College Real Estate Coach

The Biggest Myth Keeping You From Buying a Home

Think you have to wait until 40 to buy your first home? Think again.
In this episode of College Real Estate Coach, Vikki Grodner is joined by Royce Dickerson — who purchased his first home in his 20s while in grad school — and Ken Grodner, co-owner of Hospitality Network Group at Keller Williams.
They unpack:
• Why the “you can’t afford it yet” narrative isn’t always true• How young professionals are buying sooner than expected• The structure behind a vetted nationwide agent referral network• Why referrals don’t cost buyers more — but do protect them• How relocation buyers, renters, and parents of students benefit from expert guidance
Whether you’re exploring Tuscaloosa real estate, Birmingham real estate, college-town investing, relocation for UAB or the University of Alabama, or simply wondering if now is the right time to buy — this conversation provides clarity.
Real estate isn’t just a transaction. It’s a relationship. And having the right team in your corner changes everything.
Hospitality Network Group at Keller WilliamsClient focused . Performance driven
 
Ken Grodner, Realtor® Hospitality Network GroupIG: @hospitalitynetworkgroupkw ; @kengrodnerFacebook: www.facebook.com/DaumGroup www.facebook.com/hospitalitynetworkgrouprealtykellerwilliams
 
Royce Dickerson
IG: @roycedickerson
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/royceldickerson
 
📞 Contact The College Real Estate Coach team: Vikki Grodner, Realtor®, College Real Estate Expert and Investor 205.422.9713 | vikkigrodner@kw.com Follow us on Social: Facebook: www.facebook.com/hospitalitynetworkgrouprealtykellerwilliamsIG: @hospitalitynetworkgroupkwTikTok:  ⁨@hospitalitynetworkgroup⁩ 

University of Michigan Real Estate: Parent Purchases, Game-Day Properties & Investing in Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor is one of the most stable and insulated college-town real estate markets in the country — but it doesn’t operate like most university towns.
In this episode of College Real Estate Coach, Vikki Grodner sits down with Kevin Daum of Daum Group Real Estate in Ann Arbor, Michigan to break down what makes the University of Michigan housing market unique.
With over 50,000 undergraduates, a massive medical center, and the largest football stadium in the country, Ann Arbor’s real estate market is driven by long-term demand, education, healthcare, and athletics.
In this episode, we discuss:
• Whether parents should buy for their college students• Why cash flow is difficult in Ann Arbor• Why long-term equity investing works• Short-term rental restrictions• Game-day property opportunities• The economic impact of Michigan Stadium• How medical residents and fellows approach homeownership
If you’re exploring college-town investing, parent purchases, or comparing markets like Tuscaloosa and Ann Arbor, this conversation provides clarity and strategy.
Client focused . Performance drivenHospitality Network Group at Keller Williams
Kevin Daum, Realtor® Daum Group Real Estate734-604-5055 | kevin@daumgroup.com IG:  ⁨@DaumGroupRealEstate⁩  ; @red_beard_realtor Facebook: www.facebook.com/DaumGroup www.daumgroup.com
📞 Contact The College Real Estate Coach team: Vikki Grodner, Realtor®, College Real Estate Expert and Investor 205.422.9713 | vikkigrodner@kw.com Follow us on Social: Facebook: www.facebook.com/hospitalitynetworkgrouprealtykellerwilliamsIG: @hospitalitynetworkgroupkwTikTok:  ⁨@hospitalitynetworkgroup⁩ 

LLC vs Personal Name: How Parents Should Buy College Real Estate

Should parents buy college rental property in an LLC—or their personal name?
In this episode, The College Real Estate Coach Vicki Grodner sits down with real estate attorney Rachel Evans to explain how LLCs work, why they’re commonly used in college-town investing, and the costly mistakes parents make when they wait too long to decide.
A must-listen for parents buying property for students, especially in Alabama college towns.
 
Follow Rachel on social:
LinkedIn
IG: @rachellaurenlane
 
📞Contact The College Real Estate Coach team:
Vikki Grodner - 205.422.9713
 
Follow us on Social:
Facebook
IG: @hospitalitynetworkgroupkw
TikTok: @hospitalitynetworkgroup
 

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:
Facebook
IG: @jeffwukaizen 
 
📞Contact The College Real Estate Coach team:
Vikki Grodner - 205.422.9713
 
Follow us on Social:
Facebook
IG: @hospitalitynetworkgroupkw
TikTok: @hospitalitynetworkgroup
 

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
Follow us on Social:
Facebook
IG: @hospitalitynetworkgroupkw
TikTok: @hospitalitynetworkgroup

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
 
Follow us on Social: 
Instagram | Facebook | TikTok@hospitalitynetworkgroupkw
 

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.