Advertise on podcast: Around the House with Eric G®: Upgrade Your Home Like a Pro

Forget polite corporate spin — I ripped into something that smells funny and I’m dragging you along. I talk about how Lennar spun off Milrose (they split it off in early 2025), and then Milrose went on a buying spree: more than 700 finished homes across 15 states in about a month, roughly $200 million worth. My antennae went up when Hunter Brook Media (and yes, they’re affiliated with an investment firm) started poking around and found Milrose buying homes that were supposed to be held as land — not rented out. Then filings changed, suddenly allowing Milrose to rent finished houses. Investors filed a class action claiming misleading statements between February 2025 and October 2026, and I walk through the math that suggests Lennar only barely hit delivery targets because of those sales. It’s sketchy, possibly a backroom move to prop up sales numbers and keep stock sentiment buoyant — and then Warren Buffett’s Berkshire quietly ups its stake. I also share my own, annoyingly personal connection: my fiancés son bought a Lennar home and we’re still battling HVAC and wiring issues. Bottom line: whether this is illegal or just ugly accounting, it stinks for homeowners and could ripple through neighborhoods. I’m staying on this story and doing a feature about a Lennar homeowner’s fight — so yeah, expect more receipts soon. Takeaways: I’m calling shenanigans on Lennar’s move to spin off Milrose and then sell finished homes back to it, because it looks like a dodge to prop delivery numbers and tidy up earnings at just the right time.We talked about the investor lawsuit alleging misleading statements between February 2025 and October 2026, and I can’t help but note how odd timing—Lennar misses targets, Milrose pops up buying homes, and Berkshire quietly ups its stake—raises real questions.I’ve seen the homeowner side up close—my fiancée’s son bought from Lennar and we’re still fighting HVAC and wiring issues despite inspections, which makes me skeptical about quality control and buyer protections.We dug into the data and found nuance: a London School of Economics study suggests institutional buying can depress nearby home prices over time, while a Philly Fed paper found single-family rentals might nudge prices up slightly, so the real impact isn’t black-and-white.Heads-up on recalls: big-ticket hazards this week include 3M Scotch laminators that can overheat, crystal glass cups that can shatter into ingestion risks, bedside sleepers posing suffocation dangers, and air rifles firing unexpectedly—so I strongly recommend checking cpsc.gov for anything in your home.On a lighter note, I’m kind of into Medea’s new Straw Wash dishwasher—finally someone designing jets to actually clean metal straws and lids, and yeah, I’ll admit I want one because I’m tired of pre-rinsing and pretending it’s fine. Links referenced in this episode: expedia.comyoutube.comcpsc.gov/recallsfinance.yahoo.comaroundthehouseonline.com

Home ventilation with Ken from Panasonic: ERVs, bath and kitchen exhaust fans, crawlspace moisture and MERV-13 filters for better indoor air. Ventilation is the single biggest thing you can do to keep your home healthy, and John and I got into it with Ken from Panasonic. We talked about why the dusty little $29 fan most builders put in isn't cutting it, and why a quality fan with a real ECM motor pays for itself. Ken has one humming away in his own crawl space that's been running for 18 years. We broke down ERVs: two fans and a special membrane core that swaps heat and moisture, so you get fresh air without a runaway energy bill. Then the part nobody wants to hear: check those filters. In wildfire smoke or high-pollution areas you may be changing them monthly, and a MERV-13 filter makes a real difference. We also busted a few myths. An open window isn't always ventilation, because air needs pressure differences to move. Over-the-range microwaves are about the worst "hood" you can buy. And recirculating hoods just push the grease and gunk around. Kitchens, garages and crawl spaces all make moisture and fumes that feed mold, so vent fans to the outside, not into the attic. In this episode: - Why cheap bath fans are a false economy, and what ECM motors bring to the table - How an ERV works and why it saves energy - MERV-13 filters and how often to change them in wildfire or smoky air - Smart controls that can pause outside air when air quality is bad, and what they cost - Why open windows aren't reliable ventilation - Over-the-range microwaves vs. a properly ducted kitchen hood - Garage and crawlspace ventilation to keep moisture and mold out - Motion-sensor and humidity-sensing fans that turn on so you don't have to remember - Balancing a tight, energy-efficient house with healthy air, code and the builder's budget Thanks for listening to Around the House! Subscribe so you get the latest episode as soon as it posts: https://around-the-house-with-e.captivate.fm/listen Join the Around the House Insider for the back catalog, exclusive content, early access to the show and a direct email to Eric G: https://around-the-house-with-e.captivate.fm/support We love comments and reviews about how this info helped with your house. More at https://aroundthehouseonline.com/ Information given on the Around the House Show should not be considered construction or design advice for your specific project, nor is it intended to replace consulting at your home or jobsite by a building professional. The views and opinions expressed by those interviewed on the podcast are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Around the House Show. Takeaways: I brag about Panasonic's ECM motors — ours run for decades with minimal fuss, so don't cheap out on fans unless you enjoy mysterious mold and callbacks.We reminded listeners that ventilation isn't just for bathrooms; kitchens, garages, and crawl spaces produce moisture, chemicals, and starch aerosols that feed mold and wreck indoor air if ignored.I explained ERVs: two fans and a special membrane core that swaps heat and moisture so we save energy and keep humidity manageable, not mystical voodoo.We stressed that ERV and ventilation filters must be checked often — in high PM or wildfire-prone areas you'll change them monthly, otherwise your fancy system turns into a black Chia Pet.I admitted smart controls can pause ventilation during wildfire smoke or awful outdoor air, but adding Wi‑Fi sensors and automation costs money, and builders are watching every cent.We warned that open windows don't guarantee ventilation because air movement needs pressure differentials; mechanical systems give predictable, uneventful fresh air while windows gamble with the weather.I roasted over‑the‑range microwaves as the worst ventilation option — they mostly recirculate greasy vapor, so invest in a properly ducted hood that vents outside.We balanced reality: tightening the building envelope saves energy but requires smarter ventilation choices, so pick solutions that hit comfort, health, code, and the builder's budget. Companies mentioned in this episode: Panasonic VentilationPanasonicENERGY STARGore-TexLinkedInFacebookYouTube Thanks for listening to Around the house if you want to hear more please subscribe so you get notified of the latest episode as it posts at https://around-the-house-with-e.captivate.fm/listen If you want to join the Around the House Insider for access to the back catalog, Exclusive Content and a direct email to Eric G and access to the show early https://around-the-house-with-e.captivate.fm/support We love comments and we would love reviews on how this information has helped you on your house! Thanks for listening! For more information about the show head to https://aroundthehouseonline.com/ Information given on the Around the House Show should not be considered construction or design advice for your specific project, nor is it intended to replace consulting at your home or jobsite by a building professional. The views and opinions expressed by those interviewed on the podcast are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Around the House Show.

Eric had a family emergency this week so we had to jump into a best of episode as he had to jump on a plane to the midwest: AI remodeling estimates with Instabid.pro: scan your kitchen with your phone, get a contractor bid in minutes. A Best Of on AI estimating. John and I start by poking at those viral 3D-printed house videos. They look great, but I'm not convinced a stack of concrete tubes makes it through a real winter. Then we get to something actually useful: Instabid.pro. You walk a kitchen with your phone, the app recognizes the granite, sinks and cabinets, and it gives you a full bid, a material list and a before-and-after render in about a minute. That takes out the slowest part of remodeling, the back-and-forth measuring and estimating that used to eat days or weeks. For contractors, it handles automatic sub notifications, change-order tracking, labor-hour uploads and approvals, so jobs don't bleed money because somebody forgot the countertop. It's built on decades of field experience and regional pricing, so the numbers reflect where you live. We also compared it with other AI estimating tools, including one demo that came in $60K short on a 600-square-foot addition. AI is not a contractor replacement. It's great at simple visual swaps, but you still need people for the messy surprises of real construction. In this episode: - 3D-printed houses: hype vs. a real winter - How Instabid.pro turns a phone scan into a bid, material list and render - Regional, contractor-based pricing vs. AI tools that come in way off - Contractor tools: sub notifications, change orders, labor hours and auto-approvals - What homeowners should do instead of waiting on bids that never come - Phone thermal imagers for spotting hidden leaks and hot breakers - Instabid's free trial and pilot program Links: https://instabidpro.com Takeaways: We ripped through Instabid.pro — I swear it spits out regional, contractor-priced bids in about a minute, killing the old two-week bid slog.I kept saying AI isn't a magic contractor replacement — it nails simple visual swaps, but we still need humans to handle construction's messy, surprise-filled nuance.We laughed about robot apocalypses, but truthfully Instabid actually helps keep contractors honest with auto sub notifications, change orders, and fewer admin headaches.I told homeowners the new workflow plainly: scan your kitchen with your phone, hit the contractor's Instabid form, and bam — multiple real bids, not sketchy spitballs.We compared the market and found a lot of AI estimating tools wildly off; Instabid leans on decades of trade experience and localized data for much better accuracy.I geeked out about affordable tech like phone thermal imagers — small, fun toys that let us spot hidden leaks or hot breakers without ripping open walls.We emphasized how contractors can customize parts and pricing, set auto-approvals, and protect margins, so the platform’s speed doesn't mean careless, underpriced work.I openly invited listeners to try the Instabid Pro trial and even call the founder — no-BS transparency, a pilot program, and a promise to build what contractors actually need. Links referenced in this episode: youtube.comhomeadvisor.comhouzz.cominstabidpro.com Thanks for listening to Around the house if you want to hear more please subscribe so you get notified of the latest episode as it posts at https://around-the-house-with-e.captivate.fm/listen If you want to join the Around the House Insider for access to the back catalog, Exclusive Content and a direct email to Eric G and access to the show early https://around-the-house-with-e.captivate.fm/support We love comments and we would love reviews on how this information has helped you on your house! Thanks for listening! For more information about the show head to https://aroundthehouseonline.com/ Information given on the Around the House Show should not be considered construction or design advice for your specific project, nor is it intended to replace consulting at your home or jobsite by a building professional. The views and opinions expressed by those interviewed on the podcast are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Around the House Show.

Buying new construction with 7% mortgage rates: builder rate buy-downs, pre-drywall inspections, buyer's agents and this week's product recalls. This week's Punch List is a quick one. I recorded from a hotel room in Rochester, MN, near the Mayo Clinic, because family comes first, so forgive the scratchy voice. Next week we're back with a fresh show. The housing market is weird right now. Mortgage rates are over 7%, but prices are drifting down, so if you can handle the payment it may be a smart time to buy. Builders are getting creative to move houses. They're buying down points, cutting their realtor commissions and, in some cases, cutting corners on the build. I walk through how a builder buying down two points can steer you toward new construction, and why that sweet monthly payment can come with drywall surprises later. I also don't think we're going back to 3% rates. 5% is the new comfort zone. If you're buying new, get a local new-construction inspector on a pre-construction contract to check the concrete, framing and pre-drywall. And don't cheap out on your agent. When the builder knocks commission down to 1%, you lose the person who's supposed to fight for you. We also ran through the recalls, including propane fireplace lava rocks that can explode and trimmer mowers that can catch fire. And I had a few words for the internet folks upset that Tillamook is Halal-certified. It's about how the cheese is made. Do two seconds of research. In this episode: - Why falling prices and 7%+ rates make timing and math everything - How builder point buy-downs work and how they steer buyers - Hiring a new-construction inspector for concrete, framing and pre-drywall checks - Why paying a market-rate buyer's agent protects you - Where long-term mortgage rates are likely to settle - Recalls: propane fireplace inserts and lava rocks, recalled trimmer mowers - The Tillamook Halal-certification panic Links: https://aroundthehouseonline.com Takeaways: I'm on the road in Rochester with a shot voice from a pre-90s hotel room, so forgive the rasp while I walk you through why high interest rates make buying tricky even as prices fall.We think right now is a weird sweet spot: prices are dropping, but seven-percent mortgage pain makes timing and math everything, so buying only makes sense if you can stomach higher payments short-term for potential long-term gains.Builders are aggressive—buying down points and skimping on workmanship—so I recommend locking in a local new-construction certified inspector for concrete, framing, and pre-drywall checks to catch shortcuts early.Don't cut realtor corners: when builders slash commissions to one percent you lose an advocate; pay market rate for an agent who will actually fight for you and protect future costs.Heads-up on recalls and safety: stop using certain propane fireplace inserts and recalled trimmer mowers, and check with manufacturers or REI for fixes—small products can create big fire or crash risks.And for some delightful social-media nonsense—Tillamook being Halal-certified isn't a cultural takeover, it's better cheese production choices; I call out the dumb panic and remind you to do two seconds of research. Links referenced in this episode: aroundthehouseonline.com Companies mentioned in this episode: Around the HouseMayo ClinicTillamookSnow PeakDr. Power EquipmentDecathlonVan RyselREIFord Thanks for listening to Around the house if you want to hear more please subscribe so you get notified of the latest episode as it posts at https://around-the-house-with-e.captivate.fm/listen If you want to join the Around the House Insider for access to the back catalog, Exclusive Content and a direct email to Eric G and access to the show early https://around-the-house-with-e.captivate.fm/support We love comments and we would love reviews on how this information has helped you on your house! Thanks for listening! For more information about the show head to https://aroundthehouseonline.com/ Information given on the Around the House Show should not be considered construction or design advice for your specific project, nor is it intended to replace consulting at your home or jobsite by a building professional. The views and opinions expressed by those interviewed on the podcast are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Around the House Show.

Walk your floor plans at full scale with Joe Matejka of Walk Your Plans: life-size blueprints that catch home design mistakes before you build. What if you could walk through your new house or remodel before anybody pours concrete? Walk Your Plans projects your blueprints at exact scale on the floor, and Joe Matejka told us builders and designers catch over 90% of pre-construction mistakes this way. That's a lot of $20K to $50K fixes that never happen. I'll admit I used to tape out kitchen islands with foam board so clients could picture them. Amateur hour. Joe shared the story of a 26-person lodge in Idaho where they realized too late that "we got a good room when we wanted a great room." That's exactly the kind of mistake this prevents. Islands get moved a lot once people actually walk the space, and you can drop your real furniture into the scaled room on an iPad to find out whether that sectional or dining table will actually fit. We also talked about why Joe went with floor projection and iPad-based 3D instead of VR (vertigo and liability), how the business has grown to 58 locations with a goal of 120, and why hospitals, restaurants and lenders love anything that cuts risk. In this episode: - How life-size blueprint projection works - Catching over 90% of pre-construction mistakes before you build - Kitchen island placement and real-world traffic flow - Testing your actual furniture in the plan on an iPad - Why they picked floor projection over VR - Commercial projects: hospitals, restaurants, banks and insurers - Growth to 58 locations (goal: 120) after a viral video with 37 million views Links: https://walkyourplans.com Takeaways: We project blueprints exactly to scale on our studio floor so I can literally walk the space before a single brick gets laid — that pre‑walk 'aha' moment prevents headaches and dumb surprises down the road.I learned we routinely catch over 90% of pre‑construction mistakes during these walkthroughs, which translates to real time and cost savings versus crying into a $20k–$50k fix later.As a kitchen designer I’ll tell you, we move islands all the time — roughly 65% — because physically navigating the plan changes design from theoretical to actually usable for two people cooking together.We drop your exact furniture into the scale model via iPad, so I can prove whether that beloved sectional or giant dining table will fit, avoiding glorious returns and awkward living‑room do‑overs.I found VR is flashy but often makes people dizzy, so we built a low‑nausea, on‑the‑floor solution that’s a tool, not a toy — practical, tactile, and way less liability prone.We’re scaling fast (58 locations now, 120 goal) and our viral social presence proved demand is real — people worldwide want to walk their plans, not squint at tiny PDFs.We help commercial clients, hospitals, banks and insurers reduce massive liability by catching layout failures digitally early — sometimes preventing million‑dollar screwups instead of expensive late‑stage reframing.Ultimately, I love seeing clients walk out smiling and confident; we turn anxiety into belief, speed up approvals, and get builders, architects and homeowners on the same page — which, honestly, feels like magic. Links referenced in this episode: walkyourplans.com Companies mentioned in this episode: Walk Your PlansOur House FurnitureAround the HouseInstagramYouTubeFacebookNational Association of Home BuildersKBIS (Kitchen & Bath Industry Show)IBS (International Builders' Show)Meditech Thanks for listening to Around the house if you want to hear more please subscribe so you get notified of the latest episode as it posts at https://around-the-house-with-e.captivate.fm/listen If you want to join the Around the House Insider for access to the back catalog, Exclusive Content and a direct email to Eric G and access to the show early https://around-the-house-with-e.captivate.fm/support We love comments and we would love reviews on how this information has helped you on your house! Thanks for listening! For more information about the show head to https://aroundthehouseonline.com/ Information given on the Around the House Show should not be considered construction or design advice for your specific project, nor is it intended to replace consulting at your home or jobsite by a building professional. The views and opinions expressed by those interviewed on the podcast are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Around the House Show.

Smoke and carbon monoxide detector tips from Kidde for Fire Prevention Week: new UL standards, low-level CO alerts, lithium battery fire risks. Smoke and carbon monoxide detector tips from Kidde's Stephanie Berzinski and Jason Kohm: new UL standards, low-level CO alerts, lithium battery risks. Smoke and CO detectors aren't the dinosaurs our parents screwed into the ceiling. The UL rewrites turned them into little computers that can tell a real fire from burnt toast, so people stop ripping them off the wall. Kidde's newer units will even nag you at the 10-year mark so you finally replace them. Jason walked us through the UL changes that speed up detection, plus low-level CO alerts at 35 ppm, which are a big deal for kids, seniors and pets. Carbon monoxide often comes from outside the house: generators, contractor vans, pool heaters, a car running in the garage. So even all-electric homes need CO detection. And when you travel, pack a battery CO alarm, because only a handful of states require them in hotels. We also covered lithium-ion battery risks. Cheap knockoff batteries and chargers can start fires fast, so buy UL- or ETL-listed and don't leave tool and phone batteries on the charger all the time. Then the basics: test monthly, check the date on the back, replace anything over ten years old, keep extinguishers on every level, and aim at the base of the fire. In this episode: - How the new UL standards make alarms smarter and cut false alarms - Low-level CO alerts (35 ppm) for kids, seniors and pets - Surprise CO sources: generators, vans, pool heaters, cars in the garage - Why to pack a CO alarm for hotels and rentals - Combination alarms that monitor VOCs, air quality, radon and gas - Lithium-ion battery and knockoff charger fire risks - Alarm maintenance: monthly tests, manufacture dates, 10-year replacement, compressed-air cleaning - Fire extinguisher placement, and why you never use water on a grease fire - Making a family escape plan, and calling the fire department's non-emergency line for help Links: https://kidde.com · https://cause4alarm.org · https://portalarm.org https://aroundthehouseonline.com Takeaways: I loved how we explained the UL changes — modern alarms are basically tiny computers that actually know the difference between a real fire and burnt toast, so people stop taking them down in frustration.We warned that carbon monoxide is sneaky and often comes from outside sources like generators, contractor vans, pool heaters, or a running car in the garage, so I keep saying: even electric homes need CO detection.I pushed the travel tip hard: pack a simple AA carbon monoxide alarm when you stay in hotels, rentals, or Airbnbs, because only a handful of states require proper detection and you can’t trust every property.We drove home maintenance basics — test your alarms monthly, check the manufacturing date on the back, replace units older than ten years, and clean sensors with compressed air so false chirps don’t wreck your sleep.I got passionate about fire extinguishers and placement: have multiple extinguishers per level, use a kitchen-rated unit (not water on grease!), know to aim at the base, and stash one near bedrooms for quick grabs.We dug into lithium-ion battery risks — cheap knockoff chargers and batteries can chain-ignite; I recommend buying UL/ETL‑listed batteries and keeping tool and phone batteries off continuous charge, ideally in a metal cabinet.We hyped the smarter features we love: low-level CO alerts for vulnerable folks, air quality and toxic chemical monitors, plus new radon and gas detectors — layering detection really gives us extra time and calm.We closed with a practical nudge: practice a family fire escape plan now — map two exits per room, include pets and grandparents, and if you need help call your fire department’s non‑emergency line. Links referenced in this episode: kidde.comcause4alarm.orgportalarm.org Thanks for listening to Around the house if you want to hear more please subscribe so you get notified of the latest episode as it posts at https://around-the-house-with-e.captivate.fm/listen If you want to join the Around the House Insider for access to the back catalog, Exclusive Content and a direct email to Eric G and access to the show early https://around-the-house-with-e.captivate.fm/support We love comments and we would love reviews on how this information has helped you on your house! Thanks for listening! For more information about the show head to https://aroundthehouseonline.com/ Information given on the Around the House Show should not be considered construction or design advice for your specific project, nor is it intended to replace consulting at your home or jobsite by a building professional. The views and opinions expressed by those interviewed on the podcast are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Around the House Show.

This week on The Punch List, I break down my favorite Amazon Prime Big Deal Days picks for your home, from Roborock robot vacuums and Lutron Caséta dimmers to BORA sawhorses and a Chamberlain myQ video keypad. We also cover a big batch of product recalls and what Berkshire Hathaway's $8.5 billion Taylor Morrison deal means for housing. Amazon Prime Big Deal Days are happening right now — I’m talking hot steals like Roborock robot vacuums, Lutron Caséta dimmers, a bargain Rove dash cam and even Chamberlain MyQ garage video keypads, but heads up: these Prime-only prices end Wednesday at midnight PT, so move fast if you want the good stuff. We walk through the best picks I’m eyeballing (yes, I own a Roborock and yes, it’s glorious), call out the sleeper bargains like steel Bora sawhorses and wire for DIY projects, and remind you that some of these sale prices only pop up once or twice a year. On the safety front we got a nasty batch of recalls — everything from 4.4 million Walmart grill brushes (do not eat metal shavings, just don’t) to rechargeable hand warmers that can catch fire, sketchy lamps, and cargo e-bike seat-post bolts that can break — so we tell you what to toss, return or quarantine immediately. Big-picture housing news: Berkshire Hathaway just paid $8.5 billion for Taylor Morrison and merged it with Clayton, joining other deep-pocketed buyers scooping up builders, which might be a sign we’re nearing a market bottom but won’t magically fix affordability overnight. I mix a little reality check about interest rates and inventory with a reminder that fewer new builds and smarter owner incentives could help kick the market back into gear. Stick around for our game plan: quick shopping tips for Deal Days, what to do if you own one of the recalled items, and why these builder buyouts matter to anyone eyeing a house in the next year. Takeaways: We rushed this early midweek Punch List because Amazon Prime Big Deal Days are live — snag Roborock vacuums, Lutron Caseta dimmers, dash cams, and heavy-duty Bora sawhorses at sharp, time-limited prices if you act before midnight Pacific.I called out the Rove R2 dash cam marketing — it upscales to “4K” so don’t expect true cinema-grade footage, but it’s still a solid budget option for front-and-rear coverage.We went through a heavy batch of safety recalls — electric cargo bikes, multiple brands of rechargeable hand warmers, floor lamps, grill brushes, and camping immersion heaters all pose real fire, burn, or ingestion hazards, so stop using recalled items and get refunds or replacements.I unpacked the Berkshire Hathaway buy of Taylor Morrison and their bigger stakes in other builders — investors (including Japanese firms) are scooping up discounted homebuilders, which could be a sign we’re approaching a housing-market bottom, but it’s no guarantee.We flagged the broader housing reality: too many homes on the market versus buyers and stubbornly high interest rates mean demand needs to tighten and builders must slow construction before prices and activity normalize.Pro tip from me — if you’re doing projects, Amazon’s Deal Days are a great time to buy wire, tools, power units, and smart-home gear, but always double-check specs, prime-only restrictions, and return policies before the impulse buy. Links referenced in this episode: amazon.comROBOROCK: https://a.co/d/01oXOzKqLutron: https://a.co/d/0ijXfrc9Rove: https://a.co/d/0b6s8yERLevoit: https://a.co/d/09WTrwQPBORA: https://a.co/d/09RTN99f Thanks for listening to Around the house if you want to hear more please subscribe so you get notified of the latest episode as it posts at https://around-the-house-with-e.captivate.fm/listen If you want to join the Around the House Insider for access to the back catalog, Exclusive Content and a direct email to Eric G and access to the show early https://around-the-house-with-e.captivate.fm/support We love comments and we would love reviews on how this information has helped you on your house! Thanks for listening! For more information about the show head to https://aroundthehouseonline.com/ Information given on the Around the House Show should not be considered construction or design advice for your specific project, nor is it intended to replace consulting at your home or jobsite by a building professional. The views and opinions expressed by those interviewed on the podcast are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Around the House Show.

This week on The Punch List, I break down why buyers finally have the upper hand, with mortgage rates back above 7% and Redfin reporting 57.9% more sellers than buyers in August. We run through the latest product recalls, and I recap emceeing Rock the Locks, where I proposed to Alisa backstage and she said yes. We kick this midweek Punch List off with that high-energy recap before diving into the real stuff. We dig into fresh housing data: mortgage rates have crept back above 7% (Freddie Mac ~7.03%, Bankrate ~7.33%), existing-home sales hit a 2026 low, and Redfin says there were about 57.9% more sellers than buyers in August — the most lopsided market on record. That imbalance means tons of price cuts (Denver hit 31.4% of listings with cuts; Portland about 30.5%), builders are even buying down interest rates by a couple points in some markets to compete, and remodeling activity is stalling as homeowners hold off on big projects. We also run a hard-hitting recalls roundup — from online mattresses failing flammability rules to smart glasses that can overheat, reclining-chair battery packs sold on Amazon, heated blankets, infrared saunas that can short and overheat, pool heaters risking carbon monoxide, and more — so if you’ve got any of that gear, please go check it. Bottom line: great music and good vibes at the festival, but the housing market’s getting messy and your stuff might be a recall away from drama — we walk you through what to watch and what to do next, plus I sneak in a teaser for our weekend show and the new YouTube reviews (generator and one-person grill tested at the fest). Takeaways: I emceed Rock the Locks last weekend, proposed to Alisa backstage, and honestly couldn't stop smiling — it was an epic, music-fueled highlight that reminded me why live events matter.We're seeing mortgage rates around seven percent (and sometimes higher), which is squeezing buyers, cooling sales, and making now a real window for renters with savings to pounce.I dug into Redfin's August data — about 57.9% more sellers than buyers nationally — and that lopsided inventory gives buyers real leverage in many markets.We're watching builders buy down interest by as much as two points, so new construction with lower rates and big warranties is outcompeting comparable existing homes right now.We ran the recall scoreboard on the show — everything from tens of thousands of flammable online mattresses to overheating smart glasses and saunas — so please check cpsc.gov and double-check what you bought.I'm seeing remodeling stall and contractors reporting record cancellations, meaning homeowners are favoring repairs over big projects and planning more cautiously this cycle. Links referenced in this episode: cpsc.gov Thanks for listening to Around the house if you want to hear more please subscribe so you get notified of the latest episode as it posts at https://around-the-house-with-e.captivate.fm/listen If you want to join the Around the House Insider for access to the back catalog, Exclusive Content and a direct email to Eric G and access to the show early https://around-the-house-with-e.captivate.fm/support We love comments and we would love reviews on how this information has helped you on your house! Thanks for listening! For more information about the show head to https://aroundthehouseonline.com/ Information given on the Around the House Show should not be considered construction or design advice for your specific project, nor is it intended to replace consulting at your home or jobsite by a building professional. The views and opinions expressed by those interviewed on the podcast are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Around the House Show.

Fall decorating trends with interior designer Wendy Glaister: warm layered lighting, rich colors over greige, smart home timers and holiday prep. Interior designer Wendy Glaister of Wendy Glaister Interiors joined me to talk about making your house feel warmer and brighter as the days get shorter. After years of greige, people are moving toward richer colors, plaids, florals and Ralph Lauren-inspired looks, plus timeless details like Greek key patterns. We talked about layered, warmer lighting and simple smart-home setups that put lamps, fireplaces, blinds and thermostats on timers. Then decorating do's and don'ts: easy on the gnomes, harsh scents, bright pumpkin orange, oversized skeletons and quote decor. Wendy shared ideas for setting a seasonal table with fine china and vintage pieces, and getting ahead on decluttering and pantry prep. We also covered regional gotchas like wasps and spiders moving into your wreath, planning for power outages, and why you don't want to start a major remodel during the holidays, with shutdowns, shipping delays and scheduling headaches. In this episode: - Fall color trends: moving past greige to richer colors, plaids and florals - Layered, warmer lighting for shorter days - Smart timers for lamps, fireplaces, blinds and thermostats - Fall decorating do's and don'ts - Seasonal table settings with fine china and vintage pieces - Decluttering, pantry prep and emergency power planning - Why to avoid starting a big remodel over the holidays Thanks for listening to Around the house if you want to hear more please subscribe so you get notified of the latest episode as it posts at https://around-the-house-with-e.captivate.fm/listen If you want to join the Around the House Insider for access to the back catalog, Exclusive Content and a direct email to Eric G and access to the show early https://around-the-house-with-e.captivate.fm/support We love comments and we would love reviews on how this information has helped you on your house! Thanks for listening! For more information about the show head to https://aroundthehouseonline.com/ Information given on the Around the House Show should not be considered construction or design advice for your specific project, nor is it intended to replace consulting at your home or jobsite by a building professional. The views and opinions expressed by those interviewed on the podcast are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Around the House Show.

Empty nester home design with interior designer Wendy Glaister: upsizing instead of downsizing, plus stylish aging-in-place features. More empty nesters are skipping the downsize. Interior designer Wendy Glaister joined me to talk about clients who are upsizing or redesigning their homes for an active next chapter. Pandemic-era priorities and wanting a better quality of life are driving a lot of these decisions. The fun part is aging-in-place features that look high-end, not like a hospital: zero-threshold showers, bidet-ready outlets, better lighting, heated floors, safer induction cooktops and sound-insulated offices and bathrooms. Wendy shared a ranch remodel featured in the Wall Street Journal that was built for long-term accessibility, and a dentist couple who bought a new property that worked better for entertaining and family gatherings. And we both make the case for bringing a trusted pro along when you house hunt, so you don't fall for a house with renovation costs you didn't see coming, and so the layout fits how you actually live, like separate offices and hobby spaces. In this episode: - Why empty nesters are upsizing instead of downsizing - Aging-in-place features that look high-end - Zero-threshold showers, heated floors, induction cooktops, bidet-ready outlets - Sound-insulated offices and bathrooms - A Wall Street Journal-featured ranch remodel built for accessibility - Bringing a designer or builder on house hunts to avoid surprise costs Takeaways: We’re seeing empty nesters upsizing, not shrinking — pandemic priorities and quality-of-life cravings beat the old ‘downsize at retirement’ rule.I love that aging-in-place can look luxe: zero-threshold showers, heated floors, and bidet-ready outlets all feel designer, not hospital.We recommend bringing your designer or a trusted contractor on house hunts so you don’t buy a renovation money pit you didn’t budget for.In the Wall Street Journal–featured ranch remodel we discussed, planning accessibility up front (blocking, level floors) saved time, money, and headaches later.Small technical upgrades matter: induction cooktops, steam ovens, better lighting, and sound-insulated offices and bathrooms actually change everyday life meaningfully.I’ll say it: shared offices rarely work — separate quiet workspaces, insulation like Rockwool, and smart sound design keep couples sane.We push thoughtful low-key aging features — bidet toilets, night lights, heated floors — because they prevent hospital trips and preserve independence longer.Personally, I get excited about lighting: older eyes need way more lumen love, so consider layered task and ambient fixtures for long-term comfort. Companies mentioned in this episode: The Wall Street JournalWendy Glaister InteriorsWolfSub-ZeroKohlerDa Vinci MarbleROCKWOOLNFL RedZoneInstagram Thanks for listening to Around the house if you want to hear more please subscribe so you get notified of the latest episode as it posts at https://around-the-house-with-e.captivate.fm/listen If you want to join the Around the House Insider for access to the back catalog, Exclusive Content and a direct email to Eric G and access to the show early https://around-the-house-with-e.captivate.fm/support We love comments and we would love reviews on how this information has helped you on your house! Thanks for listening! For more information about the show head to https://aroundthehouseonline.com/ Information given on the Around the House Show should not be considered construction or design advice for your specific project, nor is it intended to replace consulting at your home or jobsite by a building professional. The views and opinions expressed by those interviewed on the podcast are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Around the House Show.

Mold lawsuits against home builders D.R. Horton and Lennar: HVAC sizing, building science failures and what new-home buyers should do. I think mold is quietly turning into the next lead paint or asbestos, and I'm waving a big flag about it. Volume builders like D.R. Horton and Lennar are getting hit with lawsuits over undersized HVAC, poor framing, poorly ventilated attics, wet lumber and homes built so tight they sweat themselves into mold. That's not "just maintenance." It's basic building science, and it's failing. I walked through the Dixon v. D.R. Horton case in Louisiana, which stayed in state court and could grow into a class action going back years. There's also the Seminole Tribe litigation in Florida, where 450 homes and about a thousand tribal members are dealing with defective roofs and moldy walls. Follow the money: Horton has a $1.1 billion self-insurance reserve, Lennar raised its reserve 21% to $336.9 million, and jury verdicts over $10 million rose 52% between 2023 and 2024. The human cost is real. One Texas house dropped from $318,700 to $117,000 once mold was disclosed. If you're buying new, get pre-drywall inspections, make sure the punch list is 100% done before closing, and get a proper air quality test from a pro before you panic or sign away any rights. In this episode: - Why mold may be the next asbestos for national home builders - Undersized HVAC, tight houses, wet lumber and attic ventilation failures - Dixon v. D.R. Horton and the Seminole Tribe mold case in Florida - Builder self-insurance reserves and rising jury verdicts - How a mold disclosure can tank a home's value - New-construction buyer checklist: pre-drywall inspection, a finished punch list, professional air testing Links: https://aroundthehouseonline.com Takeaways: We warned mold is becoming the new lead paint — builders are ignoring humidity, and that's a systemic failure.I walked a Lennar job with wavy walls and undersized HVAC systems, proving sloppy framing and poor load calculations aren't isolated oopsies.We talked legal fireworks: the Dixon vs. D.R. Horton fight stayed in Louisiana courts and may expand into a class action reaching back years.I pointed out insurers and builders are quietly padding self-insurance reserves into the hundreds of millions, because construction litigation costs are rising fast.If you're buying new, we insist the punch list is 100% done before closing; seriously, pay for pre-drywall inspections and someone to manage the build, don't take their BS.Mold testing is a circus — spore counts and remediation estimates can vary wildly, resale values can plummet, so get proper air quality tests from pros like Caroline Blazowski before you panic or sign away rights. Links referenced in this episode: aroundthehouseonline.com Thanks for listening to Around the house if you want to hear more please subscribe so you get notified of the latest episode as it posts at https://around-the-house-with-e.captivate.fm/listen If you want to join the Around the House Insider for access to the back catalog, Exclusive Content and a direct email to Eric G and access to the show early https://around-the-house-with-e.captivate.fm/support We love comments and we would love reviews on how this information has helped you on your house! Thanks for listening! For more information about the show head to https://aroundthehouseonline.com/ Information given on the Around the House Show should not be considered construction or design advice for your specific project, nor is it intended to replace consulting at your home or jobsite by a building professional. The views and opinions expressed by those interviewed on the podcast are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Around the House Show.

Master bathroom remodel tips for 2026: budget, designers, shower waterproofing, tile installers, aging in place and bath fan ventilation. Planning a master bathroom remodel? I walk through my top 10 tips so you don't blow the budget, hire the wrong crew or build a shower that fails in five years. Start by checking neighborhood comps on Zillow before you design, so you don't over- or under-build. Hire your designer at the drawing stage, not after demo. Pay once, or pay the contractor twice. While the walls are open, plan for aging in place, add Rockwool insulation (one of the cheapest upgrades for a quieter, more solid-feeling room), and wire for the stuff you'll want later: heated floors, a towel warmer, a bidet seat and Cat6. Then the stuff that usually goes sideways. Treat shower waterproofing as one system: Wedi, Ardex or Schluter, pick a brand and stick with it. Find a CTI certified tile installer through the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation. Do the double-vanity math right. And size your ventilation so mold never shows up in a $50,000 room. In this episode: - Match your remodel to the comps so you don't over- or under-build - Hire the designer early - Aging-in-place blocking, curbless showers and lighting that still looks sharp - Rockwool for sound and a quieter bedroom - Wire for 2030: towel warmers, heated floors, bidet outlet, Cat6 - Realistic 4–8 week timelines, inspections and a real contingency - One waterproofing system end to end, with no mixing and matching - Why a CTI certified tile installer matters, and how to find one - Double vanity rules: 76 inches comfortable, 60 inches legal - Overbuild the fan, duct it right and keep the mold out Listen, subscribe and dig into nearly a decade of episodes at https://aroundthehouseonline.com Listen, subscribe, and dig into nearly a decade of episodes at aroundthehouseonline.com. Thanks for listening to Around the house if you want to hear more please subscribe so you get notified of the latest episode as it posts at https://around-the-house-with-e.captivate.fm/listen If you want to join the Around the House Insider for access to the back catalog, Exclusive Content and a direct email to Eric G and access to the show early https://around-the-house-with-e.captivate.fm/support We love comments and we would love reviews on how this information has helped you on your house! Thanks for listening! For more information about the show head to https://aroundthehouseonline.com/ Information given on the Around the House Show should not be considered construction or design advice for your specific project, nor is it intended to replace consulting at your home or jobsite by a building professional. The views and opinions expressed by those interviewed on the podcast are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Around the House Show.

AI in construction and remodeling is moving fast — and a lot of the hype doesn’t hold up on a real jobsite. On this episode of Around the House, certified kitchen designer Eric G and co-host John Dudley cut through the noise on AI-powered design, estimating, and bidding, and what actually helps homeowners, contractors, and remodelers today. They dig into the buzz around 3D-printed concrete houses — aesthetics, insulation, durability — and why practical building systems still win for most projects. Then they get into AI kitchen design and phone-based scanning that can turn a room into visuals, material lists, and bid numbers in minutes instead of weeks. John walks through InstaBid, a contractor bidding tool that automates estimates, subcontractor notifications, change orders, and follow-ups so accuracy and accountability don’t fall through the cracks. They also cover affordable thermal imaging for diagnosing home issues, and why today’s AI panic sounds a lot like old scares such as Y2K. If you care about AI in construction, remodeling tech, faster kitchen estimates, or smarter contractor bidding, this one’s for you. 00:00 Show Intro 00:38 John Back in Studio 01:15 3D Printed House Hype 03:34 AI Decorators and Design 04:40 AI Panic and Marketing 07:08 Instant Kitchen Scans 09:03 Old School Bidding Pain 11:52 InstaBid Explained 14:04 Homeowner Bid Struggles 16:02 Accuracy and Accountability 19:20 Competitors and Trust Issues 22:12 Construction Nuance Costs 23:01 InstaBid Data Advantage 23:17 Economy Remodeling Pressures 25:59 Regional Rates Multipliers 26:37 Sign Up Trial Pitch 27:40 Helping Contractors Win 29:06 Back From Break Tech 29:19 Thermal Camera Use Cases 30:56 AI Accountability Benefits 34:21 Pilot Program Offer 37:09 Rock The Locks Plug 39:35 Final Sign Off Thanks for listening to Around the House. Subscribe for the latest episode: https://around-the-house-with-e.captivate.fm/listen Join the Around the House Insider for the back catalog, exclusive content, early access, and a direct line to Eric G: https://around-the-house-with-e.captivate.fm/support We love comments and reviews on how this helped your house. More at https://aroundthehouseonline.com/ Information given on the Around the House Show should not be considered construction or design advice for your specific project, nor is it intended to replace consulting at your home or jobsite by a building professional. The views and opinions expressed by those interviewed on the podcast are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Around the House Show.

Alright, here's the midweek chaos I called the Punch List — I'm Eric G., your loudspeaker for home stuff and occasional festival hype. I kick things off by bragging about being the MC for Rock the Locks in Umatilla (Sept 25–27) — three days, 25 bands, camping, and a ridiculous amount of classic rock goodness. If you’re wondering why a home-improvement nerd is moonlighting as a concert MC, it’s because we appreciate good build quality whether it’s a guitar rig or a soffit detail. I promise I’ll be handing out high-fives and remodeling tips between bands. Come say hi; I’ll trade a festival story for your best paint-splatter war scar. Then we roll into the real-deal housing talk — the market's shifted. Inventory is up (1.62 million existing homes), sales have cooled, and mortgage rates are doing their dramatic weekly impression (30-year hovering near the high 6s). Translation: it’s more of a buyer’s playground than a seller’s gold rush right now, but lending is stingy. We talk the nitty-gritty for buyers (opportunities if you can stomach the rates), sellers (you’ll need strategy), and investors (get creative with financing and beware fixes-and-flips — margins are thinner than a quarter-inch shim). I also hit a recall roundup — sketchy AC units, problematic hair-dryer brushes, dodgy fire spray cans, and dual-fuel ranges missing a safety cap — because living in a safe home is the hot trend I can absolutely get behind. Takeaways: I'm stoked — I'm MCing Rock the Locks festival Sept 25–27, a camping-friendly, three-day bash with 25 bands that I absolutely can’t wait to hang at.We’re watching inventory climb to the highest levels since November 2019, which is quietly flipping leverage to buyers and making life harder for sellers who expected last-decade dynamics.I keep saying borrowing costs are the wild card here: the 30-year average jumped to about 6.76%, and that squeeze on affordability is changing buyer behavior fast.If you’re a real estate investor, get creative with financing now — fix-and-flip margins are getting crushed by recent price cuts and interest volatility, so play smart or sit this cycle out.I can’t ignore the cold numbers: roughly 59.5% of homes sold below their original list price with a median fifty days on market, which is a pretty blunt signal sellers need to adjust strategies.We went deep on safety recalls — from Amana through-wall ACs that risk fire to plug-in hair-dryer brushes risking electrocution and dual-fuel ranges missing gas caps; do me a favor and check cpsc.gov if you own any of these. Links referenced in this episode: cpsc.gov Thanks for listening to Around the house if you want to hear more please subscribe so you get notified of the latest episode as it posts at https://around-the-house-with-e.captivate.fm/listen If you want to join the Around the House Insider for access to the back catalog, Exclusive Content and a direct email to Eric G and access to the show early https://around-the-house-with-e.captivate.fm/support We love comments and we would love reviews on how this information has helped you on your house! Thanks for listening! For more information about the show head to https://aroundthehouseonline.com/ Information given on the Around the House Show should not be considered construction or design advice for your specific project, nor is it intended to replace consulting at your home or jobsite by a building professional. The views and opinions expressed by those interviewed on the podcast are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Around the House Show.

I got real about security with Brandon Smith from Aura — no fluff, just the gap homeowners keep tripping over. I tell the story about pulling up to my driveway and finding my garage gutted (sunny weekday, tools gone), calling 911 and waiting...and waiting. Brandon and I dug into why cameras and recorded footage aren’t the finish line: in a lot of cities the police won’t prioritize property-only calls or need more verification before they roll. Aura’s neat move is bringing a human deterrent back into the loop — on-demand guard vehicles that roll up, flash some lights, and make the bad actors think twice. It’s not fantasy law enforcement; it’s practical deterrence and documented response so you’ve actually got something to hand to your insurer or the PD if things escalate. We talked logistics — how Aura built an Uber-like dispatch network across guarding companies, why aggregation matters (don’t rely on a single provider), and how integrations with monitoring centers let the tech do the heavy lifting: machine-to-machine dispatch, turn-by-turn directions, gate codes, PPE notes, and full reporting. Brandon shares that average national response sits around 18 minutes and that verified dispatch can even get law enforcement moving when officers see an officer in distress on their end. I loved his honesty: we’re not promising vigilantes, we’re promising a documented, professional deterrent that fills the response gap when the public system can’t. If you’re the kind of homeowner who thinks cameras equal safety, listen up: we’re not saying cameras are useless, just incomplete. With Aura layered on top you get a living response, not just a cold file of footage. It’s earthy, pragmatic security — and yeah, it would have been nice back when my garage looked like a tornado hit a tool store. Takeaways: I realized cameras are great for evidence, but by themselves they usually won't get police to show up fast.We learned the one thing homeowners are missing: an on-demand verified guard response layer that actually bridges alerts and arrival.I can't stop saying it — Aura aggregates lots of local guarding companies like Uber for security, so someone nearby actually responds instead of one flaky provider.We joked that ghosted security vehicles that 'look like cops' are brilliant deterrence; sometimes flashing lights and presence are all you need to scare folks off.I found out monitoring centers handle most alarms first, sit on hold, and because around 98% are false positives cities deprioritize them — that's a systemic issue homeowners should know about.We talked about useful extras: scheduled drive-bys, officers grabbing packages, and custom instructions/gate codes — little conveniences that make security feel human and actually usable.I got nerdy about tech: AI verification helps cut down alerts, but video alone still gets triaged; future tools might include drones or more creative deterrents.We finished with a simple call to action: figure out who monitors your alarm, ask your installer about verified dispatch, and demand real response — not just recordings. Links referenced in this episode: aurasos.comaroundthehouseonline.com Companies mentioned in this episode: Around the HouseAuraDeep SentinelRingAmazonThe Home DepotUberLyftISC WestVitamix Thanks for listening to Around the house if you want to hear more please subscribe so you get notified of the latest episode as it posts at https://around-the-house-with-e.captivate.fm/listen If you want to join the Around the House Insider for access to the back catalog, Exclusive Content and a direct email to Eric G and access to the show early https://around-the-house-with-e.captivate.fm/support We love comments and we would love reviews on how this information has helped you on your house! Thanks for listening! For more information about the show head to https://aroundthehouseonline.com/ Information given on the Around the House Show should not be considered construction or design advice for your specific project, nor is it intended to replace consulting at your home or jobsite by a building professional. The views and opinions expressed by those interviewed on the podcast are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Around the House Show.