Real Estate Addicts

In this episode, the guys are joined by Chris Guimond, founder and CEO of Modern Mill, about Acre—an innovative, wood-alternative building material made from upcycled rice husks. Chris explains how the product is manufactured, why it offers a sustainable solution to deforestation, and how it compares to traditional hardwoods in durability, ease of installation, and maintenance. The conversation also explores Modern Mill’s rapid growth, partnerships with major brands, and the broader entrepreneurial journey behind scaling a U.S.-based manufacturing company. The episode closes with insights into future applications of Acre and how builders and architects can integrate the material into both exterior and interior projects. 

A Real Estate Addicts regular Ricky Beliveau is back to discuss navigating development challenges during rising interest rates, including creative funding solutions that kept major projects like his 173-unit Worcester build on track. He details the growth of his various companies—from development to brokerage to property management—and explains how market shifts have pushed him toward single-family luxury projects and affordable-housing partnerships. The conversation also dives deep into the difficulties of entitling projects in Boston, construction-cost realities, and the tightening multifamily market. Overall, Ricky provides an inside look at adapting strategy and structure to survive a volatile real estate environment. 

This episode dives into the realities of being a landlord, especially around the hectic September 1st “move-in season” in Boston. The hosts share lessons learned from handling tenant turnovers, maintenance issues, and balancing expectations between renters and property owners. They also discuss tools for managing properties, lease terms, security deposits, and policies on renter’s insurance. The conversation wraps with insights on the new Massachusetts brokerage fee changes and how they’re reshaping rental practices for landlords and agents alike. 

In this episode, Marc shares his experience as a judge for Good Housekeeping Magazine’s Home Renovation Awards, testing and reviewing a wide range of home products. The hosts discuss both standout innovations—like smart dimmers, densified hardwood flooring, and inverter heat pumps—and product frustrations, including noisy water heaters and unreliable smart tech. Dan and Marc trade stories about home gadgets, from smart toilets and lighting to outdoor tools and decking materials, highlighting what’s worth the investment. The conversation offers a fun, insider look at emerging home technologies and practical takeaways for homeowners and builders alike. 

In this episode, Marc shares a story about a recent trip to Italy before diving into the complex realities of home renovation and zoning regulations. Dan shares his experience rebuilding his own single-family home and the unexpected challenges caused by local zoning interpretations, special permits, and costly site work. The discussion expands into broader frustrations with building codes, occupancy classifications, and municipal inconsistencies that often complicate real estate development. The episode wraps with reflections on construction costs, design choices, and lessons learned from navigating bureaucracy and building a dream home. 

In this episode, the guys dive into the topic of investing in vacation properties versus traditional investments like stocks. They share personal experiences with owning rental homes, discussing the financial realities, tax implications, and emotional factors that come with property ownership. The conversation explores balancing personal enjoyment with profitability, as well as practical tips for managing and marketing short-term rentals. They close with reflections on ideal second-home locations and the evolving landscape of real estate investing. 

In this episode of the Real Estate Addicts Podcast, former Boston City Councilor and current at-large candidate Frank Baker discusses his campaign and vision for bringing balance and common sense back to city government. Baker emphasizes the importance of responsive, efficient local services and criticizes bureaucratic inefficiencies that slow progress. He shares his opposition to rent control, arguing it discourages investment and hurts small landlords, and calls for reform of Boston’s restrictive zoning processes to make housing development more feasible. Throughout the conversation, Baker advocates for a centrist, practical approach to governance focused on core city operations and support for working- and middle-class residents.

If you are interested in learning more about Frank Bakers campaign or to provide support please visit: https://www.bakerforboston.com/

On this episode, the guys dive into the complexities of builder warranties, exploring what’s typically covered, what’s excluded, and how those issues play out in real projects. They discuss challenges with appliances, plaster cracks, flooring gaps, and HVAC systems, while also sharing stories about troubleshooting leaks and odor problems that required detective work and persistence. The conversation emphasizes the importance of strong subcontractor relationships, buyer education, and setting clear expectations to prevent disputes. They close by reflecting on how rapidly evolving technology in homes adds another layer of complication for builders and homeowners alike.

In this episode, the guys welcome Josh Brandt of Stack + Co, who shares insights on his transition from design-build to focusing on construction and development. Josh discusses the challenges facing Boston’s housing market, particularly how rising construction costs, stricter affordability requirements, and layered regulations make projects difficult to finance and build. He emphasizes the importance of creative deal structuring, accurate cost modeling, and aligning partnerships to navigate today’s tough environment. The conversation also highlights policy trade-offs, construction efficiencies, and the role of collaboration in overcoming barriers to housing development.