Nestology Podcast

Here is part 2 of our amazing conversation with Story Builders! If you did not hear part 1, be sure to check that out first.

Ever dreamed about building a home that's completely, 100% yours? This week we're sitting down with our friends Erin and Derek Kvistad of Story Builders, a custom home building company. Today they are answering all our questions! We're covering all the big questions people have when they start thinking about going the custom build route: What does "true custom" actually mean? How long does it real...

Property surveys are one of the most important and most overlooked parts of a real estate transaction. In this episode, we break down what a property survey actually is, what it shows, and why it matters for buyers, sellers, and homeowners alike. We cover: What information a survey includes Property lines, easements, and encroachments Why fences don’t always mark the true boundary When an old surv...

VA loans are one of the most powerful mortgage options available, yet they’re often misunderstood. Today, we break down how VA loans work, who qualifies, and why they can be such an incredible benefit for veterans and active-duty military families. We cover: The biggest advantages of VA loans Common myths and misconceptions Down payments, interest rates, and funding fees VA appraisals and inspecti...

In this Q&A episode, we’re answering some of the biggest questions our listeners and our buyers and sellers are asking right now about the housing market. We cover: What’s happening with the market and interest rates Whether it’s currently a good time to buy or sell What buyers are really looking for in today’s market A real-world example of how a rate buy down works The biggest mistakes selle...

In this episode, we’re joined by Renae Duhaime , Appliance Care & Maintenance Specialist, and she was an absolute blast to talk to! Renee shares practical, easy-to-follow advice on how to properly care for your appliances which is something most homeowners don’t realize they’re missing until something breaks. From simple maintenance tips to common mistakes that can shorten the life of your app...

After our first episode on Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs), AKA reverse mortgages, we received a lot of great questions from listeners and clients — so we’re back to answer your questions! In this follow-up episode, we’re answering the most common questions and clearing up confusion around how reverse mortgages actually work. Reverse mortgages can be a helpful tool in the right situation,...

If you’ve been curious about investing in real estate but worried about qualifying for another mortgage, DSCR loans might be worth understanding. In this episode, we break down what DSCR loans are, how they work, and why they’ve become a popular financing option for real estate investors. Unlike traditional mortgages that rely heavily on personal income, DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio) loans fo...

Credit scores can feel mysterious, confusing, and sometimes frustrating, especially when you’re preparing to buy a home. In this episode, we break down how credit scores actually work and why they play such an important role in the mortgage process. We talk about what factors impact your credit score, common misconceptions about credit, and practical steps you can take to improve your score if you...

This week we are having some fun. We love HGTV. It’s inspiring, entertaining, and sometimes dangerously convincing. But as much as we enjoy the “TV magic,” real life buying, selling, and renovating doesn’t always happen in 30-minute segments with a perfectly wrapped bow at the end. In this episode, we’re breaking down the biggest things HGTV gets wrong and why it actually matters for homeowners. F...

In this episode, we’re joined by Alex Murray, a certified life and business coach and owner of Unleash You Coaching. We have conversation about fear, mindset, and the root causes that often keep us stuck — in business, home life, and personal growth. We talk about how fear shows up in different ways, why simply knowing what to do isn’t the hard part, and how uncovering the why beneath our fears is...

You asked, we answered! Here is another Q&A episode, we’re answering some of the questions we have received. The week we are going to break down: How buying or selling a home between family members works What earnest money is and why it matters What an escrow shortage is and why your payment might suddenly change How to properly price a home in today’s market Whether you’re buying, selling, or...

Interior design trends are always a fun conversation and 2026 is giving us so much to talk about. While we’ll always be advocates of doing what you love in your home (and not chasing every trend), this year’s design direction has us genuinely excited. In this episode, we break down the interior design trends for 2026 that are moving us away from sterile, bland spaces and back toward homes that fee...

In this episode, we’re talking about goal setting...but not the hustle-at-all-costs kind. We share how we use Darren Hardy’s Best Year Ever framework to reflect on the previous year and set goals that are intentional, balanced, and aligned with real life...not just work or money. We open up about how challenging the last few years have been mentally and emotionally, and why that has changed how we...

Surprise — Jessica has been gone for weeks! But thanks to pre-recorded episodes, you never would’ve known. Now that she’s back from her massive road trip sabbatical, we’re finally catching up on everything… including how to podcast again. 😆 Between solar flares, bizarre tech glitches, lost audio, and several “wait… what were we saying?” moments, this episode got a little chaotic. We did our best...

Selling your home during the holidays doesn’t have to be stressful—or mean skipping the decorations you love. In this episode, we share our favorite tips for selling your home during the holiday season , from smart showing strategies to festive (but tasteful) staging ideas. We talk about how to strike the right balance between warm and welcoming décor and keeping your space show-ready, why holiday...

If it’s not on the calendar, it doesn’t get done—at least that’s how it works for us! That’s why we created this episode: to go back to the basics of home maintenance and remind you of the simple, preventative tasks that save homeowners thousands in repairs and stress. We’ve had a lot of amazing experts on Nestology, but sometimes it’s good to pause and revisit the essentials. From HVAC filters an...

With interest rates starting to fall (yay!), many homeowners are asking the big question: Is now the right time to refinance? In this episode, we’re tackling all the most common questions about refinancing so you can make an informed decision. We cover: What refinancing actually means and how the process works When refinancing makes sense (and when it doesn’t) How to calculate potential savings on...

Real estate fraud has always been a concern (especially wire fraud) but in the age of AI, scammers are getting more sophisticated than ever. In this episode, we’re joined by Kristin Edwards with Sendera Title to uncover the newest tactics fraudsters are using and how both consumers and real estate professionals can protect themselves. We discuss: Why wire fraud is still one of the biggest risks in...

Warranties can be confusing—home warranties, builder warranties, repair warranties—what’s covered, what’s not, and when they actually make sense. In this episode, we break it all down so you know how to protect your home and your wallet. We cover: The truth about home warranties and why fine print matters What’s included in a builder’s warranty (and when it expires) How repair and service warranti...

Think new homes don’t need inspections? Think again. In this episode, we’re joined by Chris Kiminki, owner of Green Star Home Inspections , who specializes in inspecting brand-new construction. Chris breaks down why even newly built homes can hide costly issues, what phase inspections are, and how they protect buyers throughout the building process. From foundations and framing to final walk-throu...

The insurance world feels a bit like the Wild West right now—rates are climbing, coverage is shrinking, and many homeowners are left wondering what’s going on. In this episode, we’re joined by special guest Courtney McManis with Farmers Insurance , who gives us a timely update on what’s happening in the insurance industry and why. Courtney breaks down the key changes, from skyrocketing premiums to...

It’s our 50th episode 🎉 and we’re diving into a powerful (but often overlooked) option for today’s buyers— renovation loans . With so many people turning to new construction, it’s easy to forget that older homes full of character can be updated and personalized with the right financing. Renovation loans open the door to buying the house you love and making it what you need. In this episode, we br...

In this episode, we’re diving into the world of plumbing with special guest Clayton Robinson , owner of CR Plumbing . From leaky faucets to cast iron pipes, Clayton shares what every homeowner should know to maintain a healthy plumbing system. We cover: General plumbing maintenance Water heaters (and how to take care of them) Cast iron plumbing issues Water filtration systems What not to put down...

In this episode, we’re joined by special guest Georgia from HomeSmiles of Fort Worth, a company that specializes in preventative home maintenance. Georgia walks us through why regular upkeep is so important, what tasks homeowners often forget, and how proactive maintenance can save you thousands in the long run. Whether it’s HVAC servicing, water heater drainage, or seasonal checkups, this episode...