๐๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ ๐ ๐ ๐ฎ๐ง๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐๐ ๐ข๐๐ฌ are at the center of this episodeโand if your clients ever ask, โHow do we save for college AND still buy a home?โ this conversation gives you clear, practical language you can use immediately. Mike and his daughter, Catey, break down their real family experience navigating scholarships, FAFSA, and 529 plans while balancing long-term financial planning and homeownership.
College costs, athletic recruiting, and academic scholarships play a bigger role in real estate decisions than most agents realize. This episode explores 529 savings plans, FAFSA planning tips, and scholarship strategiesโplus the truth about student-athlete recruiting that most families never hear. What college funding strategies can Realtors confidently share with clients trying to avoid student loan debt while planning their next move? Hereโs the roadmap.
๐ก Key Takeaways for Realtors
โข Unlock smarter college + homebuying planning: Understand how 529 plans build tax-free savings and impact long-term financial decisions for buyers.
โข Master the academic scholarship advantage: Why freshman-year grades matter, how class rank affects aid, and how academic scholarships reduce tuition more than athletic money.
โข Avoid FAFSA mistakes: Learn why every clientโyes, even higher earnersโshould file FAFSA early for grants and school-based aid.
โข Boost support for sports families: Get realistic insight into D1/D2/D3/NAIA recruiting timelines, travel costs, and expectations that influence homebuying decisions.
โฑ๏ธ Timestamps
00:00 โ Parent Reality: Balancing Support & Independence
02:56 โ Cateyโs Volleyball Journey & Motivation
04:43 โ Understanding Athletic Talent Levels
06:03 โ Recruiting Expectations vs. Reality
10:02 โ The Work Behind College Recruiting
12:34 โ Campus Visits & Comparing Programs
15:35 โ How D3 and Private Tuition Systems Work
18:28 โ Understanding 529 College Savings Plans
23:28 โ Scholarship Stacking & Missed Opportunities
25:12 โ FAFSA Explained for Families & Realtors
30:17 โ Why FAFSA Timing Matters
32:48 โ Online Scholarship Platforms Explained
37:37 โ Using AI Tools to Find Scholarships
41:59 โ Local Scholarships: The Hidden Goldmine
45:41 โ How AI Helps Students With Essays
51:13 โ Is College Worth It Today?
57:30 โ Different Career Paths Beyond College
1:00:24 โ What Students Really Learn from Sports
1:03:10 โ The Truth About Grades & Class Rank
1:09:52 โ Final Lessons & Parent Reflections
๐ง Episode Summary
This episode of The Texas Real Estate & Finance Podcast dives deep into college funding strategies, 529 plans, academic scholarships, FAFSA filing, student-athlete recruiting, and the financial decisions families face while planning for college and homeownership. Mike and Catey share the full journeyโfrom club volleyball and campus visits to scholarship applications and long-term savings strategies. The insights provide Realtors a powerful way to answer client questions such as:
โข โHow will student loans affect our mortgage approval?โ
โข โIs FAFSA worth filing if we make too much?โ
โข โHow can we afford college and still buy a home?โ
If you work with families, this episode gives you language, clarity, and confidence to support them.
๐ฃ Connect, Share & Join the Conversation
If this episode gave you helpful insights, drop your biggest takeaway in the commentsโI read every one.
Hit Like, Subscribe, and Share this episode with another Realtor or parent navigating the college planning maze.
๐ For more resources, check out these links:
Podcast Website โ https://www.thetexasrealestateandfinancepodcast.com/
Mike Mills Mortgage Tools โ https://linktr.ee/mikemillsmortgage
#RealEstateMarket #RealtorTips #MortgageInsights #CollegeFunding #FAFSAHelp
