Katie and Ben break down the current housing market headlines, from 7.5% mortgage rates to a slowdown in national builder sentiment, and share what Berks Homes is doing in response.

They cover the forces behind the slowdown, rising construction costs, oil prices, resumed student loan payments, and election year hesitation, and explain how today’s market differs from the 2008 crash.

The conversation centers on their strategy: controlling what can be controlled, working with trade partners and land developers on costs, adjusting product where it makes sense, and leading with patience and a clear mindset.

Contact Katie or Ben if you have any questions or feedback.

kdetwiler@berkshomes.com

bhorning@berkshomes.com

Recorded inside the Beacon Pointe model home at Hickory Pointe in Waynesboro, host Brandon talks with Ian Matsko-Entzel, a New Homes Sales Consultant who has been with Berks Homes for over nine years.

Ian explains why he sees his role as selling life improvements rather than just homes, and how he builds trust differently with first-time buyers, step-up buyers, and down-sizers by taking time to listen and educate rather than push the sale.

He walks through how he helps buyers choose the right homesite and selections without overwhelming them, clears up common financial misconceptions like the belief that 20 percent down is required, and shares moving stories of families buying their first home, including one where two sisters surprised their parents with a home of their own.

The conversation closes on what sets the Berks Homes sales experience apart: a family owned culture built on genuine care, trust, and customer service rather than a transactional sales pitch.

Contact Katie or Ben if you have any questions or feedback.

kdetwiler@berkshomes.com

bhorning@berkshomes.com

Learn more at https://www.berkshomes.com

Ben talks with Bryan Entrekin, who leads the On Your Land division at Berks Homes, about what it really takes to build a home on a Homeowner's own piece of land.

Bryan traces his path from resale real estate to 20 plus years at Berks, and breaks down the difference between On Your Land builds and select sites, small investment opportunities of three lots or fewer.

He walks through the hidden costs buyers rarely anticipate, from clearing wooded lots and drilling wells to utility tie ins that can run tens of thousands of dollars, and explains why getting a professional involved before buying land can save buyers from costly surprises.

The conversation closes on the value of communication, patience, and honest expectations, along with lessons from the 2008 downturn that still shape how the team approaches today's shifting market.

Contact Katie or Ben if you have any questions or feedback.

kdetwiler@berkshomes.com

bhorning@berkshomes.com

Learn more at https://www.berkshomes.com