Boroughs & Burbs, the National Real Estate Conversation

🎙 Season 5, Episode 210: “The Claim Before the Storm”

This week on Boroughs & Burbs, we tackle one of the most urgent and misunderstood topics in homeownership: preparing for damage before disaster strikes. Our guests Larry Janesky, founder of CT Basement Systems; John Otero and Rick Wahlstrom, of 1-800-Water-Damage join us to reveal what every homeowner should know before the next storm hits. We break down hidden vulnerabilities, the biggest mistakes owners make when filing claims, how to protect your home from water and structural damage, and what actually happens behind the scenes in the restoration and claims process. If you care about safeguarding your biggest asset, you can’t miss this episode.

This week on Boroughs & Burbs, Season 5, Episode #209, we explore how creativity meets compliance in real estate transactions. Our guests, Caleb Christopher, founder of Creative Title Company, and Amanda Burns, Attorney at Law are redefining what’s possible in complex deal structures. Caleb has closed thousands of creative finance transactions and built the systems that make innovative deals safe, legal, and ethical. From risk management to remote transaction coordination, his experience helps investors and agents navigate gray areas with confidence. Together with Amanda, we’ll uncover how to protect clients, close unconventional deals, and leverage creative finance strategies that work nationwide.

In Season 5, Episode #208 of Boroughs & Burbs we dive into one of the most complex, yet essential, areas of real estate: estate, trust, and probate sales. Our guests, Kelly deLaat, Rachelle Rosten and Peter Hernandez of Douglas Elliman, share their firsthand experience guiding families, trustees, and investors through these sensitive transactions. We’ll explore how to maximize property value while navigating legal nuances, timelines, and emotional factors that often accompany estate sales. From market strategy and communication with attorneys to identifying investment opportunities within probate portfolios, this episode unpacks how expert agents manage trust properties with precision, empathy, and success.

🎙️ Season 5, Episode #207: Jackson Hole – Luxury, Lifestyle & 1031 Opportunities

In this episode of Boroughs & Burbs, we head to the mountains for a deep dive into Jackson Hole, Wyoming — one of America’s most exclusive real estate markets. Our guests, Meredith Landino of Sotheby’s International Realty and Nancy Hughes of IPX1031, explore why this destination continues to attract ultra-high-net-worth buyers seeking beauty, privacy, and tax advantages. We’ll discuss how limited inventory shapes pricing, how investors are leveraging 1031 exchanges in this region, and what makes Jackson Hole’s lifestyle and community so magnetic. From conservation to capital gains, discover how this mountain town has become a haven for smart investors and luxury homeowners alike.

Hosts John Engel and Roberto Cabrera explore how smart developers are turning demolition waste into economic opportunity. This week on Boroughs & Burbs, we welcome Mark Foster, Founder & CEO of Second Chance, to reveal how deconstruction—the careful dismantling and reuse of building materials—can be both green and profitable.

Foster explains how reclaiming architectural treasures, reselling high-value materials, and leveraging tax deductions can transform a project’s bottom line while supporting sustainability goals. Discover why demand for reclaimed wood, fixtures, and architectural elements is booming, and how builders, investors, and homeowners can integrate deconstruction into future developments.

🎧 Listen on boroughsandburbs.com
▶️ Watch on YouTube: @JohnEngelOfficial

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Hosts John Engel and Roberto Cabrera sit down with two design visionaries—Carey Karlan, founder of Last Detail Interior Design, and Antonio Vergara, principal of Casa Vergara Interiors. Together they explore how to blend historic architecture with modern living to create homes that feel both rooted and relevant.

From preserving original craftsmanship to introducing contemporary finishes, our guests share how they navigate the delicate line between restoration and reinvention. You’ll hear real-world examples, design philosophies, and stories from clients who seek authenticity, elegance, and enduring beauty in their spaces.

Whether you’re an architect, designer, or homeowner, this conversation reveals how timeless design is achieved—through intention, restraint, and respect for history.

🎧 Listen on boroughsandburbs.com
▶️ Watch on YouTube: @JohnEngelOfficial

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Hosts John Engel and Roberto Cabrera travel south to explore the real-estate renaissance of Charleston, South Carolina—a city where history, design, and coastal living come together in perfect balance. Joining them are two local experts: Alester Spears of Carolina One Real Estate and Larry James of Charleston Magazine.

Together they uncover what makes Charleston one of America’s most desirable cities to live, invest, and visit. From its walkable historic districts and vibrant culinary scene to luxury waterfront homes and thoughtful preservation efforts, this episode reveals how Charleston continues to evolve while protecting its soul.

Discover what’s driving buyer demand, where the new development hotspots are, and how this Southern gem maintains its timeless charm amid rapid growth.

🎧 Listen on boroughsandburbs.com
▶️ Watch on YouTube: @JohnEngelOfficial

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Hosts John Engel and Roberto Cabrera explore the art of stretching creativity and redefining what’s possible in design and construction. Joining them are Lindsay Biondo-Lugo, founder of Houz of Rebel, and Scott Hobbs, president of Hobbs Inc., two industry leaders known for turning bold ideas into livable works of art.

They reveal how visionary designers and builders guide clients beyond their comfort zones—introducing risk thoughtfully, maintaining trust, and achieving truly exceptional results. From daring design choices to innovative building techniques, this conversation shows how real breakthroughs happen when collaboration meets courage.

🎧 Listen on boroughsandburbs.com
▶️ Watch on YouTube: @JohnEngelOfficial

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