The Real Estate Ripple
The Real Estate Ripple is your trusted source for all things real estate, lending, and local market insights. Whether you’re a realtor, mortgage professional, or part of the real estate community in Joliet and beyond, we provide expert tips, strategies, and stories to help you thrive. Tune in for market updates, in-depth interviews, and actionable advice to stay ahead in the property game. Subscribe today and make waves in your real estate journey!

The Real Estate Ripple
Welcome to The Real Estate Ripple, hosted by Three Rivers Association of REALTORS®, your go-to podcast for everything real estate, lending, and local market insights!
Whether you're a REALTOR®, mortgage pro, or part of the vibrant real estate community her in Joliet and the surrounding areas, we're here to bring you the tips, tools, and strategies to help you thrive.

About The Hosts:
Christy Murawski: Christy is a REALTOR® with Century 21 Pride in Mokena, Illinois.
Joe Medrano: Joe is a Mortgage Consultant with loanDepot in Naperville, Illinois.
Megan Wendtland: Megan is a mortgage Loan Officer with Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation.
Episodes

Monday Mar 17, 2025
Monday Mar 17, 2025
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.

Monday Mar 03, 2025
Monday Mar 03, 2025
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

Tuesday Feb 04, 2025
Tuesday Feb 04, 2025
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

Thursday Jan 30, 2025
Thursday Jan 30, 2025
This episode of The Real Estate Ripple brings you an expert-led discussion on the brand new 8.0 Multi-Board Residential Real Estate contract and its updated addendums. Join us as Attorney Gary Mueller and educator Annette Panzek walk us through the significant changes and their implications for realtors, enabling you to handle transactions confidently.
Whether you're an experienced agent or new to the field, learn about the crucial modifications in the contract and what to watch out for to avoid common pitfalls. Our hosts Christy and Megan and our guests Gary and Annette cover valuable insights into inspection processes, personal property provisions, and compensation details.
Don't miss the chance to register for an in-person training on February 5th and gain the tools you need to stay ahead in the real estate industry. Stay informed, make informed decisions, and ensure your success with this indispensable episode.

Wednesday Dec 04, 2024
Wednesday Dec 04, 2024
In this episode of the Real Estate Ripple, hosts Joe Medrano and Carl McGee sit down with special guest Nora Gruenberg from Illinois Realtors to explore the influential role of realtors in shaping policy and driving community impact. Nora, a Government Affairs Director, provides an inside look at how Illinois Realtors advocate for the real estate industry at local, state, and federal levels, ensuring policies that benefit realtors and the communities they serve.
Tune in to understand the critical partnerships realtors form with legislators, community stakeholders, and how these efforts ensure a strong voice for the industry. Discover how realtors can leverage collective power to drive economic and policy changes that benefit their professional and local communities. This episode is an essential listen for anyone in the real estate sector wanting to make impactful ripples in their market.