The voices behind the homes in the Heartland. Licensed in Iowa and Nebraska to better serve its customers, Heartland Properties real estate agency, serving the Council Bluffs and Omaha areas, was opened in 1988 by John H. Jerkovich and Barbara Coats. Heartland Properties is now owned by John H. Jerkovich and Jason M. James and has continued to grow to be one of Southwest Iowa's largest Real Estate Companies.
The Future of Council Bluffs Starts with Community | Rachel Jensen
What does the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce actually do? It's much more than ribbon cuttings and networking events.
In this episode of Heartland Talks with JPS Realty Group, we sit down with Rachel Jensen, Director of Workforce Initiatives for the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce, to discuss how the Chamber is helping businesses grow, retaining young professionals, developing future community leaders, and shaping the future of Council Bluffs.
We discuss:
How the Chamber supports local businesses behind the scenes
Leadership Council Bluffs and Young Professionals programs
Why community connection and belonging matter
Attracting new residents and businesses to Council Bluffs
The "This is Iowa" campaign and workforce initiatives
Dreaming big for the future through the Council Bluffs 2050 Comprehensive Plan
Why investing in people creates stronger communities
Whether you're a business owner, community leader, or someone who loves seeing Council Bluffs grow, this conversation offers a fascinating look at the people and ideas helping shape the city's future.
💬 What do you think Council Bluffs should look like in 2050? Leave your ideas in the comments!
👍 If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to like, subscribe, and share it with someone who cares about the future of our community.
#CouncilBluffs #HeartlandTalks #JPSRealtyGroup #CouncilBluffsChamber #Leadership #EconomicDevelopment #SmallBusiness #CommunityLeadership #Iowa #WorkforceDevelopment
12 Jun 2026
Everything You Need to Know Before Buying Your First Home
Thinking about buying a home but not sure where to start?
In this episode of Heartland Talks with JPS Realty Group, we sit down with local mortgage experts Mark Meade (American National Bank) and Dylan Gravelin (NEO Home Loans) to answer some of the most common questions homebuyers ask.
We cover:
🏡 The first steps to buying a home
💳 Credit scores and how they affect your loan options
💰 Down payment assistance programs and grants
📈 Current mortgage rates and what they mean for buyers
📋 Common mistakes that can derail a loan approval
🔑 Tips for first-time homebuyers and young adults entering the market
🏠 Investment property financing and rental property loans
Whether you're buying your first home, planning for the future, or just want to better understand the lending process, this conversation is packed with practical advice and insider knowledge from professionals who help buyers every day.
Have a question about buying a home? Leave it in the comments and we may cover it in a future episode!
#FirstTimeHomeBuyer #MortgageTips #HomeBuying #RealEstatePodcast #HeartlandTalks #JPSRealtyGroup #MortgageRates #HomeLoans #RealEstateAdvice #CouncilBluffs
15 May 2026
How John Jerkovich Built Heartland Properties Into a Council Bluffs Real Estate Legacy
Heartland Talks sits down with Heartland Properties founder John H. Jerkovich to talk about the early days of building one of Southwest Iowa’s most recognized real estate companies.
John shares stories about launching Heartland Properties in 1988, developing neighborhoods like Heartland Country Estates and Bent Tree, taking massive risks in real estate development, and growing a company culture focused on relationships, leadership, and long-term success.
The conversation also dives into:
• The growth of Council Bluffs real estate
• Building partnerships with local builders and developers
• Lessons for new agents entering the business
• The future of Heartland Properties
• New developments and projects coming soon
If you enjoy local business stories, entrepreneurship, real estate investing, and leadership conversations, this episode delivers decades of hard-earned insight straight from one of the most influential real estate figures in the area.
Connect with Heartland Properties:
https://www.heartlandproperties.com (https://www.heartlandproperties.com)
#CouncilBluffs #RealEstate #HeartlandProperties #JohnJerkovich #IowaRealEstate #Entrepreneurship #BusinessPodcast #HeartlandTalks #RealEstateDevelopment #SouthwestIowa
13 Apr 2026
The Secret to a Winning Real Estate Team (Hint: It’s Not Sales)
Welcome to Heartland Talks with JPS Realty Group 🎙️
In this episode, we sit down with Chrissy and Karen, the faces of Heartland Properties, to talk about how they got started, what keeps people at the company for decades, and what really makes this team different.
This isn’t your typical real estate conversation.
We get into:
The real story behind Heartland’s culture (and why people never leave)
What it actually takes to succeed in real estate
Hilarious front desk moments you won’t believe 😂
Why positivity, family, and loyalty matter more than you think
Advice for anyone thinking about becoming an agent
Plus… a few stories that prove this office is anything but boring.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like behind the scenes in a real estate office or what makes a team truly work, this episode is for you.
👇 Drop a comment and let us know:
Who should we have on the podcast next?
🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow along as we bring you more real conversations about real estate and the people behind it.
#RealEstate #RealEstateLife #Podcast #BusinessCulture #HeartlandProperties
13 Mar 2026
Launching the JPS Realty Group Podcast | Council Bluffs Real Estate Talk
The JPS Realty Group podcast officially launches with Jason James, Yvette Perdue, and Jake Stander of Heartland Properties in Council Bluffs.
In this first episode, the team shares why they started the podcast, how their new real estate team came together, and what’s happening in the Council Bluffs housing market right now.
Jason brings over 30 years of experience in local real estate, Jake shares what it’s like starting a career in the industry, and Yvette talks about how the team dynamic is energizing the entire office.
Topics we cover in this episode:
Why the JPS Realty Group team was created
What it takes to succeed in real estate
Council Bluffs housing market trends
The need for affordable housing
Why Council Bluffs is changing for the better
What to expect from the new podcast
If you live in Council Bluffs or the surrounding area and want real conversations about the local real estate market, this podcast is for you.
Subscribe for future episodes where we’ll bring on lenders, business owners, and community leaders to talk about housing, development, and life in Southwest Iowa.
(Recorded in Council Bluffs, Iowa)
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