Furnished Finder vs Airbnb: Which Platform Wins for Mid-Term Rentals?
The Real Estate Education Podcast
Release Date: 03/12/2025
The $9,000 Mistake Homeowners Keep Making: MLS vs. For Sale By Owner
The Real Estate Education Podcast
In this episode of the Real Estate Education Podcast, we dig into the hidden power of the MLS (Multiple Listing Service)—and why skipping it might be the most expensive mistake a seller can make. James shares a revealing case study comparing two similar homes in Colorado, each using a very different sales strategy. The results highlight what truly moves a property—and what doesn’t. We also analyze Redfin’s latest report on the decline of second home purchases. Are high mortgage rates and soft rental markets killing the dream of vacation homes? Or is something else happening...
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Airbnb Boom or Bust, Midterm Market Shifts & What a Recession Really Means for Homebuyers
The Real Estate Education Podcast
Airbnb Boom or Bust, Midterm Market Shifts & What a Recession Really Means for Homebuyers In this episode of the Real Estate Education Podcast, Erin and James dive into short-term rental trends, the surprising psychology of recession-era homebuyers, and why your lifestyle (not the market) might be the smartest guide for when to buy. They also open with a sharp cultural take on the Titan sub implosion documentaries—and how blind trust in "experts" can lead to catastrophic outcomes in both deep-sea exploration and real estate investing. 🏚 Segment 1 – Airbnb: Boom, Bust, or Just Plain...
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A Smarter Way to Sell: The New DIY Alternative to FSBO
The Real Estate Education Podcast
Six Months in Mexico, Flat-Fee Listings, and What Our Clients Are Teaching Us About the 2025 Real Estate Market In this episode of The Real Estate Education Podcast, we’re covering three major topics—from expat life to evolving real estate models to real-time client case studies—all focused on helping you make smarter moves in today’s U.S. housing market. Segment 1 – Six Months Living in Mexico: What We’ve Learned Thinking of a life change? Whether you're moving cities or countries, this honest reflection on six months of living in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico covers what...
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Tiny Towns Rise in the United States & Denver's Fastest-Growing Cities Ranked
The Real Estate Education Podcast
What U.S. Cities Are Growing Fastest—and Why Tiny Towns May Be the Smartest Investment in 2025 In this episode of the Real Estate Education Podcast, we explore the fastest and slowest growing cities in the Denver metro area—and zoom out to a national trend reshaping American real estate: the rise of tiny towns. These are U.S. markets with fewer than 25,000 housing units, and they’ve seen surprising population growth since the pandemic. But are these “Zoomtowns” still gaining momentum—or is the trend reversing? Segment 1 – The Rise (and Plateau?) of Tiny...
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Condos Falling, Townhomes Climbing—Commissions Shift
The Real Estate Education Podcast
In this episode of the Real Estate Education Podcast, we break down two of the hottest topics in the U.S. housing market right now: the difference between condos and townhomes in today’s market and the real-world impact of the 2024 NAR commission lawsuit on buyers, sellers, and real estate agents across the country. Condos vs. Townhomes – Which attached home is selling better in 2025? We analyze national housing data and local market trends to explain why townhomes are outperforming condos in pricing, days on market, and financing ease. If you're...
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The Pre-Listing Secret That Could Save You Thousands in Home Sale Negotiations
The Real Estate Education Podcast
In this episode of the Real Estate Education and Investing Podcast, Erin Spradlin and James Carlson, seasoned real estate agents and investors, reveal a crucial pre-listing strategy most homeowners never consider. Erin explains how sellers can contact Redfin directly to remove their property's estimate when it's lower than their intended listing price, preventing buyers from seeing unfavorable discrepancies that could hurt negotiations. Automated valuations like Redfin estimates and Zillow's Zestimate have major limitations since they can't account for aesthetic improvements or updated...
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Hottest & Coldest Housing Markets of 2025 - What Buyers Need to Know
The Real Estate Education Podcast
In this episode of the Real Estate Education and Investing Podcast, Erin Spradlin and James Carlson take a data-backed look at the hottest real estate markets in 2025, as revealed by Zillow’s latest heat index. The Northeast—particularly Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse—is experiencing rapid price growth and tight inventory, making it a strong seller’s market. Meanwhile, the Sunbelt markets are cooling, with Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi now offering better deals for buyers thanks to price reductions and seller concessions. The hosts weigh in on what these shifts mean for...
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Leases vs. Rental Agreements: What Every Property Investor Needs to Know
The Real Estate Education Podcast
In this episode of the Real Estate Education and Investing Podcast, Erin Spradlin and James Carlson clear up the confusion around leases versus rental agreements, explaining that despite what some YouTube videos claim, both essentially serve as legal contracts with similar protections. Traditional leases happen outside platforms like Airbnb, the rental agreements within these platforms still offer legal protection for landlords—though they warn that platforms increasingly favor guests over hosts. They share a candid story about ignoring red flags with a tenant that led to headaches,...
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This City just Banned all Short Term Rentals. Is Your Town Next?
The Real Estate Education Podcast
In this episode of the Real Estate Education and Investing Podcast, Erin Spradlin and James Carlson, tackle two critical issues affecting property investors: Furnished Finder's new "worry-free waiver" program and a concerning short-term rental ban in Woodland Park, Colorado. They analyze Furnished Finder's deposit alternative which charges hosts $60-80 monthly for protection up to $3,500 in damages, highlighting numerous limitations including cosmetic damage exclusions and comparing it unfavorably to traditional landlord protection policies. The hosts argue that security deposits serve not...
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Real Estate in Recession: Why Home Sales Might Surprise You
The Real Estate Education Podcast
In this episode of the Real Estate Education and Investing Podcast, Erin Spradlin and James Carlson, chat about something pretty surprising – how recessions actually affect the housing market in ways you might not expect. They break down the weird pattern that happens: home sales usually dip when a recession hits, but then they often pick up steam midway through and at the end as interest rates drop. The hosts share some eye-opening stats from Housing Wire's economist showing that despite 2023-2024 having historically low sales, more people are submitting purchase applications, suggesting...
info_outlineIn this episode of the Real Estate Education and Investing Podcast, Erin Spradlin and James Carlson, real estate agents and investors, dive deep into the best platforms for mid-term rentals, focusing on the top five most frequently asked questions about Furnished Finder. They explain how Furnished Finder works for landlords and investors, including details on subscription costs, how to set up a listing, and how to screen tenants for rental property using KeyCheck. Erin shares her evolving perspective on the platform, how it fits into the broader real estate investing strategies for 2025, and why it may be time for investors to diversify beyond Airbnb.
The hosts also explore whether now is a good time to sell a condo in Denver, backed by real-life examples and recent data from the Denver Metro area. Erin and James recount a personal experience where a buyer who purchased their former condo ended up reselling it for $60,000 less within 18 months. They discuss key factors impacting Denver condo market trends, such as HOA reserve funds and deferred maintenance, and compare the risks and rewards of condo vs single-family home investment. This discussion offers valuable insights for both buyers and sellers navigating the complexities of today’s housing market.
Additionally, they outline actionable rental property pricing strategies for landlords, including how to stay competitive in oversaturated markets without sacrificing profitability. Whether you’re trying to attract high-quality tenants for your luxury mid-term rental or simply want to understand how to increase rental property income, this episode is packed with expert guidance. Erin and James also touch on the importance of property upgrades, staging, and photography in increasing both rental rates and resale value, offering advice for maximizing ROI in today’s real estate market trends for buyers and sellers.
If you’re a real estate investor wondering about the best markets for real estate investors or how to adjust your strategy in 2025, this episode delivers key takeaways and proven techniques to grow your portfolio and improve your returns in an evolving marketplace.
Contact James:
[email protected]
Contact Erin:
[email protected]
For more information visit:
https://www.jamescarlsonre.com/
https://www.erinandjamesrealestate.com/