Listen Now

There are many moving pieces and parts that contribute to developing a lot.  In this episode, Scott and Steve Decleene, President of Neumann Developments, break down the process for you. Learn about all the costs that go into developing a lot and everything your land might have gone through before you built on it!

Have you been having a hard time shopping for homes? In this episode, Scott is joined by Steve DeCleene, President of Neumann Developments, to discuss everything that’s happening with inventory in the housing market right now. Scott and Steve break down a healthy inventory market, where we are today, and what’s on the road ahead. 

Senthil Rajamanickam from Lindsay Windows is back to guide you on how to buy windows – what to look for and what questions to ask your builder or remodeler. Scott and Senthil also spend a little time talking about corporate culture and how it affects the company’s creativity and the products it delivers. Get “a window” into what makes Lindsay Windows a top-of-the-line company. 

Windows are an integral part of building a home. Understanding what goes into your windows will ultimately determine the comfort and design of your new home. In this episode, Scott talks with window expert and Lindsay Windows owner, Senthil Rajamanickam about all things windows. They discuss the many window options available today and even touch on making windows, from the chemicals involved to the extrusion process. 

If you’re considering building a new home, this is the podcast episode you’ve been waiting for! Scott invites Lead Designer, April Jensen back to the podcast to discuss practical ways to make building a home more affordable without sacrificing quality and features. They’ll tell you what upgrades you can delay and do later and what you should have your builder do when the house is being built.  At the end of this episode, you’ll be able to look at your list of wants, needs, and wishes and decide what to include in your new home build today.

Designing a new home and buying it online may seem like something from The Jetsons, but it's truly the future of new home construction. Rachel Schwab joins host Scott Thistle to introduce Harbor Homes to the podcast and pick Scott's brain about Harbor Homes iDesign. They discuss how iDesign is changing the way people shop for and buy new homes. For more information or to design your own home on Harbor Homes iDesign visit https://www.harborhomeswi.com/idesign. 

If you’re looking to build a new home, you’ll most likely need to take out a construction loan and a construction loan is a little more complex than a standard mortgage loan. Scott welcomes back, Vice President, Matt Gaulke of Great Midwest Bank to demystify the construction loan process. From preapproval to occupancy Matt and Scott walk through all the details. You’ll feel ready to take on a construction loan after this episode.  Looking for more information on construction loans? Contact Great Midwest Bank at http://greatmidwestbank.com.

To say that mortgage rates are low today might be an understatement. What do these really low rates mean for the average borrower? In this episode, Scott dives into mortgage lending with Matt Gaulke from Great Midwest Bank. They talk about today’s rate environment and discuss the benefits of different mortgage products, including fixed rate and adjustable rate and their benefits. They explain Fannie and Freddie and how they impact the mortgage market. Scott also touches on why he thinks working with a local lender is so important, especially for a first-time buyer. You’ll also learn the difference between preapproval and prequalification and why the difference is a big deal when you go to buy a house. 

Eli Bliffert, of Bliffert Lumber and Hardware, is back with Scott to discuss supplies, logistics, and labor in the home building industry. Today just about every industry operates in the global marketplace and a global supply chain. While your cabinets may come from just upstate, the hardware might come from China and the wood from Canada, meaning challenges (like a global pandemic) throughout the world have a real effect on your supply. This episode gives insight into what you might notice when you walk into your local hardware store and what you can expect with supplies when building a new home today. Eli also gives his take on the marketplace and what things might look like years from now and why now is a great time to build a house.

Lumber is an essential material that goes into building a new house. Since last year the lumber market has been busy with no sign of settling down. In this episode, Scott talks with Eli Bliffert, 5th generation Milwaukee lumber guy, about what is going on with lumber. Increased demand, diminished supply, and delayed delivery mean that things are changing in the home building industry. You'll learn about the lumber market, how it might affect when you build or how you build. You can find Bliffert Lumber and Hardware locations throughout Southeastern Wisconsin and online at BliffertLumber.com.

The design/selections meeting is one of the most exciting parts of building a new home. April Jensen, Lead Designer at Halen Homes joins Scott to talk about the process and how to make it as fun and stress-free as possible. April will share the importance of uncovering your decorating style and how to find it if you're not sure what it is (Hint: lean on your designer!).  Scott and April also discuss Halen's Design Center and how it saves customers time and hassle when choosing all their new home finishes. If you're thinking of building or remodeling, this is the episode for you!

You spend so much time choosing finishes when building and decorating your home, but if the lighting is poor, your hard work could be lost in the dark. April Jensen, Lead Designer at Halen Homes, talks with Scott about how important lighting is in a home. From task lighting to statement fixtures, April will breakdown everything you need to know about lighting the inside and outside of your home. 

In our final episode of the season, Scott talks with Adam Nonn of Nonn’s Kitchen, Bath & Flooring (nonns.com) about what’s trending in home appliances. Need a TV in your refrigerator door? How about an oven you can preheat with your phone? You got it! Appliance technology is ever-changing, and Adam is going to get us up to speed. They also dive into the problems that COVID-19 is creating with appliance availability. 

Adam Nonn, from Nonn’s Kitchen, Bath & Flooring (nonns.com) is back to talk about all things flooring! There are more choices in flooring than ever before. From traditional materials like carpet and natural wood to engineered wood, laminate, and SPC/WPC vinyl, consumers have lots of options – all with their pros and cons. Adam and Scott tell you everything you need to know before you take a step onto your new floors.

Cabinets and countertops are fundamental elements of your home’s interior. While function is key when choosing these essential pieces, design is always top of mind. Adam Nonn, from Nonn’s Kitchen, Bath & Flooring (nonns.com) joins Scott to discuss why more people are going with box cabinets instead of custom, the differences in countertop options (and there a lot of them), and how the pandemic has affected the availability of building materials today.

Looking to buy land to build on? Has the lot been on the market for a long time? What about adverse possession rights? Is it buildable land? This New House host Scott Thistle and Mark Augustine from LandMark Sciences finish this three-part series looking at all the challenges that can come into play when buying lots and land to build a house. Together they explain what everyone needs to watch out for and consider before making an offer on a lot. 

In episode two of our three-part series on lots and land, Scott talks again with soil expert, Mark Augustine from LandMark Engineering Sciences. An often overlooked, yet a key element of home building is the soil you build on. To have your home look good above ground, the foundation below ground needs to be right. Mark explains the different types of soil and how they affect your foundation. They also talk about seasonal groundwater and why you want to be aware of that to avoid flooding and moisture in your basement. 

Land expert Mark Augustine talks with Scott about his background and how he helps people choose the right lot to build on. In this first of a three-part series, Scott and Mark talk about what goes into choosing a lot in a subdivision versus out in the country. From setbacks and zoning to soil and the water table, there are many details that need to be considered before you can start building a new home. Scott also dives into the differences in zoning and rules among municipalities like villages, cities, and towns. If you are looking build this episode will give you the “ground rules”. 

Part 2 of the HVAC discussion with Dave Jones, Inc. In this episode, Scott is talking with Joe and Matt talk about furnaces and air conditioning units, how they work, and what's available for consumers today. They discuss the importance of regular maintenance to keep your equipment running efficiently. 

It’s too hot! It’s too cold! How do you get the most out of your heating and cooling system and keep everyone comfortable? In this episode, Scott talk with Joe Skidmore and Matt Bubb from Dave Jones, Inc. about the calculations that go into designing a properly working HVAC system. Learn how to get the most out of your heating and cooling and stay comfortable in your home; all while still being energy conscience.