What are the best books for real estate agents, investors, and mindset? Christian and Shannon  Nossum share the 13 books that shaped their real estate, investing, and mindset journey, in roughly the order they read them. These are their picks and opinions, not a ranking.

In this episode of Awesome In Seattle:
 - Mindset and money: Rich Dad Poor Dad, The 6 Types of Working Genius, Work Happy

- For agents and sales: How to Win Friends and Influence People, Sell It Like Serhant, 7L: The Seven Levels of Communication
 - For real estate investors: Return on Real Estate, The House Flipping Framework, Raising Private Capital
 - For running an investment business: 10X Is Easier Than 2X, Buy Back Your Time, Who Not How, Scaling Smart
 - Reading tips, including pairing an audiobook with the print copy

Books mentioned:
Rich Dad Poor Dad (Robert T. Kiyosaki): https://www.amazon.com/dp/1612680194

The 6 Types of Working Genius (Patrick Lencioni): https://www.amazon.com/dp/1637743297

Work Happy: What Great Bosses Know (Jill Geisler): https://www.amazon.com/dp/1455547077

How to Win Friends and Influence People (Dale Carnegie): https://www.amazon.com/dp/0671027034

Sell It Like Serhant (Ryan Serhant): https://www.amazon.com/dp/1538781131

7L: The Seven Levels of Communication (Michael J. Maher): https://www.amazon.com/dp/1942952473

Return on Real Estate (Leka Devatha): https://www.amazon.com/dp/1960178792

The House Flipping Framework (James Dainard): https://www.amazon.com/dp/1960178725

Raising Private Capital, revised edition (Matt Faircloth): https://www.amazon.com/dp/1960178083

10X Is Easier Than 2X (Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy): https://www.amazon.com/dp/140196995X

Buy Back Your Time (Dan Martell): https://www.amazon.com/dp/059342297X

Who Not How (Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy): https://www.amazon.com/dp/1401960588

Scaling Smart (Rich Fettke and Kathy Fettke): https://www.amazon.com/dp/1960178164

The Confidence Code for Girls (Katty Kay and Claire Shipman): https://www.amazon.com/dp/0062796984

The Richest Man in Babylon (George S. Clason): https://www.amazon.com/dp/0451205367

Raising money from investors can fall under securities rules, so talk with an attorney first.
Background from the SEC: https://www.sec.gov/resources-small-businesses/exempt-offerings

Full show notes, book links, and transcript: https://awesomenossumgroup.com/podcast/171-books-that-helped-shape-our-real-estate-investing-and-mindset-journey

More episodes for investors: https://awesomenossumgroup.com/podcast/playlist/investors

Hosts: Christian Nossum and Shannon Nossum (real estate investor) of The Awesome Nossum Group at Wilson Realty Exchange, Inc. Talk with us at AwesomeNossumGroup.com or AwesomeNossumGroup.com/schedule

Educational only, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Confirm current rules with your agent, attorney, or lender.

What is a First Look listing, and what does it mean for Seattle home buyers and sellers? Can you tour the home, make an offer, or buy it before it officially becomes Active?

In this episode of Awesome in Seattle, Christian Nossum and Joanna Beecher break down NWMLS First Look listings, including the 21-day window, showing options, early offers, public website exposure, and how price history and Days Active work.

Christian also shares his first experience using First Look on a distinctive Seattle mid-century modern home: an accidental early launch, nine showings in one afternoon and evening, and buyer feedback that informed a $25,000 price adjustment before going Active.

You’ll learn when First Look might help a seller, when going straight to Active could make more sense, and why buyers should ask whether their saved home search includes First Look properties.

Buying or selling in the Seattle area? Connect with the Awesome Nossum Group to talk through your next move. AwesomeNossumGroup.com/sellers

Recorded September 18, 2026. Confirm current listing rules and property-specific instructions with your agent.

If your neighbor tells you their house sold for a million dollars, that’s almost never what they actually walked away with. In this episode of Awesome in Seattle, Christian Nossum and Joanna Beecher break down what it really costs to sell a house in Washington — and, more importantly, what you actually net.

We walk through a real $1,000,000 sale in King County line by line: mortgage payoff, real estate commissions, Washington’s graduated Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) of $16,855, title and escrow, and pre-listing prep — landing on the number that actually matters to sellers.

You’ll learn:

•Why net proceeds — not sales price — is the number to focus on

•Washington’s 2026 REET brackets: 1.10% up to $525K, 1.28% to $1.525M, 2.75% to $3.025M, 3.00% above, plus King County’s 0.50% local

•Exactly what REET costs on a $1M, $1.5M, and $2M sale

•Where cutting costs saves you money — and where it costs you $25K–$50K

•A real story from three recent listings and what preparation did to the outcome

•The four levers that decide your final number: preparation, price, exposure, negotiation

•Why the agent who promises the highest price isn’t always the right hire

•The four questions to ask any agent before you list

Thinking about selling in the Seattle area? Text us your address and we’ll build you a real net sheet so you can see exactly what you’d walk away with before you make any decisions.

Awesome Nossum Group — AwesomeNossumGroup.com

Every residential real estate transaction in Washington State runs through one document: the Form 17 Seller Disclosure Statement. But most buyers and sellers only see it in passing — and end up either over-disclosing, under-disclosing, or waiving rights they didn’t understand they had.

In this episode, Christian Nossum and Joanna Beecher of the Awesome Nossum Group break down the Form 17 from both sides of the table.

For sellers: How to approach the form, why “Yes” isn’t the enemy, when “Don’t Know” is the right answer, why you should complete it before you list, and how a pre-listing inspection changes what you’re required to disclose.

For buyers: How to actually read a Form 17, what the three-business-day review period means, the environmental section you can’t waive, what happens if the seller amends the form mid-transaction, and what your rights are if something turns up after closing.

You’ll learn:
•The 5-and-3 rule: the seller’s five-business-day delivery deadline and the buyer’s three-business-day rescission window
•Why “actual knowledge” is the legal standard that governs every answer on the form
•When a Form 17 waiver is common — and the one section a buyer can’t waive
•How pre-listing inspections work, and the written notice that goes with them
•When the Form 17 isn’t required at all
•What buyers should do (and shouldn’t assume) when they find something after closing
Whether you’re getting ready to sell your home in Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland or anywhere in the Puget Sound region, or you’re writing your first offer, this episode gives you the practical, plain-English rundown of one of the most important — and misunderstood — documents in a Washington real estate transaction.
This episode is for general education, not legal advice. For your specific transaction, talk to your broker and, when needed, a real estate attorney.

Awesome Nossum Group — Seattle-area residential real estate.

Not sure where to start with Seattle real estate?
 
In this episode of Awesome in Seattle, Christian Nossum, Joanna Beecher, and Varun Jain explain the education-first approach behind Awesome Nossum Group and share the official starter playlists we recommend for buyers and investors.

We talk about why education comes before showings, offers, or strategy, how resources like Beers and Home Buying, the podcast, YouTube, and one-on-one consultations fit together, and which episodes are most helpful depending on where you are in the process.
 
If you are thinking about buying your first home, planning a future move, or exploring Seattle real estate investing, this episode is your roadmap.
 
Start here:
https://awesomenossumgroup.com/podcast/start-here

Buyer playlist episodes:
- Episode 92: What to Know Before You Go to an Open House
- Episode 95: Home Mortgages 101, Part 2
- Episode 131: Navigating Buyer Brokerage Agreements
- Episode 151: Down Payments: How to Use Gifts, 401(k)s & More to Buy a Home
- Bonus: Episode 150: The SBLOC Strategy
- Episode 121: Ways to Back Out of an Offer
- Episode 153: Buying Property as an Unmarried Couple
- Episode 161: Fixer Upper vs Move-In Ready
- Episode 154: How to Buy and Sell Your Seattle Home at the Same Time

Investor playlist episodes:
- Episode 127: Creating Wealth Through Real Estate
- Episode 138: Generational Wealth Strategies Every Real Estate
Investor Must Know
- Episode 88: How to House Hack in Seattle
- Episode 139: Flipping 101
- Episode 158: Live-In Flips
- Episode 145: New Construction 101
- Episode 163: Big Style on a Budget
- Episode 162: How to Analyze a Deal in 10 Minutes

Attend a FREE Beers and Home Buying class:
https://BeersAndHomeBuying.com

Thinking about buying, selling, or investing in Seattle real estate? Schedule a strategy session with our team:
https://AwesomeNossumGroup.com/

You got the keys. Now what?
 
In this episode of Awesome in Seattle, Christian Nossum and Joanna Beecher walk through the first things new homeowners should do after closing on a house.
 
Buying a home is a huge milestone, but once the signing is done and the keys are in your hand, there are still important steps to take. We cover the practical post-closing checklist every buyer should know, including changing the locks, setting up utilities, forwarding mail, updating your address, setting up your mortgage account, organizing
 your home documents, finding your shutoffs, changing air filters, meeting the neighbors, and asking for trusted vendor referrals.
 
If you recently bought a home, are about to close, or want to understand what happens after the purchase is complete, this episode will help you feel more prepared and less overwhelmed.
 
In this episode, we cover:
 - Why you should change the locks after closing
 - Which utilities to transfer into your name
 - Why mail forwarding still matters
 - Updating your driver’s license and address
 - Setting up your mortgage account before the first payment
 - Creating a digital or physical home file
 - Finding your main water shutoff, electrical panel, gas shutoff,
 furnace filter, and water heater
 - Getting to know your neighbors
 - How our team can help with vendor referrals after closing
 
Do you have a friend who's ready to start the homebuying process? Invite them to attend our FREE Beers and Home Buying class: https://BeersAndHomeBuying.com/

Your credit score plays a major role in your home buying journey, but many buyers don't realize there are simple ways to strengthen it before applying for a mortgage. In this episode, Christian Nossum is joined by mortgage expert Dan Keller and agent Joanna Beecher to break down how credit scores work, what factors have the biggest impact, and practical strategies to improve your score. They discuss payment history, credit utilization, rental and utility payment reporting, common credit myths, and the mistakes to avoid when preparing to buy a home. Whether you're planning to purchase in the next few months or just starting to think about homeownership, this episode offers actionable advice to help you build stronger credit and secure better loan terms. 

If you enjoy listening to the Awesome in Seattle Podcast, please leave us a review. We'd love to hear from you!

Buying a DADU can open up a path to homeownership that many Seattle buyers may overlook. In this episode, Christian Nossum and Joanna Beecher break down what buyers need to know about purchasing a DADU, including how these homes are structured, why they are often legally set up as condos, and what that actually means in practice. They discuss ownership, HOA dues, utilities, financing, privacy, maintenance, appreciation, and why DADUs can be a smart option for buyers who want a newer home in a neighborhood that might otherwise feel out of reach. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, downsizing, or simply trying to understand how a DADU compares to a single-family home, townhouse, or condo, this episode offers clear and practical insight. If you’ve been wondering whether buying a DADU in Seattle makes sense for your goals, this episode brings clarity to the conversation.

If you enjoy listening to the Awesome in Seattle Podcast, please leave us a review. We’d love to hear from you!

Interior design can have a powerful impact on how a home is experienced and valued in today’s Seattle real estate market. In this episode, Christian Nossum, Shannon Nossum, and guest Fabiola Villanueva Del Busto explore how thoughtful design choices can shape a home’s look, feel, and overall appeal. They discuss the role design plays in presentation, functionality, and buyer perception, along with why these details can matter so much in a competitive market. Whether you’re preparing a home for sale, planning updates, or simply curious about how design influences real estate decisions, this episode offers helpful insight and perspective. If you’ve been wondering how interior design connects to Seattle real estate in 2026, this episode brings clarity to the conversation.

If you enjoy listening to the Awesome in Seattle Podcast, please leave us a review. We’d love to hear from you!

Analyzing real estate deals is one of the most important skills buyers and investors can build in today’s Seattle market. In this episode, Christian Nossum and Varun Jain break down how to evaluate opportunities, what numbers matter most, and how to think through a property before making a decision. They discuss key factors like pricing, potential upside, risk, timing, and the broader market context that can shape whether a deal makes sense. Whether you’re looking at your first investment or simply want to better understand how experienced professionals assess properties, this episode offers practical insight to help sharpen your decision-making. If you’ve been wondering how to analyze deals more confidently in Seattle real estate in 2026, this episode will help bring clarity to the process.

If you enjoy listening to the Awesome in Seattle Podcast, please leave us a review. We’d love to hear from you!

Choosing between a fixer-upper and a move-in ready home can be one of the biggest decisions buyers face in today’s Seattle real estate market. In this episode, Christian Nossum and Varun Jain break down the pros and cons of each option and what buyers should consider before making a move. They discuss cost, timing, renovation potential, competition, and how to decide which path makes the most sense based on your goals and lifestyle. Whether you’re looking for a home with instant comfort or a property with long-term upside, this episode offers practical insight to help you weigh your options. If you’ve been wondering which type of home is the better fit in Seattle real estate in 2026, this episode will help bring clarity to the decision.

If you enjoy listening to the Awesome in Seattle Podcast, please leave us a review. We’d love to hear from you!

Client success stories can reveal what really makes a difference in today’s Seattle real estate market. In this episode, Christian Nossum, Joanna Beecher, and Varun Jain share real examples of clients they’ve worked with and the strategies that helped them succeed. They discuss the challenges buyers and sellers faced, the decisions that shaped their outcomes, and the lessons listeners can apply to their own real estate journey. From navigating competition to building smart plans in a changing market, this episode offers practical insights and firsthand perspective. If you’ve been wondering what success looks like in Seattle real estate in 2026, this episode brings those stories to life.

If you enjoy listening to the Awesome in Seattle Podcast, please leave us a review. We’d love to hear from you!

Are investors really taking over the Seattle housing market, or is the reality more nuanced? In this episode, Christian Nossum, Joanna Beecher, and Varun Jain break down the role investors are playing in today’s market and separate fact from fiction. They discuss how much inventory investors are actually buying, what types of properties they target, and how their activity impacts everyday homebuyers. They also share insights on current market dynamics, competition levels, and what buyers and sellers should understand about investor behavior in 2026. If you’ve been wondering who you’re really competing with in today’s market, this episode provides clarity and perspective.

If you enjoy listening to the Awesome in Seattle Podcast, please leave us a review. We’d love to hear from you!

How can a live-in flip turn into a tax-free $500K profit in today’s market? In this episode, Christian and Shannon Nossum are joined by guest Victor Esquivel to break down the live-in flip strategy and how homeowners and investors can leverage primary residence tax advantages to build significant wealth. They walk through how the strategy works, key timelines to follow, what types of properties make the best candidates, and the renovations that deliver the highest return. They also share real-world insights on risks, common mistakes to avoid, and how to execute the strategy successfully in the Seattle market. If you're looking for a smarter way to invest in real estate while living in your property, this episode outlines a powerful approach to maximizing profit.

If you enjoy listening to the Awesome in Seattle Podcast, please leave us a review. We’d love to hear from you!

What does a profitable Seattle investment deal actually look like in 2026? In this episode, Christian and Shannon share their current real estate buy box, including price range, neighborhoods they’re targeting, what makes a great DADU lot, and the red flags that can kill a deal. They also walk through recent deals they’ve bought and a real deal they decided to walk away from, and explain the red flags that investors should watch for. If you're a Seattle investor—or an agent looking to bring investors deals—this episode provides a clear look at what opportunities serious buyers are looking for right now.

If you enjoy listening to the Awesome in Seattle Podcast, please leave us a review. We’d love to hear from you!