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.
Are You Using the Wrong Loan for Your Rental Property?
Vikki Grodner talks with Jeff Welgan, VP of Investor Lending at Blueprint Home Loans, about how investors finance rental properties in college towns using strategies like DSCR loans, primary residence loans for students, and cash-flow focused lending.
26 Feb 2026
A Family Affair: How Grandparents Helped Buy College Housing at the University of Alabama
Should you rent or buy for your college student?
In this episode, a multi-generational family shares why they purchased a townhome near the University of Alabama instead of renting. From walkability and safety to long-term investment strategy and adding their student to the deed at 19, this conversation provides a practical blueprint for parents exploring Tuscaloosa real estate.
19 Feb 2026
The Biggest Myth Keeping You From Buying a Home
Think you have to wait years before buying a home? In this episode, we break down why young professionals may be closer to homeownership than they realize — and how the right agent network changes everything. If fear or confusion has been holding you back, this conversation will give you clarity and confidence.
12 Feb 2026
How to Buy Real Estate With Your IRA | College-Town Investing Strategy for Parents & Investors
Parents and investors are using self-directed IRAs to purchase college-town real estate in Tuscaloosa and beyond. In this episode, we explain how it works, what the IRS allows, and how to structure these purchases properly. If you’re considering buying near the University of Alabama, this strategy may change how you think about retirement investing.
12 Feb 2026
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
5 Feb 2026
LLC vs Personal Name: How Parents Should Buy College Real Estate
An attorney explains when and why parents should use an LLC when buying college real estate—and what to avoid before closing.
18 Dec 2025
College Real Estate Investing in Major Metro College Towns: When Parents Should Buy Instead of Rent
In this episode of The College Real Estate Coach, host Vikki Grodner talks with Jeff Wu, a Keller Williams agent in the Washington DC–Virginia–Maryland market, about how college real estate investing works in major metro areas. They discuss when it makes sense for parents to buy instead of rent for college housing, how investors think about appreciation versus cash flow, and why factors like job centers, hospitals, and local regulations often matter just as much as the university itself. This episode offers practical insight for parents and investors considering college-town real estate in big-city markets.
11 Dec 2025
The New Frontier of College-Town Investing: Modular Homes, Tiny Homes & ADUs
Discover how modular homes, ADUs, tiny homes, and off-site construction are reshaping college-town real estate. In this episode, host Vikki Grodner interviews Stratton Tingle of Wind River Built to break down why faster build times, zoning-friendly designs, and small-footprint living are creating new opportunities for parents and investors in university markets like Tuscaloosa (UA), Birmingham (UAB), and Auburn.
Whether you’re buying for your student, adding a rental, or exploring land + build options, this episode shows how off-site construction can deliver speed, quality, and long-term equity in competitive college towns.
4 Dec 2025
Atlanta College-Town Investing: Insider Strategies Near Georgia Tech, Emory & Georgia State with Michael Hickman
Atlanta’s college-town market is unlike any other, and Michael Hickman breaks down exactly where smart buyers should invest near Georgia Tech, Emory, and Georgia State. In this episode, Vikki Grodner uncovers the neighborhoods, trends, and strategies driving today’s strongest opportunities for parents and investors.
31 Jul 2025
Auburn Real Estate Secrets: How Parents & Investors Score Big
Discover why Auburn University real estate is one of the hottest opportunities for parents, investors, and college-town buyers.
In this episode of The College Real Estate Coach Podcast, host Vikki Grodner talks with Auburn Realtor Daniel Blessing about the Auburn, Alabama real estate market—and why so many families, alumni, and investors are buying here.
✅ You’ll learn about:
• Auburn condos for students – and why they’re in high demand
• Game day homes and rentals – how parents are turning football weekends into smart investments
• The student housing market near Auburn University and what’s driving prices
• How Auburn’s “feels like home” small-town charm impacts real estate decisions
• Investment strategies for parents and buyers looking at college-town properties
Whether you’re a parent buying a condo for your student, an investor seeking game day rental income, or just curious about Auburn University real estate, this episode gives you the insights you need to invest smart.
🎧 Subscribe to The College Real Estate Coach Podcast for weekly episodes on college town investing, student housing, game day rentals, and real estate strategies that build wealth.
24 Jul 2025
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.
11 Jul 2025
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
11 Jul 2025
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
10 Jul 2025
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.
10 Jul 2025
From Game Days to Pay Days: College Town Investing with Ryan Winzenburg
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
10 Jul 2025
I Bought My First Home in College—Here's What That Did for My Life After Graduation
🎓💰 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
10 Jul 2025
Why College Towns Are a Hidden Real Estate Goldmine (Parents, Students & Investors—Listen Up!)💰🏡
College towns = big opportunities. 🏡 Whether you're a parent, student, or real estate investor, this episode uncovers why college towns are some of the hottest places in the country to invest. From skyrocketing rental demand to game day income potential, we break down how to turn campus life into long-term cash flow.
🎓 In this kickoff episode of The College Real Estate Coach, we cover:
Why student housing shortages create big opportunities
How parents can turn student rent into equity
Why Tuscaloosa was named the #1 college town to invest in real estate
How game day weekends can mean $3,000+/night in rental income
The rise of short-term rentals near major universities
Real stories of investors, parents & students who are building wealth in college towns
This episode sets the stage for the entire series—your playbook for smart investing in vibrant university communities. Don’t miss it.
🔔 Hit Subscribe for weekly episodes with real estate pros, students, financial experts, and more.
Want to learn how you can capitalize on real estate in a college town? Contact us today! Vikki Grodner - 205.422.9713
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