Are you unknowingly risking your deal with owner finance?

In this episode of The Den, hosts Ben Lyons, Aspen Grown, Shannon Martinez, and Paul Barry dive into the top mistakes people make with owner financing. With hundreds of millions in sales and decades of real estate experience, the team breaks down real scenarios that could cost buyers and sellers big. Whether you're looking to finance creatively or just want to avoid the pitfalls, this episode is a masterclass in what not to do. Learn why title companies matter, how balloon payments should be structured, and what happens when taxes or insurance slip through the cracks.

Key Takeaways:
• Understand the difference between legal and equitable title
• Why closing through a title company protects both parties
• How federal tax liens can attach to your property
• What happens if a balloon payment can’t be met
• The dangers of a deficit closing and how to spot one
• Why verifying financial terms is crucial before signing
• Common misconceptions about rent-to-own vs owner finance
• How escrow protects buyers and sellers alike
• Strategies to protect against unpaid taxes and insurance
• The pros and cons of long-term amortization vs balloon structures

Best Moments:
00:00:06. “And today, we're gonna talk about top mistakes people make with owner finance.”
00:01:00. “You don't want to make mistakes in real estate, especially with owner finance.”
00:02:23. “If you do it right, it could be very advantageous for both sides.”
00:04:07. “You might be having to negotiate again or working on getting your property back.”
00:07:00. “I trusted information given to me by the seller without verifying it.”
00:10:18. “Title companies won’t close a deficit closing nowadays.”
00:13:00. “If it's not recorded, you have no legal right to that property.”
00:15:40. “You're probably going to have to qualify for both loans at the same time.”
00:20:15. “If you don't go through proper channels, you can be in big time trouble.”
00:27:03. “There's actually a lot more ownership and responsibility in it.”

Website: sjcbroker.com

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Ever had a creepy feeling during a showing? You're not alone.

This special Halloween edition of The Den, powered by the Lyons Group, dives into real-life horror stories from the world of real estate. Hosts Ben Lyons, Shannon Martinez, Paul Barry, and Aspen Groen share spine-chilling experiences that happened during open houses, client showings, and vacant home visits. Whether it's creepy crawlspaces, haunted homes, or people who just gave off the wrong vibe, these are the stories you won’t forget.

Get ready for laughs, goosebumps, and some serious reminders about realtor safety. If you’ve ever set foot in a listing, this one’s for you.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
• The most unsettling moment Shannon ever had during an open house
• What crawlspaces reveal about safety risks in real estate
• Paul’s ghostly family history and why he’s scared of basements
• Aspen’s Denver story involving hoarders, creepy beds, and a very dark cellar
• Why painted eyes on blinds are a serious red flag
• Realtor instincts and the importance of trusting your gut
• How Whitney’s energy reading confirmed a haunting
• A high-end showing gone dangerously wrong
• Why buddying up for remote property visits could save your life
• Tech and safety tips for modern real estate professionals

BEST MOMENTS
00:00:36. “Today is our Halloween version of real estate. And we're gonna talk about some scary stories.”
00:02:34. “And I whipped around really fast... there's a guy who's like, literally this close right behind me.”
00:03:47. “He said, I have some questions about some things I found in the crawl space.”
00:05:07. “You going to murder me down there?”
00:10:34. “I'm afraid of the dark.”
00:14:22. “We walk into this one room... it has a medical bed just like, there.”
00:19:26. “On the blinds were painted eyes. Huge painted eyes.”
00:21:25. “There’s just people... like, I always see people standing in the kitchen.”
00:24:06. “She turned around and ran out the front door... he was beating on the window.”
00:27:05. “They don’t see anything in the house other than a tripod and a camera set on top of it.”

Website: sjcbroker.com

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thelyonsgroup4c
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Fall in the Four Corners is more than just cooler weather and changing leaves. In this episode of The Den, powered by the Lyons Group, the team dives into their favorite local traditions, festivals, and fall-time favorites. From green chili roasts and hot air balloons to mountain bike races and funnel cake stops in Silverton, this episode is packed with seasonal charm and community connection. Whether you're new to the area or a longtime local, this conversation will inspire you to get out and enjoy everything autumn has to offer.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Roasting green chilies is a signature Four Corners fall experience
• Hot air balloon rallies bring joy and surprise across the region
• The Road Apple Rally is the longest-standing mountain bike race in the U.S.
• Fall festivals hosted by schools and churches create nostalgic memories
• James Ranch is a must-visit for fall soups, farm-to-table meals, and local beauty
• The Durango to Silverton railway is a scenic fall highlight
• Farmers markets showcase local meats, produce, and handmade goods
• Pagosa Springs and Durango Hot Springs are perfect fall getaways
• The Highland Celtic Festival adds unique seasonal flair
• Fall is the perfect time to connect with your community outdoors

BEST MOMENTS
00:01:43. “Well, I grew up in New England, so fall for me is about leaves changing, you know, getting colder.”
00:02:13. “Yeah. You remember the pumpkin shooting? That was awesome. It was like a potato gun on steroids.”
00:03:00. “Towards Silverton it is absolutely gorgeous up there. The leaves are like prime time right now.”
00:03:27. “I love when I just walk outside my house and there is hot air balloons all in the sky.”
00:05:05. “The churches do fall festivals, which are always fun. You know, they’ll have petting zoos and food trucks.”
00:07:01. “Speaking of what is one of the specific events that comes to mind when you think of fall here in the four corners?”
00:08:09. “If I ever fell in real estate, you're going to see me driving a little food truck around.”
00:14:45. “I literally, they have this little thing. They give you your awards and your shirts and a little after party thing.”
00:23:25. “Well, on October 4th, they are doing the growers market here in Farmington.”

Website: sjcbroker.com

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thelyonsgroup4c
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Should You Sell Your Home Without a Realtor?

In this episode of The Den, powered by the Lyons Group, the team dives into the hot topic of For Sale By Owner (FSBO) real estate. Ben, Paul, Aspen, and Shannon break down the risks, rewards, and real-life outcomes of skipping a realtor in the selling process. With over $400 million in sales and nearly 2,000 transactions behind them, this crew brings the hard facts, strong opinions, and a few laughs as they unpack whether FSBO is worth the savings—or just a fast track to regret.

• 6% of 2024 sales were FSBO, according to NAR
• FSBO homes averaged $55,000 less in sale price than agent-assisted sales
• Liability risks increase without professional guidance
• Pricing strategy is the top struggle for FSBO sellers
• Realtors help screen real buyers from time-wasters
• Exposure and marketing drastically affect sales outcomes
• Paperwork and contract errors can cause costly problems
• Emotional negotiations often cost sellers money
• Time-on-market is usually longer without a realtor
• Realtors often identify hidden repair or legal issues before closing

BEST MOMENTS

00:00:57. “Can you actually make more money by not using a realtor, or save money by not using a realtor?”

00:01:18. “DIY Lions. Do it yourself lions. And that never, never works out for me.”

00:02:49. “Some people really truly know what they're doing... but this episode is about pulling back the layers.”

00:03:06. “According to NAR, 6% of all transactions were for sale by owners in 2024.”

00:04:22. “If the average home sold with the realtor was 435,000 versus 380 with the for sale by owner... that’s a $55,000 difference.”

00:06:09. “A lot of for sale by owners will get bombarded with people that just want to tour their house.”

00:07:56. “It’s so much harder for someone to say no, this is my bottom line.”

00:12:13. “She didn’t know until closing that she had another $14,000 bill.”

00:24:24. “Number two pinch point... thinking it was going to be 30 days and they ended up being six months.”

00:29:15. “We make it look easy. And I think that’s another problem with the For Sale by Owner.”

Website: sjcbroker.com

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thelyonsgroup4c
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelyonsgroupfourcorners/

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Why Real Estate Forms Are So Complicated

In this episode of The Den from the Lyons Group, the team dives into the surprisingly complex world of real estate contracts and forms. With insights from Ben, Paul, Shannon, and Aspen, you’ll learn how these documents have evolved, why they matter, and what changes are coming. Whether you're buying, selling, or just curious about the backend of real estate, this episode unpacks everything you didn’t know you needed to know about forms, disclosures, and the push for simplicity.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Real estate forms are designed to protect all parties, including agents
• NM and CO forms differ significantly in length and complexity
• The NMAR forms committee constantly updates documents to stay legally current
• Contracts often include outdated or irrelevant sections that confuse clients
• Menu-based contracts are being developed to streamline information
• Redundancy across forms is a major issue being addressed
• Disclosure forms have become overly simplified, losing important detail
• Clients increasingly sign electronically, making full comprehension harder
• Real estate agents play a critical role in educating clients on contracts
• New systems may generate timelines and summaries to enhance clarity

BEST MOMENTS
00:00:02. “Contracts and forms are a critical part of doing real estate business.”
00:01:16. “New Mexico forms are lengthy, they’re wordy, they’re tricky sometimes.”
00:02:56. “I didn’t actually volunteer for it. I was volun-told for it.”
00:05:47. “It has all kinds of information in there that may not be applicable to your house.”
00:09:26. “Not only is it confusing to the consumer… it can become confusing because two years ago the forms were different than they are today.”
00:12:15. “Our contracts have evolved so much. Shannon, what is your take on the way we used to do business?”
00:16:00. “We’ve got to go to the lowest common denominator, which is usually a new broker.”
00:19:25. “We rarely sit down with a client and actually go through every line item detail.”
00:22:17. “Once you have all the dates in there and everything signed, it pops out a calendar for you.”
00:28:23. “You get a tailored and boutique service when you’re looking to buy or sell your property.”

Website: sjcbroker.com

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thelyonsgroup4c
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelyonsgroupfourcorners/

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KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Joe Aubert flew C-17s globally for the Air Force for over a decade
• Farmington's affordability allowed Joe to buy homes for both his family and his mother
• The new aviation program in the Four Corners is a huge opportunity for youth
• Farmington’s close-knit community is a major reason Joe chooses to live there
• Joe’s retirement flight featured a flyover of Farmington and public jet tours
• The area’s affordability gives residents financial flexibility and quality of life
• Farmington’s riverfront has untapped potential for recreation and business
• Regional transportation and walkability remain challenges, especially for elderly and disabled residents
• Economic development is advancing but needs more infrastructure and workforce training
• Joe emphasizes the importance of keeping community values while encouraging smart growth

BEST MOMENTS
00:01:46. “Thank you guys for having me here. I really appreciate your time getting to meet some new friends and hang out with an old friend.”
00:02:22. “I live here in Farmington with my beautiful family, Tiffany and my three kids, Ethan, Emily, and Eliana.”
00:04:41. “I flew globally for eight years, so out of Hawaii at Hickam Air Force Base… then Seattle.”
00:06:16. “I’ve been to probably two-thirds of the countries in the world. I’ve been to every continent.”
00:08:35. “We weren’t allowed to advertise because then there’d be an official event and an air show.”
00:12:19. “The best thing I love about Farmington is that it’s just a very small town, a very tight knit community.”
00:14:58. “The most underutilized resource in this town is the river.”
00:20:12. “Only six percent of San Juan County is privately held, so that was a tough question to answer.”
00:24:20. “I pay a third of what my friends pay in Los Angeles… groceries are less, my taxes are significantly less.”
00:30:34. “Is your wife Tiffany? And it was Alana Nichols. Who grew up here in Farmington.”

Website: sjcbroker.com

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thelyonsgroup4c
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelyonsgroupfourcorners/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLyonsGroupFourCorners

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Produced by APodcastGeek: https://www.apodcastgeek.com

Website: sjcbroker.com

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thelyonsgroup4c
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelyonsgroupfourcorners/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLyonsGroupFourCorners

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Fair Housing Law and Its Impact on Real Estate

Fair housing has been a core principle of real estate for years, but what exactly does it mean for you as a buyer, seller, or real estate professional? In this episode of The Den, join us as we dive into the ins and outs of the Fair Housing Act with real estate experts Paul and Aspen, exploring how it impacts everything from short-term rentals to everyday real estate marketing.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Fair housing has been a pillar in the real estate community for many years.

• The Fair Housing Act, also known as Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, was signed into law by Lyndon B. Johnson.

• The Act lays down the foundation of nondiscriminatory acts in the field of real estate.

• The Fair Housing Act protects against discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability.

• In short term rentals, a host must allow a service animal at no extra charge.

• Under the Fair Housing Act, a service animal is defined as a dog or miniature pony.

• HUD, the Housing and Urban Development, enforces the Fair Housing Act and can issue fines and even prison time for violations.

• The number one complaint to HUD regarding the Fair Housing Act is over disabilities.

• Landlords must make reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities, such as providing a handicap parking space.

• Landlords are not required to pay for extensive accommodations, such as installing an elevator, but a tenant can pay to install a lift to get to the second floor.

BEST MOMENTS:

00:00:20:03. We're a small team of professionals with over 400 million in sales and nearly 2000 successful transactions.

00:01:40:05. When you're advertising for short term rentals, what are the things that you kind of avoid or know that are red flags to say in your marketing that you just don't do because you know, it would violate fair housing?

00:02:20:25. If someone has a service animal, you have to let them bring the service online at no additional charge, no additional fee.

00:04:12:12. If someone asks you to make reasonable accommodations, then you have to let them.

00:06:47:12. You can't say stuff like great Christian neighborhood.

00:07:09:23. Master bedroom, we say primary bedroom.

00:08:52:11. I've been hearing across the country, people want to go back to segregated dorms.

00:10:59:26. You have you can't discriminate on ancestry.

00:12:28:18. Doesn't matter who you identify as, where you came from, what your familial status is, what your age is.

00:14:19:16. I was I was hearing either racist comments or derogatory terms or, you know, and it's a lot of times it's we think about race.

00:15:38:02. It wasn't until the 70s that an Na took, took discrimination out of their code of ethics because up until then, they said you have to follow the social norms, which is redlining and steering and all that kind of stuff, to try to segregate certain people into certain areas.

00:19:38:21. Well, because there could possibly be somebody that's looking to buy that is not walking is, you know, it's bound to a wheelchair or, it doesn't have the capacity with like a disease or a condition that doesn't allow them to walk.

00:24:43:03. Landlord should probably say, hey, let's make something work where you're able and comfortable to be getting in and out of your vehicle to access your unit.

Website: sjc

Website: sjcbroker.com

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thelyonsgroup4c
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelyonsgroupfourcorners/

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A Real Day in the Life of a Realtor

Welcome to The Den, powered by The Lyons Group. In this candid episode, Ben "Easy Street" Lyons, Shannon Martin Martinez, Paul Barry, and Aspen Groen dive deep into what a real estate agent's day truly looks like. Forget what you've seen on HGTV. This is the raw, unfiltered reality of juggling clients, showings, family time, missed opportunities, and the never-ending dance of work-life balance. Whether you’re a seasoned agent or just curious about the hustle, this episode pulls back the curtain.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
• No two days in real estate look the same
• Agents often start and end their days far outside the 9 to 5
• Family time and work constantly battle for priority
• Missed calls can mean missed commissions
• Flexibility and spontaneity are part of the job
• Boundaries are crucial for preventing burnout
• Agents often work from cars, fields, or coffee shops
• Weekends are rarely “off” even if slower
• Having multiple business tracks creates more stability
• The freedom of real estate comes with constant responsibility

BEST MOMENTS
00:01:49. “They think we just kind of show up and show houses... that’s not the reality.”
00:03:46. “Some days are surprisingly quiet and you think, well, I really got my act together.”
00:06:01. “The last conversation needed to end when it needed to end.”
00:07:13. “You wake up unemployed every day and you're out trying to build your business.”
00:08:17. “Let me just sit down, enjoy dinner with my family.”
00:10:05. “I'm in the middle of a field trying to fix irrigation equipment.”
00:14:23. “I have a full day done by the time all you people are getting started.”
00:20:25. “If you can't get an answer to a customer, they might look somewhere else.”

Website: sjcbroker.com

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thelyonsgroup4c
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelyonsgroupfourcorners/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLyonsGroupFourCorners

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Produced by APodcastGeek: https://www.apodcastgeek.com

Website: sjcbroker.com

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thelyonsgroup4c
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelyonsgroupfourcorners/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLyonsGroupFourCorners

Sign up for our newsletter for valuable insights and updates via www.sjcbroker.com too!

This podcast has been brought to you by APodcastGeek. https://www.apodcastgeek.com