#RealEstateTrends, #HomeDesign, #SpaBathroom, #happycouple, #OutdoorBathtub, #LuxuryLiving

Join host Susan and producer Kurt on Coffee With Real Estate for a fun dive into the wild world of modern home design! Bathtubs are breaking free from boring bathrooms—think freestanding sculptural tubs basking in bedroom sunlight, tucked under skylights, or even soaking in lush backyard gardens for that ultimate spa-like escape. Inspired by retreats and hot springs, homeowners crave experiential moments with organic materials like wood and marble, wet rooms where water flows freely, and deep Japanese-style furo tubs immersed in nature.

We unpack why families keep at least one traditional tub but prioritize big showers elsewhere, how these dramatic designs boost listing appeal (buyers say, "I could stay here for hours!"), and why luxury tubs are now affordable mainstream must-haves. Then, we spill the secret to thriving couples: personal retreat spaces! From man caves and she sheds to separate his-and-hers bathrooms or garage offices, surveys show 89% of Americans need alone time for better mental health, fewer conflicts, and stronger connections. With remote work blurring lines, extra spaces like ADUs are win-wins for love-life balance.

Whether remodeling or buying, discover how to turn your home into a joyful sanctuary. Do what makes you happy—lock the door, add a mini fridge, and soak away!

#RealEstateTips, #HomeSmellHacks, #StagingHacks, #SwagGap, #GenZDating

Join Susan and Kurt on “Coffee With Real Estate” for a hilariously practical episode that every homeowner (and home-seller) needs right before the holidays!

Susan, a seasoned real estate pro, spills her very best (and battle-tested) hacks to banish musty, pet, cooking, and “mystery” odors fast—so your house smells inviting instead of “lived-in.” You’ll learn why wax warmers beat candles for showings, the magic of wiping down walls with vinegar, why a quick blast of fresh air + ceiling fans works better than any plug-in, how vanilla extract in the oven or fresh banana bread creates that irresistible “I want to live here” aroma, plus pro tricks for carpets, curtains, garbage disposals, shoes, and even the trash can.

These are the exact same secrets Susan uses to get her listings multiple offers—now delivered with Kurt’s sarcastic commentary and zero filter.

Then, stick around for the fun topic: Gen Z’s latest dating crisis—the “Swag Gap.” Apparently showing up in Lululemon leggings when your date is dressed for the Met Gala is now grounds for a breakup. Susan and Kurt can’t believe what counts as drama these days and offer their delightfully advice.

Perfect episode to play while you’re cleaning, baking banana bread, or just need a good laugh before guests arrive. Your house will smell better, and you’ll feel superior about modern dating. Win-win!

#RealEstate2026, #HousingMarket, #sellyourhome, #HomeBuyingTips, #MortgageRates, #RealEstatePodcast

Grab your coffee (and maybe a Christmas donut) — it’s time for Coffee With Real Estate!

In this episode, Susan and Kurt unpack the massive shift coming in 2026: a jaw-dropping 88% of prospective buyers say they’re very or somewhat likely to purchase next year, after 71% delayed their plans in 2024–2025. Years of high rates, election uncertainty, and negative headlines created the perfect storm of pent-up demand — and now that 30-year rates are dipping below 6% (one client just locked 5.83%!), the dam is about to break.

We dive into fresh data: why Gen Z and millennials are willing to pay 5–10% premiums for lifestyle amenities (think 24/7 gyms, pickleball courts, community gardens, and even podcast rooms), why 80% rank safety as non-negotiable, and why suburbs are crushing city living 51% to 32%. We also talk psychology — how perception (not reality) kept buyers frozen, and how FOMO will drive the 2026 rush.

Susan drops actionable advice: get pre-approved NOW, because the post-holiday flood starts in January. Sellers? Inventory is about to get swallowed whole.

And because it wouldn’t be Coffee With Real Estate without a little fun, we close with travel bucket lists (Tokyo vs. Dubai) and a hilariously terrifying detour into why Johannesburg is NOT making the cut (pothole jacuzzis, hijacking warning signs, and a city that literally gave up collecting tolls).

If you’re buying, selling, or just love real estate and donuts, this episode is your 2026 wake-up call. Subscribe and let’s ride this wave together

#RetireInGreece, #GoldenVisa, #ExpatLife, #RetireAbroad, #BabyBoomerMoves, #HomeDepotSantaCrisis,

Grab your coffee (and maybe a bear claw) because Susan and Kurt are back with the most laid-back, laugh-out-loud real estate chat on the internet!

This episode starts exactly how every great morning should: arguing over the best donut (Team Shipley’s glazed vs. Team bear claw) before diving into the hottest retirement trend nobody saw coming — Greece just stole the #1 spot on the 2025 International Living Retirement Index, dethroning longtime favorites Portugal and Panama.

We break down the jaw-dropping numbers: a couple can live comfortably on the Greek coast for under $2,000 a month, snag seaside rentals from €700, and enjoy 300 sunny days a year, world-class Mediterranean food, and some of the friendliest residency programs on earth (Golden Visa or the retiree “financially independent” permit). Susan and Kurt debate the dream versus reality — stunning white-washed villages and turquoise water are great… until you remember 45°C summer heat waves, late-night dinners at 10 p.m., and the fact that “sga sga” (slowly slowly) might actually kill Type-A Americans.

From bureaucracy nightmares and overcrowded public hospitals to the magic of popping over to Italy or Austria for the weekend, we give you the unfiltered truth about retiring abroad when you’re not ultra-wealthy.

And because it wouldn’t be Coffee With Real Estate without a wild detour, we expose the national crisis nobody’s talking about: the 2025 Home Depot giant lawn ornament shortage. Yes, grown adults are driving hours and paying 7× retail for 12-foot skeletons and 8-foot Santas. Clark Griswold is crying somewhere.

If you’ve ever wondered whether selling the house, storing the Christmas blow-ups, and moving to a Greek island is genius or insanity — this episode is for you. Funny, honest, and zero filter — just like Sunday morning with friends.

#RetireInGreece, #GreeceRetirement, #GoldenVisa, #ExpatLife, #RetireAbroad, #MediterraneanLiving, #CoffeeWithRealEstate, #BabyBoomerMoves, #HomeDepotSantaCrisis, #LivingOn2000AMonth

#affordablehome,#buyahouse,#homepodcast,#Inherit

#LuxuryBathroom, #BathroomRenovation, #RealEstatePodcast, #HomeRenovation, #BathroomDesign, #ThriftStore, #HomeImprovementTips

Ever spent thousands on a “luxury” bathroom upgrade… only to hate it eight showers later? In this laugh-out-loud episode of Coffee With Real Estate, Susan and Kurt spill the tea on the five trendy bathroom features that sound amazing in the showroom but drive homeowners crazy in real life.

We’re talking rain shower heads with pathetic water pressure (goodbye shampoo rinse-off), wall-mounted faucets that splash everywhere, complicated linear drains that need a special key to clean (and collect triple the hair), mildew-loving recessed niches, and fancy decorative mirrors that de-silver in the steam. Yes, even the pretty stuff can be a practical nightmare!

Susan, a seasoned real estate flipper, reveals what buyers actually want (spoiler: big spacious showers and double sinks win, giant tubs and carpeted bathrooms lose), and shares her go-to materials that look luxe without the regret. Plus, Kurt confesses to illegally removing water restrictors for that glorious high-pressure blast we all secretly crave.

Then we pivot to the surprise fun topic: Goodwill and thrift stores are having a major glow-up! Bigger, brighter locations in affluent neighborhoods, Gen Z flocking in for sustainable fashion, and mind-blowing finds like a custom tuxedo for $15 are making secondhand the hottest trend in retail real estate. Are thrift stores the new luxury shopping destination? We debate pro vs. con and share our best treasure-hunting tips.

Whether you’re remodeling your bathroom, flipping a house, or just love a good bargain story, this episode is packed with honest advice, hilarious banter, and money-saving truths you won’t hear from designers trying to upsell you a $500 trickle-shower.

Perfect for homeowners, investors, and anyone who’s ever stepped on a linear drain barefoot and regretted every life choice.

Hit subscribe so you never miss an episode of Coffee With Real Estate – where we keep it real, one renovation regret (and thrift-store win) at a time!

#LemonHome, #RealEstateTips, #HomeBuyingMistakes, #HomeInspection, #SellerDisclosure, #NewConstructionProblems, #CousinWalk, #ThanksgivingTraditions,

In this no-holds-barred episode of Coffee With Real Estate, Susan and Kurt pull back the curtain on one of the scariest phrases in homeownership: “lemon home.” If you’ve ever moved in and immediately discovered foundation cracks, hidden flood damage, mold, meth-lab residue, or a roof that leaks like a sieve, congratulations—you might own a lemon. Susan and Kurt explain exactly what turns a house into a bitter pill, why it happens (shoddy construction, deliberate non-disclosure, out-of-state flippers, and corner-cutting builders during the 2021-2024 frenzy), and which defects show up most often: foundation failures, water/mold issues, faulty roofing, plumbing disasters, and sketchy electrical.

They dive deep into prevention: why a standard 2-hour home inspection isn’t enough, when to bring in structural engineers, roofers, electricians, HVAC techs, and sewer-scope cameras, and how to read (or write) a seller disclosure without getting burned. You’ll hear real stories of sellers who “forgot” their house flooded five times, builders who did cosmetic foundation fixes that lasted six months, and why negotiating repair credits almost always beats letting the seller “handle it.”

Kurt drops hard-earned wisdom on the true cost of fixing a lemon (think $25k–$100k+ just for foundation work) and the emotional toll—18 to 36 months of bids, contractors, and uncovered new problems. First-time buyers get special advice: hire an experienced agent who can spot long-term red flags the pretty furniture can’t hide.

Then, because it’s the week of Thanksgiving, the conversation takes a hilarious left turn into the newest holiday tradition sweeping living rooms across America: the “Cousin Walk” (a.k.a. walking the dog, picking up more ice, or the pre-dinner safety meeting). Yes, that’s code for the younger (and apparently now older) relatives slipping outside to get high before carving the turkey. Susan and Kurt debate cannabis-infused stuffing, Green Wednesday sales, and whether Grandma passing the bong is progressive or just wrong.

Equal parts practical home-buying survival guide and laugh-out-loud commentary on where culture is heading, this episode arms you with everything you need to avoid buying a lemon—and everything you need to survive Thanksgiving dinner if your cousins disappear right before the prayer. Grab your coffee (or whatever you’re into) and hit play!

#EmptyNestRealEstate

#AgingInPlaceOrMove

#RetirementCommunityLiving

#HelpingParentsMove

#ElderlyHomeSafety

#RealEstateForSeniors

In this heartfelt and practical episode of Coffee With Real Estate, host Susan and producer Kurt tackle one of the toughest conversations in real estate: knowing when it’s time for an aging parent, relative, or even yourself to move out of the family home—and how to actually make it happen.

With decades of experience helping seniors transition, Susan shares the subtle (and not-so-subtle) red flags that the house has become unsafe or unsustainable: dangerous stairs, unreachable cabinets, unfixed leaks that turn into black mold, overgrown yards, overwhelming maintenance, loneliness after a spouse passes, and the constant fear of falling or being alone at night.

They discuss real-life horror stories—one home had a 3x3-foot hole in the ceiling patched only with masking tape, another had a sagging, mold-covered floor that could have caused a devastating fall. Yet the owners still resisted leaving “because the house is in bad shape.”The truth? You can sell almost any house at the right price, and sitting on hundreds of thousands (or millions) in home equity while living in fear or discomfort is the real tragedy.

Susan and Kurt walk adult children through the empathetic, step-by-step approach that actually works:

Start small: “Let’s just visit Janice at her new community” or “Let’s find out what your house is worth—no pressure.”

Use empathy, not ultimatums.

Involve them in choosing what cherished items come to the new place.

Consider limited power of attorney while they’re still cognitively sharp.

They also celebrate the upside: today’s independent-living and 55+ communities aren’t “old folks’ homes”—they’re resort-style campuses with restaurants, gyms, social events, transportation, and built-in friends. Many seniors end up saying, “I wish I’d done this ten years ago.”

If you’re an adult child worried about your parents, a senior feeling stuck, or a realtor who wants to serve this growing market with compassion, this episode is for you. Learn how to turn a painful, overwhelming process into a gift—the gift of safety, community, and a joyful next chapter.

(Plus a hilarious detour into the chaos of SantaCon pub crawls worldwide—because sometimes you just need to laugh.)

Subscribe now and share with anyone facing the “should Mom/Dad still be living alone?