Let's Talk Real Estate

In this insightful episode of Let's Talk Real Estate, host Anna Olcese is joined by Shannon M. Miller, B.C.S., Esq., of The Miller Elder Law Firm. Shannon brings her extensive knowledge and passion for estate planning, elder care law, and long-term care strategies to provide invaluable guidance for listeners of all ages.

Shannon explains the critical aspects of estate planning, including the powerful benefits of Florida's homestead protection, strategies for creditor protection, and innovative estate planning tools like enhanced life estate deeds, commonly known as Lady Bird deeds. She demystifies common misconceptions about estate planning...

Wondering how current mortgage trends could affect the cost of living in Gainesville FL? Join me—your go-to Gainesville FL realtor—on this episode of Let’s Talk Real Estate as I sit down with Dan Coffey, Mortgage Banker from Ameris Bank.

With more than four decades of experience, Dan demystifies the complexities of Gainesville FL real estate financing, explaining how factors like interest rates, inflation, and federal policies impact everything from condos for sale in Gainesville FL to single-family homes for sale in Gainesville FL.

If you’re exploring houses for sale in Gainesville FL or se...

Ever wonder what really goes on behind the scenes of a mortgage approval? In this episode of Let’s Talk Real Estate, I sit down with seasoned loan originator Sue Albritton from Landmark Mortgage Planners, who spills all the secrets on both the nightmares and the triumphs that can happen during the financing process. From unexpected job changes to tight closing deadlines, Sue has seen it all—and she shares exactly how she’s rescued deals on the brink of disaster.

We’ll talk about common mortgage misconceptions—like thinking you need 20% down—and how first-time buyers can tap into...

In this inspiring episode of Let's Talk Real Estate, we sit down with Sarah Cain of Sarah Cain Design, a boutique design firm known for its innovative approach to residential and small commercial spaces. Sarah brings her expert perspective on interior trends for 2024 and 2025, from warm tones replacing gray to the resurgence of artisan-crafted touches and the soulful vibe of vintage pieces.

Sarah discusses why creating a space isn’t just about looks—it’s about how you feel. Together, we explore a wide array of trends you can incorporate, whether you're refreshing your home or embarking on a f...

We sit down with Kerry Ward, an experienced Insurance Agent at Darr Schackow Insurance, to delve into the complexities of the current insurance market. On this episode, we cover a range of essential topics, including the present state of the insurance market and understanding flood insurance coverage and requirements. Kerry shares insights on how Gainesville's insurance landscape compares to other regions in Florida and the potential impacts of a catastrophic hurricane hitting our area.

We discuss key factors influencing homeowners insurance premiums and provide a detailed walkthrough of the insurance process after going under...

We sat down with Matt Peck, owner of HouseMaster in Gainesville, Florida, a home inspection company that provides many types of inspections, from general to wood destroying organisms, and almost everything in between. What’s everything, you might ask? Well, Matt dives into the different types of inspections, why buyers AND sellers should have them, and what types of home nightmares might be discovered during one! If you’re curious to know what types of home inspections there are and which you should get when buying or selling, then you’ll want to listen to this episode. 

Podcast regular, Mortgage Banker with Ameris Bank, Dan Coffey, discusses questions that first-time buyers have about how to prepare to buy a home in the future and how Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI, can actually help save a buyer money when purchasing a home, and often how it can make a home more affordable. As Dan always says, “the only time better to buy a home than today was yesterday!” If you’re a first-time home buyer or a repeat buyer who wants to know more about the advantages of PMI, then you’ll want to listen to Dan’s insights...

Mortgage Loan Officer, Dan Coffey is back on the podcast to provide in depth knowledge about the dynamic and ever-evolving world of mortgage lending. In this episode, we explore valuable insights and opportunities for prospective homebuyers. Dan discusses predictions for interest rates and highlights the resurgence of FHA loans - covering qualification criteria, credit scores, and the flexibility of FHA loans. We also delve into seller concessions, mortgage points, and the benefits of locking in rates early. Additionally, Dan sheds light on the advantages of VA loans. Despite market shifts, Dan emphasizes the enduring value of homeownership as a...

John Darr, CEO and owner of Darr Schackow Insurance joins us again on the podcast to discuss the ever-changing insurance industry in Florida. Since our last episode with John, the insurance industry in Florida has undergone significant changes, including stricter underwriting rules and requirements for roofs, water heaters, and claims history. Today, we delve into some of these changes, such as the requirement for wind mitigation and four-point inspections, and explore how insurance premiums are affected by various factors. Join us to learn more about how these changes can impact your insurance premiums and your ability to obtain insurance covera...

Interest is the only thing that seems to interest buyers and sellers these days. Will the interest rates affect sales? How about my purchasing power? How high will interest rates climb? Will this cause a housing bust? Regular and super knowledgeable guest Dan Coffey joins us again today to share his insights and provide info about today’s rates, where he sees them going tomorrow, and why they’re not - and won’t be - where they were yesterday. Whether you’re a buyer wondering if you should “wait it out” until the next housing bust or a seller wonde...

Property management: not the sexiest topic in real estate, but definitely a big component of it. Today, Susan McQuillan, V.P./North Central Region at Watson Realty Corp’s Property Management Division, joins us to discuss property management and what it involves. From securing tenants to managing leases to calling a plumber when there’s a toilet issue, property managers do it all. With a shortage of inventory, rising rental prices, tenant and landlord laws changing, and with large apartment complexes absorbing so much of the rental market, she also addresses the impact that those factors have had on inve...

Homeowners insurance can affect homeownership in ways well beyond what we may think. Today, John Darr joins us again…you may remember him from season two. He owns Darr Schackow insurance in Gainesville, and he gives us the scoop today about where we are in terms of homeowners insurance, what we can expect for the upcoming year, and what that means for current and future homeowners. You’ll definitely want to listen to this episode because it’s much more important than you might think! Plus, John makes it interesting so it’s also less boring than you might think.

This week we have part 2 of our conversation with Dan Coffey with Ameris Bank. On this episode, Dan walks us through everything related to renovation loans, and with the current housing market this may be the best way to go if you’re wanting to make some renovations. Dan will also be talking to us about loans for Medical Professionals, which aren’t just for doctors but for medical professionals of almost any type. If you missed part 1 of our conversation about mortgage lending with Dan, take a listen to S3 EP9: Let’s Talk Mortgage Lending with Dan Coffey!

Over a 44-year career in this industry, Dan Coffey has maintained a single focus - to use his knowledge and expertise to assist people navigate the complexities of the mortgage process. He is proud to be part of such an important milestone in a client's life, and he strives to make the homebuying process a joyful experience because it should be. On this episode of Let’s Talk Real Estate, Dan walks us through the history and all the caveats of mortgage lending. Did you miss when we had Dan on Season 1 of Let’s Talk Real Estate? On episode 16 of S...

Jovi Richards is a Richmond, VA native and knows that market inside and out. After graduating from UVA, she spent several years working with children with autism. However, after having her first daughter she realized that she needed more flexibility and the opportunity to earn more for her family so she decided to become a real estate agent. Working part-time for a couple of years beforehand, Jovi jumped in with both feet in March 2020...what a decision that turned out to be! With resilience and grit, and the goal of working smarter and not necessarily harder, Jovi leveraged strong relationships...

Retiring or having a second home along the Florida coast has always been a fantasy for many. However, permanently fleeing to Florida from states like New York and California has become common practice in the last year and a half. With miles of beaches within walking distance, beautiful year-round weather, and the ability to jump on a boat and cruise the Atlantic at will, buyers from several other luxury markets are flocking in droves to make Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, and the Palm Beaches home for good. Vickie Arcuri, who has been in the real estate industry since the great recession...

The Miami real estate market is hotter than ever, with no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Dozens of years ago foreign investors took notice and since then Miami hasn’t stopped growing, and beautiful beaches and year-round sun have turned it into the go-to spot during the pandemic. With developments as impressive as a luxury condo tower by Aston Martin to multi-million dollar mansions on the bay, Tyler Anderson has seen it all despite his relatively short time in Miami. Born into a Boston real estate family, Tyler didn’t take over the family business and instead chose to purs...

Monika Nielsen has been in this industry for 25 + years and she has helped hundreds of women clear their closet and discover (or rediscover!) their style. Whether it’s your closet or wardrobe, she can get you to a place where you can breathe again…finding peace in your space and being excited to start the day. Monika will walk you through the mental gymnastics of a Cleanse and Edit, help you Clarify your style and give you tools to Capsulate your wardrobe. Her goal for you is to help you be able to get ready in 10 minutes, feeling amazing with clot...

Mark Morgan started Resolution Estimate because for a long time, he saw a need for real estate agents, buyers, and sellers to obtain accurate information quickly in regards to inspection items, repairs, or alterations to a home they are selling or seeking to purchase. Traditionally the realtor, seller, or buyer would contact various contractors or tradespeople to try to get estimates for these items. Contractors and tradespeople often don’t have time, don’t want to make time, or have other valid concerns about providing an estimate for an item on a home when they know the inquirer is looking more...

Chaitrali “Chai” Karve is the Director of Business Development at Golden Gate Global, which is a firm specializing in the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program. In 1990, Congress created the EB-5 Program to stimulate the economy through job creation and capital investment by foreign investors. In 1992, Congress created the Immigrant Investor Program, also known as the Regional Center Program, which sets aside EB-5 visas for participants who invest in commercial enterprises associated with regional centers approved by USCIS based on proposals for promoting economic growth. Chai, who is an immigrant herself and a licensed real estate agent in Florida with over two deca...

Charles Velasco is co-team leader of the Velasco Team at RE/MAX in Sacramento, California, and has sold multi-millions and worked with hundreds of buyers and sellers during his short real estate career. Today, he’s on track to be one of his area’s mega agents. You can credit much of his success to his disciplined lifestyle, his family’s encouragement and support, and his robust digital presence. With an impressive Instagram following, a YouTube channel, a podcast, and more, Charles attributes a lot of his success to his online presence. His authenticity makes him relatable and likeable, and his su...

Jamie Gould’s roots are set in concrete...a family concrete business, that is. With years of experience in the construction industry and with a passion for helping homeowners to renovate and build, Jamie left the corporate world and started his own consulting business, ContraFaba, which helps homeowners, architects, and contractors manage their costs so that the process runs smoothly and - more importantly - on budget from beginning to end. His natural ability to network coupled with a sense of adventure, have (along with his partner) inspired him to move from his native England and plant roots in the ec...

Congratulations! You have a beautiful home or a great portfolio of investment properties...or both. That means you have hundreds of thousands of dollars invested in major assets that need constant management, from general maintenance to inventory for insurance purposes. Do you know how much time and money you’re spending on property-related tasks? Tech entrepreneur Elizabeth Dodson didn’t know, either, and she was over it. So, she co-founded HomeZada, a cloud-based digital home management platform that helps you do just that. Today, she discusses 6 Mistakes That Homeowners Make And How to Best Prevent Them, as well as the app...

At the helm of commercial lending brokerage firm Clopton Capital since its founding in 2010, Jake Clopton has worked on hundreds of transactions involving everything from apartment buildings to self storage facilities. Based in Chicago, the firm works with clients nationwide and focuses on private investors whose loans typically range from $1-$40 million. Clopton Capital helps these small to middle market entities invest in commercial, industrial, and multifamily real estate that includes a multitude of property types, including factories, warehouses, mobile home parks, self storage facilities, retail malls, and offices. Jake shares not only how Clopton Capital works with these entities...

Italy’s Le Marche region, by all accounts, sounds like a fairytale. With Medieval castles and villages and the stunning Apennine Mountains outlined by stretches of pebbled beaches on the Adriatic Sea, this little-known - but quickly growing - region on Italy’s east coast rivals its larger and better-known sister cities in geographic beauty, charm, and history. A train ride or quick flight from Rome or Milan, and just a ferry ride away from Croatia, its proximity to new and old tourist destinations is fueling its popularity among Europeans, who have found it to be a terrific place to purc...

What exactly does the title company do? Many involved in the real estate transaction process may not be able to give a clear answer, and we’re not just talking about buyers and sellers. Sometimes, title work can seem too complicated or possibly not “sexy” enough to discuss, but it's a crucial component of the real estate sales process. From running title searches to ensure that someone can buy a house without the fear of ownership issues to ensuring that all the numbers are correct when it comes time to sign those closing docs, title companies have a lot of behind...

We crossed the pond this week and headed to London to talk to Tarek Merlin, who is Director and Co-Founder of Feix&Merlin Architects. We initially connected with Tarek on TikTok, where he takes us Behind Closed Doors of some very cool buildings that the public wouldn’t otherwise be able to see. A proponent of renovating and repurposing old buildings and maintaining both a structure’s and a neighborhood’s character, Tarek designs for the present with the past - and the future - in mind. His stunning work spans the residential and commercial spectrum, as well as cities far be...

James Blythe, Principal at Gainesville-based LEVEL Architecture + Interiors, chatted with us about the importance of user-centric design, repurposing old buildings, and the changes that they’re seeing in commercial design projects since the beginning of 2020. With a special place in his heart for a decrepit furniture store-turned-ax throwing establishment that has gained surprising popularity during the pandemic, he shares why sustainable design and repurposing is so important for our communities.

It’s almost like every article or podcast about real estate is on repeat: it’s a seller’s market...multiple offers...bidding wars...etc, etc, etc. Home prices are up, demand is higher than ever before, and it feels like inventory couldn’t be lower these days (because it’s never been!). The housing situation wasn’t this competitive a year ago, so what in the world is going on? Today, we dive into what has caused the housing demand frenzy during pandemic-fueled financial uncertainty and how this housing boom is different than the one that led to the financial cr...

In the midst of the pandemic, dental hygienist, mom, and military wife, Kristyn Gavazzi, decided to change careers and jump into the world of real estate. Admittedly naive about what it takes to actually be a real estate professional, Kristyn has quickly learned and has used her network, authenticity, and tenacity to hit the ground running. Since her start in January 2021, Kristyn has done more than many who have been in the industry for years. Today, she took time between contracts to chat about why she loves the Ft. Bragg and Southern Pines area of North Carolina and why relocation...

Wendy Gilch wants buyers and sellers to know. Know what? Know everything about real estate and the intricacies of the industry, as well as the scams that can turn the experience from a dream into a nightmare. Frustrated by the process as a consumer years ago, Wendy set out to shed light on what is often a process that keeps consumers in the dark. Between referral services that claim to connect consumers with the “best” agents to companies that sell consumers’ info to agents, mortgage brokers, and others in the industry, most companies that make millions from the business of real e...

Designing our spaces has become more necessary than ever before, between having to make our homes vacation spots AND offices, we crave for environments that work perfectly for our needs and wants. Today, Sarah Cain, a top-notch interior designer and owner of Sarah Cain Design, discusses the importance of creating a truly personal space that blends a client’s unique style and specific use. It’s all about creating a luxury experience for every home or business owner, from where to place a chair, right down to where and how someone prepares their morning coffee. Listen to Sarah as she disc...

When one of our most recent TikToks elicited some...ummm... strong reactions from viewers, we thought it would be fun to discuss the topic on the podcast. The topic in this case was reasons to move to Florida. Anna and fellow relocation specialist, Angela Foote, read through some of the comments and addressed them with honest answers about what life in Gainesville is like and how it’s a little different than the rest of Florida. Listen as we dispel myths, confirm others, and discuss how humidity may very well be your best friend as you get older. What preconceived id...

Nancy Tran may be new to real estate, but she’s not new to sales or to the discipline that is needed to succeed in the business. This episode is a must for new and veteran agents alike as Nancy shares her habits, daily routine, and clever prospecting ideas that have helped her succeed during her first year in the business, even amidst a pandemic! Her awesome attitude, self-confidence, and growth mindset will inspire you, even if you’re not in real estate sales. She’s also quite funny and genuine, and you might want to follow her on TikTok, which...

While we mostly feature agents who have been in the business for a while, every few episodes we like to highlight up-and-comers who are the future of real estate. We first “met” Matt and Cass on TikTok, which is where we’ve initially connected with many of our other guests. Austin native and trendy brokerage Realty Austin agent, Matthew Turnage, is a relative newcomer to the real estate business, but he’s nevertheless seen a lot in a short time. His partner, Cassandra Pineda, who is working on getting her real estate associate license and will surely be making many deals so...

With 16 years in the business and vast experience working in the residential real estate market with buyers, sellers, and many investors, Atlanta native and former flight attendant Jackie O’Connor has experienced the ups and downs of the real estate market both in Ann Arbor and Boston. With a career that has seen the housing market go up and down more than once, through the financial crisis, a pandemic, and the latest housing boom that we’re in now, Jackie has remained strong and steady, and today she runs the Jackie O. Real Estate Team at Keller Williams Boston Metro. In t...

Just when I thought there wouldn’t be too many more changes in 2021, I decided to move from Keller Williams to Engel & Volkers. Why? I couldn’t resist the brokerage’s culture and ideals, which emphasizes that luxury is an experience, not a price point. All customers deserve a luxury experience, and I’ve always worked to make that a reality. Today’s conversation with Carrie Cason, Broker/Owner of Engel & Volkers Gainesville, covers why Carrie chose to open an EV shop in Gainesville, what attracted her to EV, and her predictions for the future of the brokerage in Gainesville. We also to...

Blake Stargel is making it big in Hollywood...Hollywood real estate, that is. After moving to California from Nebraska, where he had traded college life for Realtor life, Blake started hitting the real estate world and social media hard. In this episode, Blake tells us what it was like to move to LA and then transition to a new brokerage, what the continual grind to get business is like, where he is today, and where he sees himself and the market going during the coming year. Plus, he gives us the scoop about some Million Dollar Listing celebrities, who he...

John Stoeber, a Principal at Kronos Investment Partners, is barely out of college yet he knows more about investing in real estate than most seasoned professionals in the industry do. A self-proclaimed number cruncher, he oversees underwriting, market analysis, and financial reporting at Kronos, which is a private equity firm that buys cash-flowing and under-performing multi-family properties in the U.S. In our discussion, we touched on house flipping’s pros and cons, how house hacking can let you live rent-free, and why BRRRR is a great investment strategy. There’s even a golden nugget of investing advice for real esta...

If there were a prize for Most Energetic Guest, then Ari Rastegar would win it hands-down. Founder and CEO of Rastegar Property Company, Ari is a force to reckon with due to his business acumen and overall dynamic personality. His innovative, technology-driven investment strategies have made him a thought leader in real estate, where he specializes in recession-resilient real assets and multifamily real estate developments, building portfolios designed to reduce risk and maximize capital appreciation potential. Today, Ari took time from his incredibly busy schedule to discuss President Biden’s sustainability plans and how they will affect the future of ou...