Educating Homebuyers.

Everyone seems to have an opinion about today's housing market. Some say it's a terrible time to buy. Others think real estate has completely stalled. The reality? It's a lot more nuanced than that. In this episode of  Educating Homebuyers , I sit down with Central Iowa Realtor Aaron O'Toole to talk about what's  actually  happening in today's market. We discuss why buyers...

Thinking about getting into real estate? This week Brady sits down with Myrissa Jordan to discuss her journey into the industry and what she's learned during her first year as a Realtor. From passing the licensing exam and working with her first clients to building a personal brand through social media, Myrissa shares practical advice for anyone considering a career in real estate. The convers...

Many people assume they're not ready to buy a home long before they ever speak with a lender or Realtor. In this episode of Educating Homebuyers, Brady sits down with  Ashley Noethe , Realtor, investor, former high school business teacher, wife, and mother of four. Ashley shares her journey from education into real estate, how she and her husband built wealth through real estate investing, and...

What’s REALLY causing the housing affordability crisis right now? In this episode of Educating Homebuyers, Brady Haye sits down with luxury real estate agent, developer, and industry leader Adam Pretorius to unpack the true challenges facing today’s housing market. This conversation goes far beyond just interest rates. Adam shares insight into: • Why housing affordability has become such a major i...

Buying a home today can feel overwhelming, especially with higher rates, limited inventory, and constant market headlines. In this episode of Educating Homebuyers, Brady sits down with realtor Micole Chapman to talk about how buyers can navigate today’s housing market with confidence. Micole shares her inspiring story of becoming a single mom, rebuilding her life through real estate, and growing a...

Most real estate agents are chasing deals. Very few are building a brand that actually brings the business to them. In this episode of  Educating Homebuyers , we sit down with a Des Moines real estate agent who’s done exactly that. We break down what’s actually working right now in today’s market, how buyers should be thinking about interest rates, and what agents need to be doing if they want to...

Most realtors are posting content… but not getting clients. So what’s missing? In this episode of Educating Homebuyers, we break down how social media actually turns into real estate business. From listing videos to local content, personal branding, and consistency, this conversation dives into what works, what doesn’t, and how to stand out in a crowded market. We also talk about how strong market...

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make… but most people overlook one of the most important pieces of the puzzle:  insurance . In this episode of  Educating Homebuyers , we sit down with a bilingual insurance broker who’s helping families and business owners make smarter, more informed decisions when it comes to protecting what matters most. From breaking down conf...

Buying a home can feel overwhelming, especially if you don’t have someone in your corner guiding you through the process. In this episode of  Educating Homebuyers , Brady sits down with Des Moines mortgage lender  Luis Solis  to talk about how he built his personal brand  “Loans with Luis”  and why relationships and culture are the foundation of a great mortgage experience. Luis shares how he ente...

He helped win back-to-back national championships. Now he’s bringing that same discipline into the mortgage world. In this episode of Educating Homebuyers, we officially introduce Tucker Dickherber — the newest loan officer at Key Mortgage Group. Tucker grew up along the Mississippi River, played college football at Grand View University, and was part of two national championship teams. What made...

She’s 21 years old, licensed since October 2025, and already making an impact. In this episode, I sit down with Allison Colyn to talk about what it’s really like starting a real estate career right out of college. From growing up in Baxter, Iowa to double majoring in Marketing and Real Estate at the University of Northern Iowa, Allison shares how she found her path — and why confidence, mentorship...

Most buyers think negotiation is about offering less. It’s not. It’s about leverage, timing, positioning, and understanding what sellers actually care about. In this episode, we sit down with Kelsey Russell to break down how negotiation has shifted in today’s market — and why buyers who move strategically right now have real opportunity. We discuss: • Why 2026 favors prepared buyers • Builder conc...

Most people think clients choose a real estate agent or lender because of the company name behind them. That’s not true. In this episode of  Educating Homebuyers , I sit down with  Mark Charter  to talk about why  your personal brand matters more than the brokerage or company logo  — and how building a career around  who you are  leads to longer-lasting success. We cover what 20+ years in real est...

Most buyers and sellers never see what happens after a real estate contract is signed — until something goes wrong. In this episode, I sit down with a  licensed transaction coordinator  to walk through what actually happens behind the scenes of a real estate transaction and why clean contracts, timelines, and compliance matter more than most people realize. We cover: What a transaction coordinator...

Buying a home in the Quad Cities in 2026 looks very different than it did just a few years ago. In this episode of  Educating Homebuyers , I sit down with a Quad Cities real estate professional with over 16 years of experience helping buyers and sellers navigate changing markets across Iowa and Illinois. We break down what today’s housing market really looks like, why so many buyers chose to wait...

What does it actually take to build a relationship-based business that scales without losing authenticity? In this  live podcast event , we break down the real, behind-the-scenes work of growing a referral-driven business in real estate, lending, and insurance. From early-stage hustle and hundreds of coffee meetings to implementing systems that protect your time, energy, and relationships, this co...

A US veteran shares how authenticity, relationships, and process helped him become a top 5% realtor. A powerful conversation on trust, people over transactions, and doing business the right way.

Brady Haye sits down with Des Moines real estate leader Eric Webster to break down what today’s housing market really looks like. From interest rates and inventory to affordability and equity, this episode delivers real-world perspective from someone who’s seen every market cycle. A must-listen for buyers, sellers, and agents heading into 2026.

After ten years as a mortgage lender, I’ve learned one core truth: a mortgage is never just a loan. It’s a life moment. In this solo episode of  Educating Homebuyers , I reflect on a decade of helping first-time buyers, growing families, investors, and repeat clients navigate one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives. I break down the  10 lessons that consistently create smoother closi...

Most buyers never see what  really  happens behind the scenes when a home is built—but they feel it every step of the way. In this episode of  Educating Homebuyers , Brady Haye sits down with custom home builder  Derek Lines  to unpack what separates a smooth, well-run custom home build from a stressful one. From communication and budgeting to design decisions and vendor relationships, this conver...

Today’s episode features someone whose journey perfectly blends education, real estate, and authentic connection. Emma Jordison—better known across Des Moines as  Your DSM Home Girl —shares how she went from the classroom to becoming a trusted local real estate resource for buyers, sellers, and renters preparing for their next step. We walk through her transition from teaching to real estate, the...

Today on Educating Homebuyers, I sit down with Cedar Rapids & Iowa City’s top agent, Alexis Kemp — a powerhouse who has built a $60M+ real estate business in just four years by leading with care, high standards, and a deep commitment to her clients’ success. We talk through what a normal market actually looks like, how buyer conversations have changed since 2021, and why understanding resale v...

In today’s episode, I’m sitting down with someone who’s played a massive role in my career — mentor, leader, investor, and friend,  Louie Wickett . Louie has spent over a decade helping families buy homes while also running a growing investment company AND raising a family. We break down what buyers should  actually  be thinking about heading into 2026: budgeting, variable income, cash-to-close, e...

Today’s episode features a 20-year real estate veteran whose career spans commercial real estate, custom new construction, and leading one of the top real estate teams in Ankeny. Ankeny Real Estate Group’s own Colin Panzi breaks down how the new construction process really works — from selecting the right lot, to budgeting properly, to the biggest surprises buyers don’t realize until it’s too late...

In this episode of  Educating Homebuyers,  Brady sits down with  Jalan Jones  — a Des Moines Realtor known for his sharp style, construction background, and genuine care for his clients. From working in sales and running a renovation business to becoming one of the metro’s most personable and respected agents, Jalan’s story is all about growth, mindset, and standing out for the right reasons. They...