Home Turf with Jesse Carlson

More real estate media doesn’t automatically mean better marketing. The real question is whether every photo, video, or tour has a purpose.

In this episode of Home Turf with Jesse Carlson, Jesse Carlson talks with Marshall Saunders and James Austin of WonOver Images about listing photography, staging, video, Matterport, Zillow tours, and social media.

From cleaner listing photos to more authentic content, the takeaway is simple: use the media that fits you instead of chasing every trend.

🎤 Host & Guests

Jesse Carlson is a St. Paul real estate agent and host of Home Turf with Jesse Carlson.

Marshall Saunders brings experience in film, photography, and real estate and helped build WonOver Images.

James Austin has a background in digital marketing, social media, and real estate photography.

✅ What You’ll Learn

• Prepare a home for better listing photos without over-staging.

• Use cleaner sight lines, lighting, and furniture placement to improve photos.

• Create more natural real estate videos without overproducing every clip.

• Know when professional photography adds value beyond an iPhone.

• Use Matterport, Zillow tours, video, and virtual staging with a clear purpose.

• Choose media that fits your business instead of copying other agents.

🔎 Key Questions Answered

Q: How should sellers prepare for real estate photos?

A: Focus on clutter, countertops, cords, furniture placement, and making key rooms easy to understand.

Q: Do real estate agents need highly polished social media videos?

A: Not always. Simple, genuine phone videos can feel more natural and relatable.

Q: Is an iPhone enough for listing photography?

A: It can take good photos, but professional photographers add composition, equipment, efficiency, and experience.

📣 CTA

Buying, selling, or building your real estate business in the Twin Cities? Follow Home Turf with Jesse Carlson for more practical conversations from the St. Paul real estate community.

⏱️ Chapters

(00:00) - Cold Open: Sell the Home or the Agent?

(00:48) - Intro & Meet James and Marshall

(02:40) - FPV Drones & Flight Restrictions

(04:58) - Marshall’s Real Estate Journey

(09:11) - James Austin’s Marketing Journey

(11:55) - What Makes WonOver Images Different

(15:34) - Selling the Home vs. Agent Brand

(18:17) - Preparing a Home for Listing Photos

(21:54) - Decluttering & What to Clean

(23:35) - Staging & Furniture Placement

(26:54) - Lamps, Plants & Sight Lines

(29:39) - Social Media Strategy for Agents

(33:55) - Authentic vs. Polished Video

(36:23) - Stop Selling, Build Curiosity

(38:40) - Making Social Media Fun

(40:04) - iPhone vs. Professional Photography

(42:49) - More Challenging Properties

(44:45) - Photographers Spot a Market Shift

(45:47) - How Agent Strategy Is Changing

(47:25) - iPhone Listing Photos vs. Pros

(48:43) - Why a Photographer’s Eye Matters

(50:53) - Use the Media That Fits You  

💼 Connect with Marshall Saunders & James Austin :

🌐 Website → https://wonoverimages.com/

📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/wonoverimages/

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/wonover-images

💼 Connect with Jesse Carlson:

🌐 Website → https://jessecarlson.com/

📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/JesseCarlsonRealEstate

📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/jessecarlsonrealtor/

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-carlson-0b296b205/

📌 Don’t Forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 & COMMENT 💬 Below!

⭐ Produced by Icons of Real Estate - https://iconsofrealestate.com/

Home Turf with Jesse Carlson is sponsored by WonOver Images - When potential buyers of your home see these photos when you go to sell, they will be... WonOver: https://wonoverimages.com/

#HomeTurfWithJesse #JesseCarlson #TwinCitiesRealEstate #StPaulRealEstate #StPaulMN #TwinCities #MinnesotaRealEstate #MovingToMinnesota #CommunityRealEstate #Homeownership #RealEstatePodcast #MinnesotaRealtor

What does great real estate service look like beyond the transaction?

Jesse Carlson talks with Grant Johnson Group Realtor Shana Schaffer about supporting Twin Cities buyers and sellers through emotional guidance, inspections, flexible scheduling, team coverage, and Follow Up Boss.

Learn how client-first systems and clear market strategies can reduce uncertainty in a changing Twin Cities housing market.

🎤 Host and Guest

Host: Jesse Carlson

Jesse Carlson is a St. Paul real estate agent who combines five years of Twin Cities residential experience with a tech-savvy, data-driven approach to housing and community real estate.

Guest: Shana Schaffer

Shana Schaffer grew up in Roseville, Minnesota, and earned a business management degree after attending Century College and Metropolitan State University. Before entering real estate in 2022, Shana managed European Wax Center locations. She now works with the Grant Johnson Group, using team collaboration and client-management systems to support buyers and sellers across the Twin Cities.

💡 What You’ll Learn

• Match buying or selling plans to price, speed, repair, and as-is goals.

• Price listings for higher inventory and fewer active buyers.

• Protect visibility by avoiding low-attendance holiday weekends.

• Explain inspection options, including sewer scopes.

• Organize prospecting, showings, and client work into flexible blocks.

• Maintain service through trusted team coverage.

• Prevent missed deadlines with Follow Up Boss, calendars, reminders, and centralized records.

❓ Key Questions Answered

Q: How should Twin Cities home sellers price their property in a changing market?A: Twin Cities home sellers need tighter, more market-specific pricing as inventory increases and buyer demand decreases. Shana Schaffer recommends aligning the listing price with the seller’s priorities, expected closing timeline, current competition, and local buyer demand.

Q: When should Minnesota sellers avoid listing a home?A: Minnesota sellers should consider avoiding low-attendance holiday weekends such as Labor Day and the Fourth of July, when many potential buyers may be traveling. Shana recommends using that time for staging and photography, then launching the listing when buyers return.

Q: What inspections should Twin Cities homebuyers consider?A: Twin Cities homebuyers should understand the full range of available inspections before deciding what fits their comfort level. Shana recommends a general home inspection and specifically highlights sewer scopes as a valuable option for buyers.

⏱ Chapters

(00:00) - Intro

(00:59) - Meet Shana Schaffer

(02:38) - From Beauty to Real Estate

(06:35) - Finding the Right Team

(09:09) - First-Year Mindset

(10:52) - Scheduling and Prospecting

(13:35) - Supporting Buyers and Sellers

(15:29) - Defining Client Goals

(18:53) - Listing Around Holidays

(23:50) - Follow Up Boss Systems

(27:03) - Motivation in a Shifting Market

(30:55) - Training, Negotiation, and AI

(34:41) - Response Times and Family

💼 Connect with Shana Schaffer:

🌐 Website → https://www.zillow.com/profile/shana-koland

📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/shanaschafferrealestate

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/shana-schaffer-0145941a0

🎧 Follow Jesse Carlson:

🌐 Website → https://jessecarlson.com/

📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/JesseCarlsonRealEstate

📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/jessecarlsonrealtor/

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-carlson-0b296b205/

Follow Home Turf with Jesse Carlson on Spotify for more Twin Cities real estate conversations.

⭐ Produced by Icons of Real Estate - https://iconsofrealestate.com/

Home Turf with Jesse Carlson is sponsored by WonOver Images - When potential buyers of your home see these photos when you go to sell, they will be... WonOver: https://wonoverimages.com/

#HomeTurfWithJesse #JesseCarlson #TwinCitiesRealEstate #StPaulRealEstate #StPaulMN #TwinCities #MinnesotaRealEstate #CommunityRealEstate #Homeownership #RealEstatePodcast

🚀 What does it take to find your identity in real estate - and build a career that fits you?

Jesse Carlson sits down with Wyatt Lemon, a Twin Cities real estate professional with the Grant Johnson Group, to talk about mentorship, personal growth, client relationships, and building a career in real estate.

Wyatt shares how he went from four homes in his first two years to 31 transactions the following year, what he learned from different mentors, his philosophy on following up with clients, and how he now helps other agents grow.

🎧 Hosted by: Jesse Carlson👤 Guest: Wyatt Lemon - Real Estate Professional, Grant Johnson Group

Wyatt Lemon is a Realtor® with the Grant Johnson Group, serving clients across the Twin Cities metropolitan area. He brings experience across a range of price points, prioritizing tailored, client-focused service and data-backed guidance to help buyers and sellers navigate every stage of their real estate journey.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

✔️ Building confidence after a slow start

✔️ Finding your identity in real estate

✔️ Learning from mentors and experienced agents

✔️ Why genuine care matters in follow-up

✔️ Putting the client's journey ahead of your ego

✔️ Helping people who know they're capable of more 

🎧 Listen now to Wyatt's journey through Twin Cities real estate. 

💼 Connect with Wyatt Lemon:

🌐 Website → http://wyattlemon.com/

📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/wyatt.lemon/

📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/wyattlemon/

🎧 Follow Jesse Carlson:

🌐 Website → https://jessecarlson.com/

📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/JesseCarlsonRealEstate

📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/jessecarlsonrealtor/

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-carlson-0b296b205/

⭐ Produced by Icons of Real Estate - https://iconsofrealestate.com/

Home Turf with Jesse Carlson is sponsored by WonOver Images - When potential buyers of your home see these photos when you go to sell, they will be... WonOver: https://wonoverimages.com/

#HomeTurfWithJesse #JesseCarlson #TwinCitiesRealEstate #StPaulRealEstate #MinnesotaRealEstate #RealEstatePodcast 

🚀 What happens when a home deal gets complicated - and you need someone who can find a way forward?

Jesse Carlson, a St. Paul real estate agent with five years of Twin Cities residential experience, talks with Billy Anstett of Luminate Bank about credit, mortgage lending, first-time homebuyers, and the problem-solving mindset behind difficult deals. They also get into Billy’s roots in Northeast Minneapolis, strategy games, travel, and what success means beyond work.

🎧 Hosted by: Jesse Carlson

👤 Guest: Billy Anstett - Mortgage Loan Officer, Angie Shear Team at Luminate Bank 

Billy Anstett is a Mortgage Loan Originator with Luminate Bank based in Northeast Minneapolis. Bringing six years of specialized lending experience with Luminate Bank following a decade of working in Washington, D.C., he provides clear, transparent mortgage guidance, helping clients navigate the home-buying process with confidence.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

✔️ Navigate credit challenges toward homeownership

✔️ Find solutions when mortgage deals get difficult

✔️ Understand the lending process as a first-time buyer

✔️ Build backup strategies when plans fail

✔️ Strengthen agent-lender partnerships

✔️ Apply strategic thinking to real-life challenges

✔️ Turn setbacks into opportunities to keep moving forward

✔️ Define success beyond work and career 

🎧 Listen now for insights on lending, credit, and homeownership. 

💼 Connect with Billy Anstett:

🌐 Website → http://www.billyanstett.com/

📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/BillyAnstettMortgageLoanOfficer/

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/billy-anstett-9088471a2/

🎧 Follow Jesse Carlson:

🌐 Website → https://jessecarlson.com/

📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/JesseCarlsonRealEstate

📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/jessecarlsonrealtor/

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-carlson-0b296b205/

📌 Follow the podcast and share this episode! 

⭐ Produced by Icons of Real Estate - https://iconsofrealestate.com/

Home Turf with Jesse Carlson is sponsored by WonOver Images - When potential buyers of your home see these photos when you go to sell, they will be... WonOver: https://wonoverimages.com/

#HomeTurfWithJesse #JesseCarlson #TwinCitiesRealEstate #StPaulRealEstate #MinnesotaRealEstate #Homeownership #MortgageLending #FirstTimeHomeBuyer 

🚀 What if a real estate podcast could be about more than buying and selling homes?

Welcome to Home Turf with Jesse Carlson. Jesse introduces the podcast and shares his vision for exploring Twin Cities real estate, Minnesota communities, and the interesting people and stories that make the area home.

From real estate professionals and community leaders to unexpected guests, Jesse wants to ask deeper questions and go beyond the traditional real estate podcast.

🏡  Hosted by: Jesse Carlson 

💡 What You’ll Learn:

✔️ Why Jesse created Home Turf 

✔️ What makes the show different from traditional real estate podcasts 

✔️ The guests and topics coming to future episodes 

✔️ The types of guests and topics coming to the show 

✔️ Why Jesse wants to ask deeper questions 

🎧 Listen now and welcome to Home Turf with Jesse Carlson!

🎧 Follow Jesse Carlson:

🌐 Website → https://jessecarlson.com/

📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/JesseCarlsonRealEstate

📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/jessecarlsonrealtor/

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-carlson-0b296b205/

⭐ Produced by Icons of Real Estate - https://iconsofrealestate.com/

Home Turf with Jesse Carlson is sponsored by WonOver Images - When potential buyers of your home see these photos when you go to sell, they will be... WonOver: https://wonoverimages.com/

#HomeTurfWithJesse #JesseCarlson #TwinCitiesRealEstate #StPaulRealEstate #MinnesotaRealEstate

Every community has people worth knowing.

Home Turf with Jesse Carlson is where those conversations happen. Hosted by Jesse Carlson, the show brings together real estate professionals, business owners, industry experts, and community voices from across the Twin Cities for thoughtful, unscripted conversations about the work they do, the challenges they face, and the ideas shaping the places we call home.

Some episodes dive into housing and entrepreneurship. Others explore local history, community issues, leadership, or the stories behind the people making a difference. The common thread isn't the topic; it's the people.

Because the best opportunities, partnerships, and communities are built through relationships. And if Jesse doesn't know the answer, chances are he knows the person who does.