Want to save thousands on your home purchase without sacrificing support?In this must-listen episode of the DIY Homebuyer Podcast, host Nick Aufenkamp sits down with Trey and Caroline McMeans, the innovative founders of Homepoint, a tech-forward brokerage revolutionizing real estate in Alabama and Tennessee — and eventually, the whole country! Discover how their flat-fee model empowers buyers with transparency, affordability, and control — saving clients, like one Mountain Brook buyer, $28,000!From navigating post-NAR settlement changes to offering a $5,000 flat fee for full-service representation, Trey and Caroline share practical insights to help you buy smarter.What You’ll Uncover:• How HomePoint’s $5,000 flat fee saves buyers thousands vs. traditional 3% commissions• The power of their tech platform: Schedule tours, craft offers, and track your journey• Why their gig network (like Uber for home tours) ensures fast, flexible showings• Tips to avoid buyer agency agreement traps and negotiate confidently• The future of real estate: Transparent, consumer-first solutionsAs outsiders to traditional real estate, Trey and Caroline are disrupting the industry with a mission-driven approach that puts buyers first. A must-listen for DIY homebuyers, first-time buyers, or anyone ready to rethink real estate!🔗 Explore HomePoint: https://www.homepoint.co📧 Sign Up for Their Newsletter: https://www.homepoint.co/aboutus📱 Follow Trey & Caroline on LinkedIn for industry insights:Trey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/treymcmeansCaroline: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinemcmeans🔔 New to DIY Home Buying?Subscribe for weekly tips to save tens of thousands and join the DIY Homebuyer Academy for expert self-representation training!🏠 Join Our FREE DIY Homebuyer Community!Buy your next home WITHOUT an agent: https://skool.com/diyhomebuyer• FREE DIY Home Buying Essentials course• Full library of homebuying resources• Connect with DIY homebuyers• Q&As and live sessions with NickAdditional Resources:Download “5 Strategies to Save You $5K+ On Your Next Home”: https://diyhomebuyeracademy.kit.com/2694bd687cConnect With DIY Homebuyer Academy:• Website: https://diyhomebuyeracademy.com• Newsletter: https://diyhomebuyeracademy.kit.com/• Email: nick@diyhomebuyeracademy.comSocial Media:• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@diyhomebuyer• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diy_homebuyer• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickaufenkamp• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DIYHomebuyerLegal Disclaimer:This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Always consult with qualified professionals before making any real estate decisions.

Ready to save 2-3% on your next home by representing yourself? In this episode of the DIY Homebuyer Podcast, host Nick answers 10 listener questions to empower you as a DIY Homebuyer! From negotiating with listing agents to post-closing steps, this Q&A covers everything you need to buy confidently without a costly buyer’s agent.🎯 What You’ll Learn:• How to deal with listing agents as an unrepresented buyer • Crafting a competitive offer in a hot market • Conducting due diligence on title, zoning, and liens• Negotiation strategies to secure a fair price• Avoiding pitfalls in purchase agreements • Working with lenders as a DIY buyer • Managing inspections and repairs• Researching market value to avoid overpaying • Handling emotional sellers professionally • Post-closing steps for a smooth transition 💡 DIY Tips:• Ask listing agents about seller motivations to strengthen negotiations.• Always include inspection, financing, and title contingencies.• Use recent sales data from Zillow or Redfin to assess home value.• Do a final walkthrough 24 hours before closing to catch issues.🔔 New to DIY homebuying?Subscribe for weekly tips to save tens of thousands and join the DIY Homebuyer Academy for expert self-representation training!🏠 Join Our FREE DIY Homebuyer Community!Buy your next home WITHOUT an agent: https://skool.com/diyhomebuyer• FREE DIY Home Buying Essentials course• Full library of homebuying resources• Connect with DIY homebuyers• Q&As and live sessions with NickTimestamps:0:00 - Welcome to Episode 40 Q&A1:56 - Q1: Dealing with Listing Agents5:34 - Q2: Crafting Competitive Offers11:34 - Q3: Due Diligence Essentials15:30 - Q4: Negotiation Strategies22:31 - Q5: Purchase Agreement Pitfalls26:21 - Q6: Working with Lenders28:38 - Q7: Inspections and Repairs34:46 - Q8: Market Research for Fair Pricing37:28 - Q9: Handling Emotional Sellers41:23 - Q10: Post-Closing Steps43:39 - Wrap-Up & Next StepsAdditional Resources:Download “5 Strategies to Save You $5K+ On Your Next Home”: https://diyhomebuyeracademy.kit.com/2694bd687cConnect With DIY Homebuyer Academy:• Website: https://diyhomebuyeracademy.com• Newsletter: https://diyhomebuyeracademy.kit.com/• Email: nick@diyhomebuyeracademy.comSocial Media:• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@diyhomebuyer• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diy_homebuyer• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickaufenkamp• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DIYHomebuyerLegal Disclaimer:This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Always consult with qualified professionals before making any real estate decisions.

Discover the best home search platform for 2025: Zillow, Homes.com, Redfin, or Realtor.com? 🏠In this DIY Homebuyer Podcast episode, host Nick dives into the top four real estate platforms, comparing pros, cons, and how they make money to help you make the most informed decisions as a DIY Homebuyer! Learn why Zillow dominates with 87M monthly users, Redfin’s estimates beat with 1.9% accuracy, Homes.com’s maps shine, and Realtor.com prioritizes verified listings. Plus, uncover monetization secrets — like Zillow’s 40% agent fees — and get DIY tips:• Use all platforms for FSBO and exclusive listings.• Cross-check valuations to avoid overpaying.• Skip tour buttons to contact listing agents directly.🎯 New to DIY homebuying? Subscribe for weekly tips and join the DIY Home Buyer Academy for self-representation training.🏠 Join Our FREE DIY Homebuyer Community!Buy or sell without a costly agent: https://skool.com/diyhomebuyer• FREE DIY Home Buying Essentials course• Full library of homebuying resources• Connect with DIY homebuyers• Q&As and live sessions with NickTimestamps:0:00 - Why Platforms Matter2:10 - How Portals Work6:30 - Zillow: King of Listings15:55 - Homes.com: Sleek & Growing22:21 - Redfin: Techy Brokerage28:13 - Realtor.com: Accuracy First33:17 - 5 DIY Homebuyer Tips36:17 - Your Favorite Platform?Additional Resources:Download “5 Strategies to Save You $5K+ On Your Next Home”: https://diyhomebuyeracademy.kit.com/2694bd687cConnect With DIY Homebuyer Academy• Website: https://diyhomebuyeracademy.com• Newsletter: https://diyhomebuyeracademy.kit.com/• Email: nick@diyhomebuyeracademy.comSocial Media:• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@diyhomebuyer• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diy_homebuyer• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickaufenkamp• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DIYHomebuyerLegal DisclaimerThis content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Always consult with qualified professionals before making any real estate decisions.