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🎙️ Podcast Episode 32 – Heavy SEO Description

In Episode 32 of Real Estate UnRaked, we break down one of the BIGGEST hidden problems in today’s housing market—why so many deals are falling apart AFTER going under contract… and what’s quietly destroying buyers’ budgets in 2026.

👉 This is the episode every buyer NEEDS to hear before making a move.

Hosted by Eric, Dane, Bridget, and Jaycee, this episode dives deep into the real deal killers and budget busters happening in today’s real estate market—especially here in Florida.

We’re talking about the stuff nobody warns you about 👇

💥 Deal Killers That Are Blowing Up Contracts:

•  Insurance issues killing deals mid-contract (Florida buyers—this is HUGE) 
•  4-point inspections, older roofs, and uninsurable properties 
•  HOA and condo surprises (yes… you can get DENIED) 
•  Appraisal gaps that buyers can’t cover—and sellers won’t fix 
•  Title issues, liens, open permits, and legal nightmares 
•  Final walkthrough disasters right before closing 

💸 Hidden Costs That Are Destroying Buyer Budgets:

•  Insurance premiums and deductibles shocking buyers after closing 
•  Property tax resets increasing monthly payments year one 
•  HOA + CDD fees stacking and killing affordability 
•  Maintenance costs (roof, HVAC, appliances) buyers don’t plan for 
•  Utility costs, pool maintenance, and lifestyle expenses adding up fast 

This episode exposes the truth about what it actually costs to own a home—not just buy one.

Because here’s the reality:
 👉 Getting under contract is NOT the hard part anymore.
 👉 Getting to closing—and surviving after—is where most buyers fail.

If you're buying a home in 2026, relocating to Florida, or trying to understand why deals keep falling apart—this episode gives you the real-world insight you won’t hear anywhere else.

At The Rakers Home Group at United Real Estate Gallery, we’re here to give you the real estate experience you deserve—and that means pulling back the curtain on what’s REALLY happening in today’s market.

📲 Make sure to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and FOLLOW us on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and LinkedIn for weekly real estate insights, market updates, and behind-the-scenes truth.

💬 Got a question about buying, selling, or the market? Drop it in the comments or DM us—we might feature it in the next episode!

**I do not own the rights to the music or sound bites 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

In Episode 31 of Real Estate UnRaked, Eric Rakers, Dane Coussens, and Bridget break down one of the biggest issues impacting the housing market right now—buyer hesitation and fear in today’s real estate market. With interest rates, home prices, and economic uncertainty dominating headlines, many buyers are stuck on the sidelines… but is waiting actually costing them more?

This episode dives deep into the psychology of today’s homebuyer, uncovering why so many are afraid to make a move and what’s really holding them back from pulling the trigger. The team unpacks real-world scenarios happening right now across Northeast Florida and beyond, including rising inventory, shifting negotiating power, and how buyers may have more leverage than they think.

If you’ve been wondering whether now is the right time to buy a home, this episode will challenge your thinking and give you the clarity you need to move forward with confidence. Eric, Dane, and Bridget also discuss how hesitation can lead to missed opportunities, why trying to “time the market” rarely works, and how strategic buyers are winning in today’s conditions.

Whether you're a first-time homebuyer, move-up buyer, investor, or someone sitting on the fence, this episode is packed with actionable insights, market trends, and straight-up real talk you won’t hear anywhere else.

👉 Stop waiting. Start understanding the market—and how to win in it.

Follow The Rakers Home Group for more real estate insights, market updates, and behind-the-scenes strategies that help buyers and sellers succeed in today’s market.

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

The Mortgage Reality Check: What Buyers Think vs What Actually Happens | Real Estate UnRaked Podcast Ep. 30

In this milestone Episode 30 of the Real Estate UnRaked Podcast, Eric Rakers is joined by Dane Coussens, Bridget Hodges, and Jaycee—along with a very special guest… our FIRST official guest on the show, Brian Wilhelm with Bayway Mortgage Group.

This episode pulls back the curtain on one of the biggest disconnects in real estate today:

👉 What buyers THINK they qualify for… vs what actually happens when they talk to a lender.

If you’re a homebuyer in Northeast Florida, thinking about buying a home in Jacksonville, Fleming Island, Green Cove Springs, or surrounding areas, or just trying to understand how mortgages really work in today’s market—this episode is a must-listen.

💥 What This Episode Breaks Down

From the very first minute, we dive straight into the reality of today’s housing market and mortgage process—no fluff, no sugarcoating.

With insights from Brian Wilhelm of Bayway Mortgage, we cover:

🧠 What Buyers THINK vs Reality

• The biggest misconceptions buyers have when they think they’re ready to buy
• Why what you think you qualify for can be completely different from reality
• The “nobody told me that” moments that catch buyers off guard
• Behind-the-scenes lender insights most agents never explain

💰 Affordability Reality Check

• What actually determines how much home you can afford
• How income, debt, credit score, and monthly obligations impact your buying power
• Why your “comfortable payment” might not match lender calculations
• How things like car payments, credit cards, and student loans can drastically reduce your purchasing power

💡 Truth bomb:
 That $800 truck payment? It could cost you over $150,000 in buying power.

🚫 Loan Killers: What NOT to Do

This is where it gets real…

Brian breaks down the most common (and costly) mistakes buyers make during the mortgage process:

• Opening new credit cards
• Financing furniture before closing
• Buying a car mid-transaction
• Changing jobs
• Making large unexplained deposits

Plus, we share real-world scenarios where buyers almost lost their loan approval right before closing.

📊 Northeast Florida Market & Mortgage Trends

We take a hyper-local look at what’s happening right now in Northeast Florida real estate, including:

• Buyer demand across Jacksonville, Clay County, and St. Johns County
• Affordability challenges and opportunities
• The truth about buyers “waiting” for interest rates to drop
• Loan programs many buyers don’t even know exist

💡 Including:

• FHA Loans
• VA Loans
• First-Time Buyer Programs
• Down Payment Assistance Options

🎯 The Biggest Takeaway

Buying a home isn’t just about finding the perfect property…

It’s about understanding the numbers behind the dream.

And in today’s market, having the right team—a knowledgeable lender + experienced real estate professionals like The Rakers Home Group—can make the difference between missing out and winning.

I do not own the rights to the music or the sound effects used in this podcast

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 Northeast Florida housing market finally shifting in 2026? Are buyers gaining more negotiating power, or is this just another phase of the real estate cycle? In Episode 29 of the Real Estate UnRaked Podcast, Eric Rakers and the Rakers Home Group team break down what is really happening in the Northeast Florida real estate market, including Jacksonville, Fleming Island, Green Cove Springs, Clay County, St. Johns County, and surrounding areas. For the past several years, buyers have faced intense competition, rising mortgage rates, limited housing inventory, and rapidly increasing home prices. But now in 2026, new trends are starting to emerge. Inventory is slowly rising, buyer pressure is easing, and affordability conversations are shifting across the housing market.

So the big question is:

Are we entering a more balanced market — or are buyers still fighting an uphill battle? In this episode, Eric and the team dive deep into the real estate trends affecting buyers and sellers across Northeast Florida, discussing how interest rates, housing inventory, migration patterns, and local economic growth are shaping the housing market.

If you're thinking about buying a home in Northeast Florida, relocating to Jacksonville, investing in Florida real estate, or selling your home in Clay County or St. Johns County, this episode delivers real insights from experienced local real estate professionals working in the market every day.

You'll hear the team break down the real housing data behind the headlines, talk about why buyers are still moving to Florida, and explain how smart buyers are finding opportunities even in today's market.

The conversation also explores why many buyers are discovering that Northeast Florida offers a unique combination of lifestyle, affordability, job growth, and coastal living that continues to attract new residents every year.

From top-rated schools and growing communities to waterfront living and new construction opportunities, Northeast Florida remains one of the fastest-growing housing markets in the Southeast.

Whether you're a first-time homebuyer, relocating family, investor, or someone thinking about selling your home, this episode gives you an inside look at what’s really happening in the market — without the fluff.

If you want real insight into the Jacksonville housing market, Clay County real estate trends, and Northeast Florida home buying strategies, this episode is packed with valuable information.

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

Why are so many homebuyers moving to Northeast Florida in 2026? What is attracting people from across the country to cities like Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Fleming Island, and the surrounding Clay and St. Johns County areas?In this episode of Real Estate UnRaked, host Eric Rakers and co-hosts Dane, Bridget, and Jaycee break down the real reasons buyers are relocating to Northeast Florida—and why this region continues to be one of the fastest-growing housing markets in the country. From affordability and lifestyle to job growth and coastal living, we dive deep into the top reasons buyers are choosing Northeast Florida over other parts of the country. If you're considering moving to Florida or investing in real estate in the Jacksonville area, this episode is packed with valuable insights. We discuss how lower property taxes, newer construction homes, master-planned communities, and Florida’s no state income tax continue to attract buyers from states like New York, California, Illinois, and New Jersey. Many buyers are discovering that Northeast Florida offers the perfect balance of affordability, lifestyle, and opportunity. 

The team also breaks down what makes this region unique, including:

• Access to beautiful Atlantic coast beaches
 • Growing job markets in Jacksonville and surrounding areas
 • Family-friendly communities in Clay County and St. Johns County
• Golf cart communities and resort-style amenities
• Expanding infrastructure and new construction developments
• Lower cost of living compared to many major U.S. metros

We also talk about the real estate trends shaping the 2026 housing market, including inventory shifts, buyer demand, relocation trends, and why many out-of-state buyers are choosing new construction homes throughout Northeast Florida.

Be sure to follow Real Estate UnRaked for weekly discussions about real estate trends, buyer strategies, housing market insights, and the realities of buying and selling homes in today’s market.

📲 Follow The Rakers Home Group for more real estate insights and local market updates.

If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home in Northeast Florida, reach out to Your Local Neighborhood Realtor® Team at The Rakers Home Group.

https://beacons.ai/ericrakersrealtor

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 2026 housing market still hot for sellers… or are overpriced listings quietly getting punished?

In this episode of the Real Estate UnRaked Podcast, Eric Rakers and the team break down what’s really happening in today’s shifting Northeast Florida market — and why pricing strategy matters more than ever.

Inventory is rising. Buyer urgency is cooling. And sellers who are still using 2022 comps are learning an expensive lesson.

If you're thinking about selling your home in Jacksonville, Clay County, St. Johns County, or anywhere in Northeast Florida, this episode will help you understand:

• Why overpricing in 2026 can cost you MORE in the long run
• What today’s buyers are negotiating again (yes, it’s back)
• How inventory levels are changing leverage
• The psychology of pricing in a balanced market
• When price reductions help — and when they hurt
• The difference between strategic sellers and emotional sellers

Plus, the team plays a brutally honest and hilarious round of
 “Seller Delusion or Power Move?”
where they break down real-world listing behavior and call it exactly what it is.

This isn’t a crash market.
 It’s a strategy market.

And the sellers who understand that will win.

Whether you're preparing to list your home, debating price reductions, or just trying to understand what 2026 means for real estate, this episode gives you clarity without the fluff.

If you want the truth about selling in today’s market — this is it.

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 2026 Homebuyer Playbook: 10 Moves Smart Buyers Are Making Right Now

Buying a home in 2026 isn’t about luck — it’s about strategy.

In this episode of Real Estate UnRaked, Eric Rakers and The Rakers Home Group break down the 10 most important things every homebuyer must do before and during the home buying process in today’s housing market. If you’re thinking about buying a home in Northeast Florida — or anywhere in the U.S. — this episode is your blueprint.

With mortgage interest rates shifting, inventory tightening, home prices stabilizing, and seller concessions becoming strategic tools again, buyers must approach this market differently than in 2020, 2021, or even 2023.

We break down:

✅ How to prepare financially before looking at homes
 ✅ Why pre-approval is non-negotiable in today’s market
 ✅ How to structure offers that actually win
 ✅ When to negotiate closing costs vs price reductions
 ✅ How to analyze days on market and price per square foot
 ✅ The truth about waiting for interest rates to drop
 ✅ Why location, resale value, and long-term equity matter more than “perfect”
 ✅ How to avoid overpaying in competitive markets
 ✅ What due diligence really means in Florida real estate
 ✅ How The Rakers Home Group helps buyers navigate contracts, inspections, appraisals, and negotiations

If you’re buying in Fleming Island, Green Cove Springs, Jacksonville, St. Augustine, or anywhere in Northeast Florida, this episode delivers real-world advice, practical homebuyer tips, and insider strategies that most agents won’t tell you.

This isn’t theory.
 This is boots-on-the-ground market strategy.

Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, relocating to Florida, upsizing, downsizing, or investing — this episode will help you buy smarter, negotiate stronger, and build long-term wealth through real estate.

📍 Serving Northeast Florida
 🏡 New Construction & Resale Experts
 🎙️ Hosted by Eric Rakers – Your Neighborhood Realtor®
 📊 Powered by The Rakers Home Group

Grab your coffee… or something stronger… and let’s UnRake it.

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 Hidden Market Is Real: Subject-To Deals, Off-Market Opportunities & Winning by Strategy (Not Luck)

In this episode of Real Estate UnRaked, Eric Rakers and the team break down one of the most misunderstood advantages in today’s housing market — the hidden market.

While most buyers are stuck refreshing Zillow and waiting for price drops, the smartest players are structuring creative deals, leveraging subject-to opportunities, and finding off-market homes before they ever hit the MLS.

This episode dives deep into:

• What the hidden market actually is
• How subject-to real estate deals work
• Why off-market properties are becoming more powerful in 2026
• How rising interest rates are creating new strategic opportunities
• The difference between investors and strategic homebuyers
• Why waiting for the “perfect moment” is costing buyers thousands

In Northeast Florida — especially markets like Fleming Island, Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and Clay County — inventory shifts, trapped homeowners, and assumable mortgage opportunities are quietly reshaping how deals get done.

Eric and the team explain:

✔️ How creative financing works
 ✔️ When subject-to deals make sense (and when they don’t)
 ✔️ How to legally and ethically structure these opportunities
 ✔️ Why relationships matter more than ever in this market
 ✔️ How serious buyers can position themselves ahead of the competition

This is not about gimmicks.
 This is about strategy.

If you’re a homebuyer tired of competing in crowded bidding wars…
 If you’re a seller unsure how to move in a rate-sensitive market…
 If you want to understand how experienced real estate professionals win deals others don’t even see…

This episode will change how you look at the market.

In today’s housing climate, you don’t win by chance.
 You win by structure.
 You win by preparation.
 You win by working with professionals who understand the hidden layers of the market.

🎧 Grab your coffee — or something stronger — and let’s UnRake it.

If you’re in Northeast Florida and want to explore off-market opportunities or creative deal structures, reach out to The Rakers Home Group and let’s build a strategy that works for you.

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

In this episode of Real Estate UnRaked, we dive straight into one of the most talked-about—and misunderstood—topics in housing right now: Donald Trump’s return to the national spotlight and the real impact his housing-related policies could have on the real estate market.

Love him or hate him, political shifts always ripple through housing, and today we break down what potential Trump-era housing moves could mean for homebuyers, sellers, investors, and families—especially here in Northeast Florida.

We cut through the noise and explain:

• How federal leadership can influence interest rates, lending guidelines, and housing affordability
• What Trump-aligned economic and housing strategies could mean for inventory, buyer competition, and pricing
• Why Florida—and Northeast Florida in particular—may feel these changes faster and harder than other markets
• How buyers can position themselves strategically instead of reacting emotionally
• What sellers need to understand before making timing decisions in a shifting market

This is not a political rant—it’s a real-world, boots-on-the-ground conversation about how policy, money, and housing collide, and how smart consumers can stay ahead of the curve.

If you’re thinking about buying, selling, relocating to Florida, or simply trying to understand where the housing market is heading next, this episode delivers clarity, strategy, and perspective you won’t hear on the news.

Grab your coffee… or something stronger… and let’s UnRake what could be one of the most influential housing conversations of the year.

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 your parents’ real estate advice secretly keeping you broke?

In this bold, funny, and brutally honest episode of Real Estate UnRaked, Eric Rakers and the Rakers Home Group team break down why the “American Dream” your parents followed no longer works in today’s housing market — especially here in Northeast Florida.

Because let’s be real…

“Just save 20%.”
 “Buy a starter home.”
 “Wait for rates to drop.”

Cool advice… if it’s 1994.

But in today’s market?
 Home prices are higher.
 Interest rates are different.
 Starter homes barely exist.
 Remote work changed EVERYTHING.

And waiting for the old market to come back might be the most expensive mistake buyers are making.

Eric Rakers is joined by Dane Coussens, Bridget Hodges, and Dawn Marie Hughes for a fast-paced, funny, slightly uncomfortable conversation about:

✔ Why saving 20% can delay wealth building
 ✔ Why starter homes disappeared (thanks investors + HOAs)
 ✔ Why interest rates aren’t going “back to normal”
 ✔ How remote work flipped location logic
 ✔ Why lifestyle > square footage
 ✔ What the NEW American Dream actually looks like
 ✔ Smart strategies for buying a home in today’s market
 ✔ How Northeast Florida buyers can win NOW instead of waiting

Plus, the crew plays their hilarious game:
 Boomer Advice, Broke Advice, or Surprisingly Solid
(yeah… it gets spicy 😆)

If you’re buying, selling, relocating, or just trying to make smarter financial moves in 2026’s housing market, this episode will help you stop following outdated rules and start playing the game the right way.

Because the dream didn’t die…
 It just evolved.

So grab your coffee… or something stronger…
 …and let’s unrake it.

📍 Northeast Florida Real Estate | Fleming Island | Jacksonville | Clay County
 🏡 Hosted by The Rakers Home Group – Your Neighborhood Realtor®
 🎧 Weekly real estate podcast with humor, strategy, and zero fluff

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*