The Real Estate Ripple

TRAR Home Expo with Eddie Ruettiger

Join Connie Vavra as she interviews Eddie Ruettiger of the Ruettiger Group about the upcoming Three Rivers Association of REALTORS® Home Expo. This consumer-facing event focuses on homeownership and features vendors, classes, and non-profit organizations dedicated to helping individuals become successful homeowners. With the chance for the first 100 attendees each day to win $10,000 and a wide range of resources and information available, this free event is a must-attend for anyone interested in buying, selling, or maintaining a home. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect with experts in the field and learn valuable insights about the housing market.
Chapters
Timestamp
Summary
0:00:00
Introduction to the upcoming Three Rivers Association of Realtors Home Expo
0:00:46
Overview of the event and its focus on homeownership
0:05:07
Discussion on the relationship between realtors and affiliate members
0:06:18
Recognition of sponsors and non-profit organizations involved in the event
0:09:48
Mention of the event’s relevance for sellers as well as buyers
0:09:48
The Home Expo offers information for sellers as well as buyers
0:09:52
Buying property requires personalized advice and a tailored approach
0:10:50
The Home Expo provides an opportunity to find the right team for your real estate needs
0:13:15
The first 100 attendees each day have a chance to win $10,000
0:14:48
Various classes will cover topics like applying for a mortgage loan and credit 101
0:15:39
The Home Expo will take place at the Renaissance Center in downtown Joliet
0:16:19
There is no cost to attend the Home Expo
0:17:38
A variety of vendors will be present, offering information and services
0:18:30
Conclusion and invitation to attend the Home Expo
Show Notes
About the Guest(s):
Eddie Ruettiger is a real estate professional and a member of the Ruettiger Group with Baird and Warner Real Estate. With years of experience in the industry, Eddie has a deep understanding of the real estate market and is dedicated to helping individuals achieve their homeownership goals. He is passionate about educating consumers and providing them with the necessary resources to make informed decisions. Eddie’s expertise and commitment to his clients have earned him a reputation as a trusted and reliable real estate agent.
Episode Summary:
In this episode your host, Connie Vavra, interviews Eddie Ruettiger of the Ruettiger Group about the upcoming Three Rivers Association of REALTORS® Home Expo. Eddie provides an overview of the event, highlighting its focus on homeownership and the various vendors and classes that will be available. He emphasizes the importance of having a team of professionals, including real estate agents, lenders, and lawyers, to guide individuals through the home buying process. Eddie also discusses the role of non-profit organizations in assisting individuals with down payment assistance programs and other resources. The episode concludes with a discussion on the benefits of attending the Home Expo, including the chance for the first 100 attendees each day to win $10,000 and access to valuable information and resources.
Key Takeaways:
The Three Rivers Association of Realtors Home Expo is a consumer-facing event focused on homeownership and will feature vendors and classes related to buying, maintaining, and selling homes.
The event provides an opportunity for individuals to connect with professionals in the real estate industry, including real estate agents, lenders, and lawyers, to form a team that can guide them through the home buying process.
Non-profit organizations, such as IDHA, United Way, and Habitat for Humanity, will be present at the Home Expo to provide information on their programs and other resources for successful homeownership.
The Home Expo offers the first 100 attendees each day the chance to win $10,000 and access to valuable information and resources that can help them make informed decisions about homeownership.
Thank you to our Sponsor, Shorewood Hugs.
Shorewood Hugs
 
Resources:
Ruettiger Group with Baird and Warner Real Estate
Three Rivers Association of REALTORS® Home Expo

All Things VA with Megan Wendtland

Recorded: January 18, 2024
 
Keepin’ Up With The Currents: Real Estate Real Talk
 
Season 1, Episode 8: All Things VA.
 
Summary:
In this episode your host, Connie Vavra, interviews Megan Wendtland, Loan Officer and Branch Manager of Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation, NMLS: 1249084, Licensed in: WA, ID, AZ, IL, IN, FL.  They talk about Megan's podcast and all things VA Loans.
Topic #1 – I Think You Started Your Own Podcast. [1:53]
 Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5bZmHEV8Sq9cd2N3pnEmRx?si=7U9FkeqtSr-4jMd8Xk1mjA 
Topic #2 – What is the Focus/Goal of your Podcast? [2:43]
Topic #3 – What is a VA Loan and what are some general requirements to qualify? [6:06]
Topic #4 – How many times can a VA loan be used? Is it a one-time thing? [9:00]
Topic #5 – What are the financial differences between a first-time home buyer using their VA loan benefits vs. FHA? [11:15]
REALTOR® Safety tip [15:47]
Topic #6 – What about refinancing as a VA loan? [16:45]
Topic #7 – VA Loans are assumable? What does an assumable VA loan look like? [21:25]
Topic #8 – Showing your value as a REALTOR® [25:38]
Topic #9 – REALTOR® Commissions and VA Loans [29:00]
Topic #10 – FHA & VA Condo Approval [36:06]
               Link to check condo approval status: Loan Guaranty (va.gov)
This episode sponsored by Three Rivers Association of REALTORS®
 
Link: Three Rivers | Association of REALTORS® (trarealtors.net)

What is Title Insurance with D.J. Johnson of Fidelity National Title

Keepin’ Up With The Currents: Real Estate Real Talk
Season 1, Episode 7: What Is Title Insurance with D.J. Johnson of Fidelity National Title.
Summary:
Join your host, Connie Vavra, as she sits down with D.J. Johnson of Fidelity National Title and unlocks the secrets of title insurance. Discover how a title policy can become your financial shield, guarding against the ghosts of a property's past, from mortgage mishaps to pesky probate issues. DJ's wealth of knowledge paints a vivid picture of the title insurance landscape while his personal anecdotes from high school to industry expert add a human touch to the complex jargon. Prepare to have your eyes opened to the indispensable role title insurance plays in safeguarding your real estate investments.
Fidelity National Title’s website: FNT | Illinois - Home (fntic.com)
 
 

The Future of Three Rivers with Justin McLaughlin, Board of Directors President

Recorded: December 28, 2023
Keepin’ Up With The Currents: Real Estate Real Talk
Season 1, Episode 6: Interview with Justin McLaughlin, REALTOR® with the JLM Group eXp Realty and President of the Three Rivers Association of REALTORS® Board of Directors.
Summary:
In this episode your host, Connie Vavra, interviews TRAR Board of Directors President, Justin McLaughlin about the future of TRAR.
Topic #1 – You were installed as President in September how has your term been going so far. [3:00]
Topic #2 – How members can volunteer for leadership [5:45)
Topic #3 – How did you get into leadership at TRAR?  What was your journey? [6:30]
REALTOR® Safety Tip – [12:08]
Topic #4 – Tell us more about what changes have been implemented at TRAR and what can members look forward to over the next few months? [12:50]
Topic #5 – Burnett v. NAR verdict – changes for TRAR moving forwarding.  New training for everyone. [14:58]
            Links:
             Update on NAR litigation - Illinois REALTORS                 
            CE at TRAR: TRAR Class Catalog | Three Rivers (trarealtors.net)
Topic #6 – Winter Business Meetings [30:54]
            Links: 2024 Winter Business Meetings - Illinois REALTORS
            Illinois REALTORS® website: Illinois REALTORS®
            There are 102 Counties in Illinois. [34:34]
 
This episode sponsored by Three Rivers Association of REALTORS®
 
 

TRAR Leadership Development Program – The history, benefits, and why you should apply this year!

 
 
 
December 12, 2023
Keepin’ Up With The Currents: Real Estate Real Talk
Season 1, Episode 5: TRAR Leadership Development Program – The history, benefits, and why you should apply this year!
Leadership Development Program application link: https://forms.gle/UCY6XJPziv9H8kyp8
Summary:
In this episode your host, Connie Vavra, discusses the Three Rivers Association of REALTORS® Leadership Development Program with 2 graduates of the 2023 class.  Connie herself is a previous graduate of the program. She is joined by:
Ray Manuel, VP of Operations at National Title Solutions, Ray has over 14 years of experience in the real estate industry, including 10 years managing and overseeing the growth of a national title company in the Chicagoland area.
Ashley Brown, is a REALTOR® with Century 21 Circle in Joliet, IL and currently serves as a Director on the Three Rivers Association of REALTORS® Board of Directors for 2023-2024.
 Nancy Vallee, is a REALTOR® with Baird & Warner, Plainfield and Vice Chair of the Leadership Development Committee at Three Rivers Association of REALTORS®. Nancy is also the unofficial “TRAR Historian” and a graduate of the very first Leadership Development program at TRAR.
 Topics: Three Rivers Association of REALTORS’® Leadership Development Program. 
 Topic #1 – The history of TRAR’s Leadership Development Program and what’s ahead for this year. [3:58]
 Topic #2 – What was your “Why” that made you apply? [7:40]
 Topic #3 Pillars of the Program – Involvement – How has your involvement with the association, community, charitable organizations changed since completing the program? [12:10]
 Topic #4 – What was the biggest life lesson for you after coming out of the program? (16:35)
 
Thank you to our Episode Sponsor (20:00):
This episode is sponsored by Joe Medrano of loanDepot, 3333 Warrenville Rd., Suite 630, Lisle, IL.  Joe was voted one of the Best Mortgage Professionals in Will County in 2023.  For more information click here: loanDepot - Joe Medrano
Topic #5 – How do you know it’s your time?  The time is now! [21:41}
 REALTOR® Safety Tip – Open House Safety [25:41]
Topic #6 – Putting your application out there – what you should know. [25:46]
Topic #7 – How has the TRAR Leadership Development Program helped you personally and professionally? [30:00]
Apply for the Leadership Development program here: https://forms.gle/UCY6XJPziv9H8kyp8
Listen to this episode here:
https://ThreeRiversRealtors.podbean.com/e/trar-leadership-development-program-%e2%80%93-the-history-benefits-and-why-you-should-apply-this-year/
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