College Real Estate Coach

College Real Estate Investing in Major Metro College Towns: When Parents Should Buy Instead of Rent

Thinking about buying real estate for your college student — or investing in a college-town market?
In this episode of The College Real Estate Coach, host Vikki Grodner sits down with Jeff Wu, a Keller Williams agent serving the Washington DC–Virginia–Maryland corridor, to explore how college real estate investing works in major metropolitan markets.
They discuss how parents are choosing to buy instead of rent for their college students, how alumni and investors approach university-adjacent real estate, and why long-term factors like job centers, hospitals, and infrastructure often matter just as much as the university itself.
This conversation breaks down the realities of buying condos versus single-family homes near universities, the balance between long-term appreciation and short-term cash flow in higher-priced markets, and what parents and investors should know about landlord regulations and rental strategies in different municipalities.
If you’re a parent, investor, or out-of-state buyer considering college-town real estate, this episode offers practical insight into how the right strategy — and the right local expertise — can turn college housing into a long-term opportunity rather than just an expense.
Contact Jeff at jeff@agentknowshomes.com.
Follow Jeff on social:
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IG: @jeffwukaizen 
 
📞Contact The College Real Estate Coach team:
Vikki Grodner - 205.422.9713
 
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The New Frontier of College-Town Investing: Modular Homes, Tiny Homes & ADUs

What if you could build a home for your student — or add valuable rental units in a college town — in half the time of traditional construction?
In this episode of College Real Estate Coach, host Vikki Grodner, top real estate agent in Tuscaloosa and Certified Interior Designer, sits down with Stratton Tingle of Wind River Built to explore how modular homes, ADUs, tiny homes, and off-site construction are transforming the way parents and investors approach college-town real estate.
 
Whether you're investing near the University of Alabama, UAB, Auburn, or any high-demand university market, this episode reveals why modern, factory-built construction is becoming one of the fastest, smartest, and most cost-effective ways to create student housing, game-day rentals, and long-term wealth.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How off-site construction can cut build times by 50%
The difference between tiny homes, ADUs, modular homes, and HUD-coded units
What zoning really means for parents and investors
How one university added 104 new beds in just nine months
Why small-footprint homes are ideal for student rentals & game-day stays
How to evaluate land, timelines, and budget when planning a modular build
If you’re a parent buying for your student, an out-of-state investor, a short-term rental host, or someone exploring housing solutions in a fast-growing college town, this episode gives you the clarity and strategy you need to make smart decisions.
 
Learn more about Wind River Built: https://www.windriverbuilt.com
Contact Wind River Built at info@windriverbuilt.com
Follow on social:
Facebook
IG: @windriverbuilt 
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📞Contact The College Real Estate Coach team:
Vikki Grodner - 205.422.9713
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Atlanta College-Town Investing: Insider Strategies Near Georgia Tech, Emory & Georgia State with Michael Hickman

Thinking about buying for your student—or investing in one of the fastest-growing college-town markets in the U.S.? Atlanta may be your smartest move yet.
In this episode of College Real Estate Coach, host Vikki Grodner sits down with Atlanta real estate expert Michael Hickman (Keller Williams) to break down the real estate dynamics surrounding Georgia Tech, Emory University, Georgia State, Spelman, Morehouse, Clark Atlanta, and Kennesaw State.
You’ll learn:
• the major differences between each university’s housing demands• where parents typically buy for their students• why off-market condos near Georgia Tech can be key opportunities• what investors must know about short-term rental restrictions in Atlanta• neighborhoods rising fastest, including Home Park and West Midtown• how massive projects like The Stitch may reshape property values• how traffic patterns literally determine whether a property works for students• where out-of-state investors are (and aren’t) putting their money
Whether you're a parent planning ahead, a local buyer, or an investor assessing college-town ROI, this episode gives you the clarity you need to make high-confidence decisions.
 
Contact Michael S. Hickman, Realtor®
404-444-3446
Hickman@kw.com
 
Follow Michael on Social:
Instagram | Facebook
 
📞 Contact The College Real Estate Coach team:
Vikki Grodner - 205.422.9713
vikkigrodner@kw.com
 
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Auburn Real Estate Secrets: How Parents & Investors Score Big

🏡 Auburn Real Estate Secrets: How Parents & Investors Are Scoring Big Near Campus
Thinking about buying property in Auburn—or any college town? This episode is packed with insider knowledge you won’t hear anywhere else.
Host Vikki Grodner sits down with Auburn Realtor Daniel Blessing to uncover why Auburn, Alabama is one of the most unique—and profitable—college towns for buyers, parents, and investors.
👉 Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:✅ Why Auburn’s “handshake is all you need” charm makes it special for buyers & investors✅ What’s really driving demand for condos, cottages, and game day homes near Auburn University✅ How parents are buying condos for their students—and turning them into game day getaways✅ The surprising role of mobile homes in Auburn’s housing market✅ Why investors across the country are eyeing Auburn for their next purchase
🎧 Whether you’re a parent, investor, or college-town real estate enthusiast, this episode gives you the playbook for buying in Auburn—and insights you can apply to college towns across the country.
Subscribe for weekly episodes covering: college-town investing, game day rentals, and smart real estate strategies you won’t want to miss.
📍 Real Estate. College Life. Smart Investing.
 
Looking to Cash In on Auburn Real Estate?
Contact Daniel Blessing. 334-703-9411 danielblessing@kw.com The Blessing Team at Keller Williams Connect with Daniel Blessing on Social Facebook  |  IG  |  Website📞 Contact The College Real Estate Coach team: Vikki Grodner - 205.422.9713www.hospitalitynetworkgroup.com
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Financing Your College Town Investment: What Parents & Buyers Must Know Before Buying Near Campus

Thinking about buying a property near campus? Whether it’s for your student to live in, a gameday getaway, or a smart long-term investment—how you finance it matters more than you think.
In this episode of The College Real Estate Coach, Vikki Grodner is joined by Tuscaloosa lending expert Lindsay Nance to break down the real financial strategies behind buying real estate in a college town.
🎓 Learn the ins and outs of financing options for:
Parents buying for their students
Buyers investing in short-term rentals
Out-of-state investors considering Tuscaloosa or similar markets
They’ll cover everything you didn’t know to ask:
✅ Why the name on the loan really matters (and how to get your student on it)
✅ The difference between a primary residence, second home, and investment property—and what that means for down payments and interest rates
✅ What makes a condo “non-warrantable” and how it affects your loan
✅ How to offset mortgage costs by renting by the room (yes, it’s possible!)
✅ What local lenders know that national ones don’t (and why that matters for your deal)
💰 From FHA and VA to jumbo loans and creative financing, this episode is your college-town real estate financing crash course.
📍 If you're a parent tired of paying rent… or an investor eyeing college towns for cash flow and appreciation… this episode will give you the edge you need to buy smart.
🔔 Subscribe now to catch future episodes filled with expert tips, buyer strategies, and market insights tailored for college-town real estate.

Should You Buy or Rent in College? Let’s Do the Math!

Is renting in college just throwing money away? Can buying real estate while in college actually build wealth?
In this episode of The College Real Estate Coach, Vikki Grodner teams up with her husband and finance expert Ken Grodner to break down one of the most important decisions college families face: Should you rent or buy in a college town?
They cover:
✅ How monthly rent compares to mortgage payments
✅ The hidden power of principal paydown
✅ No-money-down and other loan options (USDA, VA, FHA, etc.)
✅ When it makes sense to rent first, buy later
✅ Why buying young is a wealth game-changer
✅ How parents can invest in their kids’ futures (literally!)
✅ And the best strategy to start building equity right now
Whether you're a parent, student, or new investor, this episode is packed with actionable advice that could change your financial future.
👉 Hit subscribe and join us weekly for more insights into smart investing, college town real estate, and how to make real estate work for you!
📩 Got questions about real estate or physician loans? Drop them in the comments or connect with us directly!
Want to learn how you can capitalize on real estate in a college town? Contact us today! Vikki Grodner - 205.422.9713

From TikTok to Tuscaloosa: How Design Became Her Airbnb Superpower

Can a TikTok hustle turn into a thriving interior design empire? Yes—and CJ Zucker, owner of Ambyanse Interiors, proves it. In this episode of The College Real Estate Coach, Vikki Grodner sits down with the creative force behind some of Tuscaloosa’s most beautifully designed homes and Airbnbs.
🎙️ From California to Idaho to Alabama, CJ shares how a bold DM to a TikTok influencer catapulted her career into luxury real estate design—completely remotely. Now based in Tuscaloosa, she reveals her top design tips for:
Creating tasteful, high-performing Airbnbs in college towns
How to style short-term rentals without “throwing up Alabama”
What to prioritize for functionality and style
The one hack she uses to make student housing feel like home
Why knowing who you're designing for is just as important as what you’re designing
Whether you’re a real estate investor, parent buying near a college campus, or a design lover dreaming of your next project—this episode delivers real talk, practical advice, and a few design secrets you’ll want to steal.
🔗 Be sure to like, subscribe, and check out CJ’s resources below!
Instagram: ‪@LifebyCJ‬
TikTok: lifebycj
www.Ambyanse.com
www.instagram.com/ambyanse/
www.facebook.com/people/Ambyanse-Interiors/100087298757299
📞 Contact The College Real Estate Coach team: Vikki Grodner - 205.422.9713

Should Med Students and Residents Buy a Home? Doctor Loan Secrets & Real Estate Hacks!

Are you a medical student, resident physician, or parent trying to decide whether to rent or buy a home during med school or residency? You’re not alone—and this episode of The College Real Estate Coach is your ultimate guide to making the smartest financial move in your medical journey.
Join real estate experts Vikki and Ken Grodner as they uncover why buying real estate during medical school or residency can be a game-changer for your financial future—and how doctor home loans (even with high student debt) make homeownership possible now, not later.
✨ Inside This Episode:
✅ Should medical students rent or buy?
✅ How physician mortgage loans work (even with student loan debt)
✅ Low- and no-down-payment options for doctors and healthcare professionals
✅ Why lenders love working with med students and residents
✅ What makes Birmingham, AL a top housing market for doctors
✅ How to turn your first home into a long-term rental investment
🎉 BONUS: Behind-the-scenes of our Match Day celebration at the Birmingham Zoo, how we help medical students transition into homeownership, and what lenders, sponsors, and housing experts are doing to support new physicians!
👩‍⚕️ Whether you’re starting med school, about to begin your residency, or a parent helping your future doctor settle into a new city, this video is packed with real estate tips, financial strategies, and proven pathways to build generational wealth.
📲 Contact The College Real Estate Coach Team for Personalized Guidance: 📞 Vicki Grodner – 205.422.9713
Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this video with other medical students, residents, and physician families navigating the home buying process.