Get Real With Eddie

The housing market is full of headlines, predictions, and opinions—but what's really happening? In this episode, we break down three housing market predictions that are unlikely to happen, discuss how home prices have performed over the last five years despite recent declines, tackle the myth that buyers need 20% down, review Will County market numbers compared to 2019, and highlight the 10 best r...

In this episode, Eddie Ruettiger and Nancy Vallee with EXIT Real Estate Specialists cover a wide range of real estate topics that could impact your next move. From the step-by-step process of building a custom home to how your tax refund could help you get into the market faster, this conversation is packed with practical insights. They also break down why waiting to lock in your interest rate cou...

In this episode, Eddie Ruettiger and Nancy Vallee with EXIT Real Estate Specialists break down potential relief coming to the Illinois real estate market if new legislation passes in Springfield. They also dive into whether mortgage rates could drop if global conflicts ease, what a recent slowdown in refinance demand really signals, and why smaller spaces are driving today’s commercial real estate...

In this episode, Eddie Ruettiger and Nancy Vallee with EXIT Real Estate Specialists break down what’s really happening in today’s housing market and how it impacts your next move. This conversation may change how you think about real estate investors and the role they play right now. They also walk through what you can control—even when interest rates aren’t—so you can make smarter decisions wheth...

In this episode, Eddie Ruettiger and Nancy Vallee with EXIT Real Estate Specialists break down what’s really happening in today’s housing market and why it feels like there are two completely different markets at play. They dive into how headlines can be misleading when it comes to home prices, what buyers need to do before falling in love with their first home, and key insights from recent sales...

Eddie Ruettiger and Nancy Vallee with EXIT Real Estate Specialists welcome Karie Ramos, also with EXIT Real Estate Specialists, who sat in for Nancy this week, for a timely conversation on today’s housing market. We break down how global events like war are impacting real estate, why mortgage demand is sinking, and how NIMBY attitudes continue to affect affordability. The discussion also highlight...

In this episode, Eddie Ruettiger and Nancy Vallee with EXIT Real Estate Specialists break down what’s really happening in today’s housing market and whether spring sellers may finally have the edge. They discuss the growing trend of parents helping their kids buy homes, what it means that searches like “can’t sell my house” are trending higher, and how these signals reflect current market conditio...

In this episode, Eddie Ruettiger and Nancy Vallee with EXIT Real Estate Specialists break down what’s really happening in today’s housing market and what it means for buyers and sellers right now. Mortgage rates are on the move again, and everyone is asking the same question: Where do we go from here? We talk about why many are calling the 5% range the “magic number,” but more importantly, why you...

Is it better to rent or buy in today’s housing market? In this episode of Get Real with Eddie, Eddie Ruettiger and Nancy Vallee with EXIT Real Estate Specialists break down one of the biggest questions facing buyers right now. The conversation starts with the rent vs buying debate. With rents continuing to climb in many markets while interest rates fluctuate, many people are trying to decide if ho...

Eddie Ruettiger and Nancy Vallee with EXIT Real Estate Specialists as they take a deep dive into the latest trends shaping the housing market. In this episode, they discuss whether mortgage rates are actually coming down even without a Fed rate reduction, what that means for buyers and sellers, and how housing affordability has shifted in recent months. Eddie and Nancy break down the latest buildi...

Congress just passed a new housing bill, and the National Association of Realtors is applauding it — but what does it mean for buyers and sellers? In this episode of Get Real with Eddie, we break down why it’s becoming more affordable to buy a home, review the latest sales data for Shorewood, and discuss the top reasons people are still choosing homeownership. We also take a closer look at why tow...

Inflation data is looking better — but what does that actually mean for rates and housing? This week on Get Real with Eddie, we break down improving inflation numbers, why down payments are shrinking, and why cash buyers are starting to step back. We also dive into how to make your equity work for you, what’s happening with inventory levels, and why move-up buyers are leaning toward new constructi...

Real estate headlines are loud right now — rising foreclosures, fragile mortgage demand, insurance spikes… but what’s actually happening on the ground? In this episode, we break down why foreclosures aren’t flashing red, what’s really driving buyer hesitation, how insurance is quietly reshaping affordability, and what the numbers say in Plainfield, IL. Plus, new construction pricing and why downsi...

Mortgage rates just hit a 3-year low — so why isn’t the housing market exploding? In this episode of Get Real with Eddie, we break down what’s happening with the upcoming Federal Reserve leadership change, why lower rates aren’t automatically creating more inventory, and what’s really propping up today’s market. We also dive into: • What a new Fed Chair could mean for interest rates • Why the mark...

Congress just passed a new housing bill, and the National Association of Realtors is applauding it — but what does it mean for buyers and sellers? In this episode of Get Real with Eddie, we break down why it’s becoming more affordable to buy a home, review the latest sales data for Shorewood, and discuss the top reasons people are still choosing homeownership. We also take a closer look at why tow...

Are BIG investors really buying up all the homes — and pushing everyday buyers out of the market? In this episode of Get Real with Eddie, Eddie Ruettiger and Nancy Vallee break down what’s actually happening in today’s housing market. From falling builder sentiment to surging mortgage demand and growing buyer remorse, we dig into the data behind the headlines and separate fact from fear. If you’re...

In this week’s episode of Get Real With Eddie, hosts Eddie Ruettiger and Nancy Vallee of EXIT Real Estate Specialists break down the full year 2025 real estate sales data — from hyper-local market stats to broader trends across Northern Illinois and the entire Chicago metro area. This annual market recap gives homeowners, buyers, sellers, and investors a clear picture of what actually happened in...

Is 2026 the year you finally make your move in real estate? In this episode of Get Real With Eddie, we break down what’s really happening in today’s market — and why smart buyers and sellers are getting organized and positioning themselves for success right now. From real local data in Plainfield, IL to buyer demand trends and why January is one of the best months to buy, this show is packed with...

In this episode of Get Real With Eddie, we kick off 2026 by spotlighting the Joliet Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and the powerful role local volunteers play in protecting and supporting our neighborhoods during times of crisis. From natural disasters to community emergencies, these everyday heroes are often the first line of defense — providing life-saving assistance, organization, and...

The Federal Reserve has dropped rates—so what does that really mean for buyers, sellers, and investors right now? In this episode, we break down how lower rates impact the housing market, where to find the best deals today, and what the latest Will County sales data is telling us about local trends. We also talk strategy—how to stretch your options in a changing market, protect yourself and your h...

In this episode, Eddie breaks down what Fed Day means for the housing market and what interest rate decisions could mean for buyers and sellers. The conversation explores whether a housing reset may be on the horizon, offers a quick and easy-to-understand history of inflation, and explains how economic shifts impact real estate locally. The episode also highlights a new listing at 3806 Brenton Dr...

This episode dives into some of the most talked-about real estate topics happening right now, beginning with a snowy Midwest start and moving straight into major market shifts. You’ll hear why Zillow removed climate data from listings and what that means for buyers and sellers. We break down the surprising trend of new and existing homes costing about the same and explore the latest numbers on new...

Sam kicks off the show with a mission to spread some holiday cheer, and then we dig into what Fed officials are hinting at for December rate cuts and how that could steer the early-2026 market. We break down the latest sales numbers in Romeoville to show where demand is heating up and where buyers are hesitating. To wrap it up, we talk about the home features people are suddenly asking for again —...

The 50-year mortgage has become the newest lightning rod in real estate — some call it a necessary tool for affordability, others say it’s a trap that stretches buyers too thin over too long. Eddie and Nancy dig into the debate with no sugar-coating: who this kind of loan actually benefits, who it hurts, what it could do to pricing, and why it’s even being discussed right now. They also tackle a g...

Eddie Ruettiger and Nancy Vallee unpack the latest National Association of REALTORS® 2025 Buyer and Seller Survey — and the results are eye-opening. From shifting buyer motivations to what’s really driving the market, they break down what’s next for both buyers and sellers. Plus, they share Plainfield’s latest sales data, highlight a featured listing, and talk about why 2026 could be the perfect y...