Raw & Real Real Estate

Last year, I made my predictions for the 2026 real estate market and now it’s time to look back. What actually happened? What did I completely miss? Most importantly, what do I think could be coming in 2027?
In this episode, I break down my predictions, what surprised me, and the trends I’m watching for El Paso, Las Cruces, and beyond.
I do not have crystal ball but here's a real look at what happened and what I’m keeping an eye on next.
Disclaimer:
The information in this podcast is for general educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. Marysol Ortiz and Raw & Real Real Estate make no guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of any information discussed. Listeners should consult their own qualified professionals before making any financial or real estate decisions.

Your home may be worth more than you think, but what should you actually do with that equity?
In this episode, we break down HELOCs, home equity loans, traditional refinances, cash-out refinances, and reverse mortgages. We discuss the pros, cons, and when each option may make sense for different homeowners.
Plus, we tackle common reverse mortgage misconceptions and share tips for making smarter decisions with your home equity.
***** The information in this podcast is for general educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. Marysol Ortiz and Raw & Real Real Estate make no guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of any information discussed. Listeners should consult their own qualified professionals before making any financial or real estate decisions.

Should You Get a Home Inspection Before Listing?
 
Most sellers think the home inspection happens after they accept an offer—but what if you could get ahead of it?
In this episode of Raw & Real Real Estate, we discuss why a pre-listing home inspection can be a smart move for sellers. We talk about how it can help uncover potential issues early, give you time to make repairs, avoid surprises during negotiations, and potentially save you thousands of dollars.
We also discuss what sellers should and shouldn’t consider fixing before putting their home on the market. The goal isn’t to have a perfect home. It’s to know what you’re selling before the buyer does.
Disclaimer: This episode is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice.

Buying a home is exciting—but the inspection can also feel overwhelming when you’re suddenly presented with a long list of items that need attention.
In this episode of Raw & Real Real Estate, Marysol sits down with Gaby, an experienced home inspection professional, to break down what homebuyers really need to know before, during, and after a home inspection.
We talk about the difference between normal wear and tear and issues that could signal a much more serious problem. Gaby also explains that a standard home inspection is only one piece of the puzzle and walks us through additional inspections buyers may want to consider.
 
In this episode, we discuss:
How to tell the difference between normal wear and tear and serious defects
What a basic home inspection typically covers—including plumbing, electrical, HVAC, roofing, and more
What a thermal inspection can reveal that may not be visible to the naked eye
Why a sewer scope may be worth considering
When a mold inspection may be necessary
What a termite inspection looks for
The limitations of a home inspection and why an inspection cannot uncover everything
What Gaby wishes every homebuyer knew before scheduling an inspection
How buyers should approach the inspection report without becoming overwhelmed
Which findings are maintenance issues versus potential major concerns
Most importantly, we talk about why a home inspection isn’t about finding a perfect house—it’s about understanding the condition of the home so you can make an informed decision.
If you’re buying a home, this is an episode you’ll want to hear before you walk into your inspection!
Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. Every transaction is different, and this should not be considered legal, financial, tax, or lending advice. Be sure to consult the appropriate professionals regarding your specific situation.
 

In Episode 8, we’re talking about the ROI of memories—because sometimes the best return on investment can’t be measured in dollars.
I share some of the pool gadgets we’ve invested in to make pool ownership easier, including a robot vacuum, smart chemical monitor, and pool cover. While pools typically have a very low financial return on investment, I look at it differently as a parent.
For me, the real return is having a place where my kids and their friends can spend their summers, make memories, and eventually—especially during the teenage years—want to spend their time at home and with us. And hey, getting to meet all the parents of the kids they bring over? That’s an added bonus!
 
Disclaimer
This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial, real estate, legal, or professional advice. Individual results and experiences may vary.

Thinking about buying a home with a pool—or adding one yourself? In this episode, we break down the main parts of a pool and explain what each one does, from the pump and filter to the skimmer, main drain, and returns.
We also compare saltwater and traditional chlorine pools, including maintenance, costs, water feel, and the pros and cons of each system.
Whether you’re a first-time pool owner or a homebuyer considering a house with a pool, this episode will help you understand what you’re getting into before you literally dive in!

Thinking about buying a home with a pool or adding one to your current home? In this episode, I share the questions my husband and I asked before making our own decision, plus practical tips every homeowner and homebuyer should know. We cover pool inspections, maintenance costs, insurance, safety, red flags to watch for, and how to decide if a pool truly fits your family’s lifestyle.
Next Episode: Pool Ownership 101—because buying the pool is only the beginning.
DisclaimerThis podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. The information shared is based on my personal experience as a real estate agent and investor and should not be considered legal, financial, tax, insurance, construction, or professional advice. Every real estate transaction and property is unique. Always consult qualified professionals regarding your specific situation before making any real estate or financial decisions.

The inspection period is about much more than scheduling a home inspection. In this episode, I share seven important steps every homebuyer should take before their inspection period ends, including reviewing the seller’s disclosure, obtaining insurance quotes, requesting a CLUE report, checking flood zone status, getting repair estimates, reviewing the inspection report thoroughly, and planning for future home maintenance. A little extra due diligence today can save you thousands of dollars and a lot of stress after closing.
Podcast Disclaimer
Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, tax, insurance, lending, or real estate advice. The views and opinions expressed are my own and are based on my experience as a licensed real estate agent and real estate investor. Every real estate transaction is unique, and laws, contracts, lending guidelines, insurance requirements, and market conditions vary by state and may change over time. Always consult with your own real estate agent, lender, insurance professional, attorney, tax advisor, inspector, contractor, or other qualified professionals regarding your specific circumstances before making any real estate or financial decisions. References to third-party products, services, or professionals are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement or guarantee. While every effort is made to provide accurate and current information, I make no representations or warranties regarding the completeness, accuracy, or reliability of the information discussed. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge that no client, fiduciary, or professional relationship is created and that you assume full responsibility for any decisions you make based on the content presented.

In this episode of Raw and Real Real Estate, I share my firsthand experience helping clients successfully close a loan assumption transaction. While assumable loans can offer incredible long-term savings, they also come with challenges that many buyers and sellers don’t expect.
In this episode, we discuss:
What a loan assumption is and how it works.
Which loans are typically assumable (most commonly VA, FHA, and some USDA loans).
The biggest benefit of assuming a lower interest rate.
Why the gap between the loan balance and the purchase price can be a major hurdle.
How buyers can cover that difference.
Why assumption transactions often take much longer than traditional home purchases.
Common communication and paperwork challenges during the process.
Who may benefit most from purchasing a home through a loan assumption.
How sellers can use an assumable loan as a marketing advantage.
Lessons I learned from completing my first assumption transaction and what I’ll do differently moving forward.
Whether you’re buying, selling, or simply curious about assumable mortgages, this episode will help you understand both the opportunities and the realities of the process.
If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who may benefit from learning about loan assumptions.
Podcast Disclosure
The information shared in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is based on my personal experiences as a real estate agent and investor. Nothing discussed in this episode should be considered legal, financial, tax, lending, insurance, or investment advice. Real estate laws, lending guidelines, market conditions, and individual circumstances vary, and every transaction is unique. Always consult with qualified professionals—including your attorney, CPA, lender, financial advisor, insurance agent, or other licensed experts—before making decisions related to buying, selling, financing, or investing in real estate. Listening to this podcast does not create an agency relationship, fiduciary relationship, or client relationship between you and Marysol Ortiz.

Imagine accepting an offer on your home… then watching the deal fall apart. Now imagine that happening four times before finally making it to the closing table.
That’s exactly what one of my recent sellers experienced, and it inspired today’s episode.
If you’re thinking about selling your home—especially in the El Paso area—this episode breaks down the biggest challenges sellers are facing right now and, more importantly, how to overcome them.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why new construction is your biggest competition and how to compete with builder incentives.
Why buyers have more choices than they’ve had in years and what that means for your pricing strategy.
How inspection negotiations can derail a sale—and how to prepare before listing.
Why overpricing your home can actually cost you money.
The financing issues that can cause contracts to fall apart, even after you’ve accepted an offer.
Tips for keeping your sale on track from listing to closing.
The market has changed, but homes are still selling every day. Success comes from pricing strategically, preparing your home, remaining flexible during negotiations, and working with experienced professionals who can help you navigate today’s market.
If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who’s thinking about selling their home.
 
Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, tax, lending, or real estate advice. Every real estate transaction is unique, and market conditions, financing guidelines, and local laws may change over time. Always consult with qualified professionals regarding your specific situation before making any real estate, financial, or legal decisions. Listening to this podcast does not create an agency relationship between you and Marysol Ortiz.