Send us Fan Mail

🏡 Where should you buy in Northeast Florida before everyone else catches on?

In Episode #43 of Real Estate UnRaked, Eric Rakers, Dane Coussens, Bridget Hodges, and Jaycee Crawford break down the Jacksonville neighborhoods, growth corridors, and emerging communities that could experience significant appreciation over the next decade.

Forget trying to figure out where you should have bought five years ago. This episode focuses on where smart buyers, investors, and relocating families are looking TODAY before major infrastructure projects, redevelopment, and population growth reshape Northeast Florida's housing market.

We discuss why Jacksonville continues attracting buyers from New York, New Jersey, California, and other high-cost states, and how Northeast Florida remains one of the most affordable major metropolitan areas in the country.

Topics Covered:

✅ Why Jacksonville continues seeing strong population growth

✅ Florida migration trends and corporate relocations

✅ The impact of military, logistics, and healthcare employment

✅ Downtown Jacksonville's multi-billion-dollar transformation

✅ Riverfront redevelopment and stadium district investments

✅ Why Springfield remains one of Jacksonville's most talked-about historic neighborhoods

✅ Eastside Jacksonville redevelopment opportunities and investor interest

✅ Northside Jacksonville growth driven by airport expansion, port activity, and job creation

✅ Green Cove Springs and Lake Asbury's explosive residential growth

✅ Builder activity throughout Clay County

✅ Infrastructure projects shaping future home values

✅ What investors look for before neighborhoods become mainstream

✅ Jacksonville real estate market trends for buyers, sellers, and investors

Whether you're considering relocating to Jacksonville, investing in Northeast Florida real estate, buying your first home, or simply trying to understand where future growth may occur, this episode delivers boots-on-the-ground insight from local real estate professionals who work these markets every day.

📍 Areas Discussed:
Downtown Jacksonville
Springfield
Eastside Jacksonville
Northside Jacksonville
Green Cove Springs
Lake Asbury
Clay County
Northeast Florida Growth Corridors

Thinking about buying, selling, relocating, or investing in Northeast Florida?

Contact The Rakers Home Group today and let our team help you separate hype from opportunity.

🌐 Northeast Florida Real Estate Experts
📞 Serving Jacksonville, Fleming Island, Green Cove Springs, Orange Park, Lake Asbury, St. Johns County, and surrounding communities.

🎧 Subscribe to Real Estate UnRaked for weekly discussions on real estate trends, Northeast Florida growth, new construction communities, investing strategies, and the stories nobody else is talking about.

*All soundbites & music used in this episode are not owned**

Support the show

That’s it for this episode of Real Estate UnRaked, where we take the mystery—and sometimes the madness—out of today’s housing market.

If you enjoyed the show, follow and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts—Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube—and don’t forget to leave us a review. Your feedback helps more people across Northeast Florida discover the truth behind real-estate headlines.

For more tips, insights, and community spotlights, connect with The Rakers Home Group on:

 📱 Facebook & Instagram: @RakersHomeGroup

🌐 Website: www.rakershomegroup.com

Call us at: 

Eric Rakers (904) 386-5589

Dane Coussens (904) 838-8275

Jaycee Crawford  (904) 250-8795

Got a question, story, or topic you’d like us to cover next? Drop us a message—we’d love to feature your ideas in a future episode.

And remember… whether you’re buying, selling, or just exploring, get the Home Team Advantage with The Rakers Home Group.

*The soundbites & Music used in this podcast, we do not own the rights to them*

Send us Fan Mail

Moving to Florida? Here's What Nobody Tells You Before You Make the Move

Thinking about relocating to Florida? Before you pack the moving truck and trade snow boots for flip-flops, there's a lot more you need to know than what you see on social media.

In Episode 42 of Real Estate UnRaked, host Eric Rakers is joined by Dane Coussens, Bridget Hodges, and Jaycee Crawford for an honest, entertaining, and eye-opening conversation about what it's really like to move to the Sunshine State in 2026.

From skyrocketing insurance premiums and property taxes to HOA rules, hurricane preparedness, flood zones, traffic, schools, and hidden homeownership costs, the team dives into the realities that many out-of-state buyers discover only after they've already moved.

If you're considering relocating to Fleming Island, Jacksonville, Orange Park, Green Cove Springs, St. Johns County, or anywhere in Northeast Florida, this episode could save you thousands of dollars—and a lot of headaches.

In This Episode:

✅ The biggest misconceptions people have about moving to Florida
 ✅ The true cost of homeownership beyond your mortgage payment
 ✅ Florida insurance challenges and what buyers need to know
 ✅ Flood zones explained in simple terms
 ✅ HOA and CDD fees—worth it or waste of money?
 ✅ Why Northeast Florida continues to attract families and retirees
 ✅ Hidden expenses most relocation buyers never plan for
 ✅ Schools, commuting, lifestyle, and quality-of-life considerations
 ✅ What Californians, New Yorkers, and other transplants say after moving here
 ✅ Expert tips for making a smooth relocation without costly mistakes

Whether you're relocating for work, retirement, military transfer, better weather, lower taxes, or simply a fresh start, this episode delivers real-world insight from local real estate professionals who help buyers make the move every single day.

Why Northeast Florida Continues to Grow

Despite higher insurance costs and changing market conditions, Northeast Florida remains one of the most desirable regions in the country thanks to its strong economy, beautiful communities, top-rated schools, proximity to beaches, outdoor lifestyle, and diverse housing options.

If you're wondering whether Florida is still worth the move in 2026, this episode gives you the answers no relocation guide will.

🎧 Subscribe to Real Estate UnRaked for weekly insights on Florida real estate, housing market trends, buying and selling strategies, mortgage updates, new construction communities, relocation advice, and everything happening across Northeast Florida.

📲 Thinking about moving to Northeast Florida? Reach out to The Rakers Home Group for local expertise and guidance before you make your move.

Support the show

That’s it for this episode of Real Estate UnRaked, where we take the mystery—and sometimes the madness—out of today’s housing market.

If you enjoyed the show, follow and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts—Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube—and don’t forget to leave us a review. Your feedback helps more people across Northeast Florida discover the truth behind real-estate headlines.

For more tips, insights, and community spotlights, connect with The Rakers Home Group on:

 📱 Facebook & Instagram: @RakersHomeGroup

🌐 Website: www.rakershomegroup.com

Call us at: 

Eric Rakers (904) 386-5589

Dane Coussens (904) 838-8275

Jaycee Crawford  (904) 250-8795

Got a question, story, or topic you’d like us to cover next? Drop us a message—we’d love to feature your ideas in a future episode.

And remember… whether you’re buying, selling, or just exploring, get the Home Team Advantage with The Rakers Home Group.

*The soundbites & Music used in this podcast, we do not own the rights to them*

Send us Fan Mail

Will a New Fed Chair Crash Rates… or Crash Expectations?

Everyone is talking about interest rates, but almost nobody is talking about the person who may have the biggest influence on where they're headed next: the next Federal Reserve Chair.

In Episode 41 of Real Estate UnRaked, Eric Rakers, Dane Coussens, Bridget Hodges, and Jaycee Crawford break down what a potential change at the Federal Reserve could mean for mortgage rates, home affordability, inflation, buyers sitting on the sidelines, and sellers waiting for the "perfect" market.

Will a new Fed Chair push for lower rates? Could political pressure influence monetary policy? How quickly would mortgage rates actually react? And what does all of this mean for Northeast Florida homeowners, buyers, investors, and anyone thinking about making a move in today's market?

This episode cuts through the media headlines and delivers the real-world impact that rate policy could have on your wallet, your home value, and your next real estate decision.

In This Episode:

✅ What the Federal Reserve Chair actually does
 ✅ Why mortgage rates don't directly follow Fed rate cuts
 ✅ How inflation continues to influence housing affordability
 ✅ What could happen if a new Fed Chair takes a more aggressive approach to lowering rates
 ✅ Why waiting for "perfect rates" could cost buyers more money
 ✅ How sellers should position themselves in an uncertain market
 ✅ The potential impact on home prices in Northeast Florida
 ✅ What buyers, sellers, and investors should be watching over the next 12-18 months

Whether you're buying your first home, selling your current property, investing in real estate, or simply trying to understand where the market is headed, this episode gives you the facts behind the headlines.

Northeast Florida Real Estate Experts

The Real Estate UnRaked team brings local insight, real-world experience, and honest conversations about today's housing market. No hype. No clickbait. Just practical advice that helps you make smarter real estate decisions.

📍 Serving Fleming Island, Green Cove Springs, Orange Park, Middleburg, St. Johns County, Jacksonville, and all of Northeast Florida.

🎧 Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone trying to figure out what's next for mortgage rates and the housing market.

Support the show

That’s it for this episode of Real Estate UnRaked, where we take the mystery—and sometimes the madness—out of today’s housing market.

If you enjoyed the show, follow and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts—Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube—and don’t forget to leave us a review. Your feedback helps more people across Northeast Florida discover the truth behind real-estate headlines.

For more tips, insights, and community spotlights, connect with The Rakers Home Group on:

 📱 Facebook & Instagram: @RakersHomeGroup

🌐 Website: www.rakershomegroup.com

Call us at: 

Eric Rakers (904) 386-5589

Dane Coussens (904) 838-8275

Jaycee Crawford  (904) 250-8795

Got a question, story, or topic you’d like us to cover next? Drop us a message—we’d love to feature your ideas in a future episode.

And remember… whether you’re buying, selling, or just exploring, get the Home Team Advantage with The Rakers Home Group.

*The soundbites & Music used in this podcast, we do not own the rights to them*

Send us Fan Mail

The housing market just entered a completely different phase… and most people still don’t understand what’s happening.

In Episode #40 of Real Estate UnRaked, the crew breaks down how rising global tensions, inflation fears, oil prices, mortgage rates, and economic uncertainty are directly impacting the real estate market here in Florida and across the country. 

Everyone keeps asking:

•  Why are mortgage rates still high? 
•  Why does affordability feel worse? 
•  Why are buyers suddenly hesitating? 
•  Why are homes sitting longer? 
•  Is the housing market about to crash? 

The truth is… global events are now directly tied to your monthly mortgage payment.

Eric, Dane, Bridget, and Jaycee dive deep into:
 🔥 How war and oil prices affect mortgage rates
 🔥 Why buyer psychology is changing rapidly
 🔥 Why affordability feels brutal even as prices soften
 🔥 The emotional exhaustion buyers are feeling in today’s economy
 🔥 Why move-in ready homes are dominating the market
 🔥 How inflation, insurance, taxes, and utility costs are changing buying decisions
 🔥 Why sellers are finally entering a reality-check market
 🔥 The return of negotiation leverage, concessions, and rate buydowns
 🔥 Why fear creates some of the BEST real estate opportunities
 🔥 The dangerous impact of social media doomscrolling on buyer confidence
 🔥 Why waiting for the “perfect crash” could backfire badly

This episode also breaks down the growing disconnect between seller expectations and today’s cautious buyers — and why presentation, pricing, staging, and strategy matter more than ever in this shifting market. 

If you’re a:
 ✔ First-time home buyer
 ✔ Florida home seller
 ✔ Real estate investor
 ✔ Realtor
 ✔ Homeowner watching rates
 ✔ Or someone trying to figure out what the hell is happening in the economy right now…

…this is an episode you need to hear.

As always, Real Estate UnRaked brings real conversations, raw opinions, practical market insight, edgy humor, and zero fake guru nonsense.

🎧 Subscribe now and join one of Northeast Florida’s fastest-growing real estate podcasts covering:

•  Florida housing market updates 
•  Mortgage rate trends 
•  New construction 
•  Buying and selling strategies 
•  Real estate investing 
•  Economic news 
•  Northeast Florida communities 
•  Housing affordability 
•  Builder incentives 
•  And the REAL stories happening behind the scenes in real estate 

📍Serving buyers and sellers throughout Fleming Island, Green Cove Springs, Orange Park, Middleburg, Jacksonville, St. Johns County, and all of Northeast Florida.

Hosted by:
 Eric Rakers, Dane Coussens, Bridget Hodges & Jaycee Crawford of The Rakers Home Group at United Real Estate Gallery

Support the show

That’s it for this episode of Real Estate UnRaked, where we take the mystery—and sometimes the madness—out of today’s housing market.

If you enjoyed the show, follow and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts—Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube—and don’t forget to leave us a review. Your feedback helps more people across Northeast Florida discover the truth behind real-estate headlines.

For more tips, insights, and community spotlights, connect with The Rakers Home Group on:

 📱 Facebook & Instagram: @RakersHomeGroup

🌐 Website: www.rakershomegroup.com

Call us at: 

Eric Rakers (904) 386-5589

Dane Coussens (904) 838-8275

Jaycee Crawford  (904) 250-8795

Got a question, story, or topic you’d like us to cover next? Drop us a message—we’d love to feature your ideas in a future episode.

And remember… whether you’re buying, selling, or just exploring, get the Home Team Advantage with The Rakers Home Group.

*The soundbites & Music used in this podcast, we do not own the rights to them*

Send us Fan Mail

Is the housing market finally becoming a buyer’s market… or are sellers still in control? In Episode 39 of The Rakers Home Group Real Estate UnRaked, Eric, Dane, Bridget, and Jaycee break down the confusing reality of today’s 2026 real estate market — where buyers feel stuck, sellers feel frustrated, and nobody seems willing to make the first move. 

In this episode, the team dives deep into:
 ✅ Why the housing market feels frozen
 ✅ The truth about buyer vs seller markets
 ✅ How interest rates are affecting home sales
 ✅ Why homes are sitting longer in some price points
 ✅ Why some homes STILL get multiple offers
 ✅ The psychology behind today’s hesitant buyers and sellers
 ✅ Real estate negotiation strategies in today’s market
 ✅ Why overpricing your home is killing momentum
 ✅ The future of mortgage rates and buyer demand
 ✅ What smart buyers and sellers are doing RIGHT NOW

If you’re buying a home, selling a home, investing in real estate, or just trying to understand what’s happening with the housing market in 2026, this episode gives you raw, honest, no-fluff insight into the market conditions agents are seeing every single day in Northeast Florida and across the country. 

The team discusses:
 🏡 Buyer leverage vs seller leverage
 📉 Interest rate impact on housing affordability
 📈 Why inventory still matters
 💰 Pricing strategy mistakes sellers are making
 🔥 Negotiation tactics buyers should use today
 ⚡ The emotional fatigue happening in real estate right now
 📊 Why this market is hyper-local and strategy matters more than ever

This isn’t your typical boring real estate podcast. Real Estate UnRaked brings real conversations, humor, market truth, and actionable advice for buyers, sellers, Realtors, and investors trying to survive today’s unpredictable market.

🎧 Subscribe for weekly real estate market updates, buyer and seller strategies, housing news reactions, Florida real estate insight, and behind-the-scenes conversations from one of Northeast Florida’s most recognizable real estate teams.

📲 Thinking about buying or selling in Fleming Island, Green Cove Springs, Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Middleburg, or anywhere in Northeast Florida? Reach out to The Rakers Home Group for real strategy that works in today’s market.

All the sound bites and music we do not own the rights too.

Support the show

That’s it for this episode of Real Estate UnRaked, where we take the mystery—and sometimes the madness—out of today’s housing market.

If you enjoyed the show, follow and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts—Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube—and don’t forget to leave us a review. Your feedback helps more people across Northeast Florida discover the truth behind real-estate headlines.

For more tips, insights, and community spotlights, connect with The Rakers Home Group on:

 📱 Facebook & Instagram: @RakersHomeGroup

🌐 Website: www.rakershomegroup.com

Call us at: 

Eric Rakers (904) 386-5589

Dane Coussens (904) 838-8275

Jaycee Crawford  (904) 250-8795

Got a question, story, or topic you’d like us to cover next? Drop us a message—we’d love to feature your ideas in a future episode.

And remember… whether you’re buying, selling, or just exploring, get the Home Team Advantage with The Rakers Home Group.

*The soundbites & Music used in this podcast, we do not own the rights to them*

Send us Fan Mail

🎙️ REAL ESTATE UNRAKED | Episode #38

“Your House Isn’t Ugly… You’re Just Overpriced (And Builders Are Eating Your Lunch)”

The Northeast Florida real estate market has officially shifted… and a lot of sellers still haven’t realized it.

In this brutally honest episode of Real Estate UnRaked, Eric Rakers, Dane Coussens, Bridget Hodges, and Jaycee Crawford break down why so many homes are sitting on the market, why buyers are scrolling right past overpriced listings, and how new construction builders are absolutely dominating the game in 2026.

🏡 If your home isn’t selling…
 💰 If you’re wondering why builders are offering crazy incentives…
 📉 Or if you’re confused why your neighbor’s house sold in 2022 but yours isn’t getting showings today…

This episode is for you.

The team dives deep into:

•  Why the Florida housing market has changed 
•  The harsh truth about overpricing your home 
•  Why buyers are back in control 
•  How mortgage rates changed buyer psychology 
•  The real reason listings are sitting longer 
•  Why move-in ready homes are winning 
•  Builder incentives vs resale homes 
•  Interest rate buy-downs explained 
•  Closing cost incentives and flex cash strategies 
•  Why price reductions alone are not enough 
•  The new “Value Equation” in real estate:
   Price + Condition + Terms = Value
•  Why ego keeps homes sitting on Zillow 
•  What sellers MUST do to compete in today’s market 
•  Northeast Florida real estate trends for 2026 
•  Fleming Island, Green Cove Springs, Jacksonville & St. Augustine market insights 
•  Real talk about what buyers ACTUALLY want right now 

🔥 This episode pulls zero punches and explains why strategy—not emotion—is what sells homes in today’s market.

If you’re buying, selling, relocating, investing, or just obsessed with the current housing market, this episode delivers real-world insight, humor, blunt honesty, and actionable advice from agents actively working in the trenches of the Florida real estate market every single day.

🎧 Subscribe to Real Estate UnRaked on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube for weekly real estate discussions, market updates, buyer and seller strategies, new construction insights, and unfiltered conversations about what’s REALLY happening in real estate.

📍Serving Northeast Florida including:
 Fleming Island, Orange Park, Green Cove Springs, Middleburg, Jacksonville, St. Augustine, SilverLeaf, Oakleaf, Clay County & St. Johns County.

📲 Need help buying or selling in Northeast Florida?
 Contact The Rakers Home Group today and get the real estate experience you deserve.

#FloridaRealEstate #HousingMarket #RealEstatePodcast #NortheastFlorida #FlemingIsland #JacksonvilleRealEstate #HomeSellingTips #NewConstruction #BuilderIncentives #HousingCrash #MortgageRates #FloridaHousingMarket #RealEstateUnRaked

Support the show

That’s it for this episode of Real Estate UnRaked, where we take the mystery—and sometimes the madness—out of today’s housing market.

If you enjoyed the show, follow and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts—Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube—and don’t forget to leave us a review. Your feedback helps more people across Northeast Florida discover the truth behind real-estate headlines.

For more tips, insights, and community spotlights, connect with The Rakers Home Group on:

 📱 Facebook & Instagram: @RakersHomeGroup

🌐 Website: www.rakershomegroup.com

Call us at: 

Eric Rakers (904) 386-5589

Dane Coussens (904) 838-8275

Jaycee Crawford  (904) 250-8795

Got a question, story, or topic you’d like us to cover next? Drop us a message—we’d love to feature your ideas in a future episode.

And remember… whether you’re buying, selling, or just exploring, get the Home Team Advantage with The Rakers Home Group.

*The soundbites & Music used in this podcast, we do not own the rights to them*

Send us Fan Mail

Buying a home in 2026 is NOTHING like what most buyers expected… and the truth is, most people are completely unprepared for what happens AFTER closing day.

In Episode #37 of Real Estate UnRaked, Eric Rakers, Dane Coussens, Bridget Hodges, and Jaycee dive into the real side of homeownership that nobody talks about — from surprise expenses and emotional stress to why buyers are still losing offers even in a shifting real estate market.

🎯 In this episode, we discuss:
 ✅ What REALLY happens during the first 30 days after closing
 ✅ Hidden homeownership costs buyers forget to budget for
 ✅ Why some buyers instantly regret their purchase
 ✅ The emotional rollercoaster after buying a home
 ✅ What makes one offer win over 10 others
 ✅ Why the highest offer DOESN’T always win
 ✅ How sellers actually evaluate competing offers
 ✅ Financing mistakes that kill deals fast
 ✅ Earnest money, appraisal gaps, inspection strategy & closing timelines
 ✅ The biggest mistakes buyers are making in today’s housing market
 ✅ Real estate negotiation strategies buyers NEED in 2026
 ✅ Florida real estate market insights from experienced agents working in Northeast Florida every day

If you’re thinking about buying a home in Fleming Island, Jacksonville, Green Cove Springs, St. Augustine, Middleburg, Orange Park, or anywhere in Northeast Florida, this episode is packed with real-world advice, insider strategies, and hilarious unfiltered moments you won’t hear anywhere else.

From buyer psychology to seller expectations, this episode breaks down what actually wins deals in today’s competitive market — while also exposing the reality of what homeownership looks like after the excitement wears off.

🎙️ Expect real talk, blunt honesty, market insight, and the signature chaos of Real Estate UnRaked.

👉 Subscribe, follow, and share if you enjoy real estate conversations without the fluff.

📍 Hosted by The Rakers Home Group at United Real Estate Gallery

Support the show

That’s it for this episode of Real Estate UnRaked, where we take the mystery—and sometimes the madness—out of today’s housing market.

If you enjoyed the show, follow and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts—Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube—and don’t forget to leave us a review. Your feedback helps more people across Northeast Florida discover the truth behind real-estate headlines.

For more tips, insights, and community spotlights, connect with The Rakers Home Group on:

 📱 Facebook & Instagram: @RakersHomeGroup

🌐 Website: www.rakershomegroup.com

Call us at: 

Eric Rakers (904) 386-5589

Dane Coussens (904) 838-8275

Jaycee Crawford  (904) 250-8795

Got a question, story, or topic you’d like us to cover next? Drop us a message—we’d love to feature your ideas in a future episode.

And remember… whether you’re buying, selling, or just exploring, get the Home Team Advantage with The Rakers Home Group.

*The soundbites & Music used in this podcast, we do not own the rights to them*

Send us Fan Mail

Is now really a bad time to buy a home… or are buyers missing one of the biggest opportunities in years?

In this episode of Real Estate UnRaked, Eric Rakers, Dane Coussens, Bridget Hodges, and Jaycee break down what’s actually happening in the 2026 housing market—and why so many buyers are getting it completely wrong.

While headlines continue to push fear about interest rates, affordability, and inventory shortages, there’s a major shift happening behind the scenes that most buyers don’t see.

👉 And it’s creating opportunity.

We’re diving into:

•  The hidden buyer advantage that didn’t exist just a few years ago 
•  Why price reductions, seller concessions, and deal fallouts are opening doors for buyers 
•  How to win offers WITHOUT being the highest bidder
•  The truth behind days on market and what it really means for negotiation power
•  Why the “there’s no inventory” narrative is starting to break
•  The real impact of the lock-in effect and why it’s cracking in 2026
•  How early buyers gain leverage while late buyers get stuck competing again 
•  The dangerous mindset of “waiting for the perfect time” and how it backfires 

This episode is packed with real, on-the-ground strategies from a team actively working in today’s market—not theory, not headlines, but what’s actually happening in real deals right now.

If you’re a homebuyer trying to figure out when to make your move—or you’ve been sitting on the sidelines waiting for things to change—this episode will completely shift your perspective.

👉 The window isn’t coming…
 👉 The window is already open.

🎧 So grab your coffee… or something stronger… and let’s UNRake this.

I do not own the right to the music or sound bites used throughout this episode.

Support the show

That’s it for this episode of Real Estate UnRaked, where we take the mystery—and sometimes the madness—out of today’s housing market.

If you enjoyed the show, follow and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts—Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube—and don’t forget to leave us a review. Your feedback helps more people across Northeast Florida discover the truth behind real-estate headlines.

For more tips, insights, and community spotlights, connect with The Rakers Home Group on:

 📱 Facebook & Instagram: @RakersHomeGroup

🌐 Website: www.rakershomegroup.com

Call us at: 

Eric Rakers (904) 386-5589

Dane Coussens (904) 838-8275

Jaycee Crawford  (904) 250-8795

Got a question, story, or topic you’d like us to cover next? Drop us a message—we’d love to feature your ideas in a future episode.

And remember… whether you’re buying, selling, or just exploring, get the Home Team Advantage with The Rakers Home Group.

*The soundbites & Music used in this podcast, we do not own the rights to them*

Send us Fan Mail

Buying a home in today’s real estate market is NOT what most people think—and bad information is costing buyers thousands.

In this episode of Real Estate UnRaked, Eric Rakers, Dane Coussens, Bridget, and Jaycee break down the real cost of buying a home in 2026, exposing the biggest myths that keep buyers stuck on the sidelines and the costly mistakes that can wreck a deal before it even starts.

We dive deep into what it actually takes to buy a home, including down payment options (FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional loans), closing costs, prepaids, escrow accounts, inspections, appraisals, and upfront out-of-pocket expenses. If you’ve ever wondered how much money you REALLY need to buy a house, this episode gives you the full breakdown in plain English.

But we don’t stop there…

We tackle one of the most misunderstood topics in real estate:
 👉 Buying a home WITH a Realtor vs WITHOUT one

Too many buyers believe skipping a Realtor will save them money—but in reality, it can lead to overpaying, missed negotiation opportunities, bad contract terms, and costly repair mistakes.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

•  Why the “20% down” myth is keeping buyers from building wealth 
•  How seller concessions, rate buy-downs, and negotiation strategy can drastically reduce your out-of-pocket costs 
•  The difference between home price vs monthly payment (and why it matters more)
•  What buyers should be asking instead of “What’s the price?” 
•  How a strong Realtor can help you negotiate better terms, avoid bad deals, and save thousands
•  Real-world buyer scenarios showing the difference between going in blind vs having a strategy 

In today’s market, the opportunity isn’t just in price—it’s in how the deal is structured. Buyers who understand the game are winning. Buyers who don’t… are getting smoked.

If you're thinking about buying a home in Florida—or anywhere—this episode will change how you approach the entire process.

📲 Want a personalized strategy? Reach out to The Rakers Home Group for real answers, real numbers, and a game plan that actually works.

👍 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow for more no-BS real estate insights.

I do not own the rights to the music and soundbites used in this episode.

Support the show

That’s it for this episode of Real Estate UnRaked, where we take the mystery—and sometimes the madness—out of today’s housing market.

If you enjoyed the show, follow and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts—Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube—and don’t forget to leave us a review. Your feedback helps more people across Northeast Florida discover the truth behind real-estate headlines.

For more tips, insights, and community spotlights, connect with The Rakers Home Group on:

 📱 Facebook & Instagram: @RakersHomeGroup

🌐 Website: www.rakershomegroup.com

Call us at: 

Eric Rakers (904) 386-5589

Dane Coussens (904) 838-8275

Jaycee Crawford  (904) 250-8795

Got a question, story, or topic you’d like us to cover next? Drop us a message—we’d love to feature your ideas in a future episode.

And remember… whether you’re buying, selling, or just exploring, get the Home Team Advantage with The Rakers Home Group.

*The soundbites & Music used in this podcast, we do not own the rights to them*

Send us Fan Mail

You finally bought the house…

Keys in hand.
 Smiling at the closing table.
 Thinking the hard part is over…

👉 That’s where most buyers are dead wrong.

In this episode of Real Estate UnRaked, Eric, Dane, Bridget, and Jaycee break down what REALLY happens in the first 30 days after closing—and why this is the part nobody prepares you for.

We’re talking about the stuff buyers don’t see coming:

•  The money that keeps going out after closing 
•  Repairs, surprises, and “wait… that wasn’t in the inspection?” 
•  Utility setup chaos, mail changes, and real-life move-in stress 
•  Emotional whiplash from excitement to “what did we just do?” 
•  And how fast small issues turn into expensive problems if you’re not ready 

Because here’s the truth…

👉 Buying the house is just the beginning.

Then we flip the script…

🔥 Why are buyers still losing offers—even when they think they did everything right?

We break down what actually separates winning offers from the ones that get ignored:

•  Why the highest offer doesn’t always win 
•  The power of terms vs price 
•  How clean contracts beat “messy money” 
•  What listing agents are REALLY looking for 
•  How to position your offer to stand out in a competitive (and confusing) market 

And yeah… we’re calling out the mistakes:

•  Overcomplicating offers 
•  Weak communication from agents 
•  Missing key deadlines and leverage opportunities 
•  And the small details that kill deals behind the scenes 

🎯 This episode is for:

•  Buyers tired of losing homes 
•  New homeowners wondering “what now?” 
•  Anyone about to jump into the market without knowing what’s coming next 

Because if you don’t understand these two phases…

👉 You’ll either lose the deal… or win it and regret it.

The Music and Sound bites, we do not own the rights to them

Support the show

That’s it for this episode of Real Estate UnRaked, where we take the mystery—and sometimes the madness—out of today’s housing market.

If you enjoyed the show, follow and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts—Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube—and don’t forget to leave us a review. Your feedback helps more people across Northeast Florida discover the truth behind real-estate headlines.

For more tips, insights, and community spotlights, connect with The Rakers Home Group on:

 📱 Facebook & Instagram: @RakersHomeGroup

🌐 Website: www.rakershomegroup.com

Call us at: 

Eric Rakers (904) 386-5589

Dane Coussens (904) 838-8275

Jaycee Crawford  (904) 250-8795

Got a question, story, or topic you’d like us to cover next? Drop us a message—we’d love to feature your ideas in a future episode.

And remember… whether you’re buying, selling, or just exploring, get the Home Team Advantage with The Rakers Home Group.

*The soundbites & Music used in this podcast, we do not own the rights to them*