Is it smarter to rent or buy in today's housing market? With home prices high, mortgage rates elevated, and affordability stretched, many consumers are wondering whether homeownership is still worth pursuing.

In this episode of Real Estate Today, we break down the real financial math behind renting vs. buying—and explore the creative strategies helping first-time buyers enter the market despite today's challenges.

Justin Cambra of eXp Realty shares how buyers are using "house hacking" strategies to offset mortgage payments and build wealth through real estate. Susan Isaak of Coldwell Banker Realty explains how first-time buyers can determine whether they're financially and emotionally ready to buy a home, along with the hidden costs of homeownership. Matt Schulz from LendingTree dives into the financial realities of buying a home today, including down payment assistance programs and FHA, VA and USDA loan options. Laurel Djoukeng, founder and CEO of KeyPath, explores how AI and fintech innovation could reshape the future of renting and ownership.

Whether you're a renter trying to buy your first home, a homeowner exploring investment strategies, or simply curious about where the housing market is headed, this episode offers practical insights and forward-looking ideas for navigating real estate in 2026.

Closing day is in sight—but getting there is where the real work begins. This week on Real Estate Today, we break down what it takes to successfully navigate the final steps of selling a home and why having a trusted real estate professional can make all the difference in one of the biggest financial decisions you will ever make.

Sarah Scattini, REALTOR® from Nevada, explains the most common issues that can derail a transaction and how sellers can avoid costly delays. Matt Cook with HomeTeam Inspection Services shares how new technology is giving buyers deeper insight into a home and helping them move forward with confidence. Home stager Cathy Hobbs highlights the biggest showing mistakes sellers should avoid, from managing pets to tackling cluttered spaces like garages. And Adam Brawer, a real estate agent in Santa Monica, joins us with eye-opening stories from the luxury market, including a buyer who received a $200,000 offer just to walk away from a deal.

If you are preparing to sell your home, this episode delivers expert insights to help you reach the closing table with confidence.

This week on Real Estate Today, we take a closer look at the latest real estate fraud trends, the red flags buyers and sellers cannot afford to miss, and how scammers are using new technology to target transactions. With 1 in 5 homeowners reporting they have received a fraudulent message before closing, understanding how these scams work has never been more important.

Hear from homeowner Raegan Bartlo, who shares her experience of losing a $255,000 down payment in a real estate wire fraud scam. Tom Cronkright, REALTOR® and founder of CertifID, explains how artificial intelligence is making these scams harder to detect and what steps consumers can take to stay protected. Levi Rodgers, REALTOR® from San Antonio, also joins us to break down five growing real estate scams to watch for and how he is helping keep his clients safe.