Dr. Lisa Sturtevant joins this week’s episode to discuss what lies ahead for the U.S. real estate industry in 2024.  She discusses current economic and housing market trends and also changes in the broader real estate sector that will impact our industry in the year ahead and beyond.

We cover:

• Lisa’s career background
• Where the market stands heading into 2024
• What challenges exist
• What we can expect from interest rates
• What we can expect from inventory level and home prices
• What opportunities exist
• The reasons why individuals are moving
• What factors indicate a strong housing market
• Millennials as homebuyers: what they want and how to work with them
• The value REALTORS can bring to the table
• How REALTORS can best position them for success this year

Cara Ameer joins this week’s episode to discuss home insurance and why REALTORS and their clients need to be more proactive than ever.

We cover:

• Cara’s career and background in real estate
• Why insurance is becoming so important to the real estate transaction
• How insurance companies are operating
• What types of properties may have difficulty getting insurance
• What insurance companies are looking for
• Why its important to be proactive
• The importance of building relationships with insurances agents
• How insurance or the lack of can kill a deal
• The importance of claims-checking
• The role REALTORS play when it comes to insurance

Eric Bramlett joins this week’s episode to discuss ways to make your client’s offer more compelling in a investor-heavy market.

We cover:

• Eric’s history and background in real estate
• Why cash offers are so appealing to homesellers
• Why that’s a problem for the everyday homebuyer
• If we are in an investor-heavy market and if that trend will continue
• The impact higher interest rates have on investors
• The impact of foreign investors
• The role REALTORS play in a multi-listing situation
• What homebuyers can do before putting in an offer to be best prepared
• Best strategies to make an offer shine
• Advice for homebuyers and REALTORS in today’s market 
• The value of working with a REALTOR

Treasurer Sprague joins this edition of Ohio Policy Talk to discuss the new Homeownership Savings Account Program and what it means for potential homebuyers in Ohio.

We cover:

• What the Treasures office does
• What the new Ohio Homebuyer Plus Savings Account is
• Creating the program
• How the program works
• Why the Treasurers office wanted to get involved
• What it means for potential homebuyers in Ohio
• How individuals can participate
  When the program will launch
• How to get more information

Brent Lancaster joins this week’s episode to discuss what economic concepts come into play when it comes to a real estate transaction and how agents can best prepare themselves for potential market changes.

We cover:

• Brent’s history and background in real estate
• What motivates buyers and sellers
• Where the market stands today
• Why it’s good to be honest about the market
• The three numbers he recommends regularly knowing from your MLS
• Why interest rates are so important
• Where inventory and home prices stand today
• What he thinks the future market is going to look like
• What agents can be focused on during a slower time
• Ways to prepare your clients for potential market changes

Al Wisnefske joins this week’s episode to discuss how to buy and sell rural properties and how these types of listings can be great opportunities if positioned properly.

We Cover:

• Al’s history and career background
• How he got started with rural properties
• What rural properties are and why they are so important
• The increase in popularity of rural properties
• What types of people are interested in rural properties
• How to become knowledgeable on rural properties
• How we can find the best land
• Opportunities that exist within land properties
• Misconceptions that exist when it comes to rural properties

Charlie Hardage joins this week’s episode to discuss how to overcome the fear of taking risks and how real estate investing can be life-changing.

We Cover:

• Charlie’s history and career background
• How he got started in real estate investing
• Opportunities that investing has brought
• Ways the average person can get involved in investing
• How to overcome fear of taking risks
• The importance of taking risks
• How real estate investing has changed his life
• Advice for people starting out in real estate investing
• How the housing shortage has had an impact
• What the future of real estate investing looks like

Chuck Schroder and Amy DuBose from SentriLock join this week’s episode to discuss the latest in lockbox technology and how it benefits REALTORS.

We Cover:

• Their career and history with SentriLock
• What the company does and what it’s mission and goals are
• The products and services that SentriLock offers
• How the products work
• How they stand out from competitors
• The future of lockbox technology
• Research methods and how new products are developed
• The benefits to REALTORS
• The importance of Safety features and REALTOR safety
• Favorite features and stories of lockboxes
• How REALTORS can learn more information and begin using it on a daily basis

Mike Leimeister joins this week’s show to discuss his background in real estate, REALTOR.com’s involvement in the industry and what REALTORS need to know about the newest products and services offered.

We cover:

• Mike’s career and background in real estate
• What realtor.com is and the history behind the company
• Realtor.com’s new vision and mission moving forward
• The importance of feedback when it comes to designing products
• How realtor.com can be a good partner to realtors and consumers
• The relationship between realtor.com and NAR
• Misconceptions that exist
• What the future of the industry looks like
• New products and services being featured on realtor.com 
• Ways REALTORS can take advantage of products and services and how to get connected with realtor.com

Brandon Doyle joins this week’s episode to discuss the benefits and features of smart homes and shares what REALTORS and consumers need to know when working with smart homes.

We Cover:

• Brandon’s career and background in real estate
• What smart homes are
• What makes a home smart
• Why smart homes are becoming more popular
• Benefits of smart homes
• Most popular smart home technologies
• What upgrades to make if you’re a beginner with smart homes
• Just how much you can save from smart home technology
• How to monitor energy efficiency
• What type of internet capabilities are needed for smart home technology
• What REALTORS should be aware of when it comes to smart homes
• The future of smart home technology
• What selling a smart home looks like