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This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.

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Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

Be a Smarter Homeowner

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by Beth Dodson and John Bodrozic

5.0(8 reviews)

58 episodes

Updated Daily

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Podcast Overview

Welcome to Be a Smarter Homeowner podcast, where hosts, Beth Dodson and John Bodrozic are dedicated to helping you save money and get organized while managing, maintaining, protecting, improving, and eventually buying or selling your largest financial asset and biggest expense, your home. Discover how easy it is to be a smarter homeowner. Having worked with homeowners for over 20 years, your co-hosts are two of the three co-founders of HomeZada, a digital home management software platform that helps you to manage everything about your home in one digital place. Episodes of Be a Smarter Homeowner Podcast will feature John and Beth as they explore all the different aspects you need to know while owning a home; from home maintenance, home improvement projects, tracking your home finances, storing important documents, to creating a home inventory. With a focus on the financial impacts all of these things have on your home's value and the expense to own it, turn the complexities of homeownership into solutions that will make your life easy and stress free. Being a homeowner can be costly and frustrating if you're not in the know. How do you know what maintenance tasks to do and when? Most homeowners forget or don't know what to do which ends up costing you more money in repair and energy costs. Do you understand your insurance policy? Save your wallet and home from taking a hit. Make sure you have the coverage for your belongings, with the liability protection you need. Love DIY and home improvement? Plan and manage all your remodel, landscaping, and design projects. Discover how to hire contractors, stay on budget, track your costs, and save information for future tax, insurance, and resale purposes. What financial info should you know? Stay in control and up to date on various financial metrics such as home values, mortgage balance, home equity, household expenses, completed projects and maintenance costs. Where are your home documents? More disasters like wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and house fires cause home damage and destruction. Learn the value of having a home inventory using photos, videos, and documents of your home and your personal property. Looking to buy an investment or rental property or vacation home? Discover important strategies on how to manage multiple homes by staying organized and in control. Intimidated by being a first time homeowner? You're excited for your new home, but now what? Accelerate your knowledge on what it takes to manage your home and avoid costly mistakes. How to get top dollar when selling your home? Get insights into current market conditions for your home and strategies you can take with your real estate agent to market your home. Planning for retirement? Get prepared with financial planning on your home equity and even include estate management plans on how to disperse your home and your assets to your heirs. Have an aging parent? Get information on downsizing or aging in place and more data on how to remotely manage your elderly parents' home for them. The podcast will feature experts in the industry. And with your home likely being one of the largest purchases of your lifetime, these experts will keep you informed, offer you tips and tricks, and weigh in on the risks and benefits of all things related to homeownership.

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Recent Episodes

July 13, 2026

How HomeZada Helps Homeowners Plan Before Things Break

Show Notes In this episode of Be a Smarter Homeowner, host Beth Dodson is joined by co-host and HomeZada co-founder John Bodrozic to discuss one of the biggest financial blind spots in homeownership: major replacement costs. Most homeowners think about the fun and visible parts of owning a home, such as decorating, remodeling, entertaining, and creating a beautiful space for family and friends. But many do not plan for the systems and materials that make the home function every day, including the roof, HVAC system, water heater, windows, siding, appliances, garage doors, exterior paint, and other major assets. Beth and John explain why these costs often come as expensive surprises, especially when something breaks during peak usage season. They discuss how homeowners can move from reacting to planning by understanding the useful life of key home components and creating a forecast for future replacement costs. John also introduces HomeZada's property-specific replacement cost forecasting feature, which uses property data, home age, square footage, location, and AI to estimate when major home assets may need to be replaced and how much homeowners may need to budget. This episode is especially valuable for homeowners who want to avoid costly surprises, make smarter financial decisions, protect their largest asset, and understand whether future replacement costs may even influence decisions about staying in or selling a home. Episode Summary Owning a home comes with joy, comfort, and convenience, but it also comes with future expenses many people forget to plan for. In this episode, Beth Dodson and John Bodrozic talk about the hidden costs of homeownership and why so many homeowners are caught off guard when a roof leaks, an HVAC system fails, a water heater stops working, or a garage door spring breaks. John explains that every home is made up of building materials, equipment, systems, appliances, and fixtures that all have a useful life. Even with good maintenance, these items eventually wear out. The challenge is that most homeowners either keep this information loosely in their heads or do not think about it at all until something fails. Beth and John discuss the financial and emotional stress that comes with unexpected repairs, especially when the replacement is urgent. They also explain how lack of planning can force homeowners to use savings meant for vacations, remodeling projects, college costs, medical expenses, or other priorities. The episode highlights how HomeZada helps homeowners create a clear, property-specific forecast of major replacement costs so they can plan ahead. By understanding what may need to be replaced, when it may need to happen, and approximately how much it may cost, homeowners can make better financial decisions and avoid costly surprises. Key Takeaways <ul> <li>Most homeowners do not plan for the biggest costs of owning a home until something breaks.</li> <li>Major home assets include the roof, HVAC system, water heater, windows, siding, appliances, garage doors, exterior paint, and other systems.</li> <li>Every major component of a home has a useful life.</li> <li>Unexpected repairs often become urgent because they affect daily comfort and convenience.</li> <li>Roof and HVAC replacements are often among the most expensive and surprising homeownership costs.</li> <li>Home inspections are helpful, but they usually do not provide a full replacement cost forecast.</li> <li>Many homeowners either keep home asset information in their heads or do not track it at all.</li> <li>Preventative maintenance can help extend the life of major systems and equipment.</li> <li>Replacement cost forecasting can help homeowners decide whether to save, repair, replace, remodel, stay, or sell.</li> <li>HomeZada helps homeowners create a structured, property-specific forecast so they can plan instead of react.</li> </ul> Chapters 00:40 Planning for Homeownership Costs 03:53 Understanding Major Home Replacements 06:39 The Consequences of Unplanned Repairs 09:42 Homeowner Awareness and Preparedness 12:43 The Role of Home Inspections 15:40 The Importance of Forecasting Home Maintenance 18:43 Empowering Homeowners with Information 24:56 Understanding Asset Replacement Forecasting 28:52 Financial Planning for Homeowners 31:10 Personalized Data for Home Maintenance 34:49 The Importance of Preventative Maintenance 40:11 Creating a Structured Data Set for Homeowners

June 17, 2026

A Smarter Way to Update Your Kitchen

Show Notes In this episode of Be a Smarter Homeowner, host Beth Dodson talks with Christopher Seman from N-Hance, a company helping homeowners rethink kitchen and cabinet updates. Instead of assuming every outdated kitchen requires a full demolition, Chris explains how cabinet renewal, refinishing, resurfacing, and replacement door fronts can create a dramatic transformation with less cost, less disruption, and a much faster turnaround. Beth and Chris discuss why cabinets are often the first thing people notice in a kitchen, how open floor plans have made kitchen style even more important, and why homeowners should think carefully about whether they are updating for themselves or preparing a home for resale. They also cover current cabinet trends, including the return of natural wood, warmer creams and beiges, bold colors like deep blues and charcoal, and even retro-inspired tones like avocado green and buttery yellow. Chris explains how N-Hance can help homeowners refresh cabinets in as little as three to five days once the project begins, compared to the eight to twelve weeks often required for a full kitchen remodel. They also discuss how cabinet updates can be a smart option for new homeowners, rental property owners, senior living communities, and anyone who wants a high-impact update without committing to a major renovation. Episode Summary Updating a kitchen does not always mean tearing everything out and starting from scratch. In this episode, Beth Dodson speaks with Christopher Seman of N-Hance about smarter, faster, and more affordable ways to update cabinets and transform the look of a kitchen. Chris explains that many homeowners already have functional cabinet boxes and layouts, which means they may not need a full remodel. Instead, changing cabinet color, renewing wood, updating door fronts, replacing hardware, or adding soft-close hinges can create the feeling of a new kitchen without the cost and disruption of a complete renovation. The conversation explores how kitchen trends are shifting away from all-white spaces and toward more personality, natural wood, warmer neutrals, and bold colors. Beth and Chris also talk about the emotional and practical side of remodeling, including how disruption affects family life and why speed matters. For homeowners planning to sell, Chris explains that smaller cabinet updates may offer stronger return-on-investment potential than large luxury remodels. For those planning to stay, he encourages people to have fun, personalize their kitchen, and make choices that fit how they actually want to live. Key Takeaways <ul> <li class="MsoNormal">Cabinet updates can dramatically change the look of a kitchen without requiring a full remodel.</li> <li class="MsoNormal">A full kitchen remodel may take eight to twelve weeks, while many cabinet renewal projects can be completed in three to five days.</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Cabinets matter because they take up a large visual portion of the kitchen and often define the style of the space.</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Homeowners should first decide whether they are updating for personal enjoyment or resale value.</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Natural wood, creams, beiges, deep blues, charcoal, and retro-inspired colors are gaining popularity.</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Lighter cabinet colors can help make a kitchen feel larger.</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Cabinet renewal can be especially helpful for new homeowners trying to prioritize multiple projects.</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Rental property owners may benefit from fast cabinet refreshes because speed reduces vacancy time.</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Senior living communities and high-use spaces may also benefit from durable cabinet coatings.</li> <li class="MsoNormal">A kitchen update does not have to be permanent; cabinet colors can be changed again later at a lower cost than a full remodel.</li> </ul> Chapters 00:40 Introduction to Kitchen Upgrades 03:40 The Importance of Cabinets in Kitchen Design 06:25 Speed and Efficiency of Cabinet Resurfacing 09:32 Current Trends in Kitchen Cabinet Design 12:35 Cost Comparison: Resurfacing vs. Full Remodel 15:32 Return on Investment for Kitchen Updates 18:43 Enhance's Solutions for Rental Properties 21:40 Personalization and Flexibility in Kitchen Design 24:40 Conclusion and Resources for Homeowners

June 11, 2026

The Smart Homeowner's Guide to Tax Deductions

Show Notes In this episode of Be a Smarter Homeowner, host Beth Dodson sits down with Craig Sheets, founder of Crestville Accounting, to unpack one of the most misunderstood parts of homeownership: taxes. Craig brings nearly 25 years of senior-level accounting experience and helps individuals and business owners not only stay compliant, but also make smarter financial decisions throughout the year. Together, Beth and Craig discuss how homeowners can better understand deductions, tax planning, rental property rules, renovation records, mortgage interest, inherited homes, and the importance of working with a knowledgeable CPA. This conversation covers practical tax considerations for both primary residences and rental properties, including the difference between repairs and capital improvements, how renovations can affect your cost basis, what rental property owners should know about depreciation, and why keeping detailed records can make a major difference when it is time to file taxes or sell a home. Topics covered include: Homeowner tax myths, Schedule A deductions, sales tax deductions, mortgage interest, real estate taxes, rental property deductions, cost segregation, depreciation, repairs versus renovations, capital improvements, tax basis, inherited homes, revocable and irrevocable trusts, energy-efficiency tax credits, and why planning with your CPA matters. Important note: This episode is for educational purposes only. Tax laws and individual situations vary, so homeowners should consult their own CPA, accountant, or financial advisor before making tax decisions. Episode Summary Your home is often your largest financial asset, but many homeowners do not fully understand how it connects to their tax strategy. In this episode, Beth Dodson talks with CPA Craig Sheets about the deductions, credits, planning opportunities, and recordkeeping habits homeowners should know. Craig explains why tax planning should happen year-round, not just during filing season. He discusses how homeowners may be able to deduct certain taxes, mortgage interest, sales tax on qualifying renovations, and energy-efficient upgrades. He also breaks down the difference between a repair and a renovation, explaining why that distinction matters for tax purposes. For rental property owners, Craig goes deeper into depreciation, cost segregation, active versus passive management, possible travel and business-related deductions, and the importance of understanding how a property is owned. Beth and Craig also explore how renovations can affect a home's tax basis and why detailed project records can help homeowners reduce potential capital gains later. The episode closes with practical advice: keep receipts, track home improvements, document energy-efficient upgrades, communicate with your CPA before major projects, and treat your home like the financial asset it is. Key Takeaways <ul> <li class="MsoNormal">Homeowners may miss deductions simply because they do not know what to track.</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Repairs and renovations are treated differently for tax purposes.</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Rental property ownership comes with additional rules, deductions, and planning opportunities.</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Cost segregation may help rental property owners accelerate depreciation.</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Home improvements can increase your tax basis, which may matter when you sell.</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Mortgage interest can be part of an itemized deduction strategy.</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Energy-efficient upgrades may qualify for tax credits, which can be more powerful than deductions.</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Inherited homes and trusts can create tax consequences that should be planned carefully.</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Good recordkeeping can save homeowners money.</li> <li class="MsoNormal">The best tax strategy usually begins before the project, purchase, sale, or filing deadline.</li> </ul> Chapters 00:40 Understanding Homeownership and Taxes 01:52 Myths and Misconceptions in Home Taxation 05:40 Deductions for Home Renovations 10:42 Navigating Rental Property Deductions 15:38 The Importance of Active Management in Rentals 20:35 Repairs vs. Capital Improvements 22:24 Understanding Repairs vs. Renovations 24:25 Appliances and Their Tax Implications 27:29 The Impact of Renovations on Capital Gains 32:10 Tax Basis and Renovations Explained 36:18 Living in Your Home: Tax Implications 39:47 Mortgage Interest Deductions: A Double-Edged Sword 41:24 Understanding Mortgage Interest Deductions 42:56 The Benefits of Homeownership 44:41 Renovations and Their Impact on Home Value 48:19 Inheriting a Home: Key Considerations 53:36 Tax Tips for Homeowners

58 total episodes available

Recent guests on Be a Smarter Homeowner

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Beth Dodson

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John Bodrozic

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ELIZABETH DODSON

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Jill Elliott

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Frequently asked questions

Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

What is Be a Smarter Homeowner?: Welcome to Be a Smarter Homeowner podcast, where hosts, Beth Dodson and John Bodrozic are dedicated to helping you save money and get organized while managing, maintaining, protecting, improving, and eventually buying or selling your largest financial asset and biggest expense, your home.

Discover how easy it is to be a smarter homeowner.

Having worked with homeowners for over 20 years, your co-hosts are two of the three co-founders of HomeZada, a digital home management software platform that helps you to manage everything about your home in one digital place.

Episodes of Be a Smarter Homeowner Podcast will feature John and Beth as they explore all the different aspects you need to know while owning a home; from home maintenance, home improvement projects, tracking your home finances, storing important documents, to creating a home inventory. With a focus on the financial impacts all of these things have on your home's value and the expense to own it, turn the complexities of homeownership into solutions that will make your life easy and stress free.

Being a homeowner can be costly and frustrating if you're not in the know.

How do you know what maintenance tasks to do and when? Most homeowners forget or don't know what to do which ends up costing you more money in repair and energy costs.

Do you understand your insurance policy? Save your wallet and home from taking a hit. Make sure you have the coverage for your belongings, with the liability protection you need.

Love DIY and home improvement? Plan and manage all your remodel, landscaping, and design projects. Discover how to hire contractors, stay on budget, track your costs, and save information for future tax, insurance, and resale purposes.

What financial info should you know? Stay in control and up to date on various financial metrics such as home values, mortgage balance, home equity, household expenses, completed projects and maintenance costs.

Where are your home documents? More disasters like wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and house fires cause home damage and destruction. Learn the value of having a home inventory using photos, videos, and documents of your home and your personal property.

Looking to buy an investment or rental property or vacation home? Discover important strategies on how to manage multiple homes by staying organized and in control.

Intimidated by being a first time homeowner? You're excited for your new home, but now what? Accelerate your knowledge on what it takes to manage your home and avoid costly mistakes.

How to get top dollar when selling your home? Get insights into current market conditions for your home and strategies you can take with your real estate agent to market your home.

Planning for retirement? Get prepared with financial planning on your home equity and even include estate management plans on how to disperse your home and your assets to your heirs.

Have an aging parent? Get information on downsizing or aging in place and more data on how to remotely manage your elderly parents' home for them.

The podcast will feature experts in the industry. And with your home likely being one of the largest purchases of your lifetime, these experts will keep you informed, offer you tips and tricks, and weigh in on the risks and benefits of all things related to homeownership.
How often does this podcast release new episodes?: This podcast updates daily.
Where can I listen to this podcast?: This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
Does this podcast accept guests?: Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

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