Episode 8 - Independence Day Doubleheader!

Happy Fouth of July! To celebrate, Real Estate this Week presents our “Independence Day Doubleheader!” A show with twice the information - about all the ways America supports homeownership! We'll talk to two wonderful guests: Louisiana Broker Candice Skinner - a member of a wonderful military family - about why so many people in the military dream of homeownership! We also examine the VA Loan - - one of the only zero-down mortgages in the nation - with Chris Birk, at Veterans United Home Loans. He'll offer up the facts! Real Estate this Week With Stephen Gasque: The best real estate strategies out there - just for you!

 

Episode Transcript

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Real Estate with Stephen Gasque

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Episode # 8 'Independence Day Double Header'

Drop Date (00:02):
July 3, 2025
Stephen Gasque
(Announcer VO - Show Open)
This is Real Estate with Stephen Gasque!
Continuing 16 years on-air and online - helping you succeed in buying, selling and investing in property!
The best real estate strategies out there - just for you!
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Page 1. Show Open & Guest Intro
Welcome to Real Estate this Week! Hi again! I'm Stephen Gasque, and Happy 4th of July! I am so glad you're here - as we talk about how to nail it! Every time! No matter what kind of real estate you want to do!
Just you, me and the best real estate guests in the country!
Today...it's our Independence Day Double Header! Looking at all the ways homeownership matters to our nation's veterans and active duty service members. The challenges they face! And the benefits the county provides! A topic so important - it's a double-length show!
Let's begin our coverage with a Realtor who specializes in helping members of the military achieve the American Dream of homeownership!
Joining us now is Candice Skinner, broker owner of Candice Skinner Real Estate, in Leesville, Deridder, and Lake Charles Louisiana…serving Fort Polk - the largest military post in Louisiana. Candice is a 2012 recipient of Realtor Magazine’s prestigious 30-under-30 awards.…which recognizes the top young real estate professionals in America.
Page 2. Candice Skinner - Interview
Page 3. Candice Skinner - Tag
Candice Skinner, broker owner of Candice Skinner Real Estate, in Leesville, Deridder, and Lake Charles Louisiana…serving Fort Polk - the largest military post in Louisiana. Candice is a 2012 recipient of Realtor Magazine’s prestigious 30-under-30 awards.…which recognizes the top young real estate professionals in America.
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Page 3A. Intro - Chris Birk
And now, let's continue our Independence Day Double Header - with a deep dive into what's called the best mortgage in America - the VA Loan! And, what it means to our nation's veterans, and active duty service members. Information you need to know if you're a vet, or on active duty....or, if you know someone who is!
Joining us now is Chris Birk, the Vice President of Mortgage Insight for Veterans United Home Loans, the nation's #1 VA lender for Homebuyers.
Chris, welcome to Real Estate This week!

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Page 3B. Interview - Chris Birk
Page 3C. Tag - Chris Birk
Chris Birk, the Vice President of Mortgage Insight for Veterans United Home Loans, the nation's #1 VA lender for Homebuyers.
Page 4. Beyond the Basics
And now, it's time for 'Beyond the Basics,' in which we bring your real estate knowledge to the next level! And today...
as we celebrate the 4th of July, you heard us just talk about the VA loan... but now? let's also talk about some of the other ways the United States supports home ownership.
Because after all, money experts will tell you, owning a home of your own is the pathway to financial Independence. And so the 4th is a great time to take a look at that.
One thing you might not think of, but it's really important, is the 30-year fixed rate mortgage. A mortgage that is split into 360 payments. Payments that will never go up! Meaning it's affordable… and you can rely on that same payment for 30 years. Now. Sure, your property taxes might go up and your your homeowner's insurance might go up, but not that mortgage!
Other countries have fixed rate mortgages, but nothing quite like the 30-year conventional fixed rate mortgage that 90% of Americans use to pay for their homes.
Also the capital gains exclusion. Now this one's huge. If you make a great profit when you sell your house, first of all congratulations! But the capital gains exclusion says your profit is tax-free, if, as a married couple, your profit is $500,000 or less. And if you're single $250,000 or less.
Just imagine getting that kind of a paycheck, tax-free! It's pretty great. Now there are rules, as you might expect, but not many. You must have lived in the house 2 years out of the last five, and it has to be your primary residence. Not an investment property. But it's an official part of the US tax code! So it's the real deal.
Another way America supports home ownership happens in cities and towns and states all across America. Down payment assistance! Programs designed to help home buyers get into a house of their very own. They're in all 50 states! In some of them you have to pay the money back when you sell the house, others. Jay, if you live there 5 or 10 years it's automatically paid off. And it's still others don't require any repayment at all. They have helped people from coast to coast get into a home of their own, without having to save for another 10 years!
Those are just a few of the ways America supports home ownership. It's part of the backbone of the nation. And as we celebrate the 4th of July, it's pretty clear why home ownership is called the American dream.
(Closing Guitar)
Page 5. Tease to Next Week's Show & Show Close
Next time on Real Estate This Week? Good News for Home Buyers! More houses are coming up for sale in many markets! and for buyers that means more choices and less competition! But what's it mean for home sellers?
That's next - on Real Estate This Week!
And until then, I'm Stephen Gasque....and thank you for listening!
(Announcer VO - Show Close)
A brand new episode of Real Estate with Stephen Gasque drops every Thursday - everywhere!
And you're invited to listen, subscribe and follow us! Just look for Real Estate, with Stephen Gasque!

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The best real estate strategies out there - just for you!