PODCAST · business
Keys & Gears
by Bess Dickson; Mark Liesner
Where real estate meets real life. Bess Dickson and Mark Liesner drop the gears behind how to snag the keys, to your dream home, smartest investments and your life well lived. Expect unfiltered insight, expert strategy not typically shared all mixed with a heavy dose of fun.
Episodes
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Why Your Mortgage Payment Will Go Up Every Year (Even With a Fixed Rate)
Do you think your monthly house payment is locked in forever? Think again. In this week's episode of Keys and Gears, hosts Bess Dickson and Mark Liesner break down the hidden costs that catch homebuyers off guard, and explain why your "fixed" mortgage payment is anything but. Only your principal...
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This or That: Design Choices That Look Rich vs. Look Cheap
Are you making cheap home design decisions right now that are going to cost you thousands of dollars down the road? In this week's episode of Keys and Gears, hosts Bess Dickson and Mark Liesner put current home trends to the ultimate test in a brutal round of "This or That."But this isn't just...
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Stop Zillow Scrolling: How to Become a Smart Home Buyer in Texas
In this episode of Keys & Gears, Bess Dickson and Mark Liesner break down the exact steps to transition from an online "point-and-click" dreamer into a highly strategic, smart home buyer. The modern real estate landscape is flooded with endless scrolling, staged social media tours, and loud...
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Home Buying Representation: What Changed, What It Costs, and Why It Matters
In this episode of Keys & Gears, Bess and Mark step into one of the most misunderstood moments in recent real estate history, because the truth they keep returning to is that the changes of August 2024 were never really about a headline or a settlement figure, they were about you and the way you...
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Life Behind the Listing: Passions, Neighborhoods, and Finding Where You Belong
In this episode of Keys & Gears, Bess and Mark step outside the transaction and into something more personal, because the truth they keep returning to is that a home is never just an address or a count of square footage, it is the place where your actual life unfolds. Choosing where to live has…
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Mastering the Texas Real Estate Option Period: A Step-by-Step Guide for Buyers
In this episode of Keys and Gears, Bess Dickson and Mark Liesner break down one of the most misunderstood stretches of the home buying journey, the option period, and they explain exactly what buyers should be doing before, during, and after this critical window. The conversation covers how to…
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You Have 4 Options When Your Appraisal Comes in Low
If your appraisal just came in low and you think the deal is dead, this episode is going to change how you see that moment entirely, because a low appraisal is not the end of the road. It is the beginning of a negotiation, and most buyers do not know they have four distinct options for what to do...
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You Don't Need 20% Down: Down Payment Assistance Programs That Actually Work in 2026
If you have been waiting to buy because you think you need 20% saved, this episode is going to stop you in your tracks, because that belief is one of the most expensive myths in real estate, and it is costing buyers years. In this episode, Bess and Mark break down down payment assistance…
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The $200 Repair That Becomes a $20,000 Problem: 7 Home Maintenance Checks That Save You Thousands
That repair you have been putting off is getting more expensive every single day. In this episode of Keys and Gears, Bess and Mark break down the real cost of delayed home maintenance and walk you through the seven most important checks every homeowner should be doing regularly, from foundation...
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Is It Better to Rent or Buy Right Now? (What Nobody Tells You)
Is it better to rent or buy right now? It's the question keeping thousands of potential homeowners stuck in limbo and in this episode, Bess Dickson and Mark Liesner give you the honest answer. The catch-22 of home buying is real: you're waiting for the right time, the right house, the right…
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The Architect Who Built Her Own Dream Home | Mid-Century Dallas House Tour ft. Paola Mendoza
Step inside 10324 Lake Gardens Drive — a mid-century modern home in Old Lake Highlands, Dallas that was designed by the woman who actually lives in it. Paola Mendoza sits down with Bess and Mark to walk us through every intentional decision, from the layout to the details that make this home…
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Pocketbook Panic: The Bills That Hit After You Close On A House
Everyone knows buying a home means paying a mortgage — but that's just the beginning. In this episode, Bess Dickson and Mark Liesner get into Pocketbook Panic mode and walk through every cost new (and seasoned) homeowners are often blindsided by. Bess breaks down the preventative maintenance...
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How To Save Money by Doing a Home or Self Edit
Your path to homeownership might start with cleaning out your closet. In this episode, Bess and Mark explore how intentional decluttering and downsizing can become a real savings strategy — one that gets you closer to buying your first home or investing in a second one. The stuff we accumulate...
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The Hidden Truth About Social Media’s Influence on Choosing a Real Estate Agent
Most people choose their real estate and lending professionals based on social media followers or the compliments they get. But what if the key to finding the best agent or lender isn’t how they look online—but how they truly serve you? In this episode, Bess Dickson and Mark Liesner strip away…
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Selling Your Home: Key Strategies
In this conversation, Bess Dickson and Mark Liesner discuss essential strategies for home sellers looking to sell in 2026. They emphasize the importance of understanding individual timelines, the necessity of renovations, and the overall selling process. The duo also highlights the significance…
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2026 Housing Trends & How to Get the Most Bang for Your Buck
In today’s housing market, the word affordable doesn’t mean what most buyers think it does. In this episode of Keys & Gears, we break down why affordability is often misunderstood and how smart buyers are reframing their strategy in 2026. Bess Dickson and Mark Liesner unpack the real tension...
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Is Your Lifestyle Preventing You from Buying a Home?
Is your lifestyle helping—or quietly delaying—your path to homeownership? In this episode of Keys & Gears, hosts Bess Dickson and Mark Liesner talk about the real-life tradeoffs that come with buying your first home. From everyday spending habits to long-term goals, they unpack how small…
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Your DTI Is the Problem
Debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is one of the most important numbers in the home-buying process — and one of the least understood. In this episode of Keys & Gears, we break down how DTI really works, why lenders rely on it so heavily, and how it can stop a deal before it ever begins. We explain what...
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Credit Preparation Most People Overlook Before Trying to Buy
Most people think buying a home starts when they find the right house. It doesn’t. It starts with preparation understanding your credit, knowing what lenders look for, and getting clear on what “ready” actually means. In this episode, Bess Dickson & Mark Liesner walk through the pre-approval...
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Down Payments Explained: How Much You Really Need to Buy a Home
Confused about down payments? You’re not alone. This episode breaks down how down payments really work, how much you actually need, and the options buyers have today especially if you’re a first-time homebuyer. This is clear guidance to help you move forward with confidence.
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The Loan Entry Point: What You Need to Do Before Getting Pre-Approved
Before you get pre-approved, there are specific financial steps that can dramatically increase your chances of securing a loan. In this episode, Bess and Mark break down the do’s and don’ts of credit, documents, savings, and employment so you can avoid delays and move toward homeownership with...
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Should You Buy Now or Wait? The Real Truth Behind Timing the Market
Should you buy a home now or wait for rates to drop? In this episode, Bess and Mark break down the real forces driving today’s market — population growth, job expansion, inflation, and demand — and why timing the housing market is as difficult as timing the stock market. We walk through three…
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What To Do After Your Home Inspection (Step-By-Step Guide for Buyers)
In this episode, Bess Dickson & Mark Liesner break down the exact next steps for buyers after receiving the home inspection report so you can make smart, calm, strategic decisions. What You’ll Learn: ✔️ Why you should ALWAYS “sleep on it” before deciding ✔️ How to create a negotiation plan with...
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How to Read A Home Inspection Report
In this episode, Mark Liesner & Bess Dickson break down the exact things you should look for during your home walk-through and how to read your inspection report without getting overwhelmed. We cover the four main sections of every inspection report: • Structural Systems (foundation, roof,...
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What to Do During a Home Inspection — 3 Tips Every Buyer Needs
The home inspection is one of the most important — and most misunderstood — steps in the home-buying process. In this episode, Mark Liesner & Bess Dickson share three simple but powerful tips to help you approach the inspection with confidence and clarity. You’ll learn why it matters to respect...
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What to Expect in a Home Inspection — Complete Buyer Guide
Most buyers fear the home inspection — but understanding what’s actually happening can turn fear into confidence. In this episode, Bess Dickson and Mark Liesner share a clear, practical guide to what you should expect during a home inspection so you can make informed decisions about your…
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How to Pick a Great Home Inspector — What Buyers Should Look For
Choosing the right home inspector can make or break how confident you feel about your home purchase. In this episode, Bess Dickson and Mark Liesner walk through the exact qualities, qualifications, and communication style you should look for when selecting a home inspector. You’ll learn why...
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Energy Bill Shock — How to Calculate Your Home’s True Cost of Ownership
If you’ve ever wondered why your electric bill is so high — or how much it truly costs to own a home — this episode is essential. Mark Liesner and Bess Dickson break down the hidden energy drains that drive up your monthly expenses and show you how to calculate your home’s real operating costs....
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How Much to Save for Home Repairs — The Home Emergency Fund Every Buyer Needs
Most homeowners plan for their mortgage. Few plan for the repairs. In this episode of Keys & Gears, Mark Liesner and Bess Dickson break down the financial systems every homeowner needs to avoid going into debt when sudden repairs happen. Mark explains the 1% Rule — the essential formula for...
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Special Assessments & HOA Fees — Hidden Condo Costs Buyers Must Know
Condo ownership comes with more than just monthly fees. In this episode of Keys & Gears, Bess Dickson and Mark Liesner break down the hidden financial dangers that many buyers overlook — especially special assessments. You’ll learn what special assessments really are, why they happen, and how…
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How to Investigate an HOA Before Buying — Red Flags Every Buyer Must Know
Buying into an HOA comes with financial obligations, legal considerations, and long-term implications for your resale value — which is why doing proper due diligence is essential. In this episode, Bess Dickson and Mark Liesner break down the exact checks buyers should perform before buying an HOA...
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6 HOA Questions Every Homebuyer Must Ask — Red Flags & Rules Explained
Buying in an HOA community comes with rules, financial responsibilities, and potential red flags — which is why asking the right questions upfront is essential. In this episode of Keys & Gears, Bess Dickson and Mark Liesner walk you through the six most important questions every homebuyer must…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Where real estate meets real life. Bess Dickson and Mark Liesner drop the gears behind how to snag the keys, to your dream home, smartest investments and your life well lived. Expect unfiltered insight, expert strategy not typically shared all mixed with a heavy dose of fun.
HOSTED BY
Bess Dickson; Mark Liesner
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Keys & Gears have?
Keys & Gears currently has 32 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Keys & Gears about?
Where real estate meets real life. Bess Dickson and Mark Liesner drop the gears behind how to snag the keys, to your dream home, smartest investments and your life well lived. Expect unfiltered insight, expert strategy not typically shared all mixed with a heavy dose of fun.
How often does Keys & Gears release new episodes?
Keys & Gears has 32 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Keys & Gears?
You can listen to Keys & Gears on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Keys & Gears?
Keys & Gears is created and hosted by Bess Dickson; Mark Liesner.
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