Market Shakers

Could rising oil prices put even more pressure on mortgage rates? In Episode 3 of our Market Update, we look at lessons from the 1980s, today’s housing affordability, and why limited inventory remains one of the biggest issues facing the U.S. housing market heading into 2027.

Buying or selling a home can affect your health insurance more than you might think, especially when you move to a new county or state. Peter Menk from HealthMarkets explains why updating your coverage could even help you save money.

What does the AI boom have to do with your mortgage rate? In Episode 2 of our Market Update, we break down how big tech, data centers, and increased borrowing are putting pressure on interest rates—and why the next 12–24 months could bring major changes for the housing market.

Take a look inside Augusta's first tiny home community designed to support young adults aging out of foster care with housing, counseling, life skills, and workforce training. It's more than a place to live—it's a community built to help them finish strong.

Why are mortgage rates still so high—and what could finally bring them down? In Episode 1 of our Market Update, we break down three major forces affecting rates right now, how housing affordability compares historically, and what the current AI boom could mean for the housing market heading into 2027.

In this episode, Matt Kelly talks with Bernadette Kelliher about Habitat Augusta’s evolving mission, the success of Build the Band, and the importance of creating opportunities for working families to become homeowners. A great conversation about where Augusta is headed next.

Thinking about building a custom home on your own land but don't know where to start? In this episode, we sit down with Vance Perkins to break down the entire new home construction process — from buying raw land to moving into your dream house. Vance walks us through everything you need to know before building a custom home in Georgia or South Carolina, including how to perk test land before you buy, the real difference between slab foundations and crawl spaces, why barndominiums are exploding in popularity, and how to avoid costly change orders during construction. 

In this episode, Gene Martin breaks down his journey from customer service to running a growing real estate investment business, sharing honest insights on flipping homes, managing risk, and building a team. It’s a real, unfiltered look at what it takes to succeed in today’s market. Tune in and listen to the full podcast episode now.

Augusta’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is one of the city’s biggest traditions, bringing thousands of people downtown every year to celebrate Irish heritage and community. In this episode, Matt Kelly sits down with Irish American Heritage Society President Jason Scherer to talk about the history of the parade, the stories behind it, and what makes this event so special in Augusta.

We’re back with Season 3, Episode 6 diving into why local leadership impacts your everyday life more than anything happening at the federal level. We sit down with Cheney Eldridge, the economic development director for Columbia County, we talk real projects, real decisions, and what’s actually shaping your community behind the scenes.