Episode 26 - In this episode of Trust the Process, Krista and Michael unpack everything you need to know about modern appraisals—from “Tidewater” notices and shortfalls to the builder hacks that quietly set new comps. Along the way, they reveal:

• Why appraisals protect the bank, not the buyer or seller—and what that really means for negotiations
• How appraisal contingencies (or waivers) shift risk when the market is hot versus cooling
• The tricks builders use—like model-home lease-backs—to push first-in comps higher
• When automated valuation models (PIWs/AVMs) can replace a full appraisal—and when you should still pay for one
• Real-world stories of deals that closed $50K over and $85K under the appraised value, plus what happened next

Whether you’re a first-time buyer, seasoned investor, or industry pro, you’ll walk away with a clear game plan for navigating value gaps and keeping your transaction on track.

🎧 Listen now and subscribe for weekly deep dives into the realities of building, buying, and selling homes.

#BuiltByTrustHomeBuilders #RealEstateInsights #HomeAppraisals #TrustHomeBuilders

Episode 25 -In this episode of Trust the Process, we’re pulling back the curtain on one of the toughest parts of building custom and semi-custom homes: fatigue — emotional, mental, and even transactional. From friction with buyers and agents to the stress of managing expectations over multi-year builds, we explore why even the most professional teams reach their limit.

Whether you're an agent bringing clients into a new construction deal, or a builder juggling timelines and emotions, this conversation gets real about:

• Why agents often become the first fatigue point
• The emotional weight of high-stakes custom builds
• How strict processes protect everyone — even when they frustrate
• Lessons from walking away from a celebrity project
• What agents can do to actually look like heroes

📌 If you’re in the trenches of high-end real estate — this episode is for you.

#TrustTheProcess #LuxuryRealEstate #CustomHomes #NewConstruction #HomeBuilderLife #RealEstatePodcast #AgentLife #BuilderFatigue #ClientExpectations #HighEndHomes #LuxuryLiving #RealEstateTalk #BehindTheBuild #HomeBuildingJourney #AgentTips

Episode 24 - With home prices on the rise and interest rates still elevated, it's a question we hear all the time: Why can't we just build more homes?

In this special episode of Trust the Process, we’ve pulled together clips from past conversations to explore the complex answer. It’s not just about land. It’s about whether that land is buildable, the crushing weight of regulation, the time and cost of approvals, and the sheer effort it takes to bring a home from concept to construction.

📌 In this episode, we cover:

• Why “available” land often isn’t buildable
• The role of building codes and why they keep growing
• Engineering, architectural, and HOA approval timelines
• Why new builders don’t just jump into the industry
• What it really costs before you even break ground

If you’ve ever looked around and wondered why we aren’t just building more, this episode will give you the real picture behind the headlines.