🎙️ Episode 64 – Title Fraud: Seller Impersonation

With Guest Attorney Lisa Petersen

Seller impersonation fraud is one of the most dangerous and rapidly increasing threats in real estate today — and it can happen without warning to even the most experienced agents and savvy consumers.

In Episode 64 of Wisconsin Real Estate Today, host John Gscheidmeier welcomes back Lisa Petersen, an experienced real estate attorney and title industry expert, for a deeper dive into one of the most alarming forms of title fraud: seller impersonation.

This episode builds directly on Episode 63 and focuses on how fraudsters:

1. Pose as legitimate property owners
2. Target vacant land, rental properties, and absentee owners
3. Exploit digital communication, forged documents, and rushed timelines
4. Manipulate agents, title companies, and buyers to steal sale proceeds

Lisa explains the real-world tactics scammers are using right now, the warning signs agents and consumers must never ignore, and the safeguards that can help stop a fraudulent transaction before it closes.

If you are a:

1. Real estate agent
2. Buyer or seller
3. Investor
4. Industry professional

this episode is required listening. Awareness, process, and verification are the strongest defenses against these sophisticated scams.

🎧 Episode 64 is a must-share conversation that could protect your clients, your license, and your livelihood.

🎙️ Title fraud is one of the fastest-growing and least understood threats in real estate today — and most agents, buyers, and sellers don’t realize how vulnerable they are until it’s too late.

In this episode of Wisconsin Real Estate Today, host John Gscheidmeier sits down with Lisa Petersen, a respected title industry expert, to uncover how title fraud actually happens, why it’s increasing across Wisconsin and beyond, and what real estate professionals and consumers must do to protect themselves.

1. Lisa breaks down:
2. What title fraud really is (and what it is not)
3. The most common schemes impacting today’s real estate transactions
4. How criminals exploit gaps in communication, documentation, and verification
5. Red flags every agent, buyer, and seller should recognize early
6. Why education, process, and trusted partners matter more than ever

Whether you’re a seasoned real estate professional or a homeowner planning to buy or sell, this episode delivers critical knowledge that could protect your transaction, your clients, and your reputation.

This conversation sets the foundation for a two-part series — with Episode 64 diving deeper into one of the most dangerous forms of fraud in the industry today: Seller Impersonation Scams.

🎧 Don’t miss this must-listen episode that every agent should be sharing with their clients.

🎙️ Episode 62 – The Unveiling of the Certified Pre-Owned Home Program

In Episode 62 of Wisconsin Real Estate Today, John Gscheidmeier and Office Manager Monica Young pull back the curtain on one of RE/MAX Service First’s most powerful seller advantages: the Certified Pre-Owned Home Program 🏡✨

This episode dives into why the program was created, how it works, and what problems it solves for today’s homeowners — especially sellers who want top dollar 💰, fewer surprises 🚫, and a smoother, more predictable path from list to close.

John and Monica break down the behind-the-scenes steps that separate an ordinary listing from a Certified Pre-Owned listing, including proactive preparation and buyer-confidence tools like a pre-inspection 🔍, professional staging guidance 🛋️, and high-impact marketing assets such as 3D photography 📸. They also explain h
ow value-add protections like a home warranty 🛠️ help reduce friction and eliminate last-minute renegotiations.

Throughout the conversation, you’ll hear how the Certified Pre-Owned Home Program is designed to deliver one clear outcome: more certainty ✔️, more confidence 🔒, and a clearer path to a higher net result 📈 — all while making the selling experience feel organized, professional, and stress-free.

If you’re a homeowner thinking about selling in Waukesha County, Lake Country, or the greater Milwaukee area 📍 — or you simply want to understand what next-level listing preparation truly looks like — this episode lays out the blueprint 🧠📊.

🎙️ Episode 61: The Market in Minutes with John Gscheidmeier

Host: John Gscheidmeier | CEO & Broker/Owner, RE/MAX Service First
🔗 Listen now: https://www.wisconsinrealestatetoday.com/s2/61

In this quick but powerful “Market in Minutes” episode, John Gscheidmeier breaks down the real story behind today’s housing and mortgage markets. 🏡💰

✅ What you’ll learn:

• Where the Federal Reserve currently stands on rate policy—and what that means for mortgage borrowers.
• How mortgage rates are actually calculated, including the often-overlooked “gap” between the 10-year Treasury yield and retail mortgage rates.
• Why the spread between Treasury yields and rates has remained historically wide—and what needs to happen before rates finally ease.
• John’s forecast for 2026, including likely mortgage rate ranges, national home price trends, and estimated home sales volume across the U.S.
• What buyers and sellers in Wisconsin can expect as we head toward a more balanced market cycle.

John makes complex market data simple and actionable—helping you understand not just where the market is, but where it’s headed.

Whether you’re a homeowner, investor, or just real-estate-curious, this short episode delivers the insights you need to make smart moves in today’s changing market.

🎧 Tune in, take notes, and stay ahead of the curve with Wisconsin Real Estate Today.

#RealEstatePodcast #MortgageRates #HousingMarket #WisconsinRealEstate #REMAXServiceFirst #WisconsinRealEstateToday #MarketUpdate

In this episode, I sit down with Dustin Grenier, VP of Mortgage Lending at Epic Mortgage, to break down today’s interest rate environment, explain what’s behind the recent swings, and share tactical guidance for both buyers and homeowners considering refinancing.

✨ Key Takeaways:

 📊 What’s driving the latest rate shifts — inflation, Fed policy & economic data
 🔒 When to lock and when to float: Dustin’s strategy for managing uncertainty
 🏡 Refinance vs. purchase — how to weigh your options in today’s market
 📑 Which loan programs adapt best in volatile conditions
 🧑‍🏫 How Dustin educates clients to cut through the noise and make smart decisions
 📍 Local Wisconsin housing insights and how they connect to national trends

Whether you’re thinking about buying, refinancing, or just trying to make sense of all the rate talk, Dustin brings clarity, perspective, and actionable advice you won’t want to miss.

👉 Listen now to Episode 59 of Wisconsin Real Estate Today!

Episode 58 – Are We In a Buyer’s Market?

In this episode of Wisconsin Real Estate Today, we break down the June 2025 market numbers and tackle the big question: Are we finally shifting into a buyer’s market? 📉🏡

With the median Metro Milwaukee home price now at $449,345 (per MetroMLS), prices are starting to flatten, and multiple offers are becoming less common. More listings are sitting without immediate offers, signaling a shift from the high-intensity seller’s market we’ve seen in recent years.

But it’s not all one-directional. Market data can be conflicting—and my gut tells me that interest rate drops may be on the horizon. If that happens, expect demand to surge and prices to climb once again.

Whether you're buying, selling, or just watching the market—this episode gives you the local insight you need right now.

🎧 Listen now: https://www.wisconsinrealestatetoday.com/s2/58

Episode 58: Why Is My Home Not Selling?

Host: John Gscheidmeier, RE/MAX Service First

Duration: ~27 minutes

🏠 In this solo episode, John dives into one of the most frustrating questions for home sellers: “Why isn’t my house selling?”

Drawing from over a decade of personal experience and hundreds of transactions, John breaks down the top reasons homes sit on the market — and what you can do to fix it. From pricing pitfalls and showing condition issues to agent responsiveness and even seasonal timing, he offers sharp insights and actionable advice that every seller (and real estate agent) should hear.

🔑 Key Topics Covered:

• The three P’s of why a home won’t sell: Price, Presentation, and Promotion
• How overpricing affects buyer psychology and online visibility
• Real talk about outdated finishes, clutter, odors, and deferred maintenance
• The critical importance of professional photography and staging
• Why an unresponsive or unmotivated agent could be hurting your chances
• The role of market conditions and interest rate shifts
• When it’s time to adjust or even relaunch a listing

📈 John also shares proven strategies from his team — including pre-listing inspections, Certified Pre-Owned Home benefits, and staging consultations — that have helped move “stale” listings to successful closings.

💡 Whether you’re a frustrated seller, a curious homeowner, or an agent looking to improve your service, this episode delivers straight talk and smart tactics to help you get your home SOLD.

John G. Gscheidmeier | RE/MAX Service First \ Waukesha, Lake Country | 414-559-8898 | [email protected] 

🎙️ Episode 57 — Do You Need a Real Estate Attorney in Wisconsin? | Guest: Elisa Ruer, Praktess Law

Description:
In this episode of Wisconsin Real Estate Today, host John Gscheidmeier sits down with real estate attorney Elisa Ruer of Praktess Law to explore one of the most common questions in Wisconsin real estate: Do you need an attorney to buy or sell a home?

Elisa explains how Wisconsin is unique in allowing competent, licensed real estate agents to manage the entire transaction without requiring legal counsel. Together, John and Elisa dive into the structure of the Wisconsin Offer to Purchase and break down key provisions—especially those related to seller disclosure obligations.

They address a critical legal point: when a seller fails to disclose a material adverse fact, the agent is not only ethically bound—but legally required—to make that disclosure. Ignoring this duty can leave sellers exposed to post-closing lawsuits and other legal consequences.

Whether you're an agent, buyer, or seller, this episode offers a smart, candid look at how to stay on the right side of the law while keeping deals on track.

🎧 Tune in and learn:

• Why Wisconsin agents aren’t required to be attorneys—and why that works
• The importance of understanding the Offer to Purchase
• What must be disclosed (even if the seller won’t)
• How to protect yourself from legal trouble post-sale

📍 Brought to you by RE/MAX Service First & Wisconsin Real Estate Today
 💼 Guest: Elisa Ruer, Attorney at Law – PraktessLaw.com

📄 Episode Description:

 In this episode of Wisconsin Real Estate Today, we’re joined by Sam Walker, City Assessor for Waukesha, to demystify the property assessment process and give homeowners and business owners the clarity they deserve.

We break down:

• What a property assessment is and how it’s calculated
• The differences between residential and commercial assessments
• What happens during the Open Book period—and how to formally raise concerns
• The difference between an assessment and an appraisal
• Why assessments aim to reflect real market value
• And why a change in assessed value doesn’t automatically mean your taxes are changing

Whether you're a first-time homeowner, longtime resident, or local business owner, this episode will help you understand how Waukesha determines property values—and what you can do if something doesn’t seem right.

📍 Location: Waukesha, Wisconsin
📅 Released: April 24, 2025
🎙 Hosted by John Gscheidmeier

Podcast Episode Summary: Wisconsin Real Estate Today – Episode 55

Title: Where Are Mortgage Rates Headed in 2025? Expert Insights with Dustin Grenier

Host: John Gscheidmeier
Guest: Dustin Grenier, Epic Mortgage – Brookfield, WI

Episode Overview:

In this must-listen episode of Wisconsin Real Estate Today, host John Gscheidmeier sits down with mortgage expert Dustin Grenier of Epic Mortgage to discuss where mortgage rates are today and where they could be headed in 2025.

With economic uncertainty, a shifting political landscape, and differing views between the new presidential administration and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, the housing market is at a crossroads. Will rates drop soon, or should buyers and homeowners prepare for higher costs?

Key Topics Covered:

📉 Current State of Mortgage Rates – Where are rates sitting today, and how are they impacting homebuyers and sellers?

🏛️ Government vs. Federal Reserve – The presidential administration wants to lower rates, while Fed Chair Jerome Powell is resisting. Who will win, and how does this impact the market?

🔮 Rate Predictions for 2025 – Dustin and John discuss where rates might go in the next 12 months and what this means for buyers, sellers, and refinancers.

💡 Strategic Advice for Homebuyers & Sellers – Should you wait for lower rates or buy now? How can sellers position themselves in a changing market?

🏡 Refinancing in 2025 – If rates drop, when will be the best time to refinance, and what should homeowners consider?

Final Thoughts:

With so much uncertainty in the housing market, this episode provides critical insights to help buyers, sellers, and homeowners make informed decisions. Whether you’re planning to buy, sell, or refinance, understanding where rates are headed is crucial.

Listen Now!

📢 Don’t Miss This One! Like, Share, & Tag someone who needs this info!

#WisconsinRealEstateToday #Podcast #MortgageRates #InterestRates #RealEstateMarket #HomeBuying #HomeSelling #MortgageLending #Refinance #FedRates #HousingMarket #Waukesha #Milwaukee #Brookfield #DustinGrenier #EpicMortgage #JohnGscheidmeier #WisconsinRealtor #REMAX #REMAXServiceFirstWI #REMAXHustle #NoOneSellsMore