U.S. Home Talk

Jason Walgrave
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  • Investing
  • Updated Weekly

U.S. Home Talk is your resource to the real estate market, mortgages and home improvements. U.S. Home Talk will cover a variety of related topics that will prove educational, informative, and entertaining, including New Construction, Investing in Real Estate, Selling in Today's Market, Mortgage and Credit Scores, Financing, Luxury Homes, and more. Jason Walgrave with The Minnesota Real Estate Team and RE/MAX Advantage Plus will provide the “insiders” perspective on real estate topics that are headlining the news, and relevant to our listeners. Jason and his Team have developed an extensive network of industry specialists that will join the show to address specific topics each week. Mike Ouverson will present a mortgage market update each week. Listeners are welcome to call in live and ask the experts what you want to know about real estate and related topics. You are also encouraged to send us questions or comments via e-mail. All questions that are asked will be answered.

  1. 1d ago

    The Mortgage World Has Secret Menus

    You can have an 800 credit score, real money for a down payment, and steady cash coming in every month and still get told “no” because your tax returns do not tell the story lenders want to see. We dig into the mortgage reality behind that disconnect and explain why “not W-2 friendly” does not mean “not mortgage ready.” If you are self-employed, paid on a 1099, or building a rental portfolio, there are home loan programs that may fit better than the standard conventional loan playbook. We walk through bank statement loans and how lenders use business deposits to estimate qualifying income without relying on tax returns. We also cover 1099-only mortgage programs that can be especially helpful for real estate agents and independent contractors, including how income is calculated and why these loans usually come with higher interest rates and stricter down payment requirements than government-backed options. Then we shift to real estate investing and DSCR loans, where the property’s rental income is the centerpiece. If the rent supports the monthly payment, the deal may qualify even if your personal income documentation is messy. Along the way, we talk through a practical way to compare costs: paying a higher mortgage rate now versus paying significantly more in taxes just to “show” higher income, and how refinancing can factor into your plan. If you know someone who has credit and cash down but thinks the answer is automatically no, share this with them. Subscribe for more straight talk on mortgages and real estate, and if you found this helpful, leave a review and tell us what loan question you want answered next. You can always find U. S. Home Talk and connect with the hosts and the community at their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/U.S.HomeTalk/ or at our website, USHomeTalk.com

    22 min
  2. When Selling Your Home Is A Rescue Plan

    May 20

    When Selling Your Home Is A Rescue Plan

    Foreclosure talk is back, and we keep hearing the same scary line: “foreclosures are rising.” We slow that down and look at what “rising” actually means when the market is coming off near record lows. If you’re a homeowner feeling squeezed by higher property taxes, rising homeowners insurance, or the general cost of living, the most important move is not panic, it’s clarity: where do you stand on equity, what are your timelines, and what options do you still control? We also dig into recent reporting on a scaled-back borrower assistance program and why changes like tighter eligibility rules can lead to more foreclosures, short sales, or something that caught our attention: a “voluntary sale.” That phrase matters because it’s often the difference between protecting your financial future and losing it. Jason shares a real sheriff sale story where silence cost a homeowner roughly $250,000 in equity, plus the mental toll we’ve seen when people shut down under financial stress instead of asking for help. Then we get practical. We talk through early conversations you can have with the right pros, including appealing a high tax assessment, shopping insurance, and running refinance numbers when mortgage rates dip into the low 6s or high 5s. Mike also explains a strategy we’ve seen work: selling to access equity and wiping out credit card debt to dramatically lower monthly payments. We close with our legal minute on a common Minnesota landlord mistake around accepting partial rent before eviction, and why details in a lease clause can change everything. If you know someone quietly struggling, share this show with them. Subscribe, leave a review, and send us your questions so we can tackle what you’re facing next. You can always find U. S. Home Talk and connect with the hosts and the community at their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/U.S.HomeTalk/ or at our website, USHomeTalk.com

    30 min
  3. First-Time Home Seller Checklist (Part 2)

    May 13

    First-Time Home Seller Checklist (Part 2)

    A home doesn’t lose value only from big problems. It can lose momentum from tiny signals like a dark bedroom, a sticky front door, or that one unfinished project you’ve stopped noticing. We pick up our first-time home seller to-do list and focus on the practical home selling tips that change how buyers feel in the first 30 seconds and how your home looks in the listing photos that get them to book a showing. We get into what’s worth doing before you list, starting with deep cleaning that actually moves the needle: carpet shampooing, polishing hardwood floors, and even refreshing fabrics so stains and odors don’t steal attention. We also talk about the danger of leaving “almost done” projects around the house, why buyers see them as risk, and how a staging consultation and smarter furniture placement can make rooms feel larger and more inviting without a full redesign. Then we shift to curb appeal and the entry experience, because the front door sets the tone. We cover simple improvements like opening window coverings for more light, adding fresh plants and flowers, and making sure locks, handles, and doors work smoothly so the first impression feels effortless. We also hit the overlooked safety basics like smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and checking radon systems so showings and inspections stay clean. Plus, Jeff O’Brien shares a Minnesota legal minute on the homestead exemption and how it can protect home equity from judgment creditors. If you’re thinking of selling in the next month or the next two years, listen now, then subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave a review so more homeowners can avoid the expensive mistakes. You can always find U. S. Home Talk and connect with the hosts and the community at their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/U.S.HomeTalk/ or at our website, USHomeTalk.com

    19 min

  4. May 6

    First-Time Home Seller Checklist (part 1)

    Take Down The Naked Painting And Wash The Siding! Most sellers think the big wins come from granite and gadgets. We think the real wins happen earlier, when a buyer walks in and instantly feels two things: this home is cared for, and moving in will be easy. We share a first-time home seller to-do list built for real life, from what to put away to what to fix so you do not lose a great offer over a totally preventable issue. We get specific about personal items and privacy, including how modern real estate photography can keep family photos off the internet while still letting your home feel warm during private showings. Then we dig into the work that changes everything fast: decluttering so buyers can actually see the space, upgrading lighting so rooms feel open instead of dim, and handling pet odors or pet damage the right way before that first weekend of showings. We also bring in the legal angle with a quick, clear explanation of property disclosure requirements and why some cities require truth in housing style inspections. To finish, we cover paint, deep cleaning that signals pride of ownership, why a home inspection before selling can create buyer confidence, and curb appeal fixes that make the front elevation shine. If you want to sell your house fast, maximize your home sale price, and reduce stress, hit play, share this with a friend who is planning a move, and subscribe so you do not miss part two. If you found it helpful, leave us a review and tell us which to-do item you are starting with. You can always find U. S. Home Talk and connect with the hosts and the community at their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/U.S.HomeTalk/ or at our website, USHomeTalk.com

    30 min
  5. Fix it or List it?

    Apr 29

    Fix it or List it?

    You can spend a fortune “fixing everything” and still wonder why your sale price didn’t jump the same amount. That frustration is exactly what we tackle as we answer a question we hear constantly from homeowners getting ready to list: what home repairs do you actually have to do before selling, and what repairs simply make the sale smoother and faster? We talk through the real world difference between mandatory obligations and smart preparation, including what sellers must disclose on a property disclosure statement and why “working condition” is the baseline buyers expect for roofs, HVAC, windows, and other core systems. With the average U.S. home now decades old, big ticket maintenance like roof replacement, septic systems, and aging mechanicals shows up in negotiation more than ever. We share how those costs impact offers, why buyers often ask for more than the repair estimate, and how a turnkey home can create more showings and even a bidding war. We also get into the appraisal side of the deal. Appraisers rarely give you a dollar for dollar bump for routine maintenance, but they do pay attention to market behavior like multiple offers and strong demand. Finally, we cover practical ways to handle repairs when cash is tight, including partnerships where vendors may get paid at closing, plus why selling sooner can reduce carrying costs like interest, taxes, and insurance. If you’re planning to sell, listen, share this with a friend who’s debating repairs, and subscribe for more straight talk on buying, selling, and investing in real estate. If the show helps, leave a review and send us your questions for a future segment. You can always find U. S. Home Talk and connect with the hosts and the community at their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/U.S.HomeTalk/ or at our website, USHomeTalk.com

    18 min
  6. The Listing Fixes That Get You Offers Fast

    Apr 22

    The Listing Fixes That Get You Offers Fast

    Your home is on the market, the photos look fine, and yet… no offers. That’s not “bad luck” when buyers are out there paying $50,000 over asking. We get real about the uncomfortable truth: if a listing isn’t moving in a competitive real estate market, something in the listing strategy is working against you. We walk through the biggest reasons a house doesn’t sell, starting with the one nobody wants to hear: price. Even a near-perfect home can need a pricing adjustment when it backs up to a busy road or has a nearby eyesore that buyers can’t unsee. We also share a practical way to use showings as data, including a simple benchmark for when to stop waiting and start changing the plan. Then we hit the silent deal killers that can ruin a showing in seconds: pet odors, cat urine, cigarette smoke, and even strong cooking smells that linger in cabinets and ventilation. We also explain why sellers being present during showings, inspections, and walkthroughs can create tension and cost you money, even when you’re just trying to be helpful. Along the way we cover neighborhood factors, “too much work” fatigue for first-time buyers, and the basics that still matter most: decluttering, deep cleaning, depersonalizing, and curb appeal. If you’re selling a home in Minnesota, Sioux Falls, or anywhere that feels like a seller’s market, this is a straightforward checklist you can use right now. Subscribe for weekly real estate and mortgage advice, share this with a friend who’s listing soon, and leave a review if these tips help you win your next offer. You can always find U. S. Home Talk and connect with the hosts and the community at their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/U.S.HomeTalk/ or at our website, USHomeTalk.com

    29 min
  7. New Construction Or Existing Home Pros And Cons

    Apr 15

    New Construction Or Existing Home Pros And Cons

    New build or existing home? That one choice can change your monthly payment, your weekends, and even how you feel when you pull into the driveway. We talk through the real pros and cons of new construction vs existing homes, using what we’re seeing across the Minnesota Twin Cities real estate market and comparing it to the Sioux Falls market where pricing and build options can look very different. We dig into why modern new construction floor plans often live better than older layouts, how bigger windows and improved window technology can deliver light without killing energy efficiency, and why newer materials can keep a 10-year-old house looking nearly brand new. We also get honest about the tradeoffs: higher upfront cost, potential construction loan financing, and the biggest one for many buyers, the wait. If you need a home now, a 9 to 12 month build timeline may not fit your life. Then we flip to existing homes and explain why buyers still chase established neighborhoods with mature trees, closer amenities, and more attainable price points. We cover the downside too: outdated floor plans, more repairs and maintenance, and higher utility bills when insulation and windows are older. You’ll also hear why resale homes often have more competition and how to think about total cost over a 10-year window instead of only the purchase price. Plus, don’t miss the Legal Minute: a key Minnesota landlord-tenant rule about accepting partial rent payments and how your lease language can affect your ability to pursue an eviction. If you found this helpful, subscribe for weekly real estate clarity, share it with a friend who’s house hunting, and leave a review. Are you leaning new construction or existing, and what’s the deciding factor for you? You can always find U. S. Home Talk and connect with the hosts and the community at their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/U.S.HomeTalk/ or at our website, USHomeTalk.com

    31 min
  8. When A Tweet Impacts Your Rates

    Apr 8

    When A Tweet Impacts Your Rates

    Mortgage rates swing on headlines, but the real story is how those swings change buyer behavior and competition. We map out why a brief jump into the mid-6% range can create a short window where your offer has a better shot at getting accepted.  • mortgage rates moving from high 5s toward mid-6s and starting to trend back down  • buyers hitting pause on affordability while pre-approvals keep stacking up  • why spring markets create the most competition and how a slowdown helps buyers  • Sioux Falls market indicators including pending sales and the under-$600k split  • Florida price volatility and how renting can beat selling at a loss  • legal minute on due on sale clauses and contract for deed risk  • what we expect next for rates including why 7% feels unlikely without escalation  Connect with us at ushometalk.com You can always find U. S. Home Talk and connect with the hosts and the community at their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/U.S.HomeTalk/ or at our website, USHomeTalk.com

    19 min
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About

U.S. Home Talk is your resource to the real estate market, mortgages and home improvements. U.S. Home Talk will cover a variety of related topics that will prove educational, informative, and entertaining, including New Construction, Investing in Real Estate, Selling in Today's Market, Mortgage and Credit Scores, Financing, Luxury Homes, and more. Jason Walgrave with The Minnesota Real Estate Team and RE/MAX Advantage Plus will provide the “insiders” perspective on real estate topics that are headlining the news, and relevant to our listeners. Jason and his Team have developed an extensive network of industry specialists that will join the show to address specific topics each week. Mike Ouverson will present a mortgage market update each week. Listeners are welcome to call in live and ask the experts what you want to know about real estate and related topics. You are also encouraged to send us questions or comments via e-mail. All questions that are asked will be answered.

Information

  • Creator
    Jason Walgrave
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    161
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 U.S. Home Talk
  • Show Website
    U.S. Home Talk