The Berks Homes Podcast

Recorded inside the Beacon Pointe model home at Hickory Pointe in Waynesboro, host Brandon talks with Ian Matsko-Entzel, a New Homes Sales Consultant who has been with Berks Homes for over nine years. Ian explains why he sees his role as selling life improvements rather than just homes, and how he builds trust differently with first-time buyers, step-up buyers, and down-sizers by taking time to li...

Ben talks with Bryan Entrekin, who leads the On Your Land division at Berks Homes, about what it really takes to build a home on a Homeowner's own piece of land. Bryan traces his path from resale real estate to 20 plus years at Berks, and breaks down the difference between On Your Land builds and select sites, small investment opportunities of three lots or fewer. He walks through the hidden c...

Recorded on-site at an On Your Land build in Mohnton, host Brandon talks with Jake Swiencki Superintendent for Berks Homes' On Your Land department, about what it takes to build a home on a Homeowner's own property. Jake explains how the program works, from site evaluations and permitting to the extended timeline compared to a standard development build, and walks through common delays lik...

Katie and Ben talk about what it is like to run Berks Homes together. They reflect on very different childhood personalities, how they ended up leading the company side by side, and the shared values around money, trust, and people that make their partnership work. The conversation covers how they divide responsibilities based on natural strengths, handle disagreements without drama, and wraps wit...

In this episode, recorded on-site at Cumberland Preserve Estates in Carlisle, host Brandon speaks with Scott Hardie, Production Manager for the South Central region, about what it takes to oversee many Berks Homes communities at once. Scott shares that he served in the military and worked with young people before joining Berks Homes almost 10 years ago. He explains what a normal day looks like, wo...

Katie sits down with Joe Roslin, Berks Homes' creative director and a 20-plus-year employee, to trace the evolution of the company's brand. Joe walks through the early days of print ads and brochures, the shift to digital and coding the first website, and the messy period of merging two logos before the team committed to the simplified black-and-white identity used today. They discuss the...

Berks Homes COO Stephanie O'Hara checks in with the sales and marketing team on "Lead, Own, Commit, and Keep Going," the locked-in mindset introduced at the start of the year. The team discusses how it has shaped their approach through a tougher housing market, closer alignment between sales and marketing, more intentional customer communication, and greater personal accountability....

Katie talks with Jolene George of Capstone Land Transfer about what title insurance actually does and why it matters. Jolene explains how her team searches property records back 60 years to catch unsatisfied mortgages, mechanics liens, boundary disputes, and even deed forgery risks that apply to new construction Homeowners, not just resale buyers. She also flags the rising threat of wire fraud in...

In this special family-focused episode, Ben welcomes his children! Bella, Theo, and Juliet join the podcast for a fun and unfiltered conversation about homes, family, and what they think their dad does at Berks Homes. They share their imaginative dream-home ideas, react to the Isabella and Juliet floor plans named after them, and explain why spaces such as the kitchen, basement, backyard, and thei...

What does it mean to be truly “locked in”? Berks Homes COO Stephanie O’Hara sits down with several of the company’s newer sales agents to discuss the mindset guiding their team throughout the year: Lead, Own, Commit and Keep Going. The group shares how they are becoming more intentional, adapting to a changing housing market, building meaningful relationships with buyers and continuing to grow thr...

This episode of the Berks Homes Podcast features a new host, Brandon Raubenstine, the multimedia specialist behind the video content you see from Berks Homes. Joining him is John D'Angelo, Director of Construction, for a conversation that goes deep into what truly separates a Berks Homes home from the rest. The two cover the culture of genuine care that runs through every department and every...

Katie and Ben are back for a brand new episode of The Berks Homes Podcast, and they have a lot to celebrate! They share an exciting business update on where Berks Homes stands heading into the second half of the year, highlighting the strength of Pennsylvania's housing market and the momentum the team has built. They dive deep into the world of land acquisition, discussing the growing opportunity...

Katie sits down with Angie Hall, our Selection Gallery Manager to explore how the selection gallery experience helps homebuyers personalize their new Berks Homes home. Angie shares how her team guides buyers through design choices, balances trends with timeless styles, and creates a fun, low-pressure environment that turns what could feel overwhelming into an exciting milestone. Contact Katie or B...

Katie and Ben explain why buyers choose Berks Homes and what truly sets the company apart in a crowded homebuilding market. They discuss Berks Homes’ clear focus on attainable housing, strong quality control, thoughtful design, and deep care for first-time and move-up buyers. The conversation highlights how empathy, clear communication, and respect for customers, trade partners, and communities cr...

Katie and Ben explain the two paths to purchasing a Berks Homes home. Building a to-be-built home or buying a quick move-in spec home and how both lead to the same overall customer experience. They break down why each option exists, how specs help maintain construction flow, and what changes behind the scenes for sales, operations, and communication. The conversation reinforces that no matter when...

In this episode, Katie, Ben, Maddie, and Becca talk about how Berks Homes stages model homes and what really goes into making a house feel “move-in ready” for buyers. Maddie and Becca explain the behind-the-scenes process, planning with construction schedules, shopping, budgeting, shipping, assembling furniture, and doing quick installs under tight deadlines. They also share inside tips, funny sto...

Katie sits down with Berks Homes sales consultant, Madison to talk about how trust is built with homebuyers throughout the building process. Madison shares how being honest, setting clear expectations, communicating consistently, and genuinely listening to customers helps turn challenging moments into positive experiences. Together, they highlight how trust, transparency, and human connection make...

Katie and Ben discuss why no one can truly predict the 2026 housing market, but explain the key forces shaping it. Discussing affordability pressures, interest rates, material costs, land availability, and buyer expectations, especially within Berks Homes’ specific Pennsylvania markets. They share a “realistic but optimistic” outlook for 2026, emphasizing flexible pricing, efficient building, stro...

Katie and Ben break down Berks Homes’ 2026 company-wide goals, which shift the focus away from strict metrics and toward behaviors that strengthen teamwork, communication, partnerships, and customer care. They explain how the five core goals—play as one team, own your playbook, build with care, develop partnerships, and protect & grow profit, serve as a blueprint for every department to align...

Katie and Ben delve into their vision and the essence of their company. They emphasize the importance of staying true to their identity, even as they expand into new markets. They discuss their commitment to cultivating trust and relationships, avoiding the tactics of major competitors. While they acknowledge the challenges of growth, they also find excitement in the unknown and the opportunity to...

Katie and Ben discuss what it truly means to “own the outcome”. Taking responsibility for results, even when challenges are caused by things outside your control. They explain how real ownership starts with mindset: focusing on solutions, clear communication, and the customer’s experience rather than blame. The episode highlights how every role at Berks Homes contributes to delivering on promises,...

Katie and Ben talk about how “budget season” isn’t just about math or money. It’s about making a plan for what the company cares about most and deciding where the money should go. They explain how being careful and realistic helps everyone do their jobs well, save money in smart ways, and still keep the quality high. Instead of cutting corners, they show how working together and planning better he...

Berks Homes veteran John D’Angelo (“John DTV”) joins Katie and Ben to share how his 25-year journey helped develop a top-tier quality control system. From refining scopes of work to leading field inspections and team “toolbox talks,” John explains how every detail contributes to building better homes. The conversation highlights Berks’ dedication to excellence, collaboration, and a strong family-o...

Katie and Ben answer a mix of lighthearted and insightful questions about homebuilding, teamwork, and family business dynamics. They share personal stories from job sites, discuss what makes Berks Homes stand out like delivering the best value through efficient design and strong coordination. The episode closes with reflections on patience, learning, and planning in their careers. Contact Katie or...

Katie and Ben unpack the company vision — “be a major-league player in minor-league markets” and how it acts as a simple, constant filter for decisions and culture. They define “major-league” as consistent execution: centralized leadership, disciplined processes and scorecards, strong people and product standards, tech investment, and obsessive communication that keeps buyers informed. The episode...