The Brick buy Brick Podcast

In this episode of Brick buy Brick, hosts Kim Von Dohren and Ed Marko explain why saving matters and how to start — from building an emergency fund and trimming everyday expenses to using compounding interest and maximizing employer 401(k) matches. They offer practical tips to reduce spending, prioritize short- and long-term goals, and begin retirement savings so listeners can steadily build...

On this episode of Brick buy Brick, realtor Kim Von Dohren and banker Ed Marko explain why mortgage rates can rise even after the Federal Reserve lowers its overnight rate. They clarify that mortgage rates track the bond market and Treasury yields, so market uncertainty can push investors into bonds and raise mortgage costs. Key takeaways: short-term spikes often follow Fed actions or talk, watch...

Hosts Kim Von Dohren and Ed Marko explore why most money problems come from mindset, habits and relationships — not just income. Through real-life stories (from Ferrari's to gambling) they explain how honest budgets, delayed gratification and understanding your spending motives create financial freedom. The episode offers practical advice: put all spending in your budget, confront the emotio...

Join Kim Von Dohren, your realtor, and Ed Marko, your banker, in an insightful episode of Brick by Brick, Building Wealth Through Homeownership. Dive deep into understanding that while interest rates are part of, they aren't the sole factors influencing your monthly mortgage payment. Discover how principal, taxes, insurance, and PMI can significantly impact your borrowing power, often more than in...

Join hosts Kim VonDohren and Ed Marko in this insightful episode of 'Brick by Brick, Building Wealth Through Homeownership.' In the second part of their maintenance series, they delve into the importance of maintaining various aspects of your home's interior. From painting walls and cleaning carpets to servicing HVAC systems and ensuring plumbing and appliances are in good shape, they cover it all...

In this celebratory 20th episode of Brick by Brick, hosts Kim VonDohren and Ed Marko dive into the importance of regular home maintenance to sustain and grow your home’s value. Drawing parallels between homeownership and a 401k, they emphasize the necessity of investing in both interior and exterior upkeep, starting this week with a comprehensive guide to exterior maintenance. From inspectin...

Join Kim Von Dohren and Ed Marko in an insightful episode where they delve into the intricacies of property assessment and property taxes, focusing primarily on Berks County, Pennsylvania. While the details may vary by location, the principles discussed provide valuable guidance for all homeowners looking to appeal their property taxes. Discover the importance of understanding fair market value, c...

This session delves into the three pivotal stages of homeownership that mirror life’s changing needs: the starter home, the big family home, and the transition to a smaller, more manageable home for your golden years. Kim and Ed explore why holding onto a house longer than beneficial can become a burden rather than a blessing. They share practical advice on recognizing the right moments to t...

Welcome to "Brick buy Brick: Building Wealth Through Homeownership," where hosts Kim Von Dohren, a dedicated realtor, and Ed Marko, an experienced lender, unravel the often-misunderstood role of a real estate agent in the home buying journey. In this episode, they guide listeners through what buyers can expect when purchasing a home, from initial interest to closing the deal. Kim shares her approa...

In this episode of 'Brick by Brick, Building Wealth Through Homeownership,' hosts Kim Von Dohren and Ed Marko delve into their personal choices of living in smaller, more manageable homes. They share the reasoning behind their decision to opt for simplicity and conservatism in their living spaces, despite having the means to choose more extravagant surroundings. Listen in as they discuss the finan...

In this episode of Brick by Brick: Building Wealth Through Homeownership, hosts Kim Von Dohren and Ed Marko dive into the intricacies of securing reliable tenants. Drawing from over 13 years of landlording experience, Kim reveals her strategic and thorough process for vetting potential tenants, ensuring landlords avoid headaches and enjoy seamless rental experiences. From marketing properties effe...

In this episode of "Brick buy Brick," hosts Kimberly Von Dohren RS#322207 and Edson Marko NMLS#1233441 delve into the significant wealth-building potential found in owning a home. They discuss how simply living in your own property can become a powerful financial tool over time, through mechanisms like appreciation and the accumulation of home equity. Kim and Ed offer a comparative analysis betwee...

Join Realtor Kimberly Von Dohren RS#322207 and Lender Edson Marko NMLS#1233441 as they guide you through the essential steps to home-ownership in this enlightening episode of Brick buy Brick, Building Wealth Through Homeownership. This episode delves into the intricate process of purchasing a home, from understanding when it's the right time to buy, to the significance of becoming financially and...

Join Kimberly Von Dohren RS#322207, a seasoned Realtor, and Edson Marko NMLS#1233441 an experienced Lender, as they delve into the questions of mortgage management. Is it beneficial to pay extra on your mortgage principal every month? Discover strategies to potentially save years off your mortgage term and gain financial freedom sooner by understanding how early or additional payments work against...

In this episode of 'Brick by Brick, Building Wealth Through Homeownership,' hosts Kim Von Dohren and Ed Marko delve into the intricate process of rehabbing rental properties. They explore essential elements to consider when transforming a newly purchased property into a rental, such as determining costs, understanding market rent, and calculating potential cash flow. The hosts also discuss necessa...

Join hosts Kimberly Von Dohren RS#322207, a seasoned Realtor, and Edson Marko NMLS#1233441 an experienced Lender, as they delve into the art of transitioning from house flipping to becoming a successful landlord. In this episode of "Brick buy Brick," learn the strategies behind purchasing, rehabilitating, and renting properties for long-term income and asset-building. Discover the nuances of locat...

Join hosts Kimberly Von Dohren RS#322207, a seasoned Realtor, and Edson Marko NMLS#1233441 an experienced Lender in this eye-opening episode of "Brick by Brick: Building Wealth Through Homeownership," where they continue their insightful conversation about the intricate world of property flipping. This episode dives deep into the critical aspect of inspecting a property, not just for its visual ap...

Join Kimberly Von Dohren RS#322207, a seasoned Realtor, and Edson Marko NMLS#1233441 an experienced Lender in this engaging episode of "Brick buy Brick: Building Wealth Through Homeownership," where they dive into the intricacies of flipping houses. With their combined expertise as a realtor and banker, they emphasize the importance of self-education and hands-on learning for successful home flipp...

In this episode of Brick by Brick, hosts Kimberly Von Dohren RS#322207, a seasoned Realtor, and Edson Marko NMLS#1233441 an experienced Lender, delve into the essentials of funding your real estate investments. Whether you're a beginner or looking to expand your portfolio, understanding where and how to source money is crucial. Kim and Ed explore popular methods like home equity lines of credit an...

Join hosts Kimberly Von Dohren RS#322207, a seasoned Realtor, and Edson Marko NMLS#1233441 an experienced Lender, in this insightful episode of Brick buy Brick as they delve into the world of real estate investing. Discover their personal experiences, the joys and challenges of being landlords, and essential advice for beginners looking to start their investment journey. Learn strategies for flipp...

In this episode of Brick by Brick, Building Wealth Through Homeownership, hosts Kimberly Von Dohren RS#322207, a seasoned Realtor, and Edson Marko NMLS#1233441 experienced Lender, delve into the complexities of calculating self-employed income for home loans. Whether you're an entrepreneur, freelancer, or a commissioned employee, learn how your income can affect your borrowing potential and the st...

In this episode of "Brick by Brick," hosts Kimberly Von Dohren RS#322207, a seasoned realtor, and Edson Marko NMLS#1233441, an experienced lender, dive deep into the world of renovation purchase loans. They explore what renovation purchase loans are, who can use them, and why they might be the key to transforming a fixer-upper into a dream home. Special focus is given to the federally funded 203K...

Welcome to "Brick buy Brick, Building Wealth Through Homeownership," hosted by Kimberly Von Dohren RS#322207, a seasoned realtor, and Edson Marko NMLS#1233441, an experienced lender. In this episode, they tackle pressing questions about managing debt and the crucial steps towards improving credit. With insights from organizations like Neighborhood Housing Services and Money Management Internationa...

Welcome to "Brick by Brick, Building Wealth Through Homeownership," where your hosts Kimberly Von Dohren RS#322207, a seasoned realtor, and Edson Marko NMLS#1233441, an experienced banker, delve into the intricacies of credit scores and their impact on your financial journey. In this episode, they explore common questions like "How does credit work?" and "Why does my number fluctuate?" Offering th...

Join Kimberly Von Dohren RS#322207, a seasoned Realtor, and Edson Marko NMLS#1233441, an experienced Lender, on "Brick by Brick" as they unpack the critical differences between a home inspection and an appraisal. In this episode, they delve into the nuances of what a home inspection entails, the importance of appraisals in the home buying process, and what to expect from an FHA appraisal inspectio...