Get Real With Eddie

Hosted by Eddie Ruettiger

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100

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Aug 2026

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About the show

”Get Real with Eddie” is a real estate radio show hosted by Eddie Ruettiger, Designated Managing Broker and Owner at EXIT Real Estate Specialists, with co-host Nancy Vallee. The show offers expert insights on market trends, investment strategies, mortgage tips, and industry updates. Whether you’re buying, selling, or investing, tune in for trusted guidance and the latest real estate news.

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August 6, 2026Episode 13424 min

Your First Home: What They Don't Tell You

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. 👍 Like this video, subscribe to the channel, and turn on notifications so you never miss future real estate tips, market updates, and home buying advice. #HomeBuying #FirstTimeHomeBuyer #ClosingCosts #HomeInspection #PMI #RealEstate #IllinoisRealEstate #EXITRealEstate #GetRealWithEddie #HomeBuyerTips Chapters: 00:00 Things Home Buyers Aren't Told Before They Buy 00:57 How Much Cash Do You Really Need at Closing? 05:40 Home Inspections: Your Options Explained 10:11 Unexpected Costs After Closing on a Home 14:54 What Is PMI and Can You Avoid It? 20:55 Live Q&A: Answering Your Home Buying Questions

August 5, 2026Episode 13323 min

Before You Buy a Home, You Need to Hear This

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 Buy 00:35 Myth or Fact: Common Home Buying Misconceptions 02:25 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

July 28, 2026Episode 13222 min

Use Your Home Equity to Buy Your Next Home Without Selling First

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 Equity 04:29 The Dilemma 14:42 Here Is the Answer 20:13 To Recap

July 26, 2026Episode 13121 min

Nobody's Buying Homes? Here's What's Really Happening in 2026

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 House 00:08:14 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

July 24, 2026Episode 13023 min

Tips On Home Inspections When You Buy

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 Inspections 00:00:37 They Saved Thousands 00:05:12 Get Quotes Before Repairs 00:05:54 Always Get a Home Inspection 00:07:52 Home Inspection Options Explained 00:12:20 New Construction Sewer Collapse 00:13:38 Radon Testing on New Construction 00:16:34 Air Quality Testing Matters 00:20:00 Wife's Cat Saves Her Life

July 21, 2026Episode 12922 min

I'm Going to Wait to Buy a Home!

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 Off 15:07 Lifestyle Is Just as Important as the Value 17:49 Run the Numbers!

June 6, 2026Episode 12854 min

The Housing Market Isn't Doing What Everyone Predicted

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 Talk 00:05:33 3 Housing Market Predictions That Won't Happen 00:13:24 Home Prices Are Down—but Still Up Over 5 Years 00:20:57 Do You Really Need 20% Down to Buy a Home? 00:29:52 Will County Housing Market: 2026 vs. 2019 00:45:02 The 10 Best Real Estate Markets This Spring

May 6, 2026Episode 12756 min

Before You Build a Custom Home, Watch this

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 Name 00:02:08 Building a Custom Home in 10 Steps 00:19:32 Tax Refund Could Help You Buy a Home 00:28:10 Dad Jokes 00:29:09 Why You Should Not Wait to Lock in Your Rate 00:34:20 Multi-Generational Homes 00:45:26 Another Real Estate Company Looks to Be Getting Bought Out

April 24, 2026Episode 12654 min

Eddie: Here's What's Coming for Home Buyers

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 Low 48:20 Small Spaces Driving Commercial Market

April 18, 2026Episode 12554 min

Your House Isn't Selling? We Have the Answer

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 Investors 00:08:40 You Can’t Control Rates, But You Can Control This 00:19:20 If Your House Isn’t Selling, We Have Tips to Get It Sold 00:35:00 Plainfield, IL Sales Data 00:44:06 Advice If You Are Buying in Today’s Market