U.S. Home Talk

Hosted by Jason Walgrave

Business Investing Education Leisure

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Episodes

183

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

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.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

November 11, 2026Episode 4122 min

Winter-Ready Home Checklist

Winter doesn’t “suddenly” wreck a house, it exposes everything you postponed since spring. We sit down with our U.S. Home Talk crew to lay out a practical, Midwest-tested plan for preparing your home for winter, starting with the boring stuff that saves the most money: shutting off exterior faucets, draining lines, and winterizing irrigation systems before the first real freeze. We talk through why a simple winterization service can cost far less than repairing broken sprinkler heads, split pipes, or damaged underground lines once thaw season hits. From there we move to the roofline and water control, because that’s where small maintenance gaps turn into big repairs. We explain how clearing gutters helps prevent ice dams, roof leaks, and shingle damage, plus a few safer ways to tackle cleanup if you don’t love being on a ladder. We also highlight an easy-to-miss problem: downspout extensions that come loose over summer and dump water right back along the foundation all winter long. Add in tree trimming, a quick roof check before snow cover, deck cleanup, and making sure vents (especially dryer vents) stay clear for performance and fire safety. Then we bring in Jeff O’Brien’s Legal Minute with a homeowner-friendly takeaway on storm damage insurance claims, including how appraisal clauses can matter when the fight is about the extent of damage, not whether coverage exists. We close with a debate lots of homeowners have every year: should you cover your outdoor air conditioner, leave it alone, or do something minimal like protecting the top while keeping airflow open? If this helped you build your winter prep checklist, subscribe, share the episode with a homeowner friend, and leave a review so more people can find practical home maintenance advice that actually prevents damage. 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

November 4, 2026Episode 4024 min

What If The Real Barrier To Homeownership Is A Myth?

You might be closer to buying a home than you think, because the “you need 20% down” rule is one of the biggest myths in real estate and mortgages. We lay out what down payment requirements actually look like today, including how buyers can get to the closing table with zero down or with as little as 3% to 3.5% down, depending on the loan program and eligibility. We talk through practical paths like VA loans and USDA loans, plus down payment assistance programs that can cover required funds and sometimes help with closing costs. Marcus shares a standout South Dakota Housing option that offers meaningful assistance structured as a second mortgage with no monthly payments and potential forgiveness after five years, and we compare that to how similar programs can work in Minnesota. Then we get into the part most buyers never hear clearly: sourcing money for underwriting. Cash in a safe, a big “deposit” on your bank statement, or even a Venmo transfer can create documentation problems, even if the money is real. We explain what lenders need to see, how to document proceeds from selling a car properly, and why planning your money moves with your loan officer matters. We also cover alternative down payment strategies, including 401(k) loans, the IRA 60-day rule, and borrowing against investments with a margin line of credit. Finally, we break down gift fund guidelines and a simple second-job approach to build savings faster. If this helped, subscribe, share it with a future homeowner, and leave a review so more buyers can stop guessing and start planning. 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

October 28, 2026Episode 4027 min

AI Real Estate Fraud on the Rise

Three seconds. That’s all it can take for today’s AI tools to start building a deepfake voice or video, and that reality is colliding head-on with real estate transactions where buyers and sellers move life-changing amounts of money. We talk through why the “old clues” no longer work, spelling errors, weird grammar, and obviously fake messages are getting replaced by clean, convincing phishing that looks like it came from your agent, lender, bank, or title company. We dig into the most dangerous moment in the process: wiring funds. The clearest red flags are also the easiest to miss under stress, a sudden change to wire instructions, requests that don’t match the normal closing pattern, and the big one, unexpected urgency like “you have 30 minutes.” If someone tries to rush you, we want you to slow down. Verification beats speed every time, and we explain what “verify through a known channel” actually looks like in practice. We also share a simple protective tactic that’s starting to feel like spy movie stuff but may become the new normal: set up a code word at the start of your relationship with your realtor or mortgage banker for any sensitive request. Along the way, we touch on AI-enhanced listing photos that can quietly change what a space looks like, and we include today’s legal minute on seller disclosure requirements related to methamphetamine production and remediation. If you found this helpful, subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes, share it with someone heading to closing, and leave a review so more buyers and sellers can find these fraud-prevention tips. 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

October 21, 2026Episode 3924 min

The Home Selling Fix List For A Buyer’s Market

Your home is listed, the days keep stacking up, and the showings feel slow or pointless. We see it every week, and the uncomfortable truth is that the market has changed. Buyers have options now, which means your listing has to compete on presentation, price, and convenience, not just location and hope. We walk through the biggest reasons a house doesn’t sell and what to fix first, from the photos people scroll past to the pricing decisions that quietly push your home out of range. We also get specific about the stuff sellers underestimate: clutter, odors, curb appeal, and the “shows poorly” factor that turns a maybe into a no. We talk about listings that are effectively invisible because they have too few photos, weak property remarks, or missing details that make buyers wonder what’s being hidden. If your listing feels tired and stale, we share ways to bring it back with a smarter strategy instead of waiting for luck. Plus, Jeff O’Brien drops a quick Legal Minute on deeds in Minnesota, including warranty deeds, limited warranty deeds, and quit claim deeds, and why the type matters at closing. If you’re serious about selling in a buyer’s market, this is your checklist. Subscribe to the show, share this with a friend who’s frustrated, and leave a review, then tell us: what do you think is holding your home back 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

October 14, 2026Episode 3831 min

Data Centers Raise Big Questions About Power Water And Property Values

Data centers are not just a tech story anymore, they are a land, power, water, and housing story. We sit down as real estate and lending pros to unpack a first of its kind National Association of Realtors data center impact report that analyzes more than 3,200 US counties and pairs that data with what Realtors hear directly from clients. If you have been wondering how data centers affect property values, utility costs, and development decisions, this conversation gives you a grounded way to think about it. We start with why the map looks so uneven, including why Virginia holds nearly 20% of US data centers and how Loudoun County near Washington, DC became a major hub. From there, we get honest about what the research can and cannot prove yet. Yes, median home prices in high data center areas tend to run higher, but the report warns against confusing correlation with causation because many of these places already had higher incomes, higher education, and a tech heavy economy before the boom. The commercial real estate angle is where things get clearer. Even if a data center does not employ hundreds of people long term, cloud computing and AI demand can pull other companies close, raising interest in nearby land and facilities. We also dig into the most common concerns we hear: electricity rates, water use, and environmental risk, plus why “not in my backyard” still shapes how people feel even when they like the broader economic idea. If your city or county is being approached by a data center developer, the biggest takeaway is leverage: communities can negotiate requirements for power infrastructure, closed loop water plans, noise control, and better design before permits are approved. Subscribe for more real estate clarity, share this with a friend who is watching local development, and leave a review with your question or your take on data centers in your area. 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

October 7, 2026Episode 3721 min

High Impact Fall Home Improvements For Curb Appeal And Comfort

Fall is the rare season where home projects feel doable and actually pay off fast. We’re leaning into that window with a practical, real-world list of fall home improvements that can boost curb appeal, improve daily comfort, and help you head into winter with fewer surprises. If you’re a homeowner thinking, “What should I tackle before the snow flies?” this is your roadmap. We start outside with the upgrades that make the biggest visual and functional difference: lawn aeration and overseeding (especially if you’re fighting clay soil), plus smart planting choices like evergreens and arborvitae for privacy. We also talk curb appeal improvements that don’t require a full weekend of chaos, including repainting a front door, tightening up landscaping, and getting those clean driveway edges that make a house look instantly more cared for. Along the way, we get into the always-important reality of tools, time, and what’s worth paying a pro to handle. Then we move indoors to high-impact interior upgrades: closet organizers that turn cramped storage into usable space, cabinet refinishing and repainting that can change the whole feel of a kitchen or bath (with a real warning about oak grain and bad prep), and replacing outdated light fixtures, hardware, and plumbing fixtures for a more modern look. We wrap with smart home upgrades like smart thermostats, Ring doorbells, and wireless security cameras, plus a candid debate about whether “smart” tech actually simplifies life or just adds steps, especially when automation starts ordering your groceries. If you found something helpful, subscribe, share this with a homeowner friend, and leave a quick review so more people can find US Home Talk. What fall project are you taking on first? 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

September 30, 2026Episode 3619 min

Teeter Totter Economics For Grown Ups (Or the Rate Price Seesaw)

Mortgage interest rates are up, so does that automatically mean it’s a bad time to buy a home? We don’t think so, and we’ve got real examples to prove it. We break down the “teeter totter” between interest rates and home prices and why the best move is often to compare price and payment together, not just chase a lower rate. We rewind to the COVID housing market when rates were at historic lows and buyers had to bid 5% to 10% over list price to win. Then we fast forward to what we’re seeing now across the Minneapolis metro real estate market: listings with meaningful price drops, sellers open to strong discounts, and situations where a higher rate can still produce a lower monthly payment because the purchase price is so much better. We also talk commercial real estate and why mixed-use properties can start to “pencil out” again when values adjust. Midway through, we hit our Legal Minute with attorney Jeff O’Brien, covering environmental laws that can impact Minnesota real estate transactions and development, including CERCLA, MERLA, and the Petroleum Tank Release Cleanup Act. After that, Marcus shares what he’s seeing in the Sioux Falls, South Dakota market, including how different price ranges can behave like totally different markets and why local data matters. If you’re waiting for the perfect day where rates and prices are both ideal, we’ll challenge that mindset and explain how refinancing later can be the missing piece. Subscribe, share this with a friend who’s on the fence, and leave a review. What’s your biggest hesitation about buying 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

September 23, 2026Episode 3524 min

Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

If you wait until the first real cold snap, home maintenance stops being a weekend project and starts becoming an emergency. We’re putting together a practical fall maintenance checklist that helps you protect your home, avoid winter breakdowns, and keep repairs simple while the weather still cooperates. We start inside with the stuff that quietly turns into chaos: smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector batteries, plus the little-known “end of life” timer that makes newer alarms beep after about 10 years. We also talk through where water damage really begins, including worn caulk and grout in bathrooms and kitchens, and why it’s worth checking now instead of discovering stains later. Then we hit preparedness and safety basics like emergency kits and fire extinguishers, including what to look for on gauges and age limits. From there we move into HVAC and appliance maintenance that pays off fast: changing furnace filters, booking an HVAC tune-up before winter, cleaning greasy range hood filters, and clearing dryer vents to reduce fire risk. Outside, we cover gutter cleaning, downspouts, and the big one many homeowners underestimate: making sure grading and drainage push water away from the foundation. We wrap with exterior caulking and weather stripping tips, roof inspections, and fall landscaping tasks like trimming trees, shutting off exterior faucets, sealing driveway cracks, and winterizing irrigation systems so you don’t get hit with a costly spring surprise. If you want help planning repairs or you’re thinking about selling soon, subscribe for weekly real estate and homeownership advice, share this with a homeowner friend, and leave a quick review so more people can find the show. 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

September 16, 2026Episode 3420 min

Sell-Ready Starts Now

Buyers don’t magically disappear after summer, they get focused. Once Labor Day is over and school routines settle in, we see a real push from people who want one thing: get under contract and close before Thanksgiving or Christmas. That urgency can be a gift to sellers, but only if your home is ready to win online, where nearly every buyer starts their search. We walk through how to prepare your home today so you can sell tomorrow, whether “tomorrow” means next week or next spring. We talk curb appeal that actually changes behavior, including Midwest-friendly fall lawn care like continued mowing, early-fall high-nitrogen fertilizer, aeration, and overseeding so your yard rebounds fast. We also explain why it can be smart to schedule professional exterior photos while your landscaping looks its best, then use that marketing package during winter and early spring when outdoor photos are harder to capture. On the nuts-and-bolts side, we get real about exterior maintenance and why waiting can cost you. Cold weather can shut down painting and repairs, and lender rules mean you cannot always escrow money for fixes just because both sides agree. We also break down the “rule of three” we see in negotiations: a $3,000 issue can quickly become a $9,000 request once buyers price in hassle and risk. If you’re thinking about selling in five weeks, five months, or five years, start the plan now. Subscribe for more practical real estate advice, share this with a homeowner who’s on the fence, and leave a review so more people can find the show. 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

September 9, 2026Episode 3323 min

A Negotiation Market, what does that mean for you?

“Buyer’s market” and “seller’s market” don’t really capture what’s happening on the ground anymore. We’re seeing a negotiation market, where the real advantage comes from knowing when a home has leverage and when it doesn’t, how long it has been listed, and what terms a seller will actually accept. Along with Jason Walgrave and Marcus Walgrave, we talk through the shift from the frantic, rate-driven buying era to a slower pace where buyers can breathe, compare options, and ask for real protections again. We dig into inventory and price reductions, including why some areas can feel tight while others are stacked with listings, and why the same city can act like two different markets depending on price point. Then we share a wild example of cash buyers potentially paying above market to “reset” neighborhood comps, and what that could mean for valuations, appraisals, and everyday buyers trying to make sense of the numbers. If you care about real estate trends, housing market data, and smart negotiation strategy, this is the stuff that changes decisions. From there we get practical: home inspections are back, sellers are contributing to closing costs again, and days on market can be the difference between getting credits or getting shut down. Finally, we answer the question we hear constantly: should you wait for mortgage rates to drop? We lay out why “buy now, refinance later” can win when lower rates bring a wave of new competition, higher prices, and fewer concessions, especially when you factor in home appreciation. Subscribe for more real-world real estate and mortgage guidance, share this with a friend who’s house hunting, and leave us a review with your biggest “should I buy or wait?” question. 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