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Buy Now or Cry Later + The Internet Is Ruining Real Estate

Everybody keeps asking the same question:
“Should I wait?”

Wait for rates.
Wait for prices.
Wait for the market to crash like it’s a Netflix series with another season coming.

In Podcast Episode #22 of Real Estate UnRaked, host Eric Rakers and the team pull the curtain back on why waiting is usually the most expensive real estate decision people make — and how the internet is actively ruining buyers’ and sellers’ understanding of how real estate actually works.

This episode tackles two of the biggest problems in today’s housing market:

1️⃣ Buy Now or Cry Later

Waiting feels smart… until you do the math.

In this segment, we break down:
• Why trying to “time the market” almost always backfires
• How waiting costs you equity, appreciation, leverage, and time
• Why rent is undefeated — and keeps rising whether you wait or not
• Why real estate is not a stock and not day trading
• How buyers who waited over the last three years are often worse off today

Waiting feels safe in the moment — but expensive in hindsight.

2️⃣ Builders, Incentives & Missed Windows

Right now, builders are offering:
• Rate buydowns
• Closing cost incentives
• Flex cash
• Free upgrades

And buyers are still hesitating.

This episode explains:
• Why builder incentives are temporary windows, not permanent perks
• How buyers miss deals by assuming something better is always coming
• Why incentives disappear fast — and people act shocked afterward
• How hesitation kills leverage in negotiations

You don’t wait for a sale when it’s already on sale.

3️⃣ The Internet Is Ruining Real Estate

Zillow made everyone a fake appraiser.
TikTok made everyone a fake expert.
YouTube made everyone confident — and wrong.

We get real about:
• Why viral real estate advice is dangerous
• How national headlines don’t reflect your local market
• Why people trust strangers online over real professionals
• How fear-based content spreads faster than facts
• Why “a guy in a hoodie in his car” isn’t a housing expert

The internet doesn’t know:
• Your local market
• Your payment
• Your goals
• Your risk tolerance

It just knows how to sell fear with good lighting.

4️⃣ The Reality Check

Real estate is:
✔ Local
✔ Personal
✔

Support the show

That’s it for this episode of Real Estate UnRaked, where we take the mystery—and sometimes the madness—out of today’s housing market.

If you enjoyed the show, follow and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts—Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube—and don’t forget to leave us a review. Your feedback helps more people across Northeast Florida discover the truth behind real-estate headlines.

For more tips, insights, and community spotlights, connect with The Rakers Home Group on:
📱 Facebook & Instagram: @RakersHomeGroup

🌐 Website: rakershomegroup.com

Call us at:

Eric Rakers (904) 386-5589

Dane Coussens (904) 838-8275

Bridget Hodges (847) 848-8622

Garrett Allen (904) 860-0415

Dawn Marie Hughes (904) 501-9929

Got a question, story, or topic you’d like us to cover next? Drop us a message—we’d love to feature your ideas in a future episode.

And remember… whether you’re buying, selling, or just exploring, get the Home Team Advantage with The Rakers Home Group.

Send us a text

Welcome back to Real Estate UnRaked, the bold, funny, and brutally honest real estate podcast where we rake through the hype and get to what actually matters.

In Episode 21, host Eric Rakers and the Real Estate UnRaked crew tackle one of the biggest mistakes families make when moving to Northeast Florida:

Thinking “Florida life” automatically means “beach life.”

The truth?
The best places for families to live, grow, and thrive in Northeast Florida are often nowhere near the shoreline. In this episode, we go beyond the beach dream to spotlight the real family hotspots—communities built for real life, not Instagram.

🌴 Segment One: The Problem With the Beach Dream

We break down why the beach fantasy often crashes into reality:

• High insurance and flood risks
• Traffic, tourism, and noise
• Smaller homes for higher prices
• Lifestyle trade-offs families don’t expect

Most families quickly realize what really matters:
Schools. Space. Safety. Community. Value.

🏡 Segment Two: Hidden Family Hotspots of Northeast Florida

We reveal the communities where families actually thrive:

• Fleming Island – Strong schools, sports, community life, and low chaos
• Green Cove Springs – Space, value, growth potential, and smart long-term investment
• Clay County (Oakleaf, Eagle Landing, etc.) – Master-planned neighborhoods, parks, pools, and real community energy
• St. Johns County (beyond just Nocatee & Bartram) – Shearwater, Rivertown, SilverLeaf pockets with true lifestyle design
• Nassau County & Northside Jacksonville – Quiet, family-friendly, affordable, and growing

These aren’t flashy online—but they make real life better.

🤖 Segment Three: How AI Makes This Way Smarter

We show how modern real estate uses AI and smart tech to help families:

• Match lifestyle psychology to neighborhoods
• Analyze school trends and community growth
• Predict negotiation strength from listing language
• Compare insurance and risk profiles
• Identify future-value areas before they explode

This isn’t “find me a 3-bedroom house.”
This is “find me a life that fits.”

Instead of guessing, stressing, and hoping—you move with clarity, confidence, and strategy.

🏁 Final Takeaway

If you’re moving to Northeast Florida—or making a smarter move inside it—don’t let hype, hope, or highlight reels pick your zip code.

Pic

Support the show

That’s it for this episode of Real Estate UnRaked, where we take the mystery—and sometimes the madness—out of today’s housing market.

If you enjoyed the show, follow and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts—Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube—and don’t forget to leave us a review. Your feedback helps more people across Northeast Florida discover the truth behind real-estate headlines.

For more tips, insights, and community spotlights, connect with The Rakers Home Group on:
📱 Facebook & Instagram: @RakersHomeGroup

🌐 Website: rakershomegroup.com

Call us at:

Eric Rakers (904) 386-5589

Dane Coussens (904) 838-8275

Bridget Hodges (847) 848-8622

Garrett Allen (904) 860-0415

Dawn Marie Hughes (904) 501-9929

Got a question, story, or topic you’d like us to cover next? Drop us a message—we’d love to feature your ideas in a future episode.

And remember… whether you’re buying, selling, or just exploring, get the Home Team Advantage with The Rakers Home Group.

Send us a text

The real estate market in 2026 is not crashing—and it’s not exploding either. It’s reshuffling.
In Podcast Episode 20 of Real Estate UnRaked, Eric Rakers and the team break down what’s REALLY happening in housing and why the smartest buyers—not the richest—will dominate this market.

If you’re tired of clickbait headlines screaming “CRASH!” or “BOOM!” this episode brings clarity, strategy, and real-world guidance—especially for Northeast Florida buyers and sellers.

You’ll learn:

• Why 2026 is a market reshuffle—not a crash
• How buyer behavior has changed—and why that’s healthy
• Why sellers stuck in 2022 pricing are getting left behind
• The truth about inventory and what “more options” really means
• Why Northeast Florida is still a magnet for growth
• What defines a “Power Buyer” in 2026
• Why preparation beats money
• How strong terms beat desperate high offers
• Why education is the real buying superpower
• How Florida buyers can win with strategy, not stress

This episode is for:

✔ First-time buyers
✔ Move-up buyers
✔ Sellers thinking about listing in 2026
✔ Anyone confused by online market noise
✔ People who want truth, not hype

If you’re buying, selling, or just trying to understand the housing market in 2026—this episode gives you clarity, confidence, and a real strategy.

No fear-mongering.
No clickbait.
No fake experts.

Just real talk, real strategy, and real estate… UnRaked.

Support the show

That’s it for this episode of Real Estate UnRaked, where we take the mystery—and sometimes the madness—out of today’s housing market.

If you enjoyed the show, follow and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts—Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube—and don’t forget to leave us a review. Your feedback helps more people across Northeast Florida discover the truth behind real-estate headlines.

For more tips, insights, and community spotlights, connect with The Rakers Home Group on:
📱 Facebook & Instagram: @RakersHomeGroup

🌐 Website: rakershomegroup.com

Call us at:

Eric Rakers (904) 386-5589

Dane Coussens (904) 838-8275

Bridget Hodges (847) 848-8622

Garrett Allen (904) 860-0415

Got a question, story, or topic you’d like us to cover next? Drop us a message—we’d love to feature your ideas in a future episode.

And remember… whether you’re buying, selling, or just exploring, get the Home Team Advantage with The Rakers Home Group.

Send us a text

Episode 19 of Real Estate UnRaked pulls zero punches.
The market isn’t just shifting — it’s filtering. We’re entering The Great Realtor Shakeout, where agents who relied on easy markets, auto-generated leads, and surface-level knowledge are getting exposed… fast. Meanwhile, buyers and sellers are making some of their biggest financial decisions based on online home values that are flat-out inaccurate, delayed, or dangerously misleading.

Eric and the team break down:

• 💥 Why thousands of agents are leaving the business — and why that may actually HELP consumers
• 🧠 What separates elite, full-time professionals from “license-holders with a Canva login”
• 🏚️ How bad data, outdated comps, and algorithm guessing games are steering people wrong
• ⚠️ Why Zestimate-style values, AI price tools, and online estimators can cost you tens of thousands
• 🧭 How to read the market correctly in 2026 so you don’t get burned
• 🔎 What you REALLY need: strategy, local expertise, negotiation skill, and truth — not hype

Oh… and because it wouldn’t be Real Estate UnRaked without some chaos, we’re also bringing back the fan-favorite game segment — with that ridiculous “But from California” twist 😂

Whether you’re buying, selling, investing, or just addicted to housing market drama, this one will open eyes, punch egos, and probably ruffle a few feathers… just the way we like it.

🎯 Call to Action
Thinking about buying or selling? Confused by what you’re seeing online? Before you make a move, talk to a team that actually lives this market every day. Reach out to The Rakers Home Group — we’ll help you make the smart move, not the risky one.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/airstream/game-show
License code: QRTCHAU9EQM4W7PL

Support the show

That’s it for this episode of Real Estate UnRaked, where we take the mystery—and sometimes the madness—out of today’s housing market.

If you enjoyed the show, follow and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts—Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube—and don’t forget to leave us a review. Your feedback helps more people across Northeast Florida discover the truth behind real-estate headlines.

For more tips, insights, and community spotlights, connect with The Rakers Home Group on:
📱 Facebook & Instagram: @RakersHomeGroup

🌐 Website: rakershomegroup.com

Call us at:

Eric Rakers (904) 386-5589

Dane Coussens (904) 838-8275

Bridget Hodges (847) 848-8622

Garrett Allen (904) 860-0415

Got a question, story, or topic you’d like us to cover next? Drop us a message—we’d love to feature your ideas in a future episode.

And remember… whether you’re buying, selling, or just exploring, get the Home Team Advantage with The Rakers Home Group.

Send us a text

🎙️ Real Estate UnRaked — Episode 18
This one is BIG. In this episode, Eric and the crew take a brutally honest look at where the housing market is heading between now and 2026, and what buyers, sellers, and homeowners MUST start doing right now so they don’t get crushed by rising costs, shifting demand, changing lending, and a totally different real estate landscape.

No sugarcoating. No headline hype. Just real talk, real strategy, and real guidance from agents who are in the trenches every single day.

🏡 In This Episode We Break Down:
• Why the next 18–24 months will create CLEAR winners and obvious losers
• How today’s choices will impact your financial future in 2026
• Whether buyers should wait or buy now — and the real numbers behind it
• What homeowners need to fix, plan, and position NOW to win later
• Why “holding and hoping” may be the most dangerous strategy of all
• How inventory, rates, insurance, affordability, and migration trends will shape the market
• Our fan-favorite segment: “Overpriced… or Justified?” (Yes… it’s hilarious 🤣)

Whether you’re thinking about buying, selling, refinancing, investing, or just trying to understand what’s actually happening… this episode gives you a roadmap and a reality check at the same time.

Grab your coffee…
or something stronger…
and let’s UnRake it. 💥

If you enjoy this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, share with a friend, and reach out if you need real help navigating this market.

📞 Need guidance or thinking about making a move?
Contact The Rakers Home Group — powered by United Real Estate Gallery.
We’re here to help you win, not guess.

Support the show

That’s it for this episode of Real Estate UnRaked, where we take the mystery—and sometimes the madness—out of today’s housing market.

If you enjoyed the show, follow and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts—Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube—and don’t forget to leave us a review. Your feedback helps more people across Northeast Florida discover the truth behind real-estate headlines.

For more tips, insights, and community spotlights, connect with The Rakers Home Group on:
📱 Facebook & Instagram: @RakersHomeGroup

🌐 Website: rakershomegroup.com

Call us at:

Eric Rakers (904) 386-5589

Dane Coussens (904) 838-8275

Bridget Hodges (847) 848-8622

Garrett Allen (904) 860-0415

Got a question, story, or topic you’d like us to cover next? Drop us a message—we’d love to feature your ideas in a future episode.

And remember… whether you’re buying, selling, or just exploring, get the Home Team Advantage with The Rakers Home Group.

Send us a text

This isn’t a crash.
It’s not a bubble.
And it’s not being talked about nearly enough.

In Episode 17 of Real Estate UnRaked, host Eric Rakers is joined by Dane and Garrett to break down what may become the biggest drag on real estate mobility in modern history: the Trapped Homeowner.

Millions of homeowners are locked in place—unable to sell, refinance, or move without financially destroying themselves. With over 85% of U.S. mortgages under 5% and economists signaling that 6.5–7% rates may be the new normal, the math simply doesn’t work anymore. The result? A frozen housing market that looks like low inventory—but is actually locked inventory.

In this episode, we unpack:

• Why 5–6% mortgage rates likely aren’t coming back anytime soon
• How ultra-low interest rates created “titanium handcuffs” for homeowners
• Why the move-up buyer has quietly vanished
• How aging homeowners are staying put and dragging inventory down
• What “zombie inventory” really is—and why it matters
• The psychological standoff between 2022 seller pricing and 2026 buyer reality
• Why the market isn’t crashing… it’s clogging

Then we shift from truth to strategy.

You’ll hear practical, actionable tactics for:

• Buyers navigating a frozen market using leverage, creativity, and timing
• Sellers unlocking mobility without chasing outdated pricing expectations
• Why new construction may be the most liquid and flexible option right now
• How incentives, buydowns, and smart planning beat emotional decisions

This is not a doom-and-gloom episode.
It’s a map through the logjam.

If you’re a buyer, seller, homeowner, or agent trying to understand where the market is headed in 2025–2026, this episode is required listening.

🎧 Subscribe, follow, and don’t forget to check out the full video version on YouTube, plus walkthroughs, education, and short-form content.

📲 Thinking about making a move? Talk to The Rakers Home Group and start planning—because timing the market is a losing strategy.

Support the show

That’s it for this episode of Real Estate UnRaked, where we take the mystery—and sometimes the madness—out of today’s housing market.

If you enjoyed the show, follow and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts—Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube—and don’t forget to leave us a review. Your feedback helps more people across Northeast Florida discover the truth behind real-estate headlines.

For more tips, insights, and community spotlights, connect with The Rakers Home Group on:
📱 Facebook & Instagram: @RakersHomeGroup

🌐 Website: rakershomegroup.com

Call us at:

Eric Rakers (904) 386-5589

Dane Coussens (904) 838-8275

Bridget Hodges (847) 848-8622

Garrett Allen (904) 860-0415

Got a question, story, or topic you’d like us to cover next? Drop us a message—we’d love to feature your ideas in a future episode.

And remember… whether you’re buying, selling, or just exploring, get the Home Team Advantage with The Rakers Home Group.

Send us a text

Episode 16: Rage-Quitting Sellers — Why Listings Are Vanishing & What Nobody’s Saying

Are sellers disappearing from the market… or are they just refusing to play the game anymore?

In this bold episode of Real Estate UnRaked, hosts Eric Rakers, Dane, and Garrett pull back the curtain on one of the most misunderstood trends in today’s housing market: rage-quitting sellers.

Listings aren’t crashing. They aren’t expiring. They’re being pulled — often intentionally — because sellers are emotionally anchored to 2022 pricing while buyers are trapped by today’s affordability reality. What we’re witnessing isn’t a collapse… it’s a standoff.

In Episode 16, we break down:

• Why delistings are surging and what that actually means (hint: it’s not demand disappearing)
• The psychology behind sellers who would rather “wait it out” than adjust price
• Why affordability — not buyer interest — is the real pressure point in today’s market
• How buyers can still win by tracking withdrawn, canceled, and temporarily off-market homes
• And the growing force nobody is talking about enough: Shadow Inventory

Shadow inventory is the collection of homes that aren’t for sale… yet — owners waiting for lower rates, life changes, or a market shift before re-entering. These homes will matter a lot as we head into 2025–2026.

You’ll also hear real-world strategies for:

• Buyers positioning themselves early before competition returns
• Sellers deciding when delisting makes sense — and when it’s just emotional avoidance
• Why staying listed right now can actually be a strategic advantage
• How agents who understand invisible inventory are playing chess while others play checkers

As always, we skip the fluff, ditch the TikTok talking points, and give you real strategy, real psychology, and real market insight.

🎧 Whether you’re buying, selling, or just trying to understand what’s really happening — this episode explains why the market feels stuck… and where the hidden opportunities are.

👉 Subscribe to Real Estate UnRaked, leave a review, and drop your questions — we tackle what everyone else avoids.

🎥 Watch the full video version on YouTube, featuring weekly walkthroughs, market breakdowns, and short-form insights you won’t want to miss.

Support the show

That’s it for this episode of Real Estate UnRaked, where we take the mystery—and sometimes the madness—out of today’s housing market.

If you enjoyed the show, follow and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts—Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube—and don’t forget to leave us a review. Your feedback helps more people across Northeast Florida discover the truth behind real-estate headlines.

For more tips, insights, and community spotlights, connect with The Rakers Home Group on:
📱 Facebook & Instagram: @RakersHomeGroup

🌐 Website: rakershomegroup.com

Call us at:

Eric Rakers (904) 386-5589

Dane Coussens (904) 838-8275

Bridget Hodges (847) 848-8622

Garrett Allen (904) 860-0415

Got a question, story, or topic you’d like us to cover next? Drop us a message—we’d love to feature your ideas in a future episode.

And remember… whether you’re buying, selling, or just exploring, get the Home Team Advantage with The Rakers Home Group.

Send us a text

Welcome back to Real Estate UnRaked — the show where we tell the truth most agents are terrified to say out loud.
In this explosive episode, Eric, Dane, and Garrett break down the massive real estate shift coming in 2026 — a shift most Realtors aren’t prepared for… but YOU will be.

We’re diving deep into the structural changes that are about to reshape the housing market:

• Assumable mortgages with 2–3% rates becoming the hottest inventory in America
• The rise of 40-year and even 50-year mortgages and what they really mean for affordability
• Mortgage lock-ins finally breaking, unleashing pent-up seller movement
• Builders overbuilding the wrong price ranges and how buyers can use that leverage
• Florida’s insurance reform changes that will alter buying behavior statewide
• The surge of AI-powered home valuations — and why agents who ignore it will become irrelevant

This isn’t fear-mongering.
It’s not hype.
It’s exactly what’s coming, and whether you’re a buyer, seller, or agent, you need to understand the playbook before the shift hits.

We break down what to do RIGHT NOW to position yourself for success, how to spot the biggest opportunities, and the brutal truths the industry refuses to talk about.

If you want real estate advice without the fluff, the scripts, or the sugarcoating — hit subscribe.
And catch the full video version on our YouTube channel, along with weekly walkthroughs, education drops, and tons of short-form market insights.

This episode is based on material from:
“Your Realtor Probably Has No Idea What’s Coming in 2026…”

Support the show

That’s it for this episode of Real Estate UnRaked, where we take the mystery—and sometimes the madness—out of today’s housing market.

If you enjoyed the show, follow and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts—Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube—and don’t forget to leave us a review. Your feedback helps more people across Northeast Florida discover the truth behind real-estate headlines.

For more tips, insights, and community spotlights, connect with The Rakers Home Group on:
📱 Facebook & Instagram: @RakersHomeGroup

🌐 Website: rakershomegroup.com

Call us at:

Eric Rakers (904) 386-5589

Dane Coussens (904) 838-8275

Bridget Hodges (847) 848-8622

Garrett Allen (904) 860-0415

Got a question, story, or topic you’d like us to cover next? Drop us a message—we’d love to feature your ideas in a future episode.

And remember… whether you’re buying, selling, or just exploring, get the Home Team Advantage with The Rakers Home Group.