Real Real Estate Today with Deb Tomaro: Recent Episodes

Deb Tomaro

The reality is that most home buyers, sellers and owners are getting their advice on how to protect one of their biggest investments from HGTV or by trial and error. With 64 percent of Americans being homeowners, that is a lot of “flying by the seat of your pants” decision-making. REAL Real Estate Today with Deb Tomaro aims to provide useful and easy to understand chunks of information for home buyers, sellers and even homeowners who never intend to move that will help them make smart decisions for their family and protect one of the most expensive purchases they will ever make in their lives. Listen on The Community Talk Network 24/7.

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On the last episode of REAL Real Estate Today Radio, we talked about what to expect when you're buying. This week, join licensed Realtor Deb Tomaro and Mortgage Loan Originator Karan Rastall for 'What to Expect When You're Selling.' From advice on how to prepare for inspections to how to get your mortgage paid off, there are the milestones along the way that you need to be prepared for and Deb is here to help!

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In this episode of REAL Real Estate Today, licensed Realtor Deb Tomaro and Mortgage Loan Originator Karan Rastall discuss market trends and how to handle a multiple offer situation, whether you're on the buying OR the selling end of the deal. The seller's market has stuck around into the fall season, so what's a seller to do when they get multiple offers on their home? Buyers, do you know how to you make the strongest possible offer in a multiple offer situation? Demand to understand with Deb and Karan!

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In the second episode of REAL Real Estate Today Radio, Deb will once again be joined by her pal, and Mortgage Loan Originator, Karan Rastall, to discuss the 10 Things You Need to Know About Working With a Realtor. From how to pronounce Realtor, to interviewing and hiring your very own, Deb will give listeners REAL advice. Deb and Karan will also answer listener questions at the end of the show.

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Join Realtor Deb Tomaro and special guest Cheryl Smith, founder and owner of 'Consider It Done,' as they talk about downsizing, Senior Move Management, and give some helpful tips for organizing your home in preparation for a sale.

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How do you know when it's time to move into a bigger home, into a better school district or even downsize? What options are there for making the transition as smooth as possible? In this episode of REAL Real Estate Today, we're sharing the 10 Things sellers need to know about the process of upgrading or downsizing.

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As a follow up to Episode #6, '10 Things Smart Sellers Are Doing Before They List' where we talked about empowering sellers to be a driving force in the sale of their home, Episode #7 will teach buyers and sellers other things they can do to help ensure a smooth transaction.
From understanding your contractual obligations to learning how to determine what's best for you, REAL Real Estate Today Radio is here to guide listeners through one of the biggest investments of their lives!

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You can find the perfect house, get pre-approved for a home loan and stay up late picking paint colors, but none of it matters if you don't make it through the home inspection!
On this episode of REAL Real Estate Today Radio, we'll be talking about how the inspection process works vis à vis the contract. This is a crucial step in the home buying process and one you want to be prepared for. Join host Deb Tomaro & Mortgage Loan Originator Karan Rastall as they work through 10 Things You Need to Know About Inspections.

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What's a condo vs. a PUD?
What should I look for when reviewing HOA documents?
How might financing be different when buying a condo?
If you're considering buying a condo and can't answer these questions, then this is the episode for you!
Owning a home means something to different to everyone and condos can be a great option. Find out what you need to know to make the best decision about YOUR style of home ownership.

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Hear Deb's 10 commandments of negotiating the best deal possible. Negotiating is more than price. Negotiating is not about who can yell the loudest. Negotiating is about finding common ground. We'll talk about how to get the best deal possible, what parts of the sale you can actually negotiate and how to position yourself to increase your chances of getting what you want. Joining Deb will be Senior Loan Officer, Karan Rastall.

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So you think you wanna be a landlord? Before you jump in, licensed Realtor Deb Tomaro offers some critical questions to ponder. From determining your financial goals to planning a good exit strategy, Deb will help you think through the tough questions before you take the leap into property management. As the owner of 25 rental properties and having helped countless others purchase and sell rental properties, Deb has seen investors succeed and fail. Let Deb provide you with the tools you need to succeed!

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On this episode of REAL Real Estate Today Radio, we're bringing it back to the basics. A lot of people are planning on listing their homes this spring. We'll tell you what you should be doing NOW and give you a really simple checklist of the 10 things you should be doing now to make your Spring home selling successful and more importantly, less stressful. It's your weekly dose of REAL real estate advice!

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This week on REAL Real Estate Today, Deb presents Part 2 of her popular First Time Home Buyer Seminar. From picking the right lender and loan to starting the search for your first home, Deb is here to guide you! Joining Deb is Senior Loan Officer Karan Rastall, who will help listeners understand the process of applying for and being pre-approved for your first home loan. If you're lost in a sea of misinformation, let Deb and Karan help you understand the entire process from start to finish so you can feel confident moving forward.

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What's it like being a Realtor? Learn about the ups and downs, the pros and cons, and the best reasons to be one on this episode of REAL Real Estate Today. If you've considered it as a career, wondered why in the world someone would choose to be one or are just curious as to when Realtors have time to sleep and eat, this episode is for you. Join us for your weekly dose of REAL real estate advice!

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Many real estate markets are sellers markets these days. That means as a seller, you're getting top dollar for your home. Sounds like a great thing to take advantage of, right? But what if you are a seller AND a buyer in a today's market? What are your options so you don't end up temporarily homeless? You have some big choices and decisions to make and Deb will guide you through it. Join us for another weekly dose of REAL Real Estate advice!

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Getting frustrated with this crazy seller's market? About to give up your dream of owning a home? Before you do, let's explore all of your options. That may include looking slightly outside your target area. On this episode, we'll explore the idea of living in Greene County, just slightly to the west of Monroe county. What's it like, what does it have to offer, how do you learn about a new area? Even if you aren't in Indiana, this show will help you think through the idea of expanding your horizons and taking advantage of different opportunities. Join us for your weekly dose of REAL real estate advice!

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As part of our series on alternative housing options, we're interviewing Loren Wood and Joel Keefer of Loren Wood builders, part of the team behind Bloomington's own Cohousing Community. We'll hear all about the intentions of cohousing, how it's different from a commune or co-op, what residents share and what they keep private. Join us for your weekly dose of REAL real estate!

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For the final episode in our three part series on alternative housing options, we chat with Jill & Scott Stowers of The Wood Frog Homestead in Nashville, Indiana. From beekeeping to raising hogs, this family makes the most of their land. We'll learn how they got started, why their bees dictated how far they could move and what they're looking forward to making this season. Whether you live in an apartment or have 10 acres, this is a great introduction to connecting with the natural world around you and bringing a little of it into your life.

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The old adage holds true, you don't get something for nothing. From Craigslist scams to so called "secret" foreclosure listings, licensed Real Estate Agent Deb Tomaro is exposing the top 10 things in real estate that are probably too good to be true. Tune in to REAL Real Estate Today Radio and learn the warning signs of a bad deal!

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It's time to revisit the topic of inspections! An inspection can be a terrifying and intimidating process, but it doesn't have to be. This week on REAL Real Estate Today, we'll talk about the top 10 things Deb sees on inspection reports, How a buyer should approach an inspection and how a seller should prepare and handle an inspection response. We will also uncover public enemy number one for a house. Demand to understand the home inspection process with Deb Tomaro!

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In this episode of REAL Real Estate Today Radio, we'll talk about what your Realtor should be doing to market your home and find the right buyer. We'll hear Deb's proven strategies for selling a home and what to do if you feel like your Realtor is falling down on the job. Deb often hears from people who are frustrated when trying to sell their homes because they feel like their Realtor isn't doing anything. It takes a lot of work to get a house on the market and some of that is work the seller will never see!

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Deb debunks 10 mortgage myths with Mortgage Loan Originator, Karan Rastall. From the realities of getting cash back for home renovations to why you shouldn't finance a new car right before closing, Deb & Karan bring years of REAL experience and knowledge to this week's show and can help YOU get prepared for home ownership!

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On this episode of REAL Real Estate Today Radio, licensed Realtor and host Deb Tomaro talks remodeling with Loren Wood of Loren Wood Builders located in Bloomington, Indiana. Loren Wood Builders is a family-owned business that works hard to uphold a reputation for quality, client experience, and commitment to the community. Those are beliefs we think everyone should aspire to and we're excited to share their mission and values with our listeners. We'll also get the builders perspective on the remodeling process and get a better understanding of where to start, what to expect, and a whole lot more. If you've ever considered the realities of a remodel, this show is for you!

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On this episode of REAL Real Estate Today, we're talking loans. Specifically, what to do if you've been turned down. We'll help you understand the main reasons loans are denied, the next steps to take and how not to lose hope. Owning a home isn't for everyone, but if your dream just got denied, join licensed Realtor Deb Tomaro and Mortgage Loan Originator Karan Rastall for tips on how to revive it!

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The phrase "home staging" might fill sellers with dread and a barrage of questions like, 'How much is this going to cost?' or 'Where do I hide all the My Little Pony memorabilia my wife has been collecting since 1985?' In this episode of REAL Real Estate Today Radio, Deb shares her Top 10 Super Duper Easy & Cheap Ways to Prepare Your House For Sale. Don't worry-it doesn't involve renting uber expensive silk drapes and Persian rugs. Deb has sold close to 700 homes and knows what makes a buyer say "ewwwww...." and what makes a buyer say "ahhhhh!" Join us and get the knowledge you need to set yourself up for successful sale!

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What is value? It's what my home is worth. Easy enough, right? But like beauty, value is in the eye of the beholder. Who determines value? How do they determine that value? We'll also talk about what adds value and no or low cost ways to improve value. Join us for another great episode of REAL Real Estate Today Radio! Join licensed Realtor Deb Tomaro with guest and Mortgage Loan Originator, Karan Rastall, as they discuss the meaning of value and how to improve your home's worth.

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So you've decided you want to buy a house? What now? Feeling lost?? Join licensed Realtor Deb Tomaro and Senior Loan Officer Karan Rastall for a back to basics episode about buying your first home.

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Did you max out your credit cards on Black Friday and Cyber Monday? How could this impact your credit score and chances of buying a new home? We'll talk about everything credit in what is sure to be a multi-part series about credit. Starting with the history of credit scoring and credit bureaus (it's more interesting than you think), to the ins and outs of improving your score, we'll try to answer many of the hundreds of questions we get about credit.

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On this episode of REAL Real Estate Today Radio, Deb cuts through the clutter and directs listeners to the top ten websites she finds recommends most to clients. From understanding your local MLS site, to digging deep into the history of a property through Google, Deb guides smart buyers and sellers through the online maze to find the tried and true tools all smart buyers and sellers should be using!

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We received some follow up questions after our first episode about navigating a seller's market so we're diving back in to the deep end! We'll give listeners more details on back up offers, escalation clauses and buying "as is." Buyer's will hear strategies on how to get ahead and if there's time, sellers will get tips on how to handle multiple offers. If we don't answer your question on this episode, send us an email and we'll respond as soon as we can. Join us for your weekly dose of REAL real estate advice!

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The Market is crazy and buyers are tense to say the least. How do buyers compete and protect themselves in these times? What can sellers get away with? When will all of this market madness be over? We'll answer all of those questions and more with Mortgage Loan Originator, Karan Rastall along for the ride!

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We had so much fun last week with Laura of "Your Life in Full Color," we decided to have her back on the show. Deb & Karan will pose their design dilemma questions and we'll continue to explore the big, wide world of color in the home! Join us for another dose of REAL real estate advice!

As a much sought after color and home style expert specializing in interior and exterior finishes, Laura works both locally and virtually. With 25+ years of experience working in color and design you can rest assured that your project will receive top notch hands on knowledge, originality, and a savvy color eye. Laura creates every custom finish color palette with careful attention to detail so that it's as fresh and unique as each builder, business owner, and home owner.

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Anyone who's ever chosen paint colors knows it can be a bottomless pit of options. Beige isn't just beige. There are over 50 variations of that color to choose from, but how do you know which is the right one for you? Enter Laura Brzegowy of "Your Life in Full Color." Laura's mission is to help people fully understand how important “getting color right” is to the way we feel in our homes and work spaces. On this episode of REAL Real Estate Today, we chat with Laura and learn why it's not "just a paint color." She'll share tried and true tips for finding the perfect colors that work perfectly in your space to create a color palette unique to you, and your home.

As a much sought after color and home style expert specializing in interior and exterior finishes, Laura works both locally and virtually. With 25+ years of experience working in color and design you can rest assured that your project will receive top notch hands on knowledge, originality, and a savvy color eye. Laura creates every custom finish color palette with careful attention to detail so that it's as fresh and unique as each builder, business owner, and home owner.

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What's it like being a Realtor? Learn about the ups and downs, the pros and cons, and the best reasons to be one on this episode of REAL Real Estate Today. If you've considered it as a career, wondered why in the world someone would choose to be one or are just curious as to when Realtors have time to sleep and eat, this episode is for you. Join us for your weekly dose of REAL real estate advice!

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Episode Description On this episode of REAL Real Estate Today, we'll be discussing current events and looking ahead to 2018 at how the tax reform could impact homeowners, what interest rates and the housing market might look like next year and of course, our predictions for HGTV in a world without Fixer Upper! Join us for your weekly dose of REAL real estate!

After graduating from I.U. Bloomington with a B.S. in Education, Karan unexpectedly began her career in the financial industry in 1994 with The People’s State Bank, later making the move to Monroe Bank. During her 14½ years with Monroe Bank she served in many capacities ranging from Loan Operations to Consumer Underwriting to Compliance, but finally found her true passion as a mortgage originator. She's an active member of the Indiana Mortgage Bankers Association and served as Chapter Chair for the South Central Chapter of the Indiana Mortgage Bankers Association. Karan also serves on the Family Selection Committee of the Monroe County Habitat for Humanity and is an affiliate member of the Bloomington Board of Realtors, she volunteers each year with the annual toy drive. She resides in Bloomington with her husband.

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In a new recurring theme called House-Stories, we're chatting with home owners about their home buying/selling process, what went well, what went wrong, and what we can all learn from each other. This week we're talking with Bloomington resident and local business owner, Jaimie Schwartzman, about her House-Story. It's your weekly dose of REAL real estate advice!

Jaimie Schwartzman grew up in Golden Valley, Minnesota. Graduating with honors from Gustavus Adolphus College in 1999 with a degree in Physical & Health Education, she aspired to teach elementary school and coach volleyball.
Moving to Bloomington in 2000, Jaimie began substitute teaching and coaching volleyball. While searching for a full-time teaching position, she got a part-time job in 2001 at BuffaLouie's. Quickly recognizing Jaimie's work ethic, ambition toward excellence, and affable professional presence, the owners of BuffaLouie's made her the managing partner in 2006. Five years later, she and her husband became the owner of one of the most iconic eateries in southern Indiana!
Jaimie and her husband, Ed, married in 2009, are dedicated to BuffaLouie's as their family venture. Their daughter, Avery, and son Elliot are often around to greet guests. Jaimie has embraced Bloomington, actively giving her time and resources to the community that has blessed her and her family.

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Join licensed Realtor Deb Tomaro as she welcomes back Brittany Libbert from Greene County Regional Title for an episode on the closing process. Deb and Brittany will run through a closing in real time, so you'll know what to expect when it's YOUR turn to close on a new home!

ABOUT BRITTANY:

Brittany Libbert grew up in Evansville and graduated from the University of Southern Indiana with a degree in Sociology. She relocated to Bloomfield 2 years ago to work for Greene County Title Company.

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It's time to visit the topic of inspections!

An inspection can be a terrifying and intimidating process, but it doesn't have to be. This week on REAL Real Estate Today, we'll talk about the top 10 things Deb sees on inspection reports, How a buyer should approach an inspection and how a seller should prepare and handle an inspection response. We will also uncover public enemy number one for a house. Demand to understand the home inspection process with Deb Tomaro!