit down with Mark Charter to talk about why your personal brand matters more than the brokerage or company logo — and how building a career around who you are leads to longer-lasting success.

We cover what 20+ years in real estate teaches you about branding, identity, imposter syndrome, purpose, and why chasing volume or awards alone often leads to burnout. Mark also shares why he built an agent-first brokerage, why agents should own their relationships, and how clarity in your “why” changes everything.

This episode is for real estate agents, lenders, and business owners who want to build something sustainable, authentic, and aligned with their life.

00:00 – Intro

01:15 – Mark’s real estate journey

03:00 – Getting through downturns and hard seasons

04:30 – Why most agents struggle

06:10 – Time, priorities, and defining your why

08:10 – Enjoying the process, not chasing the finish line

10:00 – Why awards and volume don’t equal fulfillment

11:20 – Belief, confidence, and deserving success

13:00 – Selling yourself without feeling salesy

14:50 – Building a process you believe in

15:10 – Why Mark started his own brokerage

17:00 – Why the agent should be the brand

19:15 – What agents really deserve to earn

21:55 – Imposter syndrome in real estate

24:25 – Losing everything and redefining identity

26:00 – Gratitude and perspective

28:20 – Comparison as the thief of joy

29:40 – Content, podcasts, and personal platforms

31:30 – Relationship-based business vs chasing virality

33:15 – Staying positive in a tough market

35:00 – Real estate as a people business

37:25 – Final thoughts

Most buyers and sellers never see what happens after a real estate contract is signed — until something goes wrong.

In this episode, I sit down with a licensed transaction coordinator to walk through what actually happens behind the scenes of a real estate transaction and why clean contracts, timelines, and compliance matter more than most people realize.

We cover:

• What a transaction coordinator really does day-to-day
• Why missed deadlines and small contract errors can derail deals
• The difference between amendments and addendums (and why it matters legally)
• How systems, calendars, and automation protect buyers, sellers, and agents
• Why “nothing happening” often means everything is running smoothly

Whether you’re buying, selling, or working in real estate, this episode gives you a clear look at the work that keeps transactions moving forward and protects everyone involved.

⏱️ YouTube Chapters

00:00 – Why transaction coordinators are often overlooked
01:10 – Background and role of a licensed transaction coordinator
03:00 – What actually happens behind the scenes
05:00 – Compliance, contracts, and legal responsibility
07:30 – Why clients don’t see most of the work
09:30 – Communication gaps and client anxiety
12:00 – Automation, calendars, and accountability
14:45 – Appraisals, waivers, and lender coordination
18:30 – Amendments vs addendums (explained clearly)
22:30 – How small errors can void contracts
26:00 – Systems agents should have in place
30:00 – When to hire help and what to look for
33:30 – Final thoughts on protecting clients

Buying a home in the Quad Cities in 2026 looks very different than it did just a few years ago.

In this episode of Educating Homebuyers, I sit down with a Quad Cities real estate professional with over 16 years of experience helping buyers and sellers navigate changing markets across Iowa and Illinois. We break down what today’s housing market really looks like, why so many buyers chose to wait over the last two years, and what’s bringing them back into the conversation heading into 2026.

We talk through how buyers should be thinking about timing, affordability, taxes, and location within the Quad Cities, including Davenport and surrounding areas. Most importantly, we focus on how the right education and guidance can help buyers move forward confidently, without pressure or guesswork.

If you’re considering buying or selling a home in the Quad Cities, or you’ve been on the fence waiting for the “right time,” this episode will help you understand your options and what actually matters in today’s market.

YOUTUBE CHAPTERS (COPY/PASTE)

00:00 – Welcome to Educating Homebuyers
00:33 – Real estate background and years of experience
01:47 – Early career lessons and long-term client relationships
03:51 – How technology and social media changed real estate
05:12 – Building trust through authentic content
06:41 – Helping buyers who feel stuck on the sidelines
07:59 – Educating buyers without pressure
09:45 – Why early conversations matter
10:23 – Iowa vs Illinois market differences
11:43 – Taxes, affordability, and payment considerations
13:40 – Brokerage changes and evolving business models
15:31 – Technology, culture, and collaboration
17:23 – Outlook for the 2026 housing market
19:29 – Why trust matters when choosing a realtor
21:44 – Final thoughts and how to follow along