We sat down with a lender who tells it straight! 🏹In Episode 6, we welcome Alex Shelton from Loan Depot to the Off the Market table for our very first guest episode this season. Alex brings 14 years of residential mortgage experience in the Coachella Valley, and he does not hold back. Follow ALEX on Instagram! 📸https://www.instagram.com/alexshelton_mortgage/--What's Covered In This Episode: 1️⃣ Why your purchasing power may have already changed Interest rates jumped half a point in ten days, and if your lender hasn't called you, that's a problem. Alex explains what's driving the volatility and what needs to happen for rates to stabilize.2️⃣ The negotiation tool most buyers don't know they have Seller credits, mortgage points, and the three levers every buyer can pull to lower their monthly payment without just attacking the purchase price.3️⃣ How to start building a portfolio even if you're not "investor ready" From house hacking to DSCR loans to HELOCs, Alex breaks down the real pathways to a second property depending on where you are financially.--We barely scratched the surface, which means Part 2 is already in the works. Drop your lending questions in the comments and we just might get them answered on the next episode.⏱️ VIDEO CHAPTERS ⏱️0:00 Welcome & Meet Alex Shelton2:24 Why Interest Rates Jumped & What's Actually Moving the Market11:22 Seller Credits, Buying Down Your Rate & The 3 Levers Every Buyer Has30:14 House Hacking, DSCR Loans & How to Start Building a PortfolioJoin us every Thursday for a new episode! Tune in here on Youtube or catch a listen on Apple Podcast and Spotify! 🎧

Stop wasting money on rent... or are you? In this episode of Off the Market, we break down the pros and cons of renting vs. buying in California's unique landscape. From $200k condos in the desert to $4k studios in LA, we discuss how to strategically enter the market and use property to fund your future. What you’ll learn:💪 How Amirah leveraged one primary residence to buy two investment properties🤑 Why your mortgage payment might actually change (Property taxes, HOA, and Insurance) 👑 Is cash still king? A deep dive into current market conditions. ⏱️ VIDEO CHAPTERS ⏱️00:00 Intro: Is Renting Ever Better Than Buying?05:01 The Real Barrier to Homeownership (It's Not What You Think)13:24 The Pros of Renting Nobody Wants to Admit22:18 The Real Cons of Buying & Final ThoughtsJoin us every Thursday for a new episode! Tune in on Youtube or catch a listen on Apple Podcast and Spotify! 🎧

In this episode, we're talking with "resident" guest Damin Halum to break down the reality of the Coachella Valley housing market and tackle the "elephant in the room": Artificial Intelligence. 🤖What is the current reality of artificial intelligence in the real estate industry? Are agents being replaced? Also, is the real estate market finally shifting, or are we stuck in a "wait and see" loop? We dive into why buyers are hesitating (and why a 2008 is unlikely), how to actually use AI as a tool, and the massive price gaps we’re seeing between Zillow "Zestimates" and real-world market value. 📉⏱️ VIDEO CHAPTERS ⏱️00:00 Welcome to Off the Market: Q1 Goals and March Energy01:04 Local Housing Market Update: Buyer Hesitation vs. Moving Listings09:00 Will AI Replace Real Estate Agents?24:02 – The Truth About Zillow & Redfin EstimatesJoin us every Thursday for a new episode! Tune in here on Youtube or catch a listen on Apple Podcast and Spotify! 🎧