There are several ways to access your homes equity which is handy for those of us with more equity than income. The only thing standing in your way is the fact that your home is as illiquid asset. Today Joe and Steve Hotovec discuss how to really take advantage of your home’s wealth. Topics:

• Accessing your home’s equity with or without debt

• The Kay Shiller index

• The problem with HELOC’s and reverse mortgages

• Home reinvestment and other program uses

• ADU's

With all the information available it can be hard not to feel like a real estate expert. Since Bay Area home values can range from a bit pricey to incredibly expensive it can be extremely tempting to save by managing you own transaction. Joe and Mike are two guys who are involved in real estate every day and to be blunt, you are not. So what should you be aware of? Topics:

• An agent’s value

• What FSBO transactions look like

• Communications

• Negotiating terms

• Is it worth your time?

As we edge towards retirement many consumers look to take advantage of their equity. Unfortunately we cant take advantage of that equity unless we meet expectations and incur debt. If only we could access that money with no restrictions. Today Joe learns more about this new product from Mark Rogers:

• Increases opportunities to invest in futures

• Customizing solutions to meet homeowner needs

• Solving a debt problem

• Program walkthrough

• How consumers are taking advantage of this program

Now that interest rates are going up there are few things you can do with your homes equity, but new products are on the way. Today Joe welcomes back Steve Hotovec and Mark Rogers of Barastone who are always looking for ways to create liquidity that helps people manage their home wealth. Specific topics include:

• Trapped equity in the US

• Accessing income from your home

• Ways consumers are using money

• Qualification process and equity rules of thumb

• And much, much more...

After what feels like forever, Mike D’Ambrosio is back together with Joe! ... For podcast purposes at least. To kick off their new Wednesday reunion Joe and Mike team up and do what they do best, be Italian and talk real estate! Hold on to your spaghetti as Joe and Mike discuss:

• Why it’s a great time for buyers

• Mike’s inventory update

• Value hesitant buyers

• Rate hesitant buyers

• Contingent offers and the cross collateral program

Joe is tired of listening to media dramatizing the news just to get your attention. Rates are on the way up, but 5% on a 30 year loan is still historically good money. The truth is interest rates are not the only factor when it comes to buying a home and the right time to buy a home always depends on the situation of the individual. Topics:

• Yesterdays rates

• Market fluctuations, when they matter and when they don’t

• Advantages to buying at a higher rate

• Cross collateralizing program

The early years are often the most difficult for new businesses and angel investors can be a big help when money gets tight. So how do you convince someone like Florence Venture Partners to even look your way? Today Joe, Jack Russo and Leigh Soutter discuss how investors look at startups:

• Figuring out a customer base

• Home run products and teams

• What investors look for in a startup

• Open minded investor meetings

• Leigh’s startup challenge

• What can make or break an investors deal

The market is still a good sellers market, it is also an exceptional buyers market. While home prices are still incredibly high, a plateauing market and increased rates have given buyers a greater voice during negotiations. Now that easy money is off the table, Joe explains why buyers and sellers today need to work with experts more than ever:

• Market corrections and tech disruption

• Interviewing and interview questions

• Waiting for the market to correct

• Creative financing options

Data breaches are happening more frequently and any person or business using social media is at risk. Not only can hackers hold social media platforms for ransom, but they can copy your profile and use your likeness for fraudulent schemes. Today Joe, Jack and Lucy Goodnough talk about what you can do should you fall victim to cyber fraud:

• Social media impersonation

• Who to contact

• Parody accounts

• Scenario walkthroughs

• Tracing violations

• Correcting resume violations

October is set up to be an interest month for real estate for a market that is shifting from a sellers market to a buyers market. Even as schools start and people settle in for the holidays, Joe is still fielding calls about creative ways to finance a mortgage. Could one of these alternative financing programs better fit your needs? Topics include:

• Bridge loans vs. cross-collateralization

• Leveraging assets

• But what if the market faces a major pullback?

• Non-QM loans