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Thank you for joining me on this journey! Have a comment or suggestion for a fresh topic? Call (715) 212-4693 or email: [email protected]. Click on the latest episodes below to listen.
What You Should Know About Private Well Water - With Cody Hoelscher
If you're considering owning a home in the country or even on the outskirts of town with a private well, it's helpful to understand what's in your water. This episode is all about well-water testing, what is tested for and what the results mean... E. coli, coliform bacteria, arsenic, nitrates and more!
Country Properties and Rural Loans with Danielle Schneider
Considering purchasing a country property with a rural home loan? There are benefits to you as the buyer, but there are a few things to consider including the location of the property, condition, etc. Tune into this week's episode with Danielle Schneider!
Make Your Move Easier With These Quick Tips - With Kendra Wolfgram
Getting ready to move? These simple tips are helpful when planning to switch utilities over, informing various companies, packing & unpacking and more! This week on The Real!
Trends in Investing in Real Estate with Matt Mullen
Today we have Austin Solomon and Matt Mullen in the studio talking about investment trends we're seeing in the local marketplace - What makes a good rental property? Are investors having success buying in a low-inventory market? And how to get an investment property under contract in a competitive market? All this today on The Real!
Live-in remodeling, flipping and more with Carly Schwanz
Ever considering buying a home that needs work, renovating it and then reselling? Today, Carly Schwanz, agent with The Solomon Group, shares here experience with this process, as she's personally done it successfully with 4 homes and more to come. Tune in!
Spring Market Update with Cody Hoelscher & Lucca Tonelli
Today we have Cody & Lucca in the studio giving an update on the Spring Market, what to expect as we warm up to the spring market!
Appraisal Gap Coverage with Kendra Wolfgram
This week, Realtor® Kendra Wolfgram, dives into what is "an appraisal gap" and how can it be helpful for both buyers and sellers in a competitive market. Tune in!
5 Reasons WHY To Move In The Winter
A lot of people shy away from moving in the winter months, but it DOES have some benefits you may have not considered.
What Should Investors Expect in 2023?
Hey everyone, it's Lucca Tonelli with The Solomon Group at Coldwell Banker Action. Today I'm talking about what investors should consider as we head into the 2023 market.
What You Should Know About Mortgage Buydowns
Hey everyone, it's Cody Hoelscher with The Solomon Group at Coldwell Banker Action. Today I'm talking about Mortgage Buydowns and how that impacts interest rates & monthly payments for buyers!
Why Today's Market is Different From 2008 / 2009 with Lucca Tonelli
Hey everyone, it's Lucca Tonelli with The Solomon Group at Coldwell Banker Action. Today I'm talking about why our current market during the pandemic and today is different than the market in 2008/2009 for 3 main reasons. Tune in!
Debunking Misconceptions Around Home Inspections
Excited to dig this re-run out of the archives. Jeff Newman, licensed home inspector, and I are talking about some of the common misconceptions around home inspections. As the market shifts, we are seeing more inspection contingencies in offers today! Tune in!
Attention Sellers! How Can You Sell Your Home For Top Dollar
Cody Hoelscher dives into how sellers can take advantage of this seller's market to get top dollar for their property. There are two key factors to this equation... this week on The Real - tune in!
Home Inspections And How To Handle Them with Cody Hoelscher
Today Cody Hoeslcher is behind the microphone, sharing his insight on home inspections, especially during this competitive seller's market. Are people still waving them? What percentage of offers have home inspections? Are sellers willing to negotiate if inspection repairs are requested? All this and more on this week's episode - tune in!
What to Expect When You Don't Know What to Expect?
Today Matt Mullen shares how purchasing a home often includes navigating uncharted territory... especially for first-time home buyers. Most steps aren't as intimidating as they may seem when you're partnered with an agent guiding you each step of the way.
This week on The Real - tune in!
What are the Benefits of Working with a Team?
We couldn't do what we do without our team. It's not only beneficial for providing our clients with top service and quick response times, but also for our team members to encourage one another and push each other to do their best. This is a fun episode with multiple team members behind the mic, enjoy!
How to Handle a Seller's Market - with Kendra Wolfgram
How can a buyer today be prepared to enter the marketing with today's market being so competitive. This week, Kendra is sharing valuable insight to prepare you to be successful in the real estate marketplace. Tune in!
Buying a Home in Wisconsin with Four Seasons - with Carly Schwanz
Today we are joined by Carly Schwanz, Realtor with The Solomon Group - Coldwell Banker Action. Carly's been a Wisconsin native her entire life and today she's sharing practical advice to consider when moving to an area with four seasons, especially if relocating from another climate or part of the country. Hot summers, cold winters and everything in between. Tune in!
Personal Letters to Sellers
We've seen a little bit of change on this topic over the past few years... why some states across the country are discouraging buyers from writing personal letters to sellers.
This week on The Real!
An Episode on Lock Boxes
There are a lot of misconceptions about lock boxes... what they are and how they function. They are a great tool that agents use daily, here's a short, fun episode all about lock boxes.
What Things Can You Compromise On When Buying a Home?
Everyone wants that "perfect" home, but as a buyer oftentimes finding a home in this competitive market includes "compromising" in certain areas. In my experience helping buyers, I tend to recommend these steps as you start your search... this week on The Real!
Listen on your favorite podcast app or on our website at: https://www.thesolomongroupwi.com/about/the-real-podcast/
Big City Buyers to Small Towns - How Has This Changed The Market?
Over the past few years, we've seen an influx of people moving across the country from larger cities to smaller cities - like our hometown in Central Wisconsin. With differing budgets and cost of living... How has this trend played out in our local market? This week on The Real!
Listen on your favorite podcast app or on our website at: https://www.thesolomongroupwi.com/about/the-real-podcast/
Summer Market of 2022... Interest Rates, Inventory... Where Are We Headed?
The long awaited summer is finally here! What does the summer market look like for buyers and sellers in Central Wisconsin? How will the increasing interest rates and historically lower inventory affect buyers and sellers alike?
This week on The Real!
Selecting an Agent to Sell Your Home
As spring makes a delayed appearance in Central Wisconsin, you might consider putting your home on the market!
Today, I'm discussing criteria to consider for selecting an agent for your sale. This is rerun of one of my early episodes on the show but the same principles apply today!
Is 2022 the BEST time to be a Real Estate Agent?
We can all agree the market is hot and homes are selling quickly, but does that equate to "an easy or ideal time to be an agent"? Yes and no. There are a few common misconceptions floating out there that we're diving into on this week's episode. Tune in!
Why Getting In A Bidding War May Not Be As Bad As You Think
Can any sense be made from the current market we are in? As a buyer, competing against other offers may leave you discouraged, or for the winning offer, knowing you've gotten a home that's extremely desirable.
This week on The Real!
Where is the Market Going?
What is going to happen in the next 3 months, 6 months, 12 months in the real estate market? Is there going to be a large downturn? Should I buy now or should I wait? ... A lot of people are asking and here's the answer! This week on The Real.
3 Tips to Getting Offers Accepted in this Crazy Market
As a buyer... how can you make your offer stand out when you're competing against 10, 20, 30 offers? Today we are taking about 3 tips to getting your offer accepted in this crazy market. Tune in!
Local Roots Run Deep - Guest Speaker Ryan Molstad
Today I'm joined by Ryan Molstad, a fellow DC Everest Graduate, that grew up in the area and now is a mortgage lender at Envoy Mortgage in the Twin Cities. We're talking about aspects of the area we really appreciated while growing up. Tune in!
Practical Tips To Avoid Buyer Remorse
Buyers remorse can be a reality for many different people, and in may different purchases... including real estate! Today we are diving into practical tips on avoiding remorse in your next purchase.
Balancing Your Mental State In This Competitive Market
Today we are talking about the mental aspects of the real estate space. This is extremely pertinent with how competitive the market has been, and those effects of the market intellectually on both buyers and sellers alike ... tune in!
Should I Sell For Sale By Owner?
With the market being HOT right now, paired with the ease of selling your home - with a lot of buyers in the marketplace... you may be considering selling your home For Sale By Owner. What are the pros and cons of selling on your own versus selling with a Realtor®? This week on The Real!
Offer Deadlines In Today's Market
We're talking about offer deadlines... what does it mean when we see "Offers are being reviewed on this specific date"... For both buyers and sellers, what you need to know about offer deadlines this week on The Real.
Pros and Cons of Open Houses
With spring around the corner and more homes coming on the market... we are going to see more open houses advertised. As a buyer or seller, what are the pros of an open house, and what are the cons...? This week on The Real!
Guest Speaker, Herb Lessmiller, Buyer Lending Tips
Local Mortgage Lender, Herb Lessmiller at Inlanta Mortgage, answers common questions and shares tips for buyers looking to purchase or refinance!
Property Taxes and Prorations
Property taxes in most municipalities just came out within the past month. Today we're revisiting a past episode from Season 1. We're talking about prorations in real estate, LP prorations, water/sewer prorations and tax prorations. Tune in!
What You Need to Know About Land Surveys and CSMs in Real Estate
We have the privilege of having Dustin Vreeland back in the studio... today sharing insights on land surveys, CSMs and more! Tune in!
Red Flags From a Home Inspection
Is everything noted on a home inspection considered a "red flag"? This week Austin dives into common "red flags" and helpful context & tips when approaching a home inspection.
Guest Speaker Dustin Vreeland - Surveys and Fences
You're getting ready to sell and you think your neighbor's fence is on your property... what should you do? Today we have Dustin Vreeland, Vreeland Land Surveyors & Engineers, in the studio expanding on surveys and fences.
Don't Leave Money On The Table
Even though the market is "hot" seller's marketing... #1 it still pays to prepare your home for sale, and #2 it still pays to properly market your home. As a seller, don't leave money on the table, this week on The Real - Wausau Real Estate Show.
Is Winter a Good Time to Move?
It's this time of year that everyones asking the same question... "Do people really buy or sell homes in the winter?" The answer is YES. What can you expect in a winter market as a buyer or seller right now between the holidays and before the new year? This week on The Real - Wausau Real Estate Show.
Assessments, Appraisals and Market Values... The Same or Different?
Why are there multiple values for my property... assessments, appraisals, market values ... seems confusing, right? Today, we're doing a quick recap from our assessments episode, tune in!
How to Leave a Property When Selling
As a buyer or seller you may ask how a property should be left prior to the closing... What does the offer say and what are some best practices for a smooth transition and closing.
Straight From the Assessor
With increasing real estate prices locally and nationally, you might be asking "How will this impact my property's assessed value?" ... Today we have Kurt Moeller, local assessor in Marathon County, answering that question, sharing valuable and tactical insight on assessments, and more. This episode is full of gold nuggets! Tune in.
"Hey Austin - What's the Market Like and What Do You Predict Is Ahead?"
I get this question a lot and now that we're going into the fall, it's helpful to assess where the market is at and analyze predictions for where the market is heading.
Things To Consider When Starting A Business
We have Kevin Ile back in the studio talking about the commercial side of the business and what to consider when starting a business in terms of getting a loan / financing.
All About Home Inspections
We're covering "Home Inspections" pretty heavily! If you've been following the past couple of episodes we've had Jeff Newman share some insight on home inspections. We're grateful to have him in the spotlight one more time as he brings everything full circle... tune in!
Preparing Your Home For An Inspection
Welcome to this week's episode! We're joined by Jeff Newman, Newman Home Inspections. Today, we're talking about how sellers can prepare their home for an inspection... Although an inspection is not a condition of all transactions, it's good to be prepared and educated. This episode is packed with tips directly from the source - tune in!
Commercial Lending - Guest Speaker Kevin Ile - Peoples State Bank
What is "Commercial" lending? In short, commercial lending can be used for anything of business use - businesses, rentals, you name it! Today we have Kevin talking about some of the similarities and differences of commercial vs residential lending.
Debunking a few Misconceptions about Home Inspections
Today we dive in and debunk a few home inspection misconceptions on The Real! Is a home inspection pass or fail? Does the municipality get a copy of a home inspection? Is a seller "required" to fix anything from a home inspection? Find out on the show!
Jeff Newman
Newman Home Inspections LLC
(715) 432-2218
www.newmanhomeinspection.com
50th Podcast Special
Today marks the 50th episode... and Austin's in the "hot" seat. We're rewinding back to childhood, high school baseball days, college days at the UW Marathon County, local lawn care entrepreneurship... all leading up to a career in real estate and a peak into Austin's personal and professional journey. We hope you enjoy this week's episode.
Meet Our Special Guest & Team Member - Holly Hettinga
The age-old adage "it's tough to work with family" is it true? Today we're getting to know Holly, my sister, her background and how she got started with the group!
July Market Update 2021
The market is slowing slightly but prices remain high. More home options are available for buyers now than a few months prior. Sellers can still benefit from the high prices after the spring market set a new precedent for home prices. See what's happening in the market today on this week's episode of The Real Wausau Real Estate Show!
How to Buy a Foreclosure
This episode is a rerun from last summer with Justin Bates, Attorney with The Bates Legal Group. You're going to love this episode talking about how to buy a foreclosure and the tactical steps involved.
Justin Bates, The Bates Legal Group
(715) 843-5599
https://www.bateslegalgroup.com/
Tips for How To Invest In Real Estate
Today we have Joseph Ziolkowski back in the studio sharing some of his experience with flipping houses and the investment side of real estate. His team currently owns 22 units and is closing on another 24 in July, totaling 46 units. There is a lot to learn from Joe and his experience over the years.
The Power Couple - Allison & Dakota Karlen
This episode we are are joined by team members Dakota Karlen & Allison Karlen on The Real Wausau Real Estate Show!
Today we dive into the story, the pre-real estate days, two Rookie of the Year Awards, where they are at now and where they are going! It's been awesome to be able to work alongside this power couple over the last few years and you'll love to hear their story here!
Meet Our Special Guest & Team Member - Joesph Ziolkowski
Today we're getting to know Joseph and how he got started with the group. Joseph has an interesting story on how he got started and what lead him to where he's at now...
Understanding the Wisconsin Offer to Purchase
Follow along and download the Offer to Purchase PDF: https://austinsolomon.com/portfolio/understanding-the-wisconsin-offer-to-purchase/
Just A Few Fun Real Estate Stories
How a simple courtesy text led to a family getting their dream home . . . . & check your piano brand before taking the hammer to it . . . fun stories on The Real!
Starting the Home Buying Journey
If you were to come to our office and say, "Austin, I'm a first-time home buyer and I'm looking to buy a home" OR "I'm a homeowner and am looking to move, can you walk me through the process?"... You're in the right place! That is what today's episode is all about.
What is an Escalation Clause?
Today we're talking about escalation clauses! The pros, the cons, when to use them as a buyer and what common mistakes I see when representing sellers... it's going to be an informative episode, we hope you tune in!
Thinking About Becoming An Agent?
With how busy the market has been you may be considering getting into the market... not to buy or sell but starting out as an agent. This episode is a re-run from one of our first month's episodes of Season 1 of The Real talking through:
- Common questions that you’d probably think about when you’re starting out
- Specific process to obtain your license
- Day-to-day life of being an agent
How To Approach The Market in 2021
More of a non-traditional episode here! It's a tough market out there for buyers, sellers and agents alike. It's off to a busy start for 2021 and we're talking about how to approach the market in the season - it's like nothing we've ever seen before...
Tune in to this week's episode of The Real - Wausau Real Estate show.
Does It Make Sense To Buy A Home Right Now?
Let’s be real, it’s a sellers market out there, prices are at historic highs, buyers are competing and paying $10K, $20K, $30K over asking price… Does it really make sense to buy right now? And why are there so many buyers in the market when everyone knows it’s a seller’s market? This week's episode... is one you don't want to miss!
Contact The Solomon Group (715) 212-4693 | Listed by Coldwell Banker Action.
Are Buyers Really Waiving Home Inspections Right Now?
Look, the market is intense right now... there are very few homes on the market and when a good one comes up, it’s not uncommon to see 5-10 offers on that home.
With that kind of competition, we are seeing buyers paying well over asking price, covering appraisal deficits and in a lot of cases, waiving home inspections. Do you have to waive an inspection to be competitive?
Find out on this week's episode of The Real - Wausau Real Estate Show.
What Happens When An Appraisal Comes Back Low?
Welcome to this week's episode of The Real! Today we're talking about, 1.) What is an appraisal? 2.) What happens when an appraisal comes in low or less than the purchase price? 3.) How as a buyer or seller can you navigate through a low appraisal? All coming up on this week's episode, stay tuned!
How To Price A Home In 2021
You may be thinking, "How do I price a home in general? And what's the difference between the current market we're in today compared to past markets and past years?"
Can You Pay $20K Over Asking Price And Still Get A Good Deal?
Today we are joined by the one, the only, Joe Abadeer! For those of you who don't know, I record these podcasts over at A-Bad-Ear Studios with Joe Abadeer. We had to get him on one of these episodes sooner or later!
Top 3 Home Selling Tips for 2021
Hey everyone! It’s Austin Solomon, The Solomon Group over at Coldwell Banker. Thank you for joining us on this weeks episode of The Real - Wausau Real Estate Show.
Today we're talking about the top three home selling tips for 2021. The number one tip is to...
Listen on your favorite podcast app or on our website at: https://www.thesolomongroupwi.com/about/the-real-podcast/
When Is It Ok To Throw In A Low Ball Offer
Welcome to our second season of The Real! It’s Austin Solomon, The Solomon Group over at Coldwell Banker.
Today we’re doing an interesting episode… When is it ok to throw in a low ball offer on a home?
I get this question a lot and first you have to say, well... what is a low-ball offer? We don’t want to come in too low & we don’t want to insult the sellers - here are some aspects to consider!
For more episodes of The Real , subscribe on your favorite podcast app!
Smile You're On Camera
I wanted to do something in regards to the increased use of cameras and home security systems, etc. and what that means for showings and sellers.
What is The Cost of Hiring A Buyers Agent
Today we’re talking about – Does it cost you anything to have a real estate agent help you buy a home? We get this question a lot and the short answer is no.
Getting Started in Investing in Real Estate
Today we are talking about getting started in investing in real estate… where to begin and some tips for the pros and cons of getting into investing.
3 Reasons to Buy During The Winter
Today we’re talking about 3 reasons to buy a home this winter, PLUS a bonus reason as well.
Observations of the Wausau Market
Today we’re talking about Austin’s observations of the Wausau real estate market. We are going to go rapid-fire here!
Price Per Square Foot
Today we’re talking about problems with price per square foot. Thank you for joining me on this week’s episode of The Real, problems with price per square foot, this is going to be a good one.
What are Zillow "Zestimates"
Today we’re talking about Zestimates! Z-estimates – the term that Zillow uses to estimate the value of a home!
We're Back! What Happened This Summer?
If you’ve been following me, you know the last episode was on June 12th, it is October 5th and we are back in the studio! I took a 3 or 4 month sabbatical from The Real.
Taking Title in Real Estate
Back by popular demand! Today we’re talking through title work and what it means to take title in real estate! We have Justin sharing his perspective on the different ways to take title and from my seat, where that takes place during the real estate transaction.
How to Buy a Foreclosure
You’re going to love this episode talking about how to buy a foreclosure and the tactical steps involved. I’m joined with Justin Bates, Attorney with The Bates Legal Group and we’re going to dive in! Strap in, this episode is going to blow your mind.
Land Contracts & Attorney Talks
The good, the bad, and the ugly truth about land contracts! Today we are joined by Attorney Justin Bates from the Bates Legal Group. Justin talks a lot on the legal perspective of land contracts and how you really need to know what you are doing when structuring this type of sale.
A 3 Month Overview of the Wausau Market Through the Pandemic
A THREE MONTH OVERVIEW OF THE WAUSAU MARKET THROUGH THE PANDEMIC & this weeks episode of The Real – we kept it real this week and included some bloopers . . . enjoy!
Why Drawing A Hard Line On Price May Not Be As Wise As You Think
I think it’s good to stick to a budget; however, I think there are other variables that go into purchasing a house and other variables that should be considered, other than just a maximum dollar amount or maximum price point.
What is a Bump Clause?
If you’re selling a house or buying a home, and if you’re going to use the approach of making an offer subject to your home selling, you’re going to want to know what a bump clause is.
Prorations in Real Estate
So when it comes to real estate, it’s not a fun topic, but it gets mixed up so much. It’s a new topic for a lot of people, so I thought I’d debunk what it is and how it affects the real estate space.
Unique Client Success Story
I’m just doing an impromptu episode, was feeling good, had a recent client success story and I thought I’d share the story about what happened. It was just kind of a unique scenario and it worked out pretty well. It was super great to work with this buyer and here’s the story.
All About Earnest Money
So, earnest money, what it is is good faith that a buyer is going to complete the terms of the offer. So when you make an offer on a house, traditionally you either attach earnest money or you say that you’re going to deliver it within a certain amount of time, and that could be 5-7 days.
Different Property Value Methods
There are all these types of different values and they kind of get mixed up sometimes. I know a lot of time we’re interacting with homeowners, there is a little bit of confusion around each one, which is fine, so I’m here to do a quick episode just to explain what each one means.
My Two Craziest Showings
It’s one like we haven’t done before. It’s a little more light-hearted and I hope this will make you smile and maybe provide a little bit of joy in your day.
What’s Happening In Our Marketplace Today?
Quite a few things have changed, even since the last episode. I hope this message finds everybody well and all are staying safe. But if you’re like me you’re probably a little bit anxious and a little bit uncertain on what’s going to happen. But it’s important to stay positive during this time.
Tips For Maximizing Your Home Sale
As an outline here, we’re talking about: 1) what you should consider when you’re preparing the home for the sale, 2) and we’re also going to dive into which items are going to give you the best “bang for your buck” or which things you should really focus on if you’re trying to maximize the sale price and maximize the returns.
3 Approaches to Buying and Selling
Today we’re talking about three approaches to moving from your current home to your next house. So whether you’re downsizing or looking for your forever house, or relocating to another area, if you own a home now and are looking to buy another, there’s really three approaches you have to consider.
Local Wausau Insights and Home Buyer Programs with Chris Schock
Hey everybody! It’s Austin Solomon and today I’m joined by Chris Schock from the City of Wausau on this episode of The Real, Wausau Real Estate Show.
6 Tips For Beating Other Offers
Today we’re talking about six tips for beating out other offers. With the spring market in full swing and the market is going crazy and there’s a shortage of houses, it’s very common for homes to have multiple offers on them and I want to give you the best shot. I have six tips to give you the best shot at getting the house.
Thinking About Becoming an Agent?
Thinking about becoming an agent? This episode is for you! If the thought has crossed your mind or you’re considering it, today’s episode is for you.
Today It’s All About Home Inspections
Today we’re talking about home inspections. What do you need to know about them, how does it fit into the process of buying and selling a house? We’re going to cover all of that and more today. We’re going to do a deep dive in home inspections. I’m looking forward to debunking some of the myths and just talking about this topic.
Thinking about Selling but you have Water in your Basement… What do you do?
So, if you’ve been around Central Wisconsin in the spring of 2019, you know that water in basements was a common occurrence for a lot of people and a lot of those people have never had water in their basement before. But just a crazy spring lead to water in the basement.
Commercial Lending With Guest Speaker Seth Wage – Peoples State Bank
Hey everyone, it’s Austin Solomon and welcome to The Real, Wausau Real Estate Show. Today we got our first guest on the show, Seth Wage!
How Do Realtors Get Paid
Today we’re talking about the age old question… the question I get asked a lot and I answer a lot, but that many agents just might shy away from.
How to Select an Agent to Sell Your Home
So you’re ready to sell your house, you’re thinking about down-sizing, moving somewhere warmer, maybe even somewhere colder… although I don’t hear that one often, or maybe your family is growing out of your current house, you need more space, or whatever it is, the home you had was great but it’s time to adjust to your needs and find a new place.
New Decade, New Year! Where Should First Time Home Buyers Start in 2020?
Today, we’re going to kick off 2020 with some tips for home buyers looking for their first house. It’s a new year, new decade, so where do we start?
