Get Real With Eddie

Buying a home is exciting, but there are important details many buyers don't learn until they're already under contract. In this episode of Get Real with Eddie, Eddie Ruettiger and Nancy Vallee with EXIT Real Estate Specialists discuss the hidden costs of buying a home, how much cash you may need at the closing table, your home inspection options, ongoing expenses after closing, and what PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance) really means.
Whether you're a first-time home buyer or it's been years since your last purchase, this episode will help you avoid common surprises and make more informed decisions throughout the home-buying process.
 
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#HomeBuying #FirstTimeHomeBuyer #ClosingCosts #HomeInspection #PMI #RealEstate #IllinoisRealEstate #EXITRealEstate #GetRealWithEddie #HomeBuyerTips
Chapters:00:00 Things Home Buyers Aren't Told Before They Buy00:57 How Much Cash Do You Really Need at Closing?05:40 Home Inspections: Your Options Explained10:11 Unexpected Costs After Closing on a Home14:54 What Is PMI and Can You Avoid It?20:55 Live Q&A: Answering Your Home Buying Questions

Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions you will ever make, and there are a lot of myths, questions, and misconceptions that can make the process confusing.
In this episode of Get Real with Eddie, Eddie Ruettiger and Nancy Vallee with EXIT Real Estate Specialists break down what buyers need to know before making an offer. We discuss common home-buying myths, how much money you really need to put down, whether buying an Airbnb makes sense, when the right time to buy is, why having a real estate agent matters, and how your lending team and PMI factor into the process.
Whether you are a first-time home buyer or someone looking to purchase your next home, this conversation will help you make a more informed decision and avoid costly mistakes.
Have questions about buying a home? Reach out to Eddie and his team for real estate guidance you can trust.
#RealEstate #FirstTimeHomeBuyer #HomeBuyingTips #BuyingAHome #RealEstateAdvice #GetRealWithEddie #EXITRealEstateSpecialists #HomeBuyerTips
Chapters
00:00 Are We Having Fun Yet? What You Need to Hear Before You Buy00:35 Myth or Fact: Common Home Buying Misconceptions02:25 Do You Really Need 20% Down?08:12 Is Airbnb a Good Investment Strategy?12:44 What Is the Perfect Time to Buy a Home?15:35 Do You Need a Real Estate Agent?19:45 Your Lending Team, PMI, and Understanding Your Loan

What if you could buy your next home before selling your current one?
In this episode of Get Real with Eddie, Eddie Ruettiger and Nancy Vallee with EXIT Real Estate Specialists discuss a loan program that allows homeowners to access the equity in their current home and use it toward the purchase of their next home.
If you've ever wondered:
How can I buy before I sell?
What if I don't want to make a contingent offer?
How do I compete in today's market without selling first?
Is there a way to use my home's equity for the down payment?
This episode walks through how these equity-based loan programs work, who they may be a good fit for, and the pros and cons you should understand before moving forward.
We also cover the biggest dilemma homeowners face when trying to coordinate buying and selling at the same time—and why having the right strategy and the right lending team can make all the difference.
If you're planning to move in the next year, this is an episode you won't want to miss.
For more real estate tips, market updates, and straightforward advice, subscribe to Get Real with Eddie.
📍 Proudly serving Joliet, Plainfield, Shorewood, Crest Hill, Romeoville, Channahon, New Lenox, Yorkville, and surrounding Illinois communities.
#GetRealWithEddie #EXITRealEstateSpecialists #HomeEquity #BuyBeforeYouSell #BridgeLoan #MoveUpBuyer #IllinoisRealEstate #MortgageTips #HomeBuying #RealEstatePodcast
Chapters
00:00 How Was the Weekend?00:37 Loans That Pull Your Equity04:29 The Dilemma14:42 Here Is the Answer20:13 To Recap

Is the housing market really dead, or is that just what the headlines want you to believe?
In this episode of Get Real with Eddie, Eddie Ruettiger and Nancy Vallee with EXIT Real Estate Specialists break down what's actually happening in today's real estate market. Buyers are still buying—but they're shopping differently, negotiating harder, and taking more time before making an offer.
They also tackle one of the biggest myths in real estate: "Homes were so much cheaper in the 1980s." Were they really? When you factor in mortgage rates, inflation, and wages, the story isn't as simple as many people think.
If you've ever said, "I'm going to wait," or "No one's buying right now," this episode will give you the numbers and perspective you need before making your next move.
Whether you're buying, selling, or just curious about where the market is headed, this episode separates the headlines from reality.
#GetRealWithEddie #RealEstate2026 #HousingMarket #HomeBuying #HomeSelling #IllinoisRealEstate #MortgageRates #RealEstatePodcast #EXITRealEstate #EddieRuettiger
Chapters
00:00:00 Thinking Nobody Is Buying Homes?00:04:25 Buyers Aren't Jumping on the First House00:08:14 Were Homes Really Cheaper in the 1980s?00:13:51 You Paid Too Much... Would You Sell for Less?00:17:48 Run the Numbers Before You Decide

Buying a home? Don't skip this episode before your home inspection!
Join Eddie Ruettiger and Nancy Vallee with EXIT Real Estate Specialists as they discuss why home inspections are one of the most important parts of the home buying process. From sewer scopes to radon testing, air quality concerns, and even new construction surprises, they share real-world stories that could save you thousands of dollars.
Many buyers assume a new home doesn't need an inspection—but this episode explains why that's a costly mistake. Learn what inspection options are available, when you should get additional testing, and how to protect yourself before closing.
Whether you're a first-time buyer or purchasing your next home, this episode is packed with practical real estate advice to help you buy with confidence.
👍 Like this video if you found it helpful.🔔 Subscribe for weekly real estate tips, market updates, and honest conversations about buying and selling homes.💬 Tell us in the comments: What's your biggest concern about buying a home?
#GetRealWithEddie #HomeInspection #HomeBuyingTips #RealEstateAdvice #FirstTimeHomeBuyer #IllinoisRealEstate #EXITRealEstateSpecialists #HomeBuying #RealEstatePodcast #EddieRuettiger
Chapters:
00:00:00 Inspections Inspections Inspections00:00:37 They Saved Thousands00:05:12 Get Quotes Before Repairs00:05:54 Always Get a Home Inspection00:07:52 Home Inspection Options Explained00:12:20 New Construction Sewer Collapse00:13:38 Radon Testing on New Construction00:16:34 Air Quality Testing Matters00:20:00 Wife's Cat Saves Her Life

Everyone knows someone saying, "I'm going to wait to buy a home." But is waiting really the smartest financial move?
In this episode of Get Real with Eddie, Eddie Ruettiger and Nancy Vallee with EXIT Real Estate Specialists break down one of the biggest myths in real estate. They discuss why home prices and mortgage rates don't always move together, how to evaluate homes that need repairs, why lifestyle should be part of every buying decision, and why running the numbers is the only way to know what's right for you.
If you're thinking about buying, selling, or investing in real estate, this episode will help you look beyond the headlines and make informed decisions.
Be sure to subscribe for more practical real estate advice, local market insights, and honest conversations designed to help you make smarter real estate decisions.
Hashtags:
#GetRealWithEddie #EddieRuettiger #NancyVallee #EXITRealEstateSpecialists #HomeBuying #HousingMarket #MortgageRates #FirstTimeHomeBuyer #RealEstatePodcast #IllinoisRealEstate #JolietRealEstate #PlainfieldRealEstate #HomeValues #RealEstateAdvice #BuyAHome
Chapters:
00:00 WE ARE BACK!00:35 Radio Show Did Well for Us, But...02:35 I'm Going to Wait to Buy a Home!09:15 Do They Both Go Up at the Same Rate?10:14 If It Needs $50,000 of Work, You Need More Than $50,000 Off15:07 Lifestyle Is Just as Important as the Value17:49 Run the Numbers!

The housing market is full of headlines, predictions, and opinions—but what's really happening?
In this episode, we break down three housing market predictions that are unlikely to happen, discuss how home prices have performed over the last five years despite recent declines, tackle the myth that buyers need 20% down, review Will County market numbers compared to 2019, and highlight the 10 best real estate markets this spring.
Whether you're buying, selling, investing, or just trying to understand today's market, this episode provides real-world insights and data you can use.
Hosted by Eddie Ruettiger and Nancy Vallee with EXIT Real Estate Specialists.
#HousingMarket #RealEstate #HomeBuying #MortgageTips #WillCountyRealEstate #HousingMarketUpdate #RealEstateInvesting #HomePrices #FirstTimeHomeBuyer #IllinoisRealEstate #EXITRealEstate #EddieRuettiger #NancyVallee
CHAPTERS
00:00:00 Odd Start & New Orleans Real Estate Talk00:05:33 3 Housing Market Predictions That Won't Happen00:13:24 Home Prices Are Down—but Still Up Over 5 Years00:20:57 Do You Really Need 20% Down to Buy a Home?00:29:52 Will County Housing Market: 2026 vs. 201900:45:02 The 10 Best Real Estate Markets This Spring

In this episode, Eddie Ruettiger and Nancy Vallee with EXIT Real Estate Specialists cover a wide range of real estate topics that could impact your next move. From the step-by-step process of building a custom home to how your tax refund could help you get into the market faster, this conversation is packed with practical insights.
They also break down why waiting to lock in your interest rate could cost you, what is driving the rise in multi generational homes, and what it means when another real estate company looks like it may be getting bought out.
Plus, a little fun along the way with some classic dad jokes.
If you are thinking about buying, selling, or building, this episode gives you real world strategies you can use right now.
Hashtags#RealEstate #HomeBuying #CustomHome #InterestRates #HousingMarket #RealEstateTips #EXITRealEstate #EddieRuettiger #NancyVallee #MultiGenerationalHomes #FirstTimeHomeBuyer #RealEstatePodcast
00:00:00 What’s My Name00:02:08 Building a Custom Home in 10 Steps00:19:32 Tax Refund Could Help You Buy a Home00:28:10 Dad Jokes00:29:09 Why You Should Not Wait to Lock in Your Rate00:34:20 Multi-Generational Homes00:45:26 Another Real Estate Company Looks to Be Getting Bought Out
 

In this episode, Eddie Ruettiger and Nancy Vallee with EXIT Real Estate Specialists break down potential relief coming to the Illinois real estate market if new legislation passes in Springfield. They also dive into whether mortgage rates could drop if global conflicts ease, what a recent slowdown in refinance demand really signals, and why smaller spaces are driving today’s commercial real estate market. If you’re buying, selling, or investing, this conversation will help you understand what’s actually happening—and what it means for your next move.
#IllinoisRealEstate #HousingMarket #InterestRates #RealEstateNews #CommercialRealEstate #MortgageRates #Refinance #EddieRuettiger #NancyVallee #EXITRealEstate #RealEstateInvesting #MarketUpdate
Chapters:00:00 Help is Coming to the Illinois Real Estate Market?29:14 Will Rates Drop if the War Ends?44:47 Refinance Demand Hits 4-Month Low48:20 Small Spaces Driving Commercial Market

In this episode, Eddie Ruettiger and Nancy Vallee with EXIT Real Estate Specialists break down what’s really happening in today’s housing market and how it impacts your next move.
This conversation may change how you think about real estate investors and the role they play right now. They also walk through what you can control—even when interest rates aren’t—so you can make smarter decisions whether you're buying or selling.
If your home isn’t selling, you’ll get practical strategies that are working in today’s market to help get it sold.
Plus, they review the latest sales data from Plainfield, Illinois, giving you a real look at what’s happening locally instead of just relying on national headlines.
Whether you're a first-time buyer or planning your next sale, this episode gives you clear, actionable advice to navigate today’s market with confidence.
Hashtags:#realestatetips #housingmarketupdate #homesellingtips #homebuyingadvice #plainfieldil #illinoisrealestate #marketupdate #eddieruettiger #nancyvallee #exitrealestate #realestateinvesting #firsttimehomebuyer
Chapters:00:00:00 This May Change What You Think About Investors00:08:40 You Can’t Control Rates, But You Can Control This00:19:20 If Your House Isn’t Selling, We Have Tips to Get It Sold00:35:00 Plainfield, IL Sales Data00:44:06 Advice If You Are Buying in Today’s Market