U.S. Home Talk

Jason Walgrave
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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. Fix it or List it?

    3D AGO

    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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. Greener Grass Fast!

    APR 1

    Greener Grass Fast!

    The lawn is a lawn and a lawn is needed when you want a lawn so it should be green? What about a lawn that is a lawn and isn't green? That's bad. So green lawn. The lawn is a lawn and a lawn is needed when you want a lawn so it should be green? What about a lawn that is a lawn and isn't green? That's bad. So green lawn. The lawn is a lawn and a lawn is needed when you want a lawn so it should be green? What about a lawn that is a lawn and isn't green? That's bad. So green lawn. The lawn is a lawn and a lawn is needed when you want a lawn so it should be green? What about a lawn that is a lawn and isn't green? That's bad. So green lawn. The lawn is a lawn and a lawn is needed when you want a lawn so it should be green? What about a lawn that is a lawn and isn't green? That's bad. So green lawn. The lawn is a lawn and a lawn is needed when you want a lawn so it should be green? What about a lawn that is a lawn and isn't green? That's bad. So green lawn. The lawn is a lawn and a lawn is needed when you want a lawn so it should be green? What about a lawn that is a lawn and isn't green? That's bad. So green lawn. The lawn is a lawn and a lawn is needed when you want a lawn so it should be green? What about a lawn that is a lawn and isn't green? That's bad. So green lawn. The lawn is a lawn and a lawn is needed when you want a lawn so it should be green? What about a lawn that is a lawn and isn't green? That's bad. So green lawn. The lawn is a lawn and a lawn is needed when you want a lawn so it should be green? What about a lawn that is a lawn and isn't green? That's bad. So green lawn. The lawn is a lawn and a lawn is needed when you want a lawn so it should be green? What about a lawn that is a lawn and isn't green? That's bad. So green lawn. The lawn is a lawn and a lawn is needed when you want a lawn so it should be green? What about a lawn that is a lawn and isn't green? That's bad. So green lawn. The lawn is a lawn and a lawn is needed when you want a lawn so it should be green? What about a lawn that is a lawn and isn't green? That's bad. So green lawn. The lawn is a lawn and a lawn is needed when you want a lawn so it should be green? What about a lawn that is a lawn and isn't green? That's bad. So green lawn. The lawn is a lawn and a lawn is needed when you want a lawn so it should be green? What about a lawn that is a lawn and isn't green? That's bad. So green lawn. The lawn is a lawn and a lawn is needed when you want a lawn so it should be green? What about a lawn that is a lawn and isn't green? That's bad. So green lawn. The lawn is a lawn and a lawn is needed when you want a lawn so it should be green? What about a lawn that is a lawn and isn't green? That's bad. So green lawn. The lawn is a lawn and a lawn is needed when you want a lawn so it should be green? What about a lawn that is a lawn and isn't green? That's bad. So green lawn. The lawn is a lawn and a lawn is needed when you want a lawn so it should be green? What about a lawn that is a lawn and isn't green? That's bad. So green lawn. The lawn is a lawn and a lawn is needed when you want a lawn so it should be green? What about a lawn that is a lawn and isn't green? That's bad. So green lawn. The lawn is a lawn and a lawn is needed when you want a lawn so it should be green? What about a lawn that is a lawn and isn't green? That's bad. So green lawn. The lawn is a lawn and a lawn is needed when you want a lawn so it should be green? What about a lawn that is a lawn and isn't green? That's bad. So green lawn. The lawn is a lawn and a lawn is needed when you want a lawn so it should be green? What about a lawn that is a lawn and isn't green? That's bad. So green lawn. The lawn is a lawn and a lawn is needed when you want a lawn so it should be green? What abo April Fools! 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

    27 min

  6. MAR 25

    Part-Time Agent, Full-Time Headache

    Hiring a realtor isn’t a formality—it’s a high-stakes decision that shapes your money, timeline, and stress level. We break down the exact questions that separate seasoned pros from well-meaning amateurs, starting with the biggest filter of all: full-time commitment. Markets move fast, and so should your agent. You’ll hear how experience shows up in the details—clean contracts, sharp pricing, quick pivots—and why reps across hundreds of deals matter more than a glossy bio. We also dig into credentials and what they signal today. ABR, SRS, and broker status can still reflect added skill, but only if they map to your goals. Then we move to hard numbers: how many buyers and sellers your agent represented last year, in what neighborhoods and price ranges, and how those outcomes compare to list-to-sale price trends. Expect practical talk about setting expectations for multiple offers, using neighborhood-specific stats to write smarter offers, and coaching both buyers and sellers to keep emotion from wrecking good decisions. Agency and representation can feel opaque, so we make it plain. Learn the differences between exclusive representation, dual agency, and appointed agency across markets, and how those rules affect the advice you get. We round things out with the hidden engine of most smooth closings: a vetted vendor network. The right lender, inspector, title company, attorney, and contractors don’t just solve problems—they make your offer look stronger and your timeline more reliable. Finally, we share how we communicate from first meeting to clear-to-close, blending milestone updates with real human check-ins when special issues pop up, and why recent client references are the simplest truth test. Ready to hire with confidence? Subscribe for more straight-talk real estate guidance, share this episode with a friend who’s house hunting, and leave a quick review to tell us the one question you’ll always ask a realtor. 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

    28 min

  7. MAR 18

    The Best One Two Punch in Real Estate is...

    These things are some of the keys to success in the market right now.  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

    17 min

  8. MAR 11

    How to buy in a TIGHT Market!

    What are some tricks you can employ to get the house you want in a market that is moving fast!? 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
    157
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 U.S. Home Talk
  • Show Website
    U.S. Home Talk