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Welcome to College Real Estate Coach, the podcast where real estate meets opportunity in America’s favorite college towns. Whether you’re a parent exploring housing options for your student, an investor looking for high-return markets, or a student wondering if buying beats renting—we’ve got you covered. Each episode is packed with real-world tips, expert insights, and local know-how to help you make smart money moves and build lasting memories. From game day rentals to student housing strategies, we’ll show you how college towns offer more than just degrees—they offer potential. Episodes drop on Thursdays. Subscribe to learn how to turn college living into long-term wealth.
Episodes
Thursday Dec 04, 2025
Thursday Dec 04, 2025
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.
Thursday Jul 31, 2025
Thursday Jul 31, 2025
🏡 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 - 205.422.9713
www.hospitalitynetworkgroup.com
Thursday Jul 24, 2025
Thursday Jul 24, 2025
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.
Friday Jul 11, 2025
Friday Jul 11, 2025
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
Friday Jul 11, 2025
Friday Jul 11, 2025
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
Thursday Jul 10, 2025
Thursday Jul 10, 2025
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.
Thursday Jul 10, 2025
Thursday Jul 10, 2025
In this episode of the College Real Estate Coach, real estate expert Vikki Grodner sits down with savvy investor Ryan Winzenburg to uncover why college towns—especially those with powerhouse football programs—are some of the most profitable places to buy property in America.
Ryan breaks down how he went from Denver to Tuscaloosa, shares his exact strategy for analyzing college markets, and reveals how he cash-flows thousands per month using short-term, mid-term, and long-term rental strategies.
📈 In this episode, you'll learn:
– Why college towns like Tuscaloosa and South Bend are rental goldmines
– How to find the right college markets using data tools like AirDNA, PriceLabs, and Furnished Finder
– How to leverage football weekends and graduation events
– Mid-term rental strategies (nurses, professors, insurance housing!)
– How to bypass short-term rental regulations legally & more!
Whether you’re an investor, parent, agent, or college alum looking to build wealth through real estate, this episode is packed with tactical advice and real-world examples you won’t find anywhere else.
👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow along as we coach you through building wealth in America’s top college towns.
📞 Contact The College Real Estate Coach team: Vikki Grodner - 205.422.9713
🕒 Timestamps:
00:00 – Meet Ryan Winzenburg & Intro
04:10 – Why College Towns Beat Big Cities
09:30 – $1,200 Game Day Rentals?!
13:45 – How to Analyze College Towns with Data
17:00 – Northport Workaround: Beat STR Regulations
22:00 – Mid-Term Rentals: Underrated Goldmine
30:10 – PriceLabs, Furnished Finder, & Other Pro Tools
36:50 – Final Thoughts: Don’t Overthink It—Get Started
Thursday Jul 10, 2025
Thursday Jul 10, 2025
🎓💰 Can you really buy a house while still in college? In this episode, we sit down with Royce Dickerson, who made one of the boldest moves you’ll hear from any student: he bought his first property as a senior in college — and never looked back.
Royce shares exactly how he did it, how he built credit early (thanks Grandma 👵), and how buying young set him on a path to financial freedom before most people even start paying off student loans.
You'll learn:
✅ How to buy your first property as a student
✅ Building credit and securing financing early
✅ Juggling college, real estate, and getting a license
✅ How he balanced MBA studies while managing real estate
✅ Why starting early pays off BIG in the long run
✅ His transition from college to the White House to buying property in Washington D.C.
Whether you're a student, parent, first-time buyer, or just curious how early real estate investing works — this is a must-watch story packed with real advice, inspiration, and lessons you can apply at any age.
👉 Make sure to LIKE 👍& SUBSCRIBE 🔔
📞 Contact The College Real Estate Coach team:
Vikki Grodner - 205.422.9713