Raw & Real Real Estate

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.
 

In this episode, I’m sharing what it’s really been like owning and operating our very first Airbnb after seven months. If you’ve been wondering whether investing in a short-term rental is still worth it in 2026, this episode is for you.I’ll walk you through the biggest surprises we’ve experienced, including the constant maintenance, the time commitment most people underestimate, and the lessons we’ve learned since opening our doors.
I’ll also share practical tips for anyone considering buying an Airbnb, including how to research your market, estimate potential income, and save thousands by furnishing your property on a budget.Finally, I’ll explain why, despite the challenges, our short-term rental has been a worthwhile investment for our family and how it has helped us move closer to financial freedom while maintaining flexibility to spend time with our children.
In this episode you’ll learn:
 ● Why Airbnb maintenance never seems to stop ● How much time we actually spend managing our rental each month ● The importance of researching your local market ● How to estimate your Airbnb income before you buy ● Ways to save money when furnishing your rental ● Why we still believe Airbnb can outperform a long-term rental ● Whether we’d invest in another Airbnb in 2026
If you’re thinking about starting a short-term rental business, this episode will help you make a more informed decision before taking the leap.
DISCLAIMER: The information shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is based on my personal experience as a real estate professional and investor. It should not be considered legal, financial, tax, investment, or professional advice.Every real estate market, property, and financial situation is different. Before making any real estate or investment decisions, consult with the appropriate licensed professionals, including your real estate agent, lender, attorney, accountant, or financial advisor.Any opinions expressed are my own and do not guarantee future results. Investing in real estate, including short-term rentals, involves risk, and past performance is not a guarantee of future success.

Being a landlord is about much more than collecting rent. In this episode, I share the five principles that my husband and I have followed to help us become successful long-term rental owners. Growing up, I always imagined landlords as distant people who didn’t care about their tenants. As a REALTOR®, I also heard countless stories from renters who felt ignored when repairs were needed or who didn’t feel respected. Those experiences shaped the kind of landlord I wanted to become.
In this episode, I cover:
• Deciding whether to self-manage your rental or hire a property manager.• Why homeowners insurance and a home warranty can save you thousands.• How we screen tenants and why meeting applicants in person has been valuable for us.• Building positive relationships with tenants through respect, communication, and appreciation.• Our mindset for protecting our investment while providing a safe, dignified place for someone to call home.
Whether you’re thinking about buying your first rental property or already own investment real estate, these practical lessons can help you avoid costly mistakes and create a better experience for both you and your tenants.
 
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who’s interested in investing in real estate.
DISCLAIMER: The information shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is based on my personal experience as a real estate professional and investor. It should not be considered legal, financial, tax, investment, or professional advice.Every real estate market, property, and financial situation is different. Before making any real estate or investment decisions, consult with the appropriate licensed professionals, including your real estate agent, lender, attorney, accountant, or financial advisor.Any opinions expressed are my own and do not guarantee future results. Investing in real estate, including short-term rentals, involves risk, and past performance is not a guarantee of future success.
 

In this episode, I’m breaking down my boldest predictions for the 2026 housing market — from mortgage rate trends and shifting buyer behavior to inventory changes, affordability, and whether we may see more foreclosures. Using national data, NAHREP insights, and local expertise, I’ll explain what buyers, sellers, and investors should expect and how to prepare so you can stay ahead of the market in 2026.

Part 2 of our first flip is here — and we’re finally answering the question everyone keeps asking: “Did you make money… or regret everything?”
We break down the sale, the offers, what we actually walked away with, and whether we’d ever do it again.
Have questions about flipping, investing, or anything from today’s episode?
 
📩 Email me or DM me anytime — I’m always happy to help.
IG: @marysol_ortiz_realtor | Email: marysolortizrealtor@gmail.com

Most people think saving for a house is only about the down payment — but sometimes the real challenge is affording the monthly payment once you own it. In this episode, I share how my husband and I prepared financially for the new construction home we went under contract on in May 2023 — our third home overall, but the first one we purchased together.
 
Because we were using my husband’s VA loan and the builder covered closing costs, we didn’t need to save for a down payment.
What we did need to save for?
* Payment shock — our new mortgage was going to triple our current one
* A financial cushion so we didn’t feel house-poor
* Extra funds to buy down the interest rate when rates started climbing toward 8%
 
The home was supposed to be done in December, but delays pushed closing to March — and that turned out to be a blessing. With the money we saved, we bought down our interest rate to 5.6% instead of being stuck with 8%.
 
Inside this episode, you’ll hear:
The system we used to track every expense and identify what to cut
Why moving in with family temporarily helped us save the fastest
How we mentally prepared for a much higher mortgage payment
How we ended up saving enough to also start our first flip
Why even repeat buyers need a first-time buyer mindset when the market shifts
 
This episode is for:
* First-time buyers who feel overwhelmed by rising rates
* Couples saving together for a home
* VA buyers or zero-down buyers who still want to be financially prepared
* Anyone terrified of “payment shock” or becoming house-poor
 
This episode is fully based on my own personal experience and I hope it helps you!

Selling a home is part financial… part emotional. This episode breaks down the psychology behind why some sellers unknowingly slow down, block, or sabotage their own sale — and how to shift into a “ready to sell” mindset.

In this episode, I’m breaking down what the market is really telling us about homes that haven’t sold or that are sitting a little longer than expected. We’ll talk about what zero showings or low activity actually mean — whether it’s price, presentation, or buyer sentiment — and how sellers can adjust to get their home back on track. From pricing strategy and seasonal shifts to the importance of curb appeal and photos, this episode helps make sense of what’s happening behind the numbers.

Foreclosures 101: Understanding the Process and the Current State of the U.S. Market
 
In this episode, I break down how the foreclosure process really works and share what’s happening with current foreclosure trends across the U.S. You’ll learn what triggers foreclosure, how timelines vary by state, and what steps homeowners can take to stay ahead of it.
Disclosure: This episode is for informational purposes only and not intended as legal or financial advice.

In our first two flips ever, excitement quickly turned into chaos. Jesus and I share the real story behind how we saved for our first project, took out a HELOC for the second, and learned some expensive lessons along the way. From money mistakes to mayhem at home, this episode is a raw look at the ups, downs, and unexpected realities of flipping as a couple.
 
*Part 2 will reveal if we’d ever flip again — and whether it was worth it.