The Real Estate Ripple

The Home Improvement Series: The Importance of Pre-Listing Inspections with Scott Seaton of SLS Home Inspections.

The Real Estate Ripple
The Home Improvement Series: The Importance of Pre-Listing Inspections with Scott Seaton of SLS Home Improvement.
Hosts: Joe Medrano & Megan WendtlandGuest: Scott Seaton, former owner of SLS Home Inspection
Episode Summary:
Thinking about listing your home? Don’t miss this episode of The Real Estate Ripple as we sit down with longtime home inspector Scott Seaton of SLS Home Inspections. With over 6,000 inspections under his belt, Scott shares invaluable insights on what sellers (and agents) need to know before listing a property.
From structural damage hidden in attics to moldy crawl spaces, Scott breaks it all down using his famous “Cookies vs. Crumbs” analogy — helping you understand what’s a deal-breaker and what’s just a simple fix.
In This Episode:
Why pre-listing inspections can save sellers money, time, and deals
What to look for: Roof, attic, foundation, HVAC, plumbing, and more
The “cookie and crumb” approach to home issues
Common mistakes sellers make before going to market
How regular home maintenance prevents costly problems
Why even new construction should be inspected
What a pre-listing inspection typically costs and includes
Pro Tips for Sellers:
“Water always wins” — fix small leaks before they become big problems
Document your home’s condition with date-stamped photos
Don’t ignore the attic or crawl space — inspectors won’t!
🔗 Resources & Contact:
SLS Home Inspections                                    (815) 644-6271slshomeinspections.com24/7 Online Scheduling          
Thanks for Listening!
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The Three Rivers 2nd Annual Home Expo Presented by Midland States Bank with Scott Gajewski and Molly Babyak.

Join hosts Christy and Joe on The Real Estate Ripple as they dive into all the details of the Second Annual Three Rivers Home Expo, happening April 26 at Countryside Banquets in Joliet, IL. Special guests Scott Gajewski and Molly Babyak share exciting updates, including a more accessible venue, expanded vendor lineup, family-friendly activities, and new breakout sessions. Whether you're a homeowner, first-time buyer, or just looking for great home resources, this free event has something for everyone. A link to the Home Expo website is below.
Key Highlights:
Guests: Scott Gajewski (Vice Chair of the Home Expo Committee, lender with Fairway) and Molly Babyak (Director of Events at Three Rivers Association of REALTORS®).
Purpose: The expo connects homeowners, first-time buyers, and the community with vendors and organizations that support homeownership.
New Features This Year:
More accessible venue with free, ample parking.
More family-friendly activities, including a kids' area, Home Depot workshops, and surprise princess appearances.
Breakout sessions from vendors on home improvement, financing, estate planning, and more.
Expanded focus beyond realtors to include home services, nonprofit organizations, and community groups.
Vendors & Sponsors: Over 50 expected vendors, with sponsors including Midland States Bank, loanDepot, MRED, and more.
Registration Encouraged: Free event, but preregistration at ThreeRiversHomeExpo.com allows for express check-in.
Also, a very big "thank you" to our Presenting Sponsor, Midland States Bank!
   
 
 

Built from the Ground Up - Tips and Tricks for Success with Rachel Derry and Victoria Kroll Mallek

In this episode of 'The Real Estate Ripple' podcast, hosts Christy Murawski and Megan Wendtland, welcome Rachel Derry from TownCenter Realty and Victoria Kroll Malik from Century 21 Pride, two accomplished realtors, to discuss their career journeys and share valuable insights. Victoria and Rachel discuss their professional backgrounds before entering real estate, the challenges they faced, and how they overcame them. They emphasize the importance of social media, networking, mentorship, and the right mindset for success in the Real Estate industry. Both guests highlight the significance of finding joy in their work, maintaining a strict schedule, and continuous learning. The podcast offers actionable advice for new and struggling agents on building a robust career in real estate.
 
 

Celebrating Women's Impact in Real Estate with Attorney Heather Glockler and Nora Gruenberg, GAD

Celebrate Women's History Month with The Real Estate Ripple! In our latest episode, we explore how women have shaped the real estate industry—breaking barriers, leading as professionals, and becoming homeowners at record rates. With 66% of REALTORS® now being women, we discuss the progress made, the challenges that remain, and the importance of mentorship and support. Featuring insights from real estate attorney Heather Glockler and Local Government Affairs Director Nora Gruenberg, this episode is packed with inspiration, history, and practical advice. Tune in and learn how women are moving forward together in real estate!
 
Our Sponsor:
Buy Tickets online: Three Rivers | Association of REALTORS®
 
Our Guests: 
         
Heather Glockler         Nora Gruenberg
 
 

Breaking Barriers a Black History Month Conversation on Homeownership with guests Terrell and Danielle Shell

This episode of The Real Estate Ripple podcast, hosted by Joe Medrano and Carl McGee from Three Rivers Association of REALTORS®, features special guests Terrell and Danielle Shell, a husband-and-wife real estate duo. The discussion highlights the challenges and progress in Black homeownership, particularly in Illinois, where Black homeownership stands at around 40%, significantly lower than the 72% rate among white homeowners.
Key Topics Discussed:
Personal Homeownership Journey:
Terrell and Danielle share their story of becoming homeowners, experiencing foreclosure during the 2007-2008 financial crisis, and eventually regaining homeownership.
They emphasize the importance of financial literacy and preparation, recounting how they recovered by learning from their past financial mistakes.
Barriers to Black Homeownership:
Misinformation and lack of financial education prevent many from owning homes.
Generational trends—many families have never owned homes, leading to a lack of homeownership knowledge being passed down.
The psychological barrier—many believe homeownership is out of reach, which discourages them from even starting the process.
Role of Education in Homeownership:
The Shells advocate for real estate education at the high school level, helping younger generations understand credit, savings, and mortgage processes.
They share their outreach efforts, where they mentor and educate students about financial literacy and homeownership.
Predatory Lending and Policy Changes:
Discussion about the predatory lending practices that led to foreclosures in the Black community during the 2007-2008 financial crisis.
Today’s lending landscape has improved with more regulations to prevent similar financial disasters.
Encouraging First-Time Homebuyers:
Stories of clients who overcame obstacles to become first-time homeowners, including a client who became the first in his family to own a home.
The importance of mentorship and support in helping first-time buyers navigate the process.
The Role of Veterans in Homeownership:
Many Black veterans are unaware of VA loan benefits that could help them purchase homes with no money down and no mortgage insurance.
Raising awareness about these programs is essential to increasing Black homeownership.
Final Message:
The conversation concludes with a call to action:
Educate communities about homeownership.
Encourage financial literacy from a young age.
Support first-time homebuyers, particularly in underrepresented communities.
The hosts and guests emphasize that Black History Month is not just about reflection but also about taking steps toward economic empowerment through real estate.
 
Episode Sponsor:
 
Buy tickets at: www.trarealtors.net