In this episode, we sit down with Josh Tessier of the Lee Tessier Team, one of the largest and most respected real estate teams in Maryland, for a deep, no-fluff conversation about what it really takes to succeed in real estate—especially in today’s shifting market.

Josh shares his journey into real estate, starting in 2011 during a buyer’s market, coming off the 2008 housing crash, and how he grew from a reluctant new agent into a sales leader helping close hundreds of homes per year. We dive into the evolution of the Maryland real estate market, from short sales and foreclosures to today’s mixed buyer-seller landscape, rising price points, and changing consumer behavior.

• How top real estate teams scale and sustain long-term success
• Why relationships, repeat business, and referrals still outperform flashy tactics
• The importance of role-play, training, and mastering real conversations
• What’s actually working in real estate marketing today (and what’s not)
• Hyper-local content, community involvement, and SEO strategies that convert
• Negotiation strategies that protect clients and prevent deals from falling apart
• Why many agents aren’t selling homes—and how to avoid becoming one of them
• How AI, social media, and consumer expectations are reshaping the industry

Josh also breaks down how his team uses community events, giveaways, marketing systems, and operational discipline to stand out—without chasing trends that don’t convert. Whether you’re a real estate agent, loan officer, team leader, or someone interested in buying or selling a home in Maryland, this conversation is packed with real-world insight you can actually use.

If you care about real estate growth, leadership, marketing, negotiation, and building a business that lasts, this episode is a must-listen.

Schedule your free consultation- http://schedulewithkeithgo.com
Send me a message - keith@keithgo.com

Is now a good time to buy a home in Baltimore? In this episode of Yes, You Can Buy a Home, Keith sits down with top Baltimore real estate agent John Crisafulli of Remax First Choice to break down what’s really happening in today’s housing market—and what buyers and homeowners need to know heading into 2026.

John shares his personal journey from a struggling 22-year-old searching for stability to becoming a top-producing real estate advisor who has helped hundreds of families buy, sell, and build long-term wealth through real estate. Together, they dive into why real estate remains one of the most powerful wealth-building tools and how homeowners are using equity to improve cash flow, pay off debt, and move into better homes.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The current Baltimore real estate market outlook and why inventory still matters
• Why today’s market feels more like 2019—not the COVID frenzy
• How move-up buyers are using home equity to eliminate debt and increase financial freedom
• Why first-time buyers are waiting longer—and how they can still win
• What interest rates, pricing, and buyer demand could look like in 2026
• Where buyers can still find opportunities, including seller concessions and closing cost help

This conversation is packed with real-world insight for home buyers, homeowners, investors, and anyone wondering if now is the right time to make a move. If you’re in Baltimore—or watching the market closely—this episode will help you make smarter, more confident real estate decisions.

Connect with John Crisafulli -
https://www.instagram.com/jcrisafulli_/
jcrisafullimd@gmail.com
(410) 980-2218

🎧 Tune in and remember: Yes, you can buy a home.

Schedule your free consultation- http://schedulewithkeithgo.com
Send me a message - keith@keithgo.com

Most homeowners don’t realize they’re making the most expensive upgrade mistake until it’s too late. After 24 years in lending and thousands of buyer walkthroughs, Keith breaks down the upgrades that increase home value, the ones that shrink your equity, and the one thing you must fix before touching anything else. If you want clear, simple guidance for smart home improvements, this episode gives you the playbook.

What You’ll Learn
• The single mistake almost every homeowner makes before upgrading
• Why your taste and buyer taste almost never match
• Which upgrades pull buyers in—and which ones send them running
• The first fix you must make before any remodel
• What to avoid if you plan to sell within ten years
• The upgrades that reliably increase home value
• How to think about your home like a buyer, not an owner

Key Points from the Episode
At the start of the episode, Keith shares how most homeowners unknowingly drain their future equity by focusing on the wrong improvements. He explains how upgrading based on personal taste—like blue cabinets or themed bathrooms—often leads buyers to see a “full renovation project” instead of an improved home.
Keith reveals the turning point from his 24 years in lending: there are two versions of every home—the one you love and the one a buyer will pay for. When homeowners understand this, they avoid costly mistakes and focus on upgrades buyers reward.
From there, the episode breaks down the upgrades that hurt value, including solar, mismatched styles, full-concrete yards, and personal design choices. He then gives the upgrades that always pay off: curb appeal, landscaping, engineered wood flooring, and price-appropriate appliance updates.

If you want help deciding which upgrades fit your home and price point, reach out to Keith directly.

Schedule your free consultation- http://schedulewithkeithgo.com
Send me a message - keith@keithgo.com

After 23 years in the mortgage business, Keith reveals the brutal truth about real estate agents — and how to tell the pros from the pretenders before you waste your time.
You'll Discover:
• Why 48% of real estate inquiries get completely ignored (and what this means for your home search)
• The shocking response time stats that explain why good houses disappear so fast
• Six traits that separate real professionals from everyone else — based on interviews with 20 past clients
• Keith's "Three-Question Pro Realtor Test" you can use on your next agent call
• Why 82% of top agents' business comes from referrals (and what that tells you about quality)
• The difference between agents who show houses and agents who protect investments

• Only 9% of real estate brokerages respond within 5 minutes — but leads contacted that fast are 21x more likely to convert
• 42% of top agents' business comes from repeat clients and referrals
• 92% of consumers trust recommendations from friends and family above all other advertising
• Real pros don't just agree with you — they challenge your decisions with facts
The Money Quote:
"The right team doesn't just help you buy a house. They help you win."
Ready to Work With Real Professionals?
Call or text Keith directly at 615-955-0461 for help connecting with top agents in your market and building a mortgage strategy that makes your offers stand out.
Next Week: "The 3 Mortgage Mistakes That Kill Deals in the Final Week" — Even experienced buyers mess this up.

Schedule your free consultation- http://schedulewithkeithgo.com
Send me a message - keith@keithgo.com

A THDA loan can be a great tool for first-time buyers — until it suddenly isn’t.
In this episode, Keith shares a real story of a loan that died just two days before closing when an unexpected Verizon collection dropped a buyer’s credit score from 640 to 621. You’ll learn why THDA re-pulls credit at the last minute, how that can derail even strong borrowers, and why lender-backed down payment programs may soon replace local government ones.
If you’re a Realtor or a homebuyer considering THDA or any DPA program, this episode could save you a lot of stress.

•What THDA loans are and how they work
•Why THDA re-pulls credit right before closing
•Real story: a 640 score drops to 621, killing a deal
•Why even one small collection can ruin financing
•How lender-backed DPAs are replacing government ones
•Why saving 3–3.5% down might be smarter than rushing in
•What loan officers and agents can do to protect clients

If you’re sitting at a 640 or 641 credit score, you’re walking a tightrope. When THDA re-pulls credit — and they will — any small change can sink your deal.

Schedule your free consultation- http://schedulewithkeithgo.com
Send me a message - keith@keithgo.com

1. “Don’t Panic — That Mortgage Letter Might Be Fake”
2. “Paper Phishing: The New Mortgage Scam Flooding Mailboxes”
3. “Fake Refunds, Fake Escrow Issues, Real Scams”

Homeowners across the country are getting hit with a new wave of fake mortgage mail — letters that look official, use your lender’s name, and say things like “urgent escrow issue” or “refund available.”
In this episode, Keith breaks down exactly how these scams work, how they use fear to trick you into calling, and what to do when one lands in your mailbox. He also shares real stories from clients who almost got caught — and how to spot the warning signs instantly.
If you ever get a suspicious letter, take a photo and text it to Keith — he’ll tell you in seconds if it’s real or fake.

Key Topics Covered:

• How scammers pull your name and address from public records
• Why mail that looks “official” is often anything but
• The emotional triggers these letters use to make you panic
• Real examples of fake mail (“Final Notice,” “Escrow Adjustment,” “Refund Available”)
• What to do when you get one — and what not to do
• Why even your loan servicer isn’t always trustworthy
• How Keith personally helps clients verify suspicious mail

Quotes to Highlight:

Resources Mentioned:

• Example scam mailers (in show notes)
• Keith’s text line for verification
• Blog version of this episode: referralboss.co/fake-mortgage-mail-scam

Schedule your free consultation- http://schedulewithkeithgo.com
Send me a message - keith@keithgo.com

Buying a home doesn’t have to feel like navigating a maze blindfolded. Hosted by Keith Goeringer, a 23-year mortgage veteran, The Smart Homebuyer Podcast reveals the insider strategies, hidden pitfalls, and practical steps that save buyers money and stress. Each episode blends storytelling, market insight, and simple takeaways you can use right now—whether you’re a first-time buyer or planning your next move-up home.
Keith and his team are one of the top purchase mortgage groups in America, ready to help you find and finance your dream home the right way.
Call or text Keith at (615) 955-0461
Email: keith@keithgo.com

Think Zillow is showing you every home for sale? Think again.
In this episode of The Smart Homebuyer Podcast, Keith Goeringer pulls back the curtain on popular home search websites and explains what they don’t want you to know. From missing listings to hidden seller data to overpriced “Premier Agent” programs, Keith breaks down how to use Zillow, Homes.com, and other platforms without falling into their traps.
What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why Zillow is missing thousands of listings right now.
• How Homes.com reveals data that can give you major negotiating power.
• The hidden costs of clicking “Contact Agent” on search portals.
• Keith’s 5 simple rules for staying sane during a home search.
• How to protect yourself from flashy marketing tricks and buy smarter.

If you’re planning to buy a home, this episode could save you thousands—and keep you from wasting time chasing the wrong properties.

Schedule your free consultation- http://schedulewithkeithgo.com
Send me a message - keith@keithgo.com

Most people think the new Big Beautiful Bill is just politics. But for families and business owners, it’s a game-changer: four years of stable tax rules.
In this episode, Keith breaks down what the bill really means — and how clients are using it to protect wealth, save on taxes, and plan confidently. You’ll hear how:

• A family earning $180k is using stability to plan Roth conversions without fear
• A contractor wiped out $100k of taxable income using bonus depreciation
• A bakery owner saved thousands thanks to the QBI deduction
• A retiree turned $425k of savings into a tax-free future
• And why a “4% return” isn’t really 4% after taxes

This isn’t tax theory — it’s real strategies, made simple.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why the Big Beautiful Bill’s “permanent” tax brackets give you a rare 4-year planning window
• How bonus depreciation lets business owners deduct big purchases all at once
• What the QBI deduction really means and who qualifies
• How Roth conversions work (with a client example you’ll actually understand)
• The difference between a return on paper and an after-tax reality — and how one family saved $800k by plugging the leak

Key Quotes:

• “Permanent doesn’t mean forever. In tax law, it means ‘until somebody changes it.’ But right now, we finally have clarity — and clarity is gold.”
• “It’s like paying all your tolls before a road trip. You deal with it now, and you never stop again.”
• “A 4% return isn’t really 4% if the IRS is taking a bite every single year.”

Schedule your free consultation- http://schedulewithkeithgo.com
Send me a message - keith@keithgo.com