The Thoughtful Realtor in Sacramento

🚀 In this episode of the Thoughtful Realtor Podcast in Sacramento, host Meriam Hansen  sits down with Jim Pojda, Branch Manager of the Windermere Sierra Oaks office, to discuss the evolving real estate industry, artificial intelligence, brokerage culture, and what both consumers and new agents need to know to succeed in today’s market. Jim shares his journey from high-tech companies like IBM and Oracle into real estate leadership, his experience navigating the short sale market during the 2008 housing crisis, and how technology and AI are shaping the future of the industry while still preserving the importance of human connection.🎧 Hosted by: Meriam Hansen👤 Guest:🏡 Jim Pojda – Broker Associate & Branch ManagerJim Pojda is a Branch Manager and Broker Associate with Windermere Real Estate with decades of experience in the industry. He previously served as Vice President and Director of Career Development at Compass and Alain Pinel Realtors, focusing on brokerage leadership and agent development.💡 Key Topics Covered:✔️ Artificial intelligence and the future of real estate✔️ The value of relationship-based real estate services✔️ How buyers and sellers can choose the right agent✔️ Building a successful long-term real estate career✔️ Industry trends and predictions for the next five years🎵 Whether you're an investor, agent, or homebuyer, this episode offers valuable insights!💼 Connect with Jim Pojda:🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimpojda📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/jimpojda/🎧 Follow Meriam Hansen:🌐 Website → https://mehansen.windermereca.com/📘 Facebook →https://www.facebook.com/meriam.hansen📸 Instagram → http://www.instagram.com/mhansen_sacramento.realtor/📌 Don’t Forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 & COMMENT 💬 Below!⭐ Produced by Icons of Real Estate - https://iconsofrealestate.com/

🚀 In this episode of The Thoughtful Realtor in Sacramento, we sit down with professional organizer Kim Salisbury of Home Method Company. Kim shares how nearly 20 years in the industry—and her background in psychology—help families navigate the emotional and practical challenges of decluttering, downsizing, and moving. From helping baby boomers transition out of longtime homes to managing full-service concierge moves, Kim reveals how organization isn’t just about space—it’s about mindset, habits, and letting go.🎧 Hosted by: Meriam Hansen👤 Guest:🏡 Kim Salisbury – Professional Organizer & Founder of Home Method CompanyKim Salisbury is a professional organizer and the founder and CEO of Home Method Co. Based in Sacramento and working with clients across the United States, she helps individuals and families create practical systems to organize their homes and reduce everyday clutter. With a background in psychology and extensive experience in the organizing industry, Kim focuses on helping busy households build sustainable habits that bring order and efficiency to their spaces.💡 Key Topics Covered:✔️ Decluttering strategies for real estate success✔️ Emotional challenges of letting go of possessions✔️ The importance of editing before packing✔️ How organizing teams streamline large projects✔️ Simple habits to maintain an organized home🎵 Whether you're an investor, agent, or homebuyer, this episode offers valuable insights!💼 Connect with Kim Salisbury:🌐 Website → https://homemethodco.com/📘 Facebook  → https://www.facebook.com/homemethodco📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/homemethodco💼 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-salisbury-2218a334/🎧 Follow Meriam Hansen:🌐 Website → https://mehansen.windermereca.com/📘 Facebook →https://www.facebook.com/meriam.hansen📸 Instagram → http://www.instagram.com/mhansen_sacramento.realtor/📌 Don’t Forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 & COMMENT 💬 Below!⭐ Produced by Icons of Real Estate - https://iconsofrealestate.com/

🚀 In this episode of the Thoughtful Realtor in Sacramento, host Meriam sits down with Chris Mattix of Notable to discuss how sellers can prepare their homes for the market without financial stress. With nearly three decades of real estate experience, Chris explains the Windermere Ready Program, a powerful solution that allows homeowners to access their equity to fund repairs, staging, and more—without upfront costs or credit impact.🎧 Hosted by: Meriam Hansen👤 Guest:🏡 Chris Mattix – Real Estate Professional & Account Manager at NotableChris Mattix is a real estate professional with over 28 years of industry experience, including 11 years as a Broker and 17 years in real estate sales. He currently serves as an Account Manager with Notable, supporting real estate professionals with financing solutions designed to help move transactions forward.💡 Key Topics Covered:✔️ Presale home preparation and why it matters✔️ Financing repairs with no upfront costs✔️ Risks of selling a home “as-is”✔️ The value of staging and inspections✔️ How sellers can maximize their home’s market value🎵 Whether you're an investor, agent, or homebuyer, this episode offers valuable insights!💼 Connect with Chris Mattix:📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/chrismattix/🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismattix🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/notablefinance🎧 Follow Meriam Hansen:🌐 Website → https://mehansen.windermereca.com/📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/meriam.hansen📸 Instagram → http://www.instagram.com/mhansen_sacramento.realtor/📌 Don’t Forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 & COMMENT 💬 Below!⭐ Produced by Icons of Real Estate - https://iconsofrealestate.com/

🚀 In this episode of The Thoughtful Realtor in Sacramento, we dive deep into 1031 exchanges with expert Russell Marsan. Learn how to legally defer capital gains taxes, reposition your real estate portfolio, and unlock powerful wealth-building strategies. From timelines and common mistakes to retirement planning and passive income options like DSTs, this episode is packed with practical insights for investors at every stage.🎧 Hosted by: Meriam Hansen (The Thoughtful Realtor)👤 Guest:🏡 Russell Marsan – Senior Vice President, IPX Exchange & Qualified Tax IntermediaryRussell Marsan is a Senior Vice President at IPX1031, the nation’s largest Qualified Intermediary. With over 30 years in the 1031 exchange industry, he holds the Certified Exchange Specialist (CES®) designation—earned by fewer than 200 professionals nationwide. An award-winning public speaker, Russell has delivered thousands of presentations across the U.S. for attorneys, CPAs, Realtors, and investors.💡 Key Topics Covered:✔️ How 1031 exchanges defer capital gains taxes✔️ Important timelines and rules to follow✔️ Common pitfalls and how to avoid them✔️ Understanding like-kind property rules✔️ Retirement strategies using DSTs and passive investing🎵 Whether you're an investor, agent, or homebuyer, this episode offers valuable insights!💼 Connect with Russell Marsan:📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/russell.marsan📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/russellmarsan/💼 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-marsan-4a12694/🎧 Follow Meriam Hansen:🌐 Website → https://mehansen.windermereca.com/📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/meriam.hansen📸 Instagram → http://www.instagram.com/mhansen_sacramento.realtor/📌 Don’t Forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 & COMMENT 💬 Below!⭐ Produced by Icons of Real Estate - https://iconsofrealestate.com/

🚀 In this episode of The Thoughtful Realtor in Sacramento, host Meriam Hansen sits down with Eric Benning of Benning Design Construction. Eric shares his journey as a third-generation builder, his philosophy on timeless design, and why quality, integrity, and efficiency drive every project. From mid-century modern transformations to the advantages of design-build, this episode is packed with insights for homeowners and investors alike.🎧 Hosted by: Meriam Hansen👤 Guest:🏡 Eric Benning – Design-Build Contractor & OwnerEric Benning is the founder of Benning Design Construction, a Sacramento-based residential design-build firm specializing in custom renovations and construction projects. The firm provides integrated design and construction services for homeowners throughout the Sacramento region.💡 Key Topics Covered:✔️ Design-build vs traditional construction✔️ Creating efficient and functional layouts✔️ Maintaining quality while scaling a business✔️ Sacramento remodeling trends and mid-century modern homes✔️ Building trust through transparency and integrity🎵 Whether you're an investor, agent, or homebuyer, this episode offers valuable insights!💼 Connect with Eric Benning:🌐 Website → https://www.benningdc.com/📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/benningdesignconstruction🎧 Follow Meriam Hansen:🌐 Website → https://mehansen.windermereca.com/📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/meriam.hansen📸 Instagram → http://www.instagram.com/mhansen_sacramento.realtor/📌 Don’t Forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 & COMMENT 💬 Below!⭐ Produced by Icons of Real Estate - https://iconsofrealestate.com/

🚀 In this episode of The Thoughtful Realtor, Meriam sits down with probate and trust attorney Mark Saakian, Esq., founder of Saakian Law and real estate broker. Mark shares how his background in both real estate and law helps homeowners navigate complex issues like estate planning, probate, trusts, property taxes, and asset protection. They break down why proper planning is critical, how families can avoid costly probate battles, and the key legal mistakes homeowners make when transferring property or adding family members to title.🎧 Hosted by: Meriam Hansen 👤 Guest:🏡 Mark Saakian, Esq. – Probate & Trust Attorney, Founder of Saakian LawMark Saakian is a real estate, title, and estate planning attorney and founder of Saakian Law, APC in the Sacramento region. A California-licensed attorney since 2017, he also brings 16 years of experience as a real estate broker, offering a dual legal and transactional perspective on real estate and estate matters.💡 Key Topics Covered:✔️ Real estate law from a broker and attorney perspective✔️ Probate vs. trusts explained in simple terms✔️ Why estate planning protects families and assets✔️ Property tax and title considerations for homeowners✔️ Avoiding common estate planning and inheritance mistakes🎵 Whether you're an investor, agent, or homebuyer, this episode offers valuable insights!💼 Connect with Mark Saakian:📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581665936791🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-saakian-936a082/🎧 Follow Meriam Hansen:🌐 Website → https://mehansen.windermereca.com/📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/meriam.hansen📸 Instagram → http://www.instagram.com/mhansen_sacramento.realtor/📌 Don’t Forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 & COMMENT 💬 Below!⭐ Produced by Icons of Real Estate - https://iconsofrealestate.com/

🚀 In this inaugural episode, Meriam Hansen introduces The Thoughtful Realtor in Sacramento podcast and explains the philosophy behind her approach to real estate. Drawing from more than 25 years of legal experience, she shares how thoughtful guidance, strategic planning, and clear communication can help buyers, sellers, fiduciaries, and families navigate complex real estate transitions in the Sacramento market. Listeners will learn how this podcast aims to bring clarity to real estate decisions—from downsizing and inherited property sales to negotiation strategy and preparing homes for the market.🎧 Hosted by: Meriam Hansen👤 Guest:🏡 Meriam Hansen – Realtor & Former Attorney💡 Key Topics Covered:✔️ The philosophy behind “thoughtful” real estate✔️ Why many buyers and sellers feel overwhelmed by the process✔️ Navigating probate, trust sales, and inherited properties✔️ Strategic planning for downsizing or upsizing✔️ Creating clarity and confidence in real estate decisions🎵 Whether you're an investor, agent, or homebuyer, this episode offers valuable insights!🎧 Follow Meriam Hansen:🌐 Website → https://mehansen.windermereca.com/📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/meriam.hansen📸 Instagram → http://www.instagram.com/mhansen_sacramento.realtor/📌 Don’t Forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 & COMMENT 💬 Below!⭐ Produced by Icons of Real Estate - https://iconsofrealestate.com/