Get Real With Eddie

What does the future of real estate look like as we head toward the end of 2026?

On this episode of Get Real with Eddie, we break down the trends that are shaping the real estate market — from interest rates and the ongoing housing shortage to home prices, first-time buyers, down payment assistance, AI, real estate investing, new construction, the mortgage rate lock-in effect, and the growing importance of local market condit...

In this episode of Get Real with Eddie, we take a closer look at Automated Valuation Models (AVMs) and why the online estimate of your home's value may not be the same as what your property is actually worth.

Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, and other websites use automated valuation models to estimate home values. But these models rely on available data and algorithms — and there...

In this episode of Get Real with Eddie, we break down what home buyers should look at before purchasing a property — from property taxes and the roof to HVAC systems, basements, drainage, flood zones, schools, HOA rules, permits, and the true cost of owning a home.

Whether you’re a first-time home buyer, moving to Joliet, Plainfield, Shorewood, Crest Hill, New Lenox, Nap...

Is the Joliet real estate market collapsing? Not according to the data.

In this episode of Get Real with Eddie, Eddie and Nancy dig into the latest Joliet, Plainfield, and Will County housing numbers and compare them to the dramatic claims being made online.

They look at home prices, new listings, closings, months of supply, market time, and the difference between Joliet and Plainfield for similarly sized homes.

The big takeaway? D...

Selling your home? Before you put that “For Sale” sign in the yard, there are some simple things you can do to help maximize your sale price without spending a fortune.

On this episode of Get Real with Eddie, Eddie Ruettiger and Nancy Vallee with EXIT Real Estate Specialists talk about how sellers can avoid leaving money on the table. From curb appeal and landscaping to decluttering, cleaning, repairs, paint, lighting, ...

Foreclosures are making headlines again, and many homeowners, buyers, and investors are asking the same question: Are we headed for another 2008 housing crash? On this episode of Get Real with Eddie, Eddie Ruettiger and Nancy Vallee take a closer look at what is actually happening with foreclosures, including the numbers in Will County. While foreclosures are increasing in some areas nationally, the local numbers tell a very differ...

Are buyers really absent from today's real estate market? Learn the truth about housing demand and why your home might still sell. There is a common perception that buyers have vanished from the current market, but the data tells a different story. In this episode of Get Real with Eddie, we examine why real estate market trends are often misunderstood and how inventory levels compare to 2019. Whether you a...

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 mean...

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...

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 ...

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 myth...

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 ho...

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 buyi...

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 sprin...

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 ri...

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 buyi...

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 yo...

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 why it feels like there are two completely different markets at play. They dive into how headlines can be misleading when it comes to home prices, what buyers need to do before falling in love with their first home, and key insights from recent sales data in Romeoville, Ill...

Eddie Ruettiger and Nancy Vallee with EXIT Real Estate Specialists welcome Karie Ramos, also with EXIT Real Estate Specialists, who sat in for Nancy this week, for a timely conversation on today’s housing market. We break down how global events like war are impacting real estate, why mortgage demand is sinking, and how NIMBY attitudes continue to affect affordability. The discussion also highlights signs that affordability ma...