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Benchmark Happenings

Benchmark Happenings

By: Jonathan Tipton Steve Reed & Christine Reed
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Brought to you by, Jonathan Tipton & Steve Reed of Benchmark Home Loans, Benchmark Happenings is a podcast that is a biweekly discussion about living in and moving to Northeast Tennessee along with the local real estate market. Join your host Christine Reed as she interviews Jonathan & Steve, local business owners, sought-after industry experts, Veterans, Realtors, Benchmark clients, and more.

Benchmark Happenings focuses on discussing all things related to mortgages and Northeast Tennessee. Placing the spotlight on all the reasons you would want to live in and move to Northeast Tennessee, Benchmark Happenings highlights upcoming events, local businesses, things to do, and other aspects related to Northeast Tennessee. We will also be answering mortgage questions from buyers, sellers, and real estate agents as well as discussing everything going on in our local real estate market.

To help you to navigate the home buying and mortgage process, Jonathan & Steve are currently licensed in Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia, contact us today at 423-491-5405 or visit www.tiptonreedteam.com.

Benchmark Home Loans | NMLS # 2143

4138 Bristol Highway

Johnson City, TN 37601

Jonathan Tipton

Senior Mortgage Planner

NMLS # 1188088

jonathan.tipton@benchmark.us

Steve Reed

Branch Manager

NMLS # 173024

steve.reed@benchmark.us

© 2025 The Tipton Reed Mortgage Team - Benchmark Home Loans
Economics
Episodes
  • Beyond The Hype: A Professional's Guide To Skincare That Actually Works
    Aug 6 2025

    The quest for healthier, more youthful skin can be overwhelming with contradictory advice and miracle promises flooding social media. Kelli Rogers from Performance Medicine cuts through the noise in this enlightening conversation about what truly works in skincare.

    Kelli reveals why your daily skincare routine forms the essential foundation upon which all other treatments build—comparing skincare neglect to only flossing right before a dentist appointment. She expertly breaks down the science behind the two non-negotiable skincare ingredients everyone needs: Vitamin C for morning application and Vitamin A (retinol or tretinoin) for nighttime use. Far from just another anti-aging recommendation, Kelli explains how Vitamin C actively protects skin not just from sun damage but from indoor lighting, computer screens, and environmental heat exposure that most people never consider.

    For those intimidated by retinol, Kelli provides a practical, step-by-step approach to introducing this powerhouse ingredient without irritation—starting with lower concentrations used just once or twice weekly before gradually increasing frequency. She dispels common misconceptions about high-SPF sunscreens and explains why physical sunblocks that reflect UV rays offer superior protection compared to chemical formulations that absorb them.

    What sets this conversation apart is Kelli's refreshing honesty about skincare marketing hype. "If it's too good to be true in skincare, it is," she warns, encouraging listeners to approach viral TikTok and Instagram products with healthy skepticism. Instead, she details how professional treatments like Ultherapy, Cool Peel CO2 laser, and microneedling work synergistically to address different aspects of aging skin—all with minimal downtime compared to procedures from a decade ago.

    Ready to stop wasting money on trendy products that don't deliver? Listen now to discover how to build a skincare routine that actually works, customize it to your lifestyle, and combine it with the right professional treatments for naturally beautiful, healthy skin that truly stands the test of time.

    To help you to navigate the home buying and mortgage process, Jonathan & Steve are currently licensed in Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia, contact us today at 423-491-5405 or visit www.jonathanandsteve.com.

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    22 mins
  • From Renting to Owning: How Land to Homes Makes It Possible
    Jul 23 2025

    Looking for an affordable path to homeownership in today's challenging market? Steve Reed returns to Benchmark Happenings to dive deeper into Land to Homes, a pioneering solution for would-be homeowners struggling with sky-high housing costs and limited options.

    While apartment renters face $1,200-$2,000 monthly payments with nothing to show for it, Land to Homes is creating a genuinely accessible alternative. Their turnkey manufactured housing service handles everything from permits and site preparation to landscaping and final touches, delivering beautiful, move-in ready homes on acre-sized lots for $220,000-$300,000. Unlike traditional dealers who leave buyers to navigate complex permitting and construction processes alone, Land to Homes coordinates every detail over a streamlined 120-day timeline.

    The conversation reveals how Reed and his business partner Jonathan Tipton are transforming the manufactured housing experience with quality features often missing from competitor offerings – paved driveways instead of gravel, proper decking, professional landscaping, and attractive stone skirting. Their financing options make homeownership even more accessible, with zero-down USDA loans and 3.5% down FHA options that can include covered closing costs.

    What truly sets Land to Homes apart is their commitment to community impact. Reed shares touching stories of helping families in difficult situations, including moving a family of six from a cramper into a spacious manufactured home. "We want people to say Northeast Tennessee is a better community because Land to Homes is in it," Reed explains, highlighting their people-before-profit philosophy.

    Ready to explore affordable homeownership? Visit land2homes.us to see available properties and homes under construction, or call 423-491-5405 to start your journey toward owning your slice of the American dream.

    To help you to navigate the home buying and mortgage process, Jonathan & Steve are currently licensed in Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia, contact us today at 423-491-5405 or visit www.jonathanandsteve.com.

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    26 mins
  • Land2Homes: Creating Affordable Housing Solutions in Northeast Tennessee
    Jul 9 2025

    Steve Reed, Co-owner of Benchmark Home Loans, shares the story behind his new venture Land2Homes, which provides affordable turnkey manufactured housing solutions for buyers priced out of the traditional market.

    • Land2Homes developed after seeing first-time homebuyers priced out by high interest rates and rising home prices
    • The company purchases land, handles permitting, orders homes directly from factories, and delivers complete turnkey properties
    • Modern manufactured homes feature quality construction with 2x6 framing, energy efficiency, and durability
    • Homes typically range from 1,500-1,800 square feet on approximately one-acre lots for $250,000-$270,000
    • Properties include extras like landscaping, gutters, and blacktopped driveways not typically found with manufactured homes
    • The "agent commission builder" program pays realtors 2.5% on referred clients who purchase complete packages
    • Future plans include creating a small "village" setting with model homes for buyers to tour
    • Credit rehabilitation services available to help buyers improve scores and qualify for better rates

    If you have questions about mortgages or Land2Homes, call us at 423-491-5405 or visit our website at www.JonathanAndSteve.com.


    To help you to navigate the home buying and mortgage process, Jonathan & Steve are currently licensed in Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia, contact us today at 423-491-5405 or visit www.jonathanandsteve.com.

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    21 mins
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