Closing the Deal

Most people think being a real estate agent is just showing houses, posting sold photos on Instagram, and collecting commission checks. The reality is much different. In this solo episode of Closing the Deal, Zach Dickson pulls back the curtain on what it's actually like to become a real estate agent. He walks through why people are drawn to the career, how to get licensed, what happens after you...

Thinking about becoming a loan officer? In this solo episode, Sam pulls back the curtain on what it's actually like to build a career in mortgage lending. From getting licensed and passing the NMLS exam to managing clients, handling high-pressure transactions, building relationships, and navigating commission-based income, Sam shares what the day-to-day reality looks like after eight years in the...

A lot of buyers assume that a higher income automatically means they can afford a more expensive home—but that's only part of the story. In this episode, Zach and Sam break down the relationship between income, debt, and buying power, and explain why some high-income earners actually qualify for less than buyers making significantly less. They discuss how lenders evaluate debt-to-income ratios, th...

OHFA just made major changes — and this episode is worth revisiting. With recent updates to the Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) program, we’re bringing back one of our most valuable episodes to help buyers understand what these changes could mean for them. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, short on down payment funds, or simply trying to find a more affordable path to homeownership, this e...

What happens if things don’t go as planned after you buy a home? 🤔 In this episode of Closing the Deal, we tackle some of the biggest “what if” fears that stop buyers from moving forward — and what actually happens if those fears become reality. 🏡 What if rates drop after you buy? 📉 What if home prices fall? 🔧 What if something breaks right after closing? 🏠 What if your first home isn’t your...

Buying a home sounds exciting — and it is — but what nobody really talks about is just how much waiting is involved in the process. From getting pre-approved, waiting for the right home to hit the market, submitting offers, inspections, appraisals, underwriting, and finally getting the keys… buying a home often feels like short bursts of excitement followed by long periods of waiting. In today’s e...

Most buyers don’t actually move into the house on closing day — they move in mentally weeks before that. 🏡 In this episode of Closing the Deal, Zach and Sam break down the exact moment home buying starts to feel real for buyers and why emotional attachment can be both exciting and dangerous during the process. From imagining where your furniture will go to mentally planning renovations before you...

Most buyers think seeing more homes will make the decision easier… but a lot of times it actually does the opposite. In this episode of Closing the Deal, Zach Dickson and Sam Enright break down why constantly comparing homes can create information overload, decision fatigue, and unrealistic expectations during the home buying process. They discuss why buyers get stuck chasing the “perfect” house,...

Buying a home isn’t just about numbers, interest rates, or getting an offer accepted—it’s about what happens after the keys are in your hand. In this episode of Closing the Deal, we take a step back from the technical side of real estate and dive into the bigger picture: the emotional, personal, and long-term impact of homeownership. From the pride of owning something that’s truly yours, to the st...

Most buyers think the biggest risk in real estate is moving too slow—but the truth is, rushing into the wrong decision can cost you even more. In this episode of Closing the Deal, Zach Dickson and Sam Enright break down why buyers rush, what it looks like in real life, and the long-term consequences that often follow. From fear of missing out (FOMO) to tight timelines and competitive markets, we d...

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make—and naturally, buyers want certainty every step of the way. But here’s the reality: the home buying process is full of uncertainty. In today’s episode of Closing the Deal, we break down the psychological side of buying a home—why buyers crave clarity, where uncertainty actually shows up, and how to confidently navigate a proc...

Buying a home is exciting… until the deal falls apart. In this episode of Closing the Deal, Zach Dickson and Sam Enright break down the 4 biggest reasons real estate deals fail—and what you can do to avoid them. From inspection surprises to financing mistakes, these are the real-world issues that can derail your home purchase—even when everything seems on track. If you’re a first-time homebuyer (o...

Everyone is waiting for a housing market crash… but what if it never comes? In this episode of Closing the Deal, Zach Dickson and Sam Enright break down one of the biggest questions in today’s housing market: 👉 What actually happens if the market doesn’t crash? We dive into: Why so many buyers are sitting on the sidelines The real differences between today’s market and 2008 What a “crash” actuall...

If you think the highest offer always wins in real estate… think again. In this episode of Closing the Deal, Zach and Sam break down one of the biggest misconceptions in home buying: that price is everything. In reality, sellers often prioritize certainty, timing, and overall deal strength over simply the highest number. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or actively house hunting, this episode...

Choosing the right mortgage loan can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode of Closing the Deal, we break down exactly how to decide between mortgage loan options and why there is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to financing your home. 🎯 The reality: The “best loan” depends entirely on your situation, goals, and financial strategy. We walk through how to think abou...

Buying a home is exciting—but for many people, it also feels overwhelming. In this episode of Closing the Deal, Zach Dickson and Sam Enright break down the real reasons why buying a home can feel stressful, confusing, and emotionally intense—especially for first-time buyers. From the sheer size of the financial commitment to the endless stream of advice from friends and family, the home buying pro...

Buying a home in 30 days sounds great—but it almost never happens that way. In this episode of Closing the Deal, Zach Dickson and Sam Enright break down the real timeline of buying a home and why so many buyers underestimate how long the process actually takes. From pre-approval and credit reviews to the home search and the 30-day contract process, there are dozens of moving parts involved in buyi...

In a tight housing market, buyers don’t lose homes because they aren’t qualified — they lose because they aren’t confident. In this episode of Closing the Deal, Realtor® Zach Dickson and lender Sam Enright break down why pre-approval confidence plays a massive role in getting your offer accepted, especially in multi-offer situations. We explain how sellers and listing agents evaluate risk, why cle...

Buying a home can feel overwhelming—not because of the house itself, but because of the “what ifs” no one prepares you for. In this episode of Closing the Deal, Realtor Zach Dickson and lender Sam Enright break down four realistic “What If” scenarios that buyers commonly face during the home-buying process—and how to navigate them without panicking or losing the deal. We cover: What if there are m...

Most buyers think touring homes is the same as shopping — but that misunderstanding can cost you money, leverage, and peace of mind. In this episode of Closing the Deal, real estate agent Zach Dickson and lender Sam Enright break down what your realtor actually wishes you knew before you start touring homes. From emotional decision-making to weakened negotiation power, this episode peels back the...

Most buyers don’t rule themselves out because they can’t buy a home — they rule themselves out because they don’t understand the numbers. In this episode of Closing the Deal, Zach Dickson and Sam Enright break down how much cash you actually need to buy a home, where that money goes, and why outdated myths (like needing 20% down) stop so many buyers before they ever start. We cover: Why cash feels...

Thinking about buying a home in 2026? Before you start scrolling Zillow, there are three critical steps you should take in the next 90 days that most buyers completely skip. In this episode of Closing the Deal, Zach Dickson and Sam Enright break down a month-by-month 90-day plan to help you prepare financially, understand your credit and pre-approval, and confidently start your home search without...

Renting vs buying is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make — and in 2026, the answer is more nuanced than ever. In this episode of Closing the Deal, Zach Dickson and Sam Enright break down the real-world pros and cons of renting vs buying, updated for today’s market. We explain when renting actually makes sense, when buying is the smarter move, and the biggest mistakes people mak...

Most buyers delay buying a home for years because of one major credit myth — and in this episode, we’re putting it to rest. In today’s episode of Closing the Deal, Zach Dickson and mortgage expert Sam Enright break down what credit score you actually need to buy a home in 2026, why perfect credit is not required, and how misinformation keeps buyers stuck on the sidelines. We cover: The minimum cre...

Most buyers think the amount they’re approved for is the amount they can afford — and that mistake is how people end up stressed, house poor, and regretting their home purchase. In this episode of Closing the Deal , we break down how much house you can actually afford in 2026 , and why lender approval and real-life comfort are two very different things. We walk through the biggest budgeting mistak...