Welcome to the Residential Home Authority podcast! I’m Vanessa St. Clair, and I’m excited to share this journey with my dad, Don Minehart. Together, we aim to simplify the complexities of the housing market, focusing on the Pittsburgh area. Our podcast is designed to be a valuable resource for both seasoned professionals and first-time homebuyers. In each episode, we discuss a variety of real estate topics, from the critical importance of home inspections to navigating buyer agency agreement ...
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Encounters with the people of the past in the places of the present. A history podcast about people and the places where they lived, loved, worked and died. Delivered in punchy and illuminating 30-minute episodes, hosted by the bestselling author Kassia St Clair.
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Thinking About Building a Home? Here’s What You NEED to Know!
38:32
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38:32In this episode, we dive into the process of building a new home, from choosing the right builder to avoiding costly mistakes. Many buyers assume that purchasing a newly built home is a simple process, but there’s a huge difference between track builders and custom builders—and knowing which one is right for you can save you time, money, and stress…
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Thinking About Building a Home? Here’s What You NEED to Know! Trailer
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0:42In our next episode, we dive into the process of building a new home, from choosing the right builder to avoiding costly mistakes. Many buyers assume that purchasing a newly built home is a simple process, but there’s a huge difference between track builders and custom builders—and knowing which one is right for you can save you time, money, and st…
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The Truth About Home Loans & Equity Borrowing
30:54
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30:54In this episode of Residential Home Authority, we explore the risks and realities of home equity loans and HELOCs (Home Equity Lines of Credit). With 40% of homeowners regretting tapping into their home equity, is it really a smart financial move? Vanessa and Don break down everything you need to know before making a decision that could impact your…
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Selling Your Home in 2025? Here’s What You Need to Know!
53:11
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53:11In this episode, we dive deep into what home sellers need to know in 2025 to navigate the evolving market. Selling a home isn’t just about listing it—it requires strategy, preparation, and knowing what buyers are looking for to get the best price. Join us as we cover key market trends, common seller mistakes, pricing strategies, renovation dos and …
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Want Maximum ROI? Avoid These 5 Home Remodels
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41:56In this episode, we tackle the bottom five home improvements that offer the least return on investment (ROI). While these projects may not boost your home’s resale value, they can still bring personal joy or solve functional problems—and that’s worth considering! Join us as we break down costs, resale values, and the factors you should consider bef…
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Top 5 Home Remodels for Maximum ROI in Pittsburgh!
36:09
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36:09Today, we’re diving into the top five home remodels that can give you the best return on investment. From new windows to garage door replacements, we’ll be sharing insights on which renovations are worth the cost—especially for those in the Pittsburgh area. If you’re looking to boost your home’s resale value or just want to make smart upgrades, thi…
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Don't Choose the WRONG Agent! 85% of Homebuyers Regret This
1:01:17
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1:01:17In this episode, we’re diving deep into how to choose the right real estate agent, covering everything from critical questions to ask to the common pitfalls buyers should avoid. Whether you’re buying your first home or a seasoned investor, we’re here to guide you through the process with insights from our years in the field.…
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Pittsburgh Homebuyers: Skipping Inspections? Think Again
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39:08Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Residential Home Authority podcast! I’m Vanessa St. Clair, and I’m thrilled to be here with my dad, Don Minehart. Together, we’re diving into the complexities of the housing market and sharing our insights on real estate. In this episode, we focus on a crucial topic: the importance of home inspections and why…
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Welcome to the Residential Home Authority podcast! We're your hosts, Don Minehart and Vanessa St. Clair, a father-daughter duo passionate about all things real estate. Whether you’re a homebuyer, seller, industry professional, or just someone curious about the housing market, this podcast is for you.…
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Our final guest for season 1 is Ian Dunt, a British political journalist. He hosts Origin Story with Dorian Lynskey and is the author of “How to be a Liberal”, “Brexit: What the Hell Happens Now?” and “How Westminster Works…And Why it Doesn’t”. The plaque he chose is at 18 Kensington Square, South Kensington and reads: John Stuart Mill, 1806-1873, …
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Irenosen Okojie is the Nigerian-British author of Butterfly Fish and the short story collections, Speak Gigantular and Nudibranch. She co-presented the BBC's Turn Up for The Books podcast, she’s vice chair of the Royal Society of Literature and was a judge for the 2023 Women's Prize for Fiction. The plaque she chose is on Lands Lane in Leeds and re…
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Andrew Cotter has been working as a sports broadcaster - primarily for the BBC - for over 20 years. He is also known for his two very good dogs, Olive and Mabel, whose antics he filmed and commentated on during the Covid 19 pandemic. The plaque he chose is at 82 Waldegrave Road in Teddington and reads: Edward Whymper 1840-1911, mountaineer, lived h…
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S1 Ep 6 Kit Kemp on Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant
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25:23Kit Kemp is an interior designer, the founder and creative director of Kit Kemp Design Studio and Firmdale Hotels. She’s known for championing British art and craft and for her colourful, eclectic and much-imitated style. The plaque she has chosen is at 46 Gordon Square, Bloomsbury and reads: "Vanessa Bell 1879-1961 Duncan Grant 1885-1978 artists l…
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Albert Muzquiz, aka @edgyalbert, is a content creator, stylist, and fashion historian who produces popular and educational vintage clothing and style content on TikTok, Instagram and Youtube. The plaque he has chosen is at 4 Chesterfield Street, Mayfair, London and reads: "Beau Brummell, 1778-1840, Leader of Fashion lived here". We spoke about Brum…
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Val McDermid is an award-winning Scottish novelist who has sold over 19 million books. She's the author of the 'Wire in the Blood' and 'Traces' series and 'Past Lying'. She's also the lead singer of the Fun Lovin' Crime Writers. The plaque she's chosen is on Castle Street in Inverness and reads: "Site of MacKintosh fruit shop, family business of wr…
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S1 Ep 3 Levison Wood on Ernest Shackleton
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25:50Levison Wood is a professional explorer, writer and photographer who has walked the length of the Nile and circumnavigated the Arabian Peninsula. Levison spent time in the armed forces and served in Afghanistan. His latest book Escape from Kabul: The Inside Story was released in March 2023. The blue plaque he chose is at 2 Westwood Hill, London SE2…
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Celia Richardson is the Director of Communications for the National Trust. For the past six years, she’s been responsible for the Trust’s brand and marketing, policy, advocacy and reputation. Previously, she’s worked for the Historic England, the Refugee Council and several mental health charities. The blue plaque she chose is at 2 Garbutt Place, M…
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Matt Cain is a writer, broadcaster, commentator on LGBTQ+ issues and an ambassador for Manchester Pride. He’s the author of The Madonna of Bolton, The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle, Becoming Ted and One Love. The blue plaque he chose is at 2 Warrington Crescent, Maida Vale, London W9 1ER. It reads: Alan Turing, 1912-1954, Code-breaker and Pioneer…
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Have you ever looked up at a blue plaque in London or elsewhere and wanted to know more about the person being commemorated? The Blue Plaque Pod is a new history podcast from best-selling author Kassia St. Clair. In each episode a notable guest will select a plaque that intrigues them. We'll talk about why they chose it and what it means to them, a…
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