RealTMI

Buying Land & Building a Custom Home with Curtis Nooyen

Thinking about buying land and building a custom home? This is the conversation you need before you start calling random builders. In this episode, I sit down with Curtis Nooyen, a Realtor with the Spotlight Homes team at RE/MAX Platinum, who also works with Dream Home Group, Discovery Dream Homes, and Vermont Timber Frames. We talk through what really happens when someone says, “I want to buy land and build my dream home.” Because here’s the truth: building a custom home is not the same as buying a house in a subdivision. There are permits, zoning issues, engineering, design decisions, builder vetting, material sourcing, timelines, logistics, and about a thousand places where things can go sideways. Curtis explains how his role helps bring the pieces together — from finding the right land, to understanding the design process, to coordinating with builders, to helping clients avoid the chaos that often comes with custom construction. We also get into: Why buying vacant land is more complicated than people think The difference between cookie-cutter builders and true custom builds Log homes, timber frames, A-frames, chalets, and one-of-a-kind designs. Why the right builder matters so much. How material pricing, logistics, and warranties can protect the client. Why custom home clients need a guide, not just a salesperson. If you’ve ever dreamed about building a home on acreage, creating a legacy property, or doing something completely different from the standard subdivision house, this conversation is a great place to start. Have a question about buying land or building a custom home in Michigan? Drop it in the comments and we may answer it in a future episode.

Will It Fix Affordability? | 21st Century Road to Housing Act Explained

The U.S. Senate has passed the 21st Century Road to Housing Act—but will it actually fix the housing market? In this episode of the Real TMI Podcast, Rob Sherman and Jordan Genso break down the 2026 housing bill and what it really means for real estate agents, homebuyers, and the future of housing affordability. They walk through what the 21st Century Road to Housing Act actually does—and what it doesn’t—while explaining proposed limits on large institutional investors owning hundreds of homes and how that could impact competition in the housing market. The conversation also dives into how the bill could influence housing supply, new construction, and development, along with changes tied to FHA loans, VA loans, and low-income housing programs. Rob and Jordan also unpack why first-time homebuyers may still struggle despite new legislation, and they explore the gap between government solutions and real-world results when it comes to affordability and access to homeownership. If you’ve been searching for a breakdown of the 2026 housing bill, how to fix housing affordability, or how real estate laws impact buyers and agents, this episode gives you a clear, practical perspective from inside the industry. This isn’t political—it’s practical. Just real estate professionals answering one question: 👉 Will this actually help people buy homes?

Building a Long-Term Real Estate Career | Lead Generation, Client Conversion & Referrals

In this episode of the Real "T" MI Podcast, Rob Sherman and Jordan Genso break down a simple, proven framework for building a long-term, sustainable career in real estate. They cover the four pillars of a successful real estate business: attracting clients, converting leads, delivering a high-level client experience, and nurturing relationships for consistent referrals. You’ll also hear insights on real estate marketing, personal branding, lead generation strategies, negotiation skills, and how to build a referral-based real estate business that lasts. The conversation dives into how technology is shaping the industry—and why strong relationships still drive the most successful agents. This episode isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about real-world experience, practical strategies, and honest perspectives from active agents building their businesses every day. If you’re a real estate agent, new realtor, or thinking about getting into real estate, this episode will help you rethink how to grow and scale a real estate business for long-term success.

The Arin Hoekstra Interview

Hosted by Rob Sherman, this episode features Arin Hoekstra as he shares his life before real estate, his journey into becoming a Realtor, and his goal of learning how to flip homes. Drawing from Rob’s experience flipping houses as a full-time job, the conversation breaks down what actually goes into a successful flip — from deal analysis and budgeting to common mistakes and real-world lessons. This episode is perfect for Realtors and aspiring investors who want an honest look at how to transition into flipping and investing the right way.

Rob & Jordan tackle Executive Orders and Housing: Real Change or Political Theater?

Join Rob and Jordan as they dive into the latest executive order on housing policy. They discuss its implications, potential loopholes, and whether it truly addresses the housing crisis. Tune in for an insightful conversation on the balance between policy and real-world impact. Here's the link to the executive order.