In this episode, Cameron welcomes first-time guest Jeff Rice, of JDJ Septic. He and returning guest Cindi Rice are a dynamic married couple with deep roots in the real estate industry. The discussion covers everything you didn’t know you needed to know about the care and maintenance of your septic system. From simple maintenance you can do yourself, to what not to flush, to costs associated with replacement or rejuvenation of your system, Jim and Cindi give you all the dirty details.

The Homebuyer Hustle podcast is hosted by Cameron D’Avis, a loan originator with 20 years of experience. In each episode, Cameron discusses topics that can help anyone buying a home - from first-timers to seasoned investors. Cameron walks you through the pre-approval process, selection of your first home, things you should avoid, and other important topics from a real estate professional’s perspective. Podcast guests will include industry pros - CPA’s, appraisers, title reps, and home inspectors, sharing their experiences and insights.

Discussion Points:

• Septic - problems to look for
• Preventative maintenance you can do yourself
• Functions of different elements of your septic
• What to expect when you have your septic pumped
• Don’t do these things to your septic system
• Cost of a ‘failed’ septic replacement
• Drain field ‘rejuvenation’
• Homebuyers should be provided guidelines on how to use a septic system!
• Tank issues - incoming vs. outgoing
• Septic issues often constitute an emergency - and you’ll pay for that
• Cindi’s housing market update
• Hidden septic issues when buying - check with your local health district office for public information
• Reach out with any questions or comments

Resources:

JDJ Septic FB

Cindi Rice LinkedIn

The Madrona Group

Cameron D’Avis Profile

Contact Cameron

People often wonder, should I sell first and then buy? Or should I purchase my new home first before selling? Welcome to Part V of our real estate professional guest series. Cindi Rice joins me again from John L. Scott/The Madrona Group. Today we’re sharing some of the tactics and strategies you can use to proceed with both transactions simultaneously.

The Homebuyer Hustle podcast is hosted by Cameron D’Avis, a loan originator with 20 years of experience. In each episode, Cameron discusses topics that can help anyone buying a home - from first-timers to seasoned investors. Cameron walks you through the pre-approval process, selection of your first home, things you should avoid, and other important topics from a real estate professional’s perspective. Podcast guests will include industry pros - CPA’s, appraisers, title reps, and home inspectors, sharing their experiences and insights.

Discussion Points:

• The logistics of overlapping the sale and purchase
• Fully underwritten pre-approval using the sales contract
• Buyer can borrow off of a projected, completed sale
• What you can do if your buyer falls through
• Utilizing your investment accounts as a bridge loan
• ‘Hot homes’ - fully move-in ready homes get a higher price
• Renovation loans
• As always, buy now, date the rate, refi later
• Reach out with any questions or comments!

Resources:

Cindi Rice LinkedIn

The Madrona Group

Cameron D’Avis Profile

Contact Cameron

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel

Did you know that 77% of homes in the U.S. have HOA fees? In this episode, I’ll dig into some of the specifics around this monthly expense. When estimating your monthly payment, you must consider and include things like HOAs, insurance, and property taxes. Tune in to hear more, including a recent client story I share about a short close scenario and the fees that you may pay.

The Homebuyer Hustle podcast is hosted by Cameron D’Avis, a loan originator with 20 years of experience. In each episode, Cameron discusses topics that can help anyone buying a home - from first-timers to seasoned investors. Cameron walks you through the pre-approval process, selection of your first home, things you should avoid, and other important topics from a real estate professional’s perspective. Podcast guests will include industry pros - CPA’s, appraisers, title reps, and home inspectors, sharing their experiences and insights.

Discussion Points:

• Interest rates - a drop is expected in early 2024
• Client story - short close on a second home purchase
• Resetting for the client’s next purchase
• Fully underwritten pre-approvals- get one
• Have a good explanation for any red flags
• HOA’s - 77% of homes have one, what they cover
• Additional insurance for your personal belongings
• Estimating your monthly payments
• HOA’s - not just for condos!
• Single-family residences with HOAs
• Listen to this episode again and let it really sink in
• Reach out with any questions or comments

Resources:

Cameron D’Avis Profile

Contact Cameron

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel

Welcome to Part IV of our real estate professional guest series. Cindi Rice joins me again from John L Scott/The Madrona Group. Cindi and I dig into some of the issues that homebuyers and sellers need to address before a mortgage will be approved. From “small leaks” that can eventually cause mold problems, to peeling paint, furnaces, water heaters, roofs, ventilation fans in bathrooms, and more- you need to be vigilant.

The Homebuyer Hustle podcast is hosted by Cameron D’Avis, a loan originator with 20 years of experience. In each episode, Cameron discusses topics that can help anyone buying a home - from first-timers to seasoned investors. Cameron walks you through the pre-approval process, selection of your first home, things you should avoid, and other important topics from a real estate professional’s perspective. Podcast guests will include industry pros - CPA’s, appraisers, title reps, and home inspectors, sharing their experiences and insights.

Discussion Points:

• What can sellers do to present the best home?
• Restaurant analogy - is the ‘front of the house’ clean?
• Checking every tiny detail - furnace, water heater, etc.
• HOA - does the home or condo have added fees? How much do they have in reserves?
• Lenders consider the coverages and reserves
• Peeling paint - it can mean the wood is not sealed
• FHA will reject funding homes for peeling paint and other “small” issues
• Qualifying for FHA - the things they look for
• Right now is a great time to buy because there are very few bidding wars, you can take your time- don’t wait
• Reach out with any questions or comments!

Resources:

Cindi Rice LinkedIn

The Madrona Group

Cameron D’Avis Profile

Contact Cameron

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel

Welcome to Part III of our guest series. Once again I’m pleased to welcome back Real Estate Professional Cindi Rice, from the Northwest’s John L Scott/The Madrona Group. Cindi and I discuss looking a little deeper at the home you’re considering purchasing – checking for water damage, the age of the water heater and furnace, what the neighborhood is like at different times of the day, how long the commute is to your work, etc. Cindi offers her perspective and lots of insider tips and best practices for home buyers today.

The Homebuyer Hustle podcast is hosted by Cameron D’Avis, a loan originator with 20 years of experience. In each episode, Cameron discusses topics that can help anyone buying a home - from first-timers to seasoned investors. Cameron walks you through the pre-approval process, selection of your first home, things you should avoid, and other important topics from a real estate professional’s perspective. Podcast guests will include industry pros - CPA’s, appraisers, title reps, and home inspectors, sharing their experiences and insights.

Discussion Points:

• Cindi and Cameron detail things to look for “under the hood”
• Form 17 and Seller disclosures
• Location- what’s the neighborhood like? Have your agent go with you to knock on doors
• School districts, party houses in the neighborhood, your work commute, nosy neighbors
• Home insurance - when was the roof replaced last?
• You don’t have to stay in the house forever
• Renovation additions to your home loan–where to get the biggest return
• Tips and advice - get your credit in order, know your finances, and start saving some money
• Reach out with any questions or comments!

Resources:

Cindi Rice LinkedIn

The Madrona Group

Cameron D’Avis Profile

Contact Cameron

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel

In today’s episode, I review all the ways you can prepare to buy that “deal of a lifetime” dream home. No matter what interest rates are, and no matter how low the inventory levels are, don’t sit idly by and ‘wait’ for things to get better. There are plenty of steps you can take right now to be ahead of the game when you find the right property to buy.

The Homebuyer Hustle podcast is hosted by Cameron D’Avis, a loan originator with 20 years of experience. In each episode, Cameron discusses topics that can help anyone buying a home - from first-timers to seasoned investors. Cameron walks you through the pre-approval process, selection of your first home, things you should avoid, and other important topics from a real estate professional’s perspective. Podcast guests will include industry pros - CPA’s, appraisers, title reps, and home inspectors, sharing their experiences and insights.

Discussion Points:

• A pre-qualification/approval with underwriter review gives you the strongest chance
• Income verification and inspection
• Communicate any changes in your employment!
• Look for homeowner’s insurance, check if the home is in a flood plain
• Inventory shortages and interest rates - you’ll need to strategize with your real estate pro
• Renovation financing and the benefits it offers
• Seller credit and interest rates
• Don’t sit it out… be mindful, be strategic, be ready for that deal of a lifetime
• Reach out with any questions or comments

Resources:

Cameron D’Avis Profile

Contact Cameron

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel

I’m pleased to welcome back Real Estate Professional Cindi Rice, from the Northwest’s John L Scott/The Madrona Group. Cindi shares more insights and some eye-opening statistics on the state of the industry today, particularly in the state of Washington. From challenges in inventory levels to creative mortgage options including ‘renovation financing’ for fixer-uppers, Cindi offers her perspective and lots of insider tips and best pratices for home buyers today.

The Homebuyer Hustle podcast is hosted by Cameron D’Avis, a loan originator with 20 years of experience. In each episode, Cameron discusses topics that can help anyone buying a home - from first-timers to seasoned investors. Cameron walks you through the pre-approval process, selection of your first home, things you should avoid, and other important topics from a real estate professional’s perspective. Podcast guests will include industry pros - CPA’s, appraisers, title reps, and home inspectors, sharing their experiences and insights.

Discussion Points:

• Inventory shortages in the industry
• Buyers are holding their previous homes for rental income
• 35/32/33% - stats for buyers under/at/over asking prices
• Houses going for “under asking” may be overpriced or in a poor neighborhood
• Mortgage options with renovation financing to use at big box stores
• The 30-30-30 rule - 30% of the houses great as is, 30% needs fixing, 30% you’ll have to live with
• Hot vs. cold markets - 76% of homes are selling
• Getting preapproval before shopping for a home - no surprises in the selling process
• Be prepared to act quickly when you find a home
• Negotiating was easier when it was a buyers market - be realistic and flexible
• Home inspection - never waive it!
• Buy now! “Marry the home… ‘date’ the rate”
• Don’t wait, buy real estate
• Reach out with any questions or comments!

Resources:

Cindi Rice LinkedIn

The Madrona Group

Cameron D’Avis Profile

Contact Cameron

As I mentioned in the last episode, I have an exceptional guest today. I’m joined by Real Estate Professional Cindi Rice, from the Northwest’s John L Scott/The Madrona Group. Don’t be fooled by the media and their scare tactics. Now is a great time to buy because prices have dropped. Cindi shares her insights on the state of the industry in Washington and the Seattle area and explains away some of the misconceptions and myths around the processes involved.

Cameron D’Avis, a loan originator with 20 years of experience, host the Homebuyer Hustle podcast. In each episode, Cameron discusses topics that can help anyone buying a home - from first-timers to seasoned investors. Cameron walks you through the pre-approval process, selection of your first home, things you should avoid, and other essential topics from a real estate professional’s perspective. Podcast guests will include industry pros - CPAs, appraisers, title reps, and home inspectors, sharing their experiences and insights.

Discussion Points:

• Cindi Rice intro and background
• Challenges in the industry today
• Prices vs. interest rates
• ‘Buyer’s agents’ work on fees paid by the home sellers, not buyers
• Inventory and new construction
• MLS requirements for agent contracts
• Reach out with any questions or comments!

Resources:

Cindi Rice LinkedIn

The Madrona Group

Cameron D’Avis Profile

Contact Cameron