The Pursuit of Home with Scott Harris

People love their pets. But as a buyer, what if you're allergic to them? Or what if you just aren't a pet person? Today's guest is John Messina, a veteran agent in Long Island's Gold Coast – representing the finest homes out there. And boy does he have some stories to share. It can be challenging enough to find a home you love. What if a seller asked you to keep their pets along with their propert...

Steve Herz spent decades renting, believing owning property was a financial trap. Does this sound like something you’ve ever said? However, his long-held views were challenged by family needs and the unexpected pandemic. As an entrepreneur and founding partner of IF Management, Steve opens up about how he ended up purchasing a summer home in the Hamptons and how an apartment to buy in New York Cit...

In our fourth solo episode, Scott heads to Reddit and the First Time Homebuyers' subreddit to learn what buyers are worrying about—and how their fellow buyers and agents have to say to help them. Don't take Scott's word for it, though he has plenty to say. Real buyers from all across the world do their best to teach you what's going on today. If you've been worried about signing Buyer Representati...

How is looking for love the same as looking for a house? can you look for both at the same time? Today our buyer is doing just that, and has quite a crazy story to tell! But even if your life is less complicated, it's helpful to think about how you can apply one study—finding a soulmate—to the other—finding your dream house. To unpack our buyer conversation, we bring on expert matchmaker Michelle...

What would make a seasoned real estate agent say no to sellers who want to hire them to sell a property? Join Scott Harris, in this eye-opening episode of The Pursuit of Home as he recounts some of the most bizarre and challenging experiences he’s encountered over two decades in real estate. From a bird that wouldn't leave him alone to a home filled to the brim with clutter, discover why sometimes...

You think it's tough in the US to buy a house? Try finding a home without a functioning real estate market—during a war, no less. Today we speak with a home buyer who expresses her surprising frustrations to find a home. We try to understand why one of the tech centers of the world doesn't put its know-how to work, and look at the cultural side of real estate with Daniel Frankenstein, the co-found...

What are the emerging trends you can find in your home? Are there any big surprises? This week, Scott fields more questions from listeners about the latest eco-friendly trends, why they are popular, and why they aren't! If you're thinking of buying a home anytime soon, you won't want to miss this episode! Subscribe:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-pursuit-of-home-with-scott-harris/id17358...

What if you realize you need to step back in the middle of your search for some reason? To save a little more money, to deal with something personal, to navigate the market itself? How would you feel? How much would you lean on your real estate agent? To answer these questions, we spoke with a real estate agent from Westchester, Julie Alcee, someone who got very use to putting people in time out i...

This is the podcast's first Ask Me Anything episode, and it's dedicated to a specific set of questions we've compiled from listener feedback. Today, we discuss the things you can't see in your future house, and what things might go wrong. Learn about air rights and inspections; boilers; falling bricks; termites; first-time buyers classes; and much more on today's episode of The Pursuit of Home. Do...

Do you think you need to be a jerk in your negotiations? Do you think it's going to get you a better deal? It's high time to rethink this idea. What if there's a completely different way to get to the closing table, with a deal and a house you love? Today's buyer has a superpower that does just that: Relationship-building. On today's episode of The Pursuit of Home, we listen to her story. We also...

How do you make sure that the home you want to buy is the right one for now, and for the future? Today's buyer Avi introduces an amazing framework to help anyone make that decision. To help unpack this conversation, we also bring on extraordinary business coach John Mark Shaw. What looks like a difficult decision might be easier than you think! Subscribe:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-p...

This week's buyer, Dana, and her husband pursue a home in Chicago's tony Northern Shore suburbs. What didn't they count on? The cost of their home's smart technology. We unpack their experience with master AV installer Michael Stellmann of Stellmann Electronics). What should you pay to maintain your home systems? What should you look out for? How do you undo your seller's customizations? All of th...

Do you buy a home for all the practical reasons, or do you go with your gut? Is buying based on your feelings a luxury reserved for only some? Or is all the discussion of the practical and rational just giving yourself ammunition to make the emotional decision you are going to make anyway? Let's put it another way. How do you figure out what you want? Today's buyer gives us great tools to do just...

What does it take to start your home buying journey? Is it money? It courage? Or are you going to take a different path? Our buyer today opens his heart and mind for you. Listen in to the mindset of a long-time renter in New York City. We unpack this mentality with business coach and founder of i2 Leadership Laura Schwarz. Is there anything that might help you achieve liftoff? Find out on today's...

The home search doesn’t always happen because you want it to, or when you want it to. And even when the news is great—wedding bells, positive pregnancy tests, empty nests—it isn’t any less scary. But today’s episode takes scary to the extreme. You'll meet Christina, who not only lost her house to a fire, but then had to go through a divorce on top of it? How would you handle that? Would you go and...

You might feel like an outsider when it's time to buy. But in this episode of The Pursuit of Home, Host Scott Harris discusses the experience of an actual immigrant to the United States and the challenges buying a home here vs Europe—and what you might learn from her. Scott also brings on immigration attorney and host of "The Immigration Lawyers" podcast, John Khosravi. From this episode, you'll g...

In the premiere episode of The Pursuit of Home, Host Scott Harris discusses the topic that every seller dreads: decluttering. How can you look at this all-too-imporant task in a different way? His guest who tried a new path to letting go of stuff is none other than his mother, Lois. His featured expert to give you more tips is Instagram influencer and well-known Home Organizer Jordan Marks of It's...