The Open House Podcast: Where Women Talk Real Estate

By Kristina Modares & Steph Douglass

What's The Open House Podcast: Where Women Talk Real Estate about?

Kristina & Steph here, Co-Founders of Open House Austin: a woman-owned Austin real estate brokerage helping people break through the barriers of traditional home buying every dang day. Because, homeownership done well inspires community, income and creativity! Nothing excites us more than sharing our latest house hacking strategies with you - including info on buying with friends, sneaky duplexes, tiny houses, investing, and Airbnb management. Follow us on TikTok for more tips: @openhouseaustin / Instagram: @openhouse_austin

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The Open House Podcast: Where Women Talk Real Estate episodes:

05.23.2024
InvestHER Con 2024: Building Strong Home-Buying and Investment Partnerships with Liz Faircloth
Welcome to an insightful episode featuring Liz Faircloth of InvestHER, joining our host Steph. Liz shares her real estate investing journey and the critical role of partnerships in her success. They discuss self-awareness, recognizing core genius, and the importance of...
04.30.2024
House Hacking Part 5: Side-by-Side Tiny Home Success Stories! How They Unlocked Creative Property Potential to Generate Income, Featuring Factora Founder Allegra Moet Brantly
Welcome to another special guest episode featuring Allegra Moet Brantly (stage name
04.16.2024
Navigating the National Association of Realtors’ Changes Together: How This Impacts Your Home-Buying Journey (Featuring Our Agents, Sydney & Jenn)
The real estate landscape is buzzing with discussions about the National Association of Realtors' (NAR) recent adjustments. We're here to cut through the noise for you! ⚔️ In today's episode of our podcast, experienced Realtors Sydney and Jenn speak on...
04.02.2024
House Hacking Part 4: in Austin & Bastrop - While House Sitting! Featuring Our Experienced Realtor, Mandy
Our incredible Realtor Mandy is back for another interview! Her real estate journey began when she bought a fixer-upper in 2017 in the McKinney neighborhood in Southeast Austin. She DIYed all renovations and house hacked by renting out a room,...
03.26.2024
House Hacking Part 3: Legally Convert a Window Into an Exterior Door to Create an In-Home Airbnb Rental Unit, Featuring Marketing Director Holly
This week, our Marketing Director Holly joins us for the first time (ever!) to share her sneaky duplex "why" and the exterior door permitting + installation process in Austin, Texas. She did her due diligence, putting her vision onto paper...
03.19.2024
House Hacking Part 2: 3 Proven Options That Generate Income, Helping You Reduce Mortgage Costs
In this episode, Kristina and Steph dive into three proven house hacking options: investing in a duplex/triplex/fourplex, buying a single-family home, or adding a tiny home to your property. We'll guide you through each strategy, emphasizing how they can align...
03.12.2024
House Hacking Part 1: Sharing Our “Why” Behind This Game-Changing Creative Home-Buying Strategy
New month, new theme! Throughout March and April, we'll focus on house hacking—renting out part of your home to cover your mortgage. In this episode, we delve into personal experiences: Steph partnered with her mom, renovating a back house to...
03.05.2024
2023 First-Time Homebuyer Stats: Want to Buy a House in 2024? Listen to This!
Did you know that in 2023, 57% of our clients were able to make a down payment of 5% or less when purchasing their first home? Additionally, 16% of our first-time homebuyers in 2023 closed on a home with a...
02.27.2024
Five Friends, One East Austin House: Our Shared Creative Home-Buying Journey! Featuring Our Expert Realtors Sydney & Jenn
In this episode, Steph welcomes our amazing Realtors, Sydney and Jenn, to the show! Discover how these three, along with Kristina and another friend, joined forces to purchase a home in East Austin. This unique property featured a tiny home...
02.20.2024
Buying Homes With Friends Part 3: Pitching The Idea to Friends, Family, Co-Workers & Beyond
Considering buying a home with friends? Wondering how to pitch this idea to others? Join us as we highlight the crucial art of presenting yourself as a valuable partner. Co-Founder Steph shares her firsthand experience, recounting how she approached her...
02.13.2024
Buying Homes With Friends Part 2: Red Flags & Creating Operating Agreements to Legally Protect Yourself
Today, Kristina and Steph reveal red flags that you should look out for when buying with friends. Hear a real story about a partnership that didn't work out and grasp the consequences of ignoring these signs. Then, understand the importance...
02.06.2024
Buying Homes With Friends Part 1: What Makes a Great Real Estate Partnership?
Welcome back to the start of a new season. This February, we're laser-focused on a theme: buying homes with friends. In a challenging real estate market, forming partnerships is a creative solution. We'll share real-life examples, explore key considerations, and...
10.03.2023
Party Recap! Highlights From Our Community Space & Office Grand Opening Event
Co-hosts Kristina and Steph chat about our epic 12th Street Community Space & Office Launch Party! Designed by interior decorator Dani Klarić, this spot’s more than just an office - it's a vibrant, inspiring place where we'll host future educational...
09.19.2023
The Latest: Austin Real Estate Market Update and First-Time Homebuyer Success Stories from Our Experienced Realtor Team
Join host Steph and our Realtor team - Sydney, Jenn, Alan, and Mandy - as they chat about today's Austin real estate market, sharing personal stories and client experiences. Are there still deals to be found? How do the current...
09.12.2023
The Real Cost of Buying a Home in 2023 + House Hacking Examples Using Active for Sale Properties in Austin, Texas
The question we hear most often is, "What does it cost to buy a house?" To answer that, we've put together a focused mini-episode that delves into real-world examples of homes currently available in Central Austin, Texas. We don't stop...
09.05.2023
East Austin Office and Community Space Update! Renovation Challenges, Party Planning, and What We've Learned Along the Way
About our 12th Street Office and Community Space... It's seriously crunch time! We're sharing challenges we've faced throughout this project as we manage contractors, work with Dani Klarić's decorating team, and plan a HUGE launch party (RSVP here). If you're...
08.29.2023
Find Your People and Make New Friends! A Circle is Round Replay
Y'all, we've received HUNDREDS of the same comments responding to our buying with friends TikToks and content: "I don't have friends." "Step 1) find friends." "I don't have any responsible friends..." You get it! Steph's other podcast A Circle is...
08.22.2023
Renovating a Shipping Container and Shed to Create a Profitable Rental Home ($72,000+ Estimated Yearly Earnings)
Neglected shed + container storage shell = MAJOR income potential. Stay with us... This week, Steph is breaking down her latest creative real estate investment in Southeast Austin. And, this is just the backyard property - there's a front house...
08.15.2023
Our Favorite Things: Real Estate Edition! Hidden-Gem Neighborhoods, Investing Strategies, and Unique Home Features
Have you been to a "Favorite Things" party?! It's a get-together all about exchanging awesome little things that people can't live without, and Kristina and Steph apply this concept to this week's discussion. For example, what's their favorite property? And,...
08.08.2023
Ranch Home Dreams Vs. Reality: Two Years of Shared Ownership With Friends
Steph chats with her co-owners about their shared ranch journey over the past two years. They discuss their successes, like good bookings in June and July, and the challenges they've faced. Ideas fly about turning the ranch into a filming...
08.01.2023
Hesitant to Homeowner! A Conversation on Building Decisiveness as a First-Time Homebuyer
This week, Kristina and Steph talk about making choices! They know that big decisions, like buying a house, can feel super stressful. So, they share how using apps like Asana - which helps break up milestones into smaller tasks -...
07.25.2023
Catch Up With Kristina & Steph: Vacation Stories, Investment Property Updates, & Getting Scammed by an Architect?!
Kristina and Steph share updates on their real estate investments, including managing vacation rentals and restructuring friend-oriented partnerships. Hear about Steph's restored ranch house (bought with friends!) and our exciting office renovation plans (RSVP to our re-launch/opening party below). +...
07.18.2023
Building Wealth Together: Buying a Home with Friends
This episode is such a great starting point for anyone that's considered partnering with friends or family to buy property! Purchasing a house on your own can be tough, and sometimes, it may not be something you can afford. But...
07.11.2023
The Ups and Downs of Airbnb Ownership: Retreat House Update and Management Tips
Join Kristina and Steph as they share their experiences managing a stay-cation rental property: The Retreat House! From dealing with a broken pool to improving communication with property managers, they offer valuable insights into running a successful short-term rental business....
07.04.2023
Ready or Not: Are You Prepared to Purchase a Home?
This episode is such a great starting point for first-time homebuyers! Originally recorded in 2020, Steph and Kristina help you decide if you’re ready by discussing debt-to-income ratio, credit score, and the amount of money you’ll need to invest in...
06.27.2023
A Very Special 4-Year Anniversary Episode! Reflecting on Lessons Learned and Our Incredible Team + Community
Kristina and Steph share their story about starting and running the real estate education company + brokerage you know and love today: Open House Austin! They break down their unique way of doing business, which focuses on making sure our...
06.20.2023
Sneaky Duplex: How to Generate Income From a Private Room in Your Home
Today, we're chatting about the Sneaky Duplex house hacking strategy. Totally fine if you've never heard of it before - we actually coined the phrase a few years ago! We define a Sneaky Duplex rental as: "...specifically the act of...
06.13.2023
What's the Biggest First-Time Homebuyer Mistake? Breaking Free from Analysis Paralysis Through a Mindset Shift
Join Kristina and Steph as they tackle the biggest mistake first-time homebuyers often make: getting stuck in analysis paralysis. In this episode, they'll take you through their journey of breaking free from this common trap by shifting their mindset. Using...
06.06.2023
Hate Landlords? Listen to This! A Fresh Take for First-Time Homebuyers in Austin, Texas
Kristina and Steph discuss the journey of becoming a first-time homeowner and landlord in Austin, Texas. They unpack the ethics of property ownership, making this episode essential for those considering investing in the greater Austin area. This conversation aims to...
05.23.2023
The Reality of Buying Real Estate With Family, Managing Property Together, and Generating Meaningful Income
Partnering with family to buy real estate?? Yep! Kristina and Steph discuss tough money talks, how they've set personal boundaries with loved ones, and the amazing memories that can come from the initial commitment of teaming up to invest. If...
05.16.2023
Building a Tiny House in Los Angeles! Featuring Eric Mann, Creative Behind LeverCraft Coffee & Ultra Grinder
In this episode, Co-Founder Kristina is joined by her partner Eric! They discuss the tiny house he's been working on at Stef's home in L.A. Eric provides a glimpse into his personal experience of constructing a tiny house and budgeting...
05.09.2023
They Partnered to Buy Land and Build a Duplex in East Austin! Featuring Women Real Estate Investors Chloe Kwon & Valerie Figlin
Meet Chloe Kwon and Valerie Figlin, two determined women who embarked on a real estate journey together! Starting with no experience, they successfully navigated zoning, land development, and construction challenges to build a duplex from the ground up in East...
05.02.2023
40-Year Mortgages Explained! Factora Coffee & Coin Replay
This week, we're sharing a fantastic episode from Factora's Coffee & Coin podcast featuring our Co-Founder Steph! Together, we cover new insights on the 40-year mortgage option and helpful tips on planning for a comfortable retirement, including: The story behind the...
04.25.2023
Buying a Home in the Current Market: Should You Wait or Invest Now (and House Hack)?
If you're in the market for a home, or even just curious about the current state of the housing market, this episode is a must-listen! It's now possible to purchase a home with less money upfront than ever before. And,...
04.18.2023
Our Top 5 Lessons Learned Running a Real Estate Education Company and Brokerage in Austin, Texas
We officially opened our small business in 2019! But what inspired Kristina and Steph to team up in the first place? And, how have we grown our tight-knit team of 8 agents and employees since? We've soared and stumbled along...
04.11.2023
Our 2022 First-Time Homebuyer Stats
Our agent team joins us to share their stories and stats from 2022. Alan, Sydney, Mandy, and Jenn share wins and unique client learnings from last year - and, how these lessons can be applied to the 2023 home-buying process!...
04.04.2023
Building Up & Breaking Down: Lessons Learned From Renovation Projects
Thanks to reality TV and aesthetic Instagram timelapses, home renovations are romanticized to the max. Let's be realistic for a minute and chat about the work that actually goes into updating a property. Steph and Kristina look back at their...
03.28.2023
What's Seller Financing? How We "Learn by Doing" as Real Estate Investors
We're throwing it back! Early in our investment career, we closed on a property in San Antonio. We quickly realized it wasn't the right match for us, and our interest piqued when Steph heard about seller financing. We're sharing what...
03.21.2023
Should You Break Up With Your Realtor? Signs Your Agent is Good (or Bad!) For You
In 2022, 67% of homebuyers interviewed only one real estate agent during their home search! So, we've got to ask - are people settling on the first Realtor they meet? You wouldn't buy the first house you see, so shouldn't...
03.14.2023
Friendship Meets Finances: The Why Behind Our Women Investor Group's Speed-Dating Style Event
Searching for a welcoming space where you can make friends, ask questions, discuss real estate, and improve your financial literacy? Kristina and Steph attended event after investor event and simply couldn't find one. Their solution: creating Open House Austin's very...
03.07.2023
Ranch House Update With The Crew! Our Community & Income Goals
What happens when you buy an old-timey ranch and saloon with five partners? Late-night DJ sessions and movie showings! Harvesting our own honey! Hosting multiple families for a super Thanksgiving event! Today, Steph brings the crew together to discuss goals...
02.28.2023
Homeschool on YouTube, FREE and Available Now! Learn How to Buy a House With an Investor Mindset
You read that right! Our first-time homebuyer course is 100% free on YouTube!!! This is huge, y'all. Now, we'll be able to help even more people overcome the barriers of traditional homeownership (like YOU). Check it out now! Special shoutout...
02.21.2023
She Bought a House With Her Boyfriend, But It All Went Horribly Wrong...
This is unusual for us! Let's discuss a real estate partnership of the romantic kind. As y'all know, we're very into buddying up with friends to invest in property and creating an operating agreement along the way to protect everyone...
12.06.2022
Which of Our Educational Tools is Right For You? Our Homebuyer Resources in Review
Educating homebuyers has always been our #1 priority. Now, we've got an agent and marketing team that's just as passionate about that mission. Together, we're able to provide y'all with meaningful resources on creative homeownership. We've got a quiz, mini-courses,...
11.22.2022
What's Up With Airbnb? And, Our Reality TV Show That Never Was...
Airbnb hosts are kind of a lot these days. The house rules! Cleaning requirements!! Quiet hours!!! Kristina & Steph chat through the current state of short-term rentals along with how their properties are holding up. Bonus: We were on track...
11.15.2022
What's The State of The Real Estate Market Today? And, Who Should Actually Buy Property at This Time?
With talk of recession continual and interest rates at a stable high, who should buy in this real estate market - rather than wait? Because it's honestly always a good time to buy, specifically for a certain type of person...
11.08.2022
Buying a Home With Soul Friends to Build a Better, Community-Oriented Future Together
What happens when a Facilitator of Change, Community Builder + Environmentalist, and Reiki Energy Healer connect at a local song circle? A soul family is born. Emily, Leilah, and Roxanne partnered together to buy a house - but, it's going...
11.01.2022
What’s an Interest Rate? Why Are They Going Up? 2-1 Buydown Explained + Timely Tips From Experienced Loan Officer, Moose Mau & Investment-Minded Realtor, Jenn Carey
We bring on an experienced loan officer (Steph's uncle, Moose) & investment-minded Realtor (our teammate, Jenn) for a market update + unique ways to overcome increased interest rates. You've probably heard this phrase: "Marry the home - date the rate."...
10.25.2022
Real Estate Horror Stories From Us, Our Agents, & Community
Chains on the wall. Random broken mirrors. Secret doors. Severed doll heads galore. This extra-spooky special episode is a real scream, to be sure. Turn the lights down and grab a cozy bevy. We're sharing real estate horror stories from...
10.18.2022
Steph Keeps a Colony of 80,000 Bees! What's an Agricultural Exemption and How It'll Save Her $10K a Year
Steph teamed up with 7 friends to buy a ranch! It's a 24-acre property with endless potential. But, their first thought was to move a native bee colony onto the land. They'll be jarring honey by the dozen in the...

What's The Open House Podcast: Where Women Talk Real Estate about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The Open House Podcast: Where Women Talk Real Estate episodes:

InvestHER Con 2024: Building Strong Home-Buying and Investment Partnerships with Liz Faircloth

House Hacking Part 5: Side-by-Side Tiny Home Success Stories! How They Unlocked Creative Property Potential to Generate Income, Featuring Factora Founder Allegra Moet Brantly

Navigating the National Association of Realtors’ Changes Together: How This Impacts Your Home-Buying Journey (Featuring Our Agents, Sydney & Jenn)

House Hacking Part 4: in Austin & Bastrop - While House Sitting! Featuring Our Experienced Realtor, Mandy

House Hacking Part 3: Legally Convert a Window Into an Exterior Door to Create an In-Home Airbnb Rental Unit, Featuring Marketing Director Holly

House Hacking Part 2: 3 Proven Options That Generate Income, Helping You Reduce Mortgage Costs

House Hacking Part 1: Sharing Our “Why” Behind This Game-Changing Creative Home-Buying Strategy

2023 First-Time Homebuyer Stats: Want to Buy a House in 2024? Listen to This!

Five Friends, One East Austin House: Our Shared Creative Home-Buying Journey! Featuring Our Expert Realtors Sydney & Jenn

Buying Homes With Friends Part 3: Pitching The Idea to Friends, Family, Co-Workers & Beyond

Buying Homes With Friends Part 2: Red Flags & Creating Operating Agreements to Legally Protect Yourself

Buying Homes With Friends Part 1: What Makes a Great Real Estate Partnership?

Party Recap! Highlights From Our Community Space & Office Grand Opening Event

The Latest: Austin Real Estate Market Update and First-Time Homebuyer Success Stories from Our Experienced Realtor Team

The Real Cost of Buying a Home in 2023 + House Hacking Examples Using Active for Sale Properties in Austin, Texas

East Austin Office and Community Space Update! Renovation Challenges, Party Planning, and What We've Learned Along the Way

Find Your People and Make New Friends! A Circle is Round Replay

Renovating a Shipping Container and Shed to Create a Profitable Rental Home ($72,000+ Estimated Yearly Earnings)

Our Favorite Things: Real Estate Edition! Hidden-Gem Neighborhoods, Investing Strategies, and Unique Home Features

Ranch Home Dreams Vs. Reality: Two Years of Shared Ownership With Friends

Hesitant to Homeowner! A Conversation on Building Decisiveness as a First-Time Homebuyer

Catch Up With Kristina & Steph: Vacation Stories, Investment Property Updates, & Getting Scammed by an Architect?!

Building Wealth Together: Buying a Home with Friends

The Ups and Downs of Airbnb Ownership: Retreat House Update and Management Tips

Ready or Not: Are You Prepared to Purchase a Home?

A Very Special 4-Year Anniversary Episode! Reflecting on Lessons Learned and Our Incredible Team + Community

Sneaky Duplex: How to Generate Income From a Private Room in Your Home

What's the Biggest First-Time Homebuyer Mistake? Breaking Free from Analysis Paralysis Through a Mindset Shift

Hate Landlords? Listen to This! A Fresh Take for First-Time Homebuyers in Austin, Texas

The Reality of Buying Real Estate With Family, Managing Property Together, and Generating Meaningful Income

Building a Tiny House in Los Angeles! Featuring Eric Mann, Creative Behind LeverCraft Coffee & Ultra Grinder

They Partnered to Buy Land and Build a Duplex in East Austin! Featuring Women Real Estate Investors Chloe Kwon & Valerie Figlin

40-Year Mortgages Explained! Factora Coffee & Coin Replay

Buying a Home in the Current Market: Should You Wait or Invest Now (and House Hack)?

Our Top 5 Lessons Learned Running a Real Estate Education Company and Brokerage in Austin, Texas

Our 2022 First-Time Homebuyer Stats

Building Up & Breaking Down: Lessons Learned From Renovation Projects

What's Seller Financing? How We "Learn by Doing" as Real Estate Investors

Should You Break Up With Your Realtor? Signs Your Agent is Good (or Bad!) For You

Friendship Meets Finances: The Why Behind Our Women Investor Group's Speed-Dating Style Event

Ranch House Update With The Crew! Our Community & Income Goals

Homeschool on YouTube, FREE and Available Now! Learn How to Buy a House With an Investor Mindset

She Bought a House With Her Boyfriend, But It All Went Horribly Wrong...

Which of Our Educational Tools is Right For You? Our Homebuyer Resources in Review

What's Up With Airbnb? And, Our Reality TV Show That Never Was...

What's The State of The Real Estate Market Today? And, Who Should Actually Buy Property at This Time?

Buying a Home With Soul Friends to Build a Better, Community-Oriented Future Together

What’s an Interest Rate? Why Are They Going Up? 2-1 Buydown Explained + Timely Tips From Experienced Loan Officer, Moose Mau & Investment-Minded Realtor, Jenn Carey

Real Estate Horror Stories From Us, Our Agents, & Community

Steph Keeps a Colony of 80,000 Bees! What's an Agricultural Exemption and How It'll Save Her $10K a Year

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