What’s the real value of a home and who gets to decide? Joining us this episode are Bill Whitaker and Hamp Thomas for a deep dive into the surprisingly complex world of square footage, floor plans, and property valuation. From legal liabilities to LiDAR tech, this episode pulls back the curtain on how real estate professionals can either protect or endanger their clients.

Key takeaways to listen for

• Why agents (not tax records) are responsible for square footage accuracy
• How LiDAR technology is changing the way homes are measured
• What “ANSI standards” mean for buyers, sellers, and appraisers
• The legal and financial risks of skipping professional floor plans
• Why a national vocabulary for home size reporting is urgently needed

Resources mentioned in this episode

• RPR
• CubiCasa
• American National Standards Institute
• Matterport
• NCREC Bulletins
• National Association of REALTORS®
• Realtor.com

About Bill Whitaker and Hamp Thomas

Bill Whitaker is the founder of RAWtape Real Estate Measuring and Photography, LLC and RAWtape Real Estate Coaching and Training. A licensed Realtor in the Carolinas since 2003 and Broker-in-Charge of Whitaker and Associates Real Estate, he brings over 20 years of experience in real estate and financial services. A U.S. Air Force veteran and USC-Upstate graduate, Bill also holds a Home Measurement Specialist certification and offers free notary services to REALTORS®, veterans, teachers, and first responders.

Hamp Thomas is a seasoned real estate appraiser, educator, and author based in Whispering Pines, North Carolina. With decades of experience in both real estate and appraisal, he is best known for his expertise in home measurement and his advocacy for standardized square footage practices. Hamp is the creator of the Home Measurement Specialist program and a longtime instructor on ANSI standards, helping agents and appraisers nationwide improve accuracy, protect consumers, and elevate industry professionalism.

Connect with Bill and Hamp

• Website: RAWtape Real Estate Measuring and Photography | Appraiser eLearning
• Email: RAWtapeRPM@gmail.com | pinehurstappraiser@gmail.com
• Contact Number: 803.412.8209 | (910) 603-2690

Connect with Leigh

Please subscribe to this podcast on your favorite podcast app at https://pod.link/1153262163, and never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting https://leighbrown.com. DM Leigh Brown on Instagram @ LeighThomasBrown.

Small towns don’t just recover slower after disaster—they’re often forgotten altogether. In this episode, Leigh Brown exposes the deep inequalities she’s witnessed firsthand in Western North Carolina’s long road to recovery. From government red tape to rising property taxes, this is a raw look at what happens when working-class communities are pushed to the margins.

Key takeaways to listen for

• Why disaster relief often favors urban areas over rural ones
• The hidden financial toll of rebuilding for low-income, generational homeowners
• How property tax hikes after disaster can force people off their land
• The overlooked role of elitism in disaster planning and recovery
• Why preserving small-town economies and culture is essential to America’s future

Resources mentioned in this episode

• American Red Cross
• Samaritan's Purse

Are you ready to make a difference? Go to https://www.patriotrelief.org to learn more.

Connect with Leigh

Please subscribe to this podcast on your favorite podcast app at https://pod.link/1153262163, and never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting https://leighbrown.com. DM Leigh Brown on Instagram @ LeighThomasBrown.

VA loans are faster, smarter, and more competitive than ever, so why are real estate pros still missing the mark? John Bell III, head of the VA Home Loan Program, joins us to drop major updates, debunk industry myths, and explain why VA buyers are winning in today’s market. If you serve Veterans or want to dominate the real estate game in 2025, this episode is for you!

Key takeaways to listen for

• Why 2025 is the strongest year yet for VA Home Loan volume
• How the VA’s digital platform is enabling agents to advocate for Veterans
• Ways the VA completes appraisals in under 7 business days
• Who qualifies for VA loans in 2025?
• Where to get the VA Home Loan Toolkit every pro should be using

Resources mentioned in this episode

• VA Home Loans
• Real Estate Professionals VA Home Loan Toolkit
• VA Home Loan Guidance on Natural Disasters
• Rebuilding Hope: How the VA Supports Veterans After Disasters – A Conversation with John Bell
• Navigating VA Loan Changes: Expert Insights from John Bell III
• What You Need To Know About VA Home Loans RIGHT NOW with John Bell III

Find direct support through the VA Loan Guaranty Service, whether you're a Veteran, agent, or lender. Submit a ticket via https://benefits.va.gov/HOMELOANS/contact.asp or call their toll-free line for fast, reliable answers.

About John Bell III
John Bell III began serving as Executive Director of the Loan Guaranty Service on June 21, 2022. He is responsible for delivering VA Home Loan Benefits to his fellow Veterans. Mr. Bell has extensive mortgage industry experience, having served in leadership roles with nationwide lenders for over 20 years before starting his career with the VA in 2010.

Mr. Bell's top priorities are ensuring that VA home loan benefits are the product of choice for Veterans and that Loan Guaranty is the VA program of choice for his 900 talented staff.

Connect with Leigh

Please subscribe to this podcast on your favorite podcast app at https://pod.link/1153262163, and never miss a beat from Leigh by visiting https://leighbrown.com. DM Leigh Brown on Instagram @ LeighThomasBrown.