#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!