By John Reuter – The Veteran Realtor Podcast
For many veterans, buying a home should be a seamless process—after all, they’ve served our country and earned access to benefits designed to support them. However, in Wisconsin and across the country, veterans are facing serious roadblocks when it comes to homeownership.
On a recent episode of The Veteran Realtor Podcast, I sat down with Wisconsin State Representative Alex Joers to talk about real solutions for veteran housing, affordability, and expanding benefits. Our conversation covered critical topics that impact veterans, active military members, and their families—including proposed legislation that could make homeownership easier and more affordable.
🏡 Why Are Veterans Struggling to Buy Homes?
The Wisconsin housing market is highly competitive, with demand far outpacing supply. Veterans looking to buy homes with their VA loan benefits often face challenges, including:
Limited housing inventory – There simply aren’t enough homes available for purchase, making it difficult for veterans to find suitable options.
Seller hesitancy toward VA loans – Many sellers mistakenly believe VA loans are complicated or take too long to close, leading them to favor conventional buyers.
Property tax burdens – Many disabled veterans face financial strain due to rising property taxes, making homeownership less attainable.
Rep. Joers put it plainly:
“I don’t want to see any veterans that are homeless. I don’t want to see anybody that’s homeless. There are things our state can do to push that a little further and ensure that resources reach people efficiently.”
📢 Expanding the Veterans Property Tax Credit
One of the biggest legislative efforts aimed at helping veterans is the expansion of the Veterans Property Tax Credit. Currently, veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating are eligible for full property tax relief. However, a new proposal would lower the threshold to 70% disability, allowing more veterans to qualify.
Why This Matters
✅ More disabled veterans would receive financial relief.
✅ It would reduce the tax burden on veteran homeowners.
✅ The legislation could include renters, ensuring even more veterans benefit.
Rep. Joers shared:
“Making sure more veterans can access that credit is essential. The governor’s budget proposal includes a threshold starting at 70%, which would be a huge win for Wisconsin veterans. If the majority party removes it, we’ll push for it as standalone legislation.”
🏠 Increasing Housing Supply: Workforce Housing Credits & TIF Districts
One of the biggest challenges veterans face isn’t just affordability—it’s availability. Wisconsin’s housing market has far fewer homes than needed, and the demand continues to rise.
Rep. Joers highlighted how workforce housing credits and TIF (Tax Increment Financing) districts could help boost new home construction and affordable housing development.
How These Solutions Help Veterans
📈 Workforce housing credits encourage builders to create affordable homes.🏡 TIF districts allocate funds for residential development, making housing more accessible.🛠️ These efforts help increase the number of homes available, giving veterans more options.
Rep. Joers explained:
“The legislature has made progress in removing some barriers for developers and homebuyers, but we need to do more. Expanding access to workforce housing credits and TIF districts will help increase supply and create more opportunities for people—including veterans—to find homes.”
💰 The Main Street Bounce Back Program: Supporting Veteran-Owned Businesses
Beyond housing, many veterans transition into small business ownership after leaving the military. The Main Street Bounce Back Program is a proposal designed to help small businesses move into vacant commercial properties, revitalizing downtown areas and local economies.
Rep. Joers reintroduced this bill after it was removed from the governor’s budget, with the hope of passing it as standalone legislation. Veteran-owned businesses would benefit from increased access to capital, allowing them to expand or launch new businesses in their communities.
He emphasized:
“Small businesses—especially veteran-owned businesses—are the backbone of our communities. We need to make sure people are connected to funding that allows them to grow and thrive.”
🚧 Legislative Roadblocks: Why Some Bills Don’t Make It
Even when bipartisan support exists, some bills never make it to the finish line. Rep. Joers shared that sometimes one person in leadership can stall a bill, preventing it from being scheduled for a vote.
“Sometimes, just one person in leadership can hold up a bill, even if it has bipartisan support. That’s what’s happening right now with the postpartum Medicaid extension bill. The same could happen with veteran benefits if people don’t step up and make their voices heard.”
That’s why it’s critical for veterans and homeowners to stay informed and engaged—by contacting legislators and sharing their stories, we can help push these important policies forward.
📢 How You Can Take Action
1️⃣ Stay informed – Follow legislative updates on veteran housing and benefits.
2️⃣ Advocate for change – Contact your state representatives and senators to voice support for housing policies that benefit veterans.
3️⃣ Work with veteran-friendly professionals – If you’re a veteran looking to buy a home, work with a real estate agent who understands VA loans and military benefits (like me!).
🎖️ Final Thoughts: Veterans Deserve Housing Solutions
As an Air Force veteran and real estate professional, I’m committed to helping veterans navigate homeownership and advocating for better housing policies. Veterans served our country—it’s time we ensure they have access to the homes and benefits they deserve.
💬 What are the biggest challenges you see in the Wisconsin housing market?
Drop a comment below!
📢 Listen to the full episode here: YouTube Link or listen on your Spotify or Apple Podcast
🎙️ Hosted by John Reuter – Air Force Veteran & Madison’s Trusted Realtor
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🎖️ Serving Those Who Served – Making Homeownership Easy for Veterans!
💬 Interested in being a guest on The Veteran Realtor Podcast or have a topic you'd like us to cover? Whether you're a veteran, policymaker, or industry expert with insights on housing, benefits, or real estate, I'd love to hear from you!
Reach out today at 📩 john@integrityhomeswi.com or 📞 608-669-4226 to start the conversation. 🎙️🏡🎖️
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