Deals are falling out of escrow at rates we haven't seen in years and the reasons go deeper than just cold feet.

In this episode of Off the Market, Amirah and Damin break down the main reasons buyers are backing out of home purchases right now...

While referring to a national statistic from Redfin via Keeping Current Matters, we examine the claims through the local lens of the Coachella Valley and dig into what we are actually seeing, boots on the ground. We're talking mold found during inspections, insurance claims that follow a property forever, sellers who can't afford to make repairs, and buyers who are walking away out of pure fear.

Plus, California's updated disclosure laws that all buyers and sellers should be aware of.Amirah also shares one of the more intense escrow stories: a seller who refusing to sell the day of closing, resulting in a lengthy legal battle and a surprising ending you'll have to hear to believe. If you're buying or selling a home in the Coachella Valley - Palm Springs, Palm Desert, or anywhere in the desert cities, this episode is required watching before you sign anything.

🕑 VIDEO CHAPTERS 🕑

00:00 – Welcome Back to Lake La Quinta (shoutout to the homeowners!)

00:40 – The Real Reason Deals Fall Through

05:57 – The Paper Trail: Past Insurance Claims & New Disclosure Laws

20:20 – Cold Feet vs. The Cold Hard Truth: What the Data Says

23:44 – Escrow Limbo: When a Seller Tries to Back Out

26:45 – INSPECTIONS : Final Recommendations

Join us every Thursday for a new episode! Tune in here on Spotify for catch us on Youtube! 📺

Is Airbnb dead in the Coachella Valley? Are multigenerational homes the new normal? And are homes still selling at full price in 2026? We answer all of it in Episode 10 of Off the Market.In this episode Amirah and Damin break down the short term rental market across La Quinta, Palm Springs, and Indio, why more families are buying homes together in 2026, and why buyers are winning deals without offering full price right now.Filmed on location at our lakefront property in Lake La Quinta. CLICK BELOW to see the full listing details:https://www.compass.com/app/listing/78930-V-a-Florence-La-Quinta-CA-92253/2075533367577709825🕑 VIDEO CHAPTERS 🕑00:00 — Welcome to Lake La Quinta!03:16 — Multigenerational Homes on the Rise in 202623:12 — Is Airbnb Dead in the Coachella Valley?33:26 — Why Homes Are Not Selling at Full Price AnymoreJoin us every Thursday for a new episode! Tune in here on Spotify or catch a listen on Youtube 📺

In this episode of OFF THE MARKET, we're picking apart the most recent Housing Report in the Coachella Valley. The good, the bad, and the ugly! We also follow up on our previous conversation around AI in the real estate industry with a few relevant news articles (linked below). 🤖HERE'S THE KEY TOPICS 🔑- Are we officially in a buyer's market? And what that actually means for you- Hyper local difference: Palm Springs down 12.5% vs. Coachella up 10.3% - Florida man used ChatGPT to sell his home- AI in real estate: useful tool or overhyped? Our honest take- Could national transactions drop 50% this year? We get into itWhen we looked at the month's previous Housing Report from our local board, the numbers were telling a different story. A lot can change in just one month. Not just in the real estate industry, but nationally, and even globally. All these socio-economic factors will inevitable impact the housing market, and the market is feeling that pressure in a lot of ways. Lastly, we talked about AI in the real estate industry as a follow up to a previous episode. In that episode, we referenced a story with a potential buyer who was representing themselves through their first home purchase, all guided by ChatGPT. Now we react to a few recent article that has entered the spotlight. The first being a Florida man who used ChatGPT to sell his home for a million dollars. The second is a CEO who took AI's advice over his own legal counsel... NO SPOILERS! Tune in to hear Amirah and Damin's opinion.ARTICLE NUMBER ONE:https://nypost.com/2026/03/23/real-estate/florida-man-used-chatgpt-to-sell-his-home-in-5-days-for-1m/ARTICLE NUMBER TWO:https://www.404media.co/ceo-ignores-lawyers-asks-chatgpt-how-to-void-250-million-contract-loses-terribly-in-court/⏱️ CHAPTERS ⏱️00:00 — Welcome & The 2026 Reality Check01:48 — March Housing Market Numbers Breakdown23:22 — AI in Real Estate (THE FOLLOW UP CONVO): The Florida Man ChatGPT Story37:21 — Could Transactions Drop 50% This Year?JOIN US every Thursday for a new episode and SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss a topic! Tune in here on Spotify or catch us on Youtube 📺

One of the busiest times is here in the desert. The Coachella is sold out, weekend one has wrapped, but what is still in store for locals, homeowners, and the hyper-local economy during weekend two and Stagecoach?

In this episode of Off the Market, Amirah and Damin break down both sides of festival season: the music and the money. 💰

From debating who's going to steal the show (Karol G, Bieber, or Sabrina Carpenter?) to the real economics behind short-term rentals, pool parties, and local vendors, this is the Coachella conversation the influencers don't mention. The team gets candid about why banking on a Coachella rental to cover your mortgage has become a riskier bet than it used to be, how Goldenvoice packaging deals have quietly shifted the local housing market, and which parts of the Coachella Valley actually benefit most.

Whether you own a short-term rental, you're thinking about buying in the desert, or you're just curious what festival season looks like from the inside, this episode is your backstage pass to the local scope.

⏱️ VIDEO CHAPTERS ⏱️

0:00 - Coachella Is Here: Headliners, Hot Takes, and Bieber Fever

17:26 - The Business Side: 250K Attendees and Local Economic Impact

19:48 - Short-Term Rentals and Why Last Year Was a Wake-Up Call

22:44 - What Actually Benefits from Coachella (and What Doesn't Anymore)

Join us every Thursday for a new episode! Tune in here or catch a listen on Youtube and Apple Podcast 🎧

We're welcoming Alex Shelton from loanDepot back for PART 2 and this time we're going rapid fire on the lending questions we hear most commonly from buyers at every stage of the journey. Whether you're saving up, cleaning up your credit, or ready to make a move, this episode has something for you. We're covering how income gets evaluated, what non-QM loans actually are, credit score strategy, and why the conventional lending rules don't apply to everyone.We also get into the stuff people don't usually say out loud - the fear, the embarrassment, and the reasons people put off having the lender conversation way longer than they should. Spoiler: lenders are not judging you. ⏱️VIDEO CHAPTERS⏱️0:00 Welcome Back Alex | Why We Brought Him Back2:02 Self-Employed & 1099 Buyers: How to Qualify for a Loan9:15 Non-QM Loans, Bank Statement Loans, & Cash Strategy15:02 Credit Scores, Debt Payoff Myths & What Lenders Actually Look For21:30 Fear, Embarrassment & Why You Should Talk to a Lender First28:07 Top Do's and Don'ts Before You Apply for a MortgageIf this episode helped you, share it with someone who's been sitting on the sidelines. And if you have questions, drop them in the comments below!We have much more planned ahead so if you enjoyed this series with Alex, consider subscribing to the channel to follow along ❤️ Either way, tune in here on Youtube or catch a listen on Apple Podcast and Spotify every Thursday! 🎧

We sat down with a lender who tells it straight! 🏹In Episode 6, we welcome Alex Shelton from Loan Depot to the Off the Market table for our very first guest episode this season. Alex brings 14 years of residential mortgage experience in the Coachella Valley, and he does not hold back. Follow ALEX on Instagram! 📸https://www.instagram.com/alexshelton_mortgage/--What's Covered In This Episode: 1️⃣ Why your purchasing power may have already changed Interest rates jumped half a point in ten days, and if your lender hasn't called you, that's a problem. Alex explains what's driving the volatility and what needs to happen for rates to stabilize.2️⃣ The negotiation tool most buyers don't know they have Seller credits, mortgage points, and the three levers every buyer can pull to lower their monthly payment without just attacking the purchase price.3️⃣ How to start building a portfolio even if you're not "investor ready" From house hacking to DSCR loans to HELOCs, Alex breaks down the real pathways to a second property depending on where you are financially.--We barely scratched the surface, which means Part 2 is already in the works. Drop your lending questions in the comments and we just might get them answered on the next episode.⏱️ VIDEO CHAPTERS ⏱️0:00 Welcome & Meet Alex Shelton2:24 Why Interest Rates Jumped & What's Actually Moving the Market11:22 Seller Credits, Buying Down Your Rate & The 3 Levers Every Buyer Has30:14 House Hacking, DSCR Loans & How to Start Building a PortfolioJoin us every Thursday for a new episode! Tune in here on Youtube or catch a listen on Apple Podcast and Spotify! 🎧

Stop wasting money on rent... or are you? In this episode of Off the Market, we break down the pros and cons of renting vs. buying in California's unique landscape. From $200k condos in the desert to $4k studios in LA, we discuss how to strategically enter the market and use property to fund your future. What you’ll learn:💪 How Amirah leveraged one primary residence to buy two investment properties🤑 Why your mortgage payment might actually change (Property taxes, HOA, and Insurance) 👑 Is cash still king? A deep dive into current market conditions. ⏱️ VIDEO CHAPTERS ⏱️00:00 Intro: Is Renting Ever Better Than Buying?05:01 The Real Barrier to Homeownership (It's Not What You Think)13:24 The Pros of Renting Nobody Wants to Admit22:18 The Real Cons of Buying & Final ThoughtsJoin us every Thursday for a new episode! Tune in on Youtube or catch a listen on Apple Podcast and Spotify! 🎧

In this episode, we're talking with "resident" guest Damin Halum to break down the reality of the Coachella Valley housing market and tackle the "elephant in the room": Artificial Intelligence. 🤖What is the current reality of artificial intelligence in the real estate industry? Are agents being replaced? Also, is the real estate market finally shifting, or are we stuck in a "wait and see" loop? We dive into why buyers are hesitating (and why a 2008 is unlikely), how to actually use AI as a tool, and the massive price gaps we’re seeing between Zillow "Zestimates" and real-world market value. 📉⏱️ VIDEO CHAPTERS ⏱️00:00 Welcome to Off the Market: Q1 Goals and March Energy01:04 Local Housing Market Update: Buyer Hesitation vs. Moving Listings09:00 Will AI Replace Real Estate Agents?24:02 – The Truth About Zillow & Redfin EstimatesJoin us every Thursday for a new episode! Tune in here on Youtube or catch a listen on Apple Podcast and Spotify! 🎧