No One Knows What’s Happening in Real Estate Right Now—and That’s the Problem
The Real Estate Education Podcast
Release Date: 04/23/2025
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 break down why 2025 may be one of the most confusing years ever for real estate investors. With the Trump administration’s new tariffs and aggressive deportation policies in full effect, construction materials are more expensive, labor is scarcer, and residential construction costs are rising fast. The hosts reference a new NAHB study showing how even common items like washing machines are now significantly more expensive to install in new homes. More importantly, they explain how this filters down to both investors and homebuyers, who are now forced to make major financial decisions in a climate of fear and unpredictability.
Erin discusses what she’s seeing in the rental space—owners feeling nervous about bookings and pricing, especially as travel slows and spending tightens. James adds that even active buyers are showing signs of second-guessing their moves, unsure if rates, insurance, or home values are stable enough to trust. They also explore global forecasts suggesting home insurance premiums could rise by 30–40%, as rebuilds take longer and cost more due to disrupted supply chains. This episode is an honest, grounded look at buying property during economic instability, and what savvy investors can do to navigate a volatile market.
Contact James:
[email protected]
Contact Erin:
[email protected]
For more information visit:
https://www.jamescarlsonre.com/
https://www.erinandjamesrealestate.com/