This episode tackles the most common questions buyers and sellers ask when considering doing a real estate transaction without an agent. Dustin answers these directly, without hype, and explains how the HOYO platform is designed to replace confusion with structure. From fees and savings to verification, communication, and what happens when a deal falls apart, this conversation breaks down how buying and selling solo actually works in practice. If you are curious but cautious, this episode clarifies what you can do yourself, what the platform enforces, and where protection really comes from.

• Whether you need an agent to use HOYO, and how the platform replaces that role

• How much buyers and sellers can realistically save by using HOYO

• What happens if a deal falls through, and how support works when it does

• Where HOYO is currently available, and which property types qualify

• Whether you can buy or sell investment properties using the platform

• How communication between buyers and sellers is handled without direct contact

• Why buyer verification matters and how it affects offers, showings, and leverage

• How HOYO removes awkward conversations while keeping transactions structured

Most real estate mistakes are not dramatic. They are small missteps that quietly cost time, money, or leverage later in the deal. In this episode, Dustin breaks down six of the most common mistakes buyers and sellers make, from pricing and photos to disclosures, timelines, emotions, and fees. He explains why these mistakes happen so often and how structure, sequencing, and visibility can prevent them before they become expensive problems. If you want to avoid surprises and keep control of your transaction, this episode walks through what to watch for and how HOYO is designed to reduce these risks.

• Why pricing a home too high or too low hurts sellers, and how to find the right range for the current market

• How skipping professional photos directly affects buyer interest and final sale price

• Which disclosures matter most, and how missing them creates legal and negotiation risk

• The timelines buyers and sellers miss most often, and what happens when deadlines are ignored

• Why emotions derail negotiations and how removing emotion leads to cleaner deals

• The fees and closing requirements that people misunderstand, and how to spot them early

• How HOYO uses structure, countdowns, and clear steps to help prevent these mistakes before they happen

Once an offer is accepted, the most important part of the transaction begins. This episode breaks down what actually happens between going under contract and getting the keys, and why this phase is where most deals slow down, fall apart, or become stressful. Dustin walks through the real timelines, decisions, and checkpoints buyers and sellers often underestimate, from deposits and inspections to appraisals, insurance, and the final walkthrough. If you want fewer surprises and a smoother path to closing day, this episode explains what truly matters and when.

• The three timelines that matter most after an offer is accepted, and what happens when they are missed

• Where earnest money should go, why timing matters, and how buyers lose protection without realizing it

• How inspections, appraisals, and financing approvals work behind the scenes

• What options buyers and sellers have when a home appraises below the purchase price

• Common insurance issues that delay or derail closings and how to avoid them

• Why the final walkthrough is one of the most important steps before closing

• What to expect on closing day, including funding timing and when keys are actually released

Writing an offer is more than picking a price. It is about understanding the market, knowing what sellers actually care about, and using structure to protect your leverage later in the deal. In this episode, Dustin breaks down what makes an offer strong in both buyer and seller markets, why extreme lowball offers often backfire, and how smart terms can matter more than price alone. You will learn how to make offers that get accepted without overpaying and without setting yourself up for problems after inspections.

• The difference between buyer and seller markets and how your offer strategy should change in each

• Why lowball offers often hurt your position later, even if they feel like a win upfront

• How inspection periods, deposits, and timelines influence a seller's decision

• Creative but legitimate ways to make your offer more appealing without raising the price

• When offering above the asking price makes sense, and when it does not

• How escalation clauses work and how they can help you win in competitive situations

• Why the inspection phase is where buyers often save the most money, not the initial offer

In this episode, Dustin explains how Home On Your Own was built with safety, legality, and compliance as the top priority. He walks through why HOYO operates as a licensed brokerage, how transactions stay fully protected, and what safeguards are in place to prevent fraud, protect personal information, and ensure every deal follows current real estate laws. This episode is essential for anyone wondering if buying or selling without a traditional agent is truly safe.

• Why Home On Your Own operates as a licensed brokerage and why that matters legally

• How HOYO follows the same real estate laws and transaction structure as traditional sales

• How contracts, addenda, and disclosures are kept up to date and approved by the Florida Association of Realtors

• Why buyers and sellers are legally allowed to transact on their own with the right platform

• How HOYO protects your personal information by limiting what data is collected and stored

• Why you will never be asked for sensitive information like social security numbers or credit card details on the platform

• How payments for showings and services are handled securely through third-party processors

• Why are deposits sent directly to the title company and never held by the platform

• Common red flags in for-sale-by-owner transactions and how HOYO prevents them

• Why fake sellers, missing disclosures, handshake deals, and seller-held deposits can be risky

• Which disclosures are required by law, and why they protect buyers and sellers

• How HOYO vets listings and buyers through trusted title companies and pre-approval checks

• Why inspections, proper documentation, and verified ownership are critical to a safe transaction

In this episode, Dustin breaks down the real costs of buying and selling a home, including commissions, transaction fees, inspections, and other expenses that are often overlooked. He explains why most sellers and for-sale-by-owner listings still end up paying agent fees and how Home On Your Own reduces those costs while still providing full exposure, support, and legal compliance.

• How traditional real estate commissions and transaction fees quickly add up for sellers

• Why do many for-sale-by-owner sellers still end up paying agents even without a listing agreement

• How HOYO's 2.5 percent commission works and why there are no upfront or hidden fees

• How 1 percent of the commission is applied toward the buyer's closing costs to attract more buyers

• What other real estate fees to expect, including title, inspections, staging, repairs, and warranties

• How choosing the right title company and inspector can save time, money, and stress

• Why getting a pre-listing inspection helps sellers avoid renegotiations later

• How making repairs and preparing a home before listing can lead to stronger offers

• How home warranties protect buyers and sellers from unexpected post-closing expenses

• Why the idea that no agent means no help is a myth with the HOYO platform

• How HOYO provides support and guidance while allowing buyers and sellers to stay in control

• How to use the savings calculator on hoyonow.com to see the real difference in net proceeds

In this episode, Dustin explains what the MLS really is, why exposure matters so much when selling a home, and how Home On Your Own gives sellers the same reach as a traditional listing without giving up control or paying full commissions. This episode is especially helpful for sellers who are considering going for sale by owner but are worried about visibility, pricing, and getting serious buyers.

• What the MLS is and why it is the primary system agents and buyers use to find homes

• Why do for-sale-by-owner listings usually get far less exposure than MLS listings

• How Home On Your Own lists your property on the MLS while letting you sell without an agent

• Where your home appears once it is listed, including Zillow, Realtor.com, Trulia, Homes.com, and other major platforms

• Why many agents avoid FSBO listings and how MLS exposure removes that barrier
  How professional photos can make or break buyer interest within seconds

• How to create strong listing descriptions using the built-in AI tool

• Why accurate pricing matters in today's market and how overpricing slows sales

• How decluttering, staging, and presentation affect how fast your home sells and for how much

• Why pre-listing inspections help prevent renegotiations and protect sellers

• How MLS exposure, combined with lower fees, helps sellers net more money at closing
  

In this episode of The Home On Your Own Podcast, Dustin explains how homeowners can sell their property quickly while keeping more of their hard-earned equity by using the HOYO platform. Dustin walks through creating your seller account, choosing the right list price, selecting trusted vendors, and using AI tools to craft a strong and appealing property description.

You will learn how HOYO's flat 2.5 percent model increases your bottom line, how MLS syndication boosts your home's visibility across major real estate sites, and how the platform gives you full control of showings, offers, and negotiations without relying on a traditional agent. Dustin also covers helpful preparation tips, the benefits of a pre-listing inspection, and what to expect once your home is live on the market.

If you want a faster, clearer, and more affordable way to sell your home, this episode is the perfect place to start.

• How to set up your Home On Your Own seller account and start a listing in just a few steps
• Which property types qualify for the platform and why single family homes, townhomes, and half duplexes are the current focus
• Why you cannot use the platform if you are already under a listing agreement and what to do if you are waiting for it to expire
• How to choose who will be present at showings and why having a HOYO team member there often creates a better experience for buyers
• How to request a free home valuation and use the seller net sheet calculator to estimate what you will walk away with at closing
• How HOYO's lower commission structure can save you tens of thousands of dollars compared to a traditional listing
  How to write a simple property description and then enhance it using the built in AI tool so your home is presented professionally
• How to pick vendors such as photographers, stagers, title companies, and inspectors and why professional photos, staging, and pre listing inspections can help you sell faster and negotiate better
• How HOYO can send a representative to your home for a low flat fee to collect details, offer prep tips, and handle the data entry for you
• How your listing is pushed to the MLS and syndicated to major real estate sites so you get the same exposure you would with a traditional agent
• How HOYO supports you once offers come in and how simple it is to accept an offer and move the process toward closing while staying in control of your sale