The Genuine Guide Podcast

Thinking about buying land in Tennessee? 🌿 In this episode, I sit down with Justin Hill to talk about what most buyers overlook when purchasing acreage, from utilities and septic systems to easements, hunting properties, horse farms, and future home sites. If you've ever dreamed of owning your own piece of land, this conversation is packed with practical advice that could save you time, money...

The market isn’t crashing, it’s pausing. In this episode, I break down what today’s mortgage rates, affordability challenges, and buyer hesitation really mean for buyers and sellers here in Middle Tennessee. Don’t let the headlines make the decision for you. Understand the market, know your numbers, and make the move that’s right for you. 🎙️ Listen now and let me know your thoughts.

Homeownership isn’t just about paint colors and renovations, sometimes it’s about protecting what you’ve worked hard for before small problems turn into expensive ones. Had such a great conversation with Larry Pate from Pate Pest Pros about the real stuff homeowners should actually know when it comes to pests, prevention, and protecting your home investment. From bed bugs while traveling to why pr...

The market isn’t crashing… but it definitely feels different right now. In this episode, we talk about why buyers are hesitating, why homes are sitting longer, and how things like inflation, interest rates, grocery prices, gas prices, and everyday uncertainty are affecting the real estate market more than people realize. It’s an honest conversation about buyer psychology, today’s housing market, a...

Think paint is just about picking a color? There’s a lot more to it. 🎙️ I’m joined by Kenneth Wells as we break down how painting your home inside and out can impact value, protect your investment, and completely change how a space feels. From common mistakes homeowners make to simple upgrades that go a long way, this conversation covers both the practical side and the bigger picture. If you own a...

Think you know real estate? Put your knowledge to the test. 🎙️ I’m joined by Julie McConnell for a fun short real estate trivia episode where we look back at some of the biggest home trends, market moments, and memorable features from the 80s to today. From sunken living rooms and granite countertops to mortgage rates and housing crashes, this quick conversation mixes humor, nostalgia, and real es...

Thinking about building a home but not sure where to start? I’m joined by Christi Wedig of CMG Home Loans as we break down construction loans in plain English—how they work, what first-time builders should expect, common mistakes to avoid, and how to prepare before breaking ground. If building a home feels exciting and overwhelming, this episode is packed with practical insight to help make the pr...

Closing day feels like the finish line… until it’s not. In this episode with Ben Seamon, we unpack what really happens behind the scenes and why deals can still fall apart at the last minute. From title issues and surprise liens to last-minute financial mistakes (yes… even buying a boat before closing), this conversation pulls back the curtain on the part of real estate most people never see. If y...

Buying a home shouldn’t feel like learning a whole new language… but sometimes it does. 🏡 In this episode, I’m joined by Matthew Warren and McCain Marrow as we break down the things that confuse buyers the most—mortgages, insurance, and everything in between so you can move forward with confidence (and avoid costly mistakes). From understanding what you really need before closing to clearing up c...

Insurance is something every homeowner has, but not everyone understands how much the market has changed over the past few years. In this episode, Matthew Warren from Goosehead Insurance joins the podcast to talk about what’s happening in the insurance world in 2026. We discuss why rates increased so much in recent years, why companies are becoming more strict with policies, how insurance scores w...

Real estate can get complicated, but sometimes the best way to understand it is to make it fun. In this episode, we switched things up and did a real estate trivia game with Matthew Warren from Goosehead Insurance. We covered topics like escrow, PMI, appraisals, insurance deductibles, seller’s markets, and even some fun facts about famous homes. Whether you’re buying, selling, investing, or just c...

A lot of homeowners don’t realize how much their insurance can change over time. Your roof, your escrow, and even how often you review your policy can affect what you pay every month. In this episode, I sit down with Matthew Warren from Goosehead Insurance to talk about what really impacts homeowners insurance costs. We go through things like roof age, policy reviews, escrow payments, and why chec...

If you’ve been in Middle Tennessee lately, you felt it. The ice storm, downed trees, power outages, and a lot of homeowners asking, “Is this covered?” In this episode of The Genuine Guide to Real Estate, I’m joined by Matthew Warren with Goosehead Insurance to walk through what homeowners insurance actually covers after a storm. We break down real life scenarios like fallen trees, water damage, ic...

Buying your first home isn’t just about what you can get approved for, it’s about whether the payment fits your life. I sit down with Chad Appleton of Compass Mortgage to break down mortgage basics in plain English for first-time and relocating buyers. We talk about why talking to a lender before touring homes matters, how to think through payments instead of just purchase price, and the differenc...

In today’s episode of The Genuine Guide to Real Estate , I’m sharing a simple mindset shift that can completely change the way you approach buying a home, especially if you’re relocating to Nashville. It’s called the Goldilocks Rule from Atomic Habits : the idea that we make our best progress when the process isn’t too overwhelming and isn’t too rushed… it’s just challenging enough. I talk about w...

In today’s episode of The Genuine Guide to Real Estate , I’m joined by my buddy Ben Seamon, a title attorney with Bell Alexander Title here in Brentwood, Tennessee. We’re talking about the red flags that can pop up during a real estate transaction, the stuff most buyers and sellers never see, but that can cause major problems if it gets missed. Ben shares real examples from the closing table, expl...

Investing in your first rental isn’t just about cash flow, it’s about whether the decision fits into your life. In this episode, I sit down with Heath Moore, a real-world rental property investor who still works a full-time W-2 job, to talk about what actually goes into buying your first rental. We discuss the fears that keep people stuck on the sidelines, how to evaluate deals realistically, and...

Buying a home isn’t just about numbers, it’s about how the decision fits into your life. In this episode, I sit down again with Christy Wedig of CMG Home Loans to talk about making home-buying decisions that feel sustainable, not stressful. We discuss the difference between what buyers can be approved for versus what they can truly afford, why slowing down matters, and how thoughtful planning can...

Most people don’t remodel because they want something “new.” They remodel because something isn’t working anymore. I sit down with Bobby Amezaga from The Designery to talk about how homeowners can gain clarity before starting a kitchen, bath, or home remodel. We explore why understanding your intention matters just as much as the budget, how small frustrations often point to bigger design issues,...

What if you did everything right and still missed the right house? In this episode, I share a story that completely reframed how I think about buying a home and why so many buyers feel frustrated even after “doing all the right things.” We explore the difference between executing well and aiming well and why clarity, not speed or pressure, is what actually leads to good decisions in real estate. T...

Most people think getting pre-approved is a simple yes or no, but there’s a smart way to do it that keeps you from getting in over your head. In this episode, I sit down with my friend McCain Marrow from United Home Loans to break down what approval really means and how to approach it with confidence. We talk about the difference between pre-qualification, pre-approval, and a full pre-underwrite,...

In this episode, Elliott Wittstruck tackles one of the biggest questions for anyone moving to Middle Tennessee: Where should I live? From understanding the real costs of different neighborhoods to knowing when it makes sense to look just outside the city, he shares practical advice to help you find a spot that truly fits your life. If you’re trying to get a feel for Nashville and the surrounding t...

In this episode, Elliott Wittstruck shares the real story behind his first fixer-upper, what it actually cost him, what went right, and what he wishes he knew before starting. From living in a construction zone to learning how far a budget can really stretch, Elliott’s experience gives a clear, honest look at the true cost of “fixing it up.” If you're thinking about tackling a remodel or buyin...

Did you know the smartest time to start preparing for a home purchase is six months before you’re ready to buy ? In this episode, I sit down with my friend McCain Marrow from United Home Loans, to break down what you should be doing right now if you’re planning ahead. We talk about getting pre-qualified early, checking your credit, understanding your true comfort payment, and why giving yourself a...

What are the three questions I have to answer before I even start looking at homes?” In this episode, I walk you through them one by one. Your why, your where, and your real comfortable monthly payment—these three things shape every decision you’ll make in the homebuying process. Buying a home can get emotional and expensive fast, especially in a market like Nashville. That’s why getting clear on...