RECkoning with Real Estate

Reckoning With Real Estate – Ep. 37: Conflicts Of Interest (Pt 1 of 2)

We find ourselves yet again in the depths of the side of real estate most consumers never get to see. In this episode, we sit down with Doug Miller: consumer protection attorney, Executive Director of Consumer Advocates in American Real Estate, and believe it or not, a real estate agent himself. A trusted ally of REC, Doug pulls back the curtain on the practices, conflicts of interest, and industry protections quietly shaping residential real estate, many of which consumers unknowingly agree to every day. From private listing networks to the reality of dual agency, this conversation challenges the idea that the system is built with the public’s best interest in mind. If you’ve ever wondered who real estate systems are really designed to serve, this conversation is for you. Find us at theRECollab.com [http://therecollab.com] Extras: Doug’s page on AttorneyREC [https://minneapolisrealestateattorney.com/about-doug/] Consumer Advocates in American Real Estate [https://www.caare.org/] REC’s philosophy on Dual Agency [https://www.therecollab.com/blog/no-dual-agency] Learn how we approach fees here [https://www.therecollab.com/blog/dollar-and-sense] Thank you to our Sponsors! Taylor Hall @ Evergreen Collective [https://ecoevergreen.co/] Matt Berna @ Bell Bank Mortgage [https://bell.bank/mortgage/loan-officer/mattberna] Ben Feldman @ Active Insurance Solutions [https://www.aisolutionsmn.com/staff-directory/BenFeldman] The post Reckoning With Real Estate – Ep. 37: Conflicts Of Interest (Pt 1 of 2) [https://www.am950radio.com/reckoning-with-real-estate-ep-37-conflicts-of-interest/] first appeared on AM 950 [https://www.am950radio.com].

RECkoning with Real Estate – EP. 36 (Encore): Insurance Questions Homeowners Don’t Always Think to Ask

This episode originally aired February 1, 2026: In this episode, we continue our conversation with Ben Feldman. This is an encore episode that was aired previously, but that we thought important enough to re-run! Ben is one of the owners of Active Insurance Solutions, an independently owned insurance company. In this episode, we unpack often-overlooked parts of homeowners insurance, including roof coverage, minimum deductibles, and common add-ons/endorsements. These details don’t come up often, but they’re helpful to understand ahead of time, before it may be too late. Find us at therecollab.com [https://www.therecollab.com/] A few key takeaways: * Home insurance should be reviewed annually, as coverage and risk change over time. * A sewer line inspection can help clarify responsibility before it’s too late! Don’t skimp out on getting this done. * When building your real estate team (insurance broker, real estate agent, mortgage lender, home inspector, title officer, and real estate attorney), look local. Find trustworthy people that are easily accessible so that you know exactly who you’ll be talking with every time. Definitions: * Roof exclusions: Certain policies limit or exclude coverage for roof damage based on factors like age, material, or cause of loss. This can mean repairs are only partially covered—or not covered at all—depending on the situation. * Impact-resistant shingle classes: Roofing materials are rated based on how well they withstand hail and impact. Higher-rated shingles can reduce damage risk and, in some cases, influence insurance coverage or premiums. Extras: Ben Feldman [https://www.aisolutionsmn.com/staff-directory/ben-feldman] – Partner of Active Insurance Solutions [http://aisolusionmn.com] out of Chanhassen REC Blog: Read about what makes REC different here [https://www.therecollab.com/about-us]. AI Solutions Blog: How to protect your property for severe weather [https://www.aisolutionsmn.com/blog/2025/is-your-home-ready-for-severe-weather-how-to-protect-your-property] Thank you to our Sponsors! Taylor Hall @ Evergreen Collective [https://ecoevergreen.co/] Matt Berna @ TruStone Home Mortgage [https://trustonefinancial.org/mortgages/meet-our-team/matt-berna] Ben Feldman @ Active Insurance Solutions [https://www.aisolutionsmn.com/staff-directory/BenFeldman] Find REC on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@TheRealEstateCollaborative/streams] The post RECkoning with Real Estate – EP. 36 (Encore): Insurance Questions Homeowners Don’t Always Think to Ask [https://www.am950radio.com/reckoning-with-real-estate-ep-36-encore-insurance-questions-homeowners-dont-always-think-to-ask/] first appeared on AM 950 [https://www.am950radio.com].

RECkoning with Real Estate – EP. 35 (Encore): Insurance Claims Explained w/ Ben Feldman

This is an encore episode with Ben Feldman, one of our sponsors of the show! Ben Feldman is a partner of Active Insurance Solutions which is an independent insurance agency based in Chanhassen. In this episode, Ben and Paige talk about all things ‘insurance claims.’ We cover the key steps to take when an event needs to be reported, how to better understand your coverage, and best practices to keep in mind when purchasing insurance. We break down important components of homeowners insurance, including the CLUE report and the most common types of claims, and describe how these factors should influence your decision-making when filing a claim or buying a home. Listen in for a highly important and informative conversation! Find us at therecollab.com [https://www.therecollab.com/]. Extras Ben Feldman [https://www.aisolutionsmn.com/staff-directory/ben-feldman] – Partner of Active Insurance Solutions [http://aisolusionmn.com] out of Chanhassen: REC Blog: Read about what makes REC different: Here [https://www.therecollab.com/blog/retainer-option-saves-you-money], Here [https://www.therecollab.com/blog/diy-the-sale-of-your-home-rec-can-help], Here [https://www.therecollab.com/blog/to-de-couple-or-not-to-de-couple] or Here [https://www.therecollab.com/blog/no-dual-agency]! AI Solutions Blog: Insurance tips for first time homebuyers [https://www.aisolutionsmn.com/blog/2025/insurance-tips-for-first-time-homebuyers] AI Solutions Blog: How to protect your property for severe weather [https://www.aisolutionsmn.com/blog/2025/is-your-home-ready-for-severe-weather-how-to-protect-your-property] Thank you to our Sponsors! Taylor Hall @ Evergreen Collective [https://ecoevergreen.co/] Matt Berna @ Bell Bank Mortgage [https://bell.bank/mortgage/loan-officer/mattberna] Ben Feldman @ Active Insurance Solutions [https://www.aisolutionsmn.com/staff-directory/BenFeldman] The post RECkoning with Real Estate – EP. 35 (Encore): Insurance Claims Explained w/ Ben Feldman [https://www.am950radio.com/reckoning-with-real-estate-ep-35-encore-insurance-claims-explained-w-ben-feldman/] first appeared on AM 950 [https://www.am950radio.com].

RECkoning with Real Estate – EP. 34: Now Debuting: The “REC Agent!”

Paige, Marc, and Taylor are back, continuing the conversation around unpacking the Realtor® brand and what it really means to step outside the traditional model. We talk about how that shift shows up for consumers, the different ways agents approach their work (for better or worse), and how REC tries to follow through on doing things differently. In the second half, we discuss what’s happening behind the scenes by touching on some of the challenges shaping the housing market and where there’s abundant opportunity for our voices to be heard. At the end of the day, housing is a basic need, and it’s something we should be pushing for proactively (not just patching after the fact). So yeah, maybe it’s time to be a little loud (and a little annoying) in the name of more homes. Find us at theRECollab.com [http://therecollab.com] Extras: YIMBY!!  [https://twincitiesyimby.org/] Info about the Starter Homes Act [https://www.therecollab.com/blog/support-the-mn-starter-homes-act] How we advocate for more housing! [https://www.therecollab.com/impact] The REC Difference [https://www.therecollab.com/blog/5-ways-rec-is-reimagining-real-estate] Thank you to our Sponsors! Taylor Hall @ Evergreen Collective [https://ecoevergreen.co/] Matt Berna @ Bell Bank Mortgage [https://bell.bank/mortgage/loan-officer/mattberna] Ben Feldman @ Active Insurance Solutions [https://www.aisolutionsmn.com/staff-directory/BenFeldman] #RECkoningWithRealEstate #QuestioningTheDefaults #RealEstate #HousingTransparency #RECReckons #RECagent #YIMBY The post RECkoning with Real Estate – EP. 34: Now Debuting: The “REC Agent!” [https://www.am950radio.com/reckoning-with-real-estate-ep-34-now-debuting-the-rec-agent/] first appeared on AM 950 [https://www.am950radio.com].

RECkoning with Real Estate – EP. 33: Now Debuting: The “REC Agent!”

We’re back with Paige, Marc, and Taylor, continuing the conversation around what it really means to be a “Realtor®” versus a real estate agent, and sharing more about how REC came to be. Listen in to hear how REC was strengthened through underappreciated activism and a distaste for the industry, its branding, and what it stands for. We introduce the idea of a “REC agent,” which is our version of a real estate agent that still handles all the same responsibilities, but with a different approach. REC agents stay away from rigid systems; we question pricing and industry norms; we make sure to listen deeply, and show up as full-service without the inflated price tag. We’re choosing to slow down even though it might mean taking potential losses, because we actually care about the people we’re working with instead of just following a script. And to be clear, we do not want to criticize individual agents, we are challenging the industry, the associations, and the brand as a whole. At REC, we just want to ask the questions, and keep pushing on the ones that have gone unasked for far too long. Find us at theRECollab.com If you can think of a movie, tv show, or literature reference where real estate agents are portrayed in a good light, go to our website and tell us, we’re looking for these references! Extras: What it actually feels like to work with REC The REC Difference Thank you to our Sponsors! Taylor Hall @ Evergreen Collective Matt Berna @ Bell Bank Mortgage Ben Feldman @ Active Insurance Solutions The post RECkoning with Real Estate – EP. 33: Now Debuting: The “REC Agent!” [https://www.am950radio.com/reckoning-with-real-estate-ep-33-now-debuting-the-rec-agent/] first appeared on AM 950 [https://www.am950radio.com].