The Open House Podcast: Where Women Talk Real Estate

How Community Led to Buying Land Overseas with O'Licia Parker-Smith

The Open House Education Community is officially open from November 12th-22nd, and we’re so excited to welcome you! If you’ve been waiting for the perfect opportunity to dive into real estate investing with the support of an incredible group of women, now is your chance. Our community on Circle is all about organic connections—whether you’re looking to partner on a property, learn from experienced investors, or just get inspired by others’ creative real estate strategies. LINK TO JOIN. In this episode of the Open House Podcast, host Kristina Modares interviews O'Licia Parker-Smith, who shares her inspiring journey from house hacking her first property to purchasing land in Ghana. The conversation highlights the challenges and triumphs of navigating the real estate landscape, particularly for women, and emphasizes the value of collaboration and mentorship in achieving success. O'Licia, discusses the challenges and learning opportunities that come with investing internationally and emphasizes the value of collaboration and support among women in the industry.Chapters00:00 Introduction to O'Licia's Journey03:09 Building a Supportive Community for Women in Real Estate04:32 O'Licia's Background and Move to Texas05:50 First Property Purchase: The Sneaky Duplex11:39 Creative Financing and Family Support17:29 Managing Tenants and Property Management Insights23:49 Transitioning from Homeowner to Investor24:59 Building Confidence as a Landlord25:52 Exploring New Opportunities in Real Estate27:02 Investing in Ghana: A Unique Experience30:30 Navigating International Real Estate Transactions34:08 Long-Term Plans for the Ghanaian Land39:32 Overcoming Fear in Real Estate Investments46:07 The Importance of Community in Real EstateGet in TouchComments, suggestions or feedback? Email Kristina at kristina@openhouseeducation.comHere is our new Instagram account! It needs some love, please follow :) Check out our new website!If you know of any ladies I should connect with about this new venture for potential partnerships, please send them my way.   Email us! 

House Hacking My Dream Neighborhood: Making $4K with a Duplex

Today’s the day! The Open House Education Community is officially open from November 12th-22nd, and we’re so excited to welcome you! If you’ve been waiting for the perfect opportunity to dive into real estate investing with the support of an incredible group of women, now is your chance. Our community on Circle is all about organic connections—whether you’re looking to partner on a property, learn from experienced investors, or just get inspired by others’ creative real estate strategies. LINK TO JOIN. With membership at only $84 for the quarter or $255 for the year, you’ll gain access to exclusive live events, recorded trainings, a searchable member directory, and resources on everything from house hacking to buying homes with friends. This is the place where your “what if” conversations turn into real action, surrounded by women who are eager to collaborate and grow alongside you.Doors close on November 22nd, and we won’t open again until mid-to-late 2025.  We can’t wait to have you in the community!!!LINK TO JOIN Kristina speaks with community member, Alison, about her journey into real estate and focusing on the benefits of house hacking through duplex ownership. Alison shares her personal experiences, including how she transitioned from a corporate job to becoming a realtor, the advantages of buying a duplex as a first property, and her strategies for maximizing rental income. The conversation touches on how "Fortune favors the bold" and the importance of national community support for women in real estate. Keep Up with Alison's real estate journey at heathcotehomes.comChapters00:00 Introduction to House Hacking and Community Building04:05 Alison's Journey: From Corporate to Real Estate05:58 The Benefits of Buying a Duplex11:39 Finding the Perfect Property15:01 Maximizing Rental Income: Short-Term vs. Mid-Term Rentals21:10 Overcoming Challenges in Real Estate Investment25:50 Future Plans and Community ImpactGet in TouchComments, suggestions or feedback? Email Kristina at kristina@openhouseeducation.comHere is our new Instagram account! It needs some love, please follow :) Check out our new website!If you know of any ladies I should connect with about this new venture for potential partnerships, please send them my way.   Email us! 

How I Made $22,000 From My Guest Room: The Sneaky Duplex Explained

We're so excited to invite you to the new Open House Education online community, where women come together to get creative with real estate. We’re all about house hacking, sneaky duplexes, and buying with friends—and you’ll get access to live events, workshops, and a network of like-minded women who just get it. JOIN WAITLIST  Doors are open November 12th-22nd, and I’d love for you to join us and start making your real estate dreams happen. Make sure to hop on the waitlist for access on the 12th. Kristina, discusses the innovative concept of 'sneaky duplexes'—a strategy that allows homeowners to convert parts of their homes into rental spaces, thereby making their properties more financially viable. She shares her personal journey of navigating the real estate market, the challenges of managing a rental space, and the importance of community support among women in real estate. Chapters00:00 Introduction to Sneaky Duplexes04:01 The Concept of Sneaky Duplexes10:37 Navigating the Housing Market15:18 Managing the Sneaky Duplex22:27 Community and Collaboration in Real EstateGet in TouchComments, suggestions or feedback? Email Kristina at kristina@openhouseeducation.comHere is our new Instagram account! It needs some love, please follow :) Check out our new website!If you know of any ladies I should connect with about this new venture for potential partnerships, please send them my way.   Email us! 

Real Estate with Friends: Kara Pendl’s Guide to Successful Partnerships

We’re launching the Open House Education community, and I couldn’t be more thrilled! This is your space to connect with other women who are ready to dive into creative real estate strategies like house hacking and buying with friends. With live workshops, partner-finding events, and all the support you could want, we’re building something special together. Doors open November 12th-22nd—don’t miss out!Kristina leads a conversation featuring Open House Education community member, Kara Pendle. She shares her first hand experiences with real estate partnerships, including lessons learned from her first project, the church renovation. They discuss the importance of finding the right partners, the challenges faced in real estate, and the value of community support. The ladies conclude with encouragement for new investors to take risks, find their community, and seek partnerships in their real estate journeys. Follow Kara's ceramic company on TikTok @karacotta_ceramics Chapters00:00 Launching a New Community for Women in Real Estate02:56 Creative Real Estate: A New Approach for Women06:03 Partnerships in Real Estate: Kara's Journey12:08 Lessons from the 'Church Project'17:51 Navigating Challenges in Real Estate Partnerships24:05 Finding the Right Partners: Key Qualities30:11 The Next Steps: Building on Experience35:48 Encouragement for New Investors41:55 Kara's Business Ventures and TikTok PlansGet in TouchComments, suggestions or feedback? Email Kristina at kristina@openhouseeducation.comHere is our new Instagram account! It needs some love, please follow :) Check out our new website!Make sure to join our community waitlist! We open our doors November 12-22

Meet Your Next Real Estate Partner: How Our Nationwide Community Connects Like-Minded Women

Our online community is officially opening its doors from November 12th-22nd on Circle, our private community platform, and founding membership is just $84 for the quarter or $255/year. Make sure to join the waitlist! When you join, you get instant access to member-only events like deal analysis sessions, Q&As, and live hot seats, along with our library of recorded trainings and a searchable member database for finding partners. You'll even get in-depth feedback on your own listings and the chance to connect with experienced investors who share their best strategies.Inside our community, you’ll meet women from all over the U.S.—and even some from Latin America and Europe—who are investing in everything from tiny homes and beach houses to ranches with friends. We’re here to make real estate investing more fun, flexible, and achievable. If you’re ready to turn your “what if” ideas into reality and join a network of supportive, like-minded women, make sure to check the link in the show notes to join the waitlist!Tune in and be part of a movement where real estate dreams become a reality through the power of collaboration.--------------------- Open House Education founder, Kristina, and Community Manager Katie, discuss the unique vision and structure of the Open House Education community. The conversation highlights various community engagement formats, the power of networking, and the meaningful connections formed among members. They also outline future plans for the community, including accountability programs and a member directory to enhance collaboration and support. The ladies explore the benefits of a national network, sharing personal experiences, and highlight the need for ethical and community-minded investing.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Open House Podcast and Community02:20 The Unique Vision of Open House Education06:54 Building a Supportive Community for Women in Real Estate11:07 Engaging Formats and Events in the Community15:55 The Power of Networking and Collaboration20:27 Creating Meaningful Connections Beyond Real Estate22:47 Community Structure and Future Plans24:15 Building Connections Through Community27:33 The Power of Accountability Partners30:52 Exploring National Networks34:05 Diverse Real Estate Opportunities38:20 Making Money That Feels Good44:59 Exciting Community InitiativesGet in TouchComments, suggestions or feedback? Email Kristina at kristina@openhouseeducation.comHere is our new Instagram account! It needs some love, please follow :) Check out our new website!If you know of any ladies I should connect with about this new venture for potential partnerships, please send them my way.   Email us!