One of the busiest times is here in the desert. The Coachella is sold out, weekend one has wrapped, but what is still in store for locals, homeowners, and the hyper-local economy during weekend two and Stagecoach?

In this episode of Off the Market, Amirah and Damin break down both sides of festival season: the music and the money. 💰

From debating who's going to steal the show (Karol G, Bieber, or Sabrina Carpenter?) to the real economics behind short-term rentals, pool parties, and local vendors, this is the Coachella conversation the influencers don't mention. The team gets candid about why banking on a Coachella rental to cover your mortgage has become a riskier bet than it used to be, how Goldenvoice packaging deals have quietly shifted the local housing market, and which parts of the Coachella Valley actually benefit most.

Whether you own a short-term rental, you're thinking about buying in the desert, or you're just curious what festival season looks like from the inside, this episode is your backstage pass to the local scope.

⏱️ VIDEO CHAPTERS ⏱️

0:00 - Coachella Is Here: Headliners, Hot Takes, and Bieber Fever

17:26 - The Business Side: 250K Attendees and Local Economic Impact

19:48 - Short-Term Rentals and Why Last Year Was a Wake-Up Call

22:44 - What Actually Benefits from Coachella (and What Doesn't Anymore)

Join us every Thursday for a new episode! Tune in here or catch a listen on Youtube and Apple Podcast 🎧

We're welcoming Alex Shelton from loanDepot back for PART 2 and this time we're going rapid fire on the lending questions we hear most commonly from buyers at every stage of the journey. Whether you're saving up, cleaning up your credit, or ready to make a move, this episode has something for you. We're covering how income gets evaluated, what non-QM loans actually are, credit score strategy, and why the conventional lending rules don't apply to everyone.We also get into the stuff people don't usually say out loud - the fear, the embarrassment, and the reasons people put off having the lender conversation way longer than they should. Spoiler: lenders are not judging you. ⏱️VIDEO CHAPTERS⏱️0:00 Welcome Back Alex | Why We Brought Him Back2:02 Self-Employed & 1099 Buyers: How to Qualify for a Loan9:15 Non-QM Loans, Bank Statement Loans, & Cash Strategy15:02 Credit Scores, Debt Payoff Myths & What Lenders Actually Look For21:30 Fear, Embarrassment & Why You Should Talk to a Lender First28:07 Top Do's and Don'ts Before You Apply for a MortgageIf this episode helped you, share it with someone who's been sitting on the sidelines. And if you have questions, drop them in the comments below!We have much more planned ahead so if you enjoyed this series with Alex, consider subscribing to the channel to follow along ❤️ Either way, tune in here on Youtube or catch a listen on Apple Podcast and Spotify every Thursday! 🎧

We sat down with a lender who tells it straight! 🏹In Episode 6, we welcome Alex Shelton from Loan Depot to the Off the Market table for our very first guest episode this season. Alex brings 14 years of residential mortgage experience in the Coachella Valley, and he does not hold back. Follow ALEX on Instagram! 📸https://www.instagram.com/alexshelton_mortgage/--What's Covered In This Episode: 1️⃣ Why your purchasing power may have already changed Interest rates jumped half a point in ten days, and if your lender hasn't called you, that's a problem. Alex explains what's driving the volatility and what needs to happen for rates to stabilize.2️⃣ The negotiation tool most buyers don't know they have Seller credits, mortgage points, and the three levers every buyer can pull to lower their monthly payment without just attacking the purchase price.3️⃣ How to start building a portfolio even if you're not "investor ready" From house hacking to DSCR loans to HELOCs, Alex breaks down the real pathways to a second property depending on where you are financially.--We barely scratched the surface, which means Part 2 is already in the works. Drop your lending questions in the comments and we just might get them answered on the next episode.⏱️ VIDEO CHAPTERS ⏱️0:00 Welcome & Meet Alex Shelton2:24 Why Interest Rates Jumped & What's Actually Moving the Market11:22 Seller Credits, Buying Down Your Rate & The 3 Levers Every Buyer Has30:14 House Hacking, DSCR Loans & How to Start Building a PortfolioJoin us every Thursday for a new episode! Tune in here on Youtube or catch a listen on Apple Podcast and Spotify! 🎧

Stop wasting money on rent... or are you? In this episode of Off the Market, we break down the pros and cons of renting vs. buying in California's unique landscape. From $200k condos in the desert to $4k studios in LA, we discuss how to strategically enter the market and use property to fund your future. What you’ll learn:💪 How Amirah leveraged one primary residence to buy two investment properties🤑 Why your mortgage payment might actually change (Property taxes, HOA, and Insurance) 👑 Is cash still king? A deep dive into current market conditions. ⏱️ VIDEO CHAPTERS ⏱️00:00 Intro: Is Renting Ever Better Than Buying?05:01 The Real Barrier to Homeownership (It's Not What You Think)13:24 The Pros of Renting Nobody Wants to Admit22:18 The Real Cons of Buying & Final ThoughtsJoin us every Thursday for a new episode! Tune in on Youtube or catch a listen on Apple Podcast and Spotify! 🎧

In this episode, we're talking with "resident" guest Damin Halum to break down the reality of the Coachella Valley housing market and tackle the "elephant in the room": Artificial Intelligence. 🤖What is the current reality of artificial intelligence in the real estate industry? Are agents being replaced? Also, is the real estate market finally shifting, or are we stuck in a "wait and see" loop? We dive into why buyers are hesitating (and why a 2008 is unlikely), how to actually use AI as a tool, and the massive price gaps we’re seeing between Zillow "Zestimates" and real-world market value. 📉⏱️ VIDEO CHAPTERS ⏱️00:00 Welcome to Off the Market: Q1 Goals and March Energy01:04 Local Housing Market Update: Buyer Hesitation vs. Moving Listings09:00 Will AI Replace Real Estate Agents?24:02 – The Truth About Zillow & Redfin EstimatesJoin us every Thursday for a new episode! Tune in here on Youtube or catch a listen on Apple Podcast and Spotify! 🎧

WELCOME BACK! In this episode, we’re diving deep into the 2026 housing market shift to discuss the truth about rising inventory and the changing role of investors. If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines waiting for the "perfect" time to buy or sell, this conversation is for you. 📉What We’re Covering:1️⃣ The 10% Inventory Surge: Why national projections of rising inventory might look different in your local neighborhood.2️⃣ The "Buyer's Market" Shift: Understanding the 5.5-month supply in the Coachella Valley and what it means for your negotiating power.3️⃣ The Vanishing Investor: Why only 1.2% of homes are going to big investors and how "mom and pop" owners are navigating 2026.4️⃣ Smart Rental Trends: How rising costs are leading to a new wave of co-living and shared rental strategies.5️⃣ The Quality Gap: Why more houses on the market doesn't always mean more "move-in ready" options.Join us every Thursday for a new episode! Tune in here on Youtube or catch a listen on Apple Podcast and Spotify! 🎧

In this episode, we’re joined by Damin Halum once again to dive deep into the world of home equity. If you’ve been wondering how to actually use the value sitting in your four walls, this conversation is for you.

We’re covering:

• What exactly is a HELOC and how does it work?
• Benefits of homeownership and understanding equity
• Smart strategies for leveraging your current home’s equity

Tune in every Thursday for a new episode! Listen here on Spotify/Apple Podcast or catch the video on Youtube: https://youtu.be/1r4EjXBMcEw

After a long overdue hiatus, we've officially relaunched the Off the Market Podcast! We've made some [BIG] changes, the real estate landscape has changed, so we've returned in a slightly different format to discuss it all.

In Episode 01, we'll cover what has changed since we last aired, what the current and local real estate market looks like, and what our plans are for the future!

Tune in every Thursday for a new episode! On Apple, Spotify, or watch Youtube.