Mortgage Matters

Roland and Heidi discussed the upcoming Path to Homeownership and Financial Literacy Workshop on September 6, 2025, covering budgeting, credit preparedness, and loan programs. They clarified that down payment assistance involves one lender and multiple mortgage options. They highlighted a client's success with a cash-out refinance, reducing monthly payments by $1,500. They also addressed the impac...

Roland and Heidi discussed the potential of using home equity to manage rising costs and debt. They highlighted the "Home is Possible" program, which offers down payment assistance and low-interest rates for first-time homebuyers and teachers. The program's maximum purchase price is $806,500, and income limits extend up to $165,000. They shared a case study of a client with a $220,000 mortgage at...

Roland and Heidi discuss the shift from a balanced to a buyer's market in Las Vegas, noting that sellers are offering concessions, including covering closing costs and reducing prices. They highlight the upcoming Home is Possible online class on August 11, which covers down payment assistance programs, including up to 5% help and income limits of $165,000. They also discuss the Mortgage Credit Cer...

Roland and Heidi discussed their upcoming Path to Homeownership workshop on August 2nd. The workshop, held monthly, covers the home-buying process, down payment assistance, and closing costs. They emphasized the importance of accurate information, budgeting, and understanding the long-term implications of owning a home. They also highlighted the role of HUD-certified counselors and the Silver Stat...

Roland and Heidi break down the buzz around the newly approved VantageScore 4.0 and explain what it really means for mortgage lending. They offer practical guidance on understanding credit scores, navigating loan types, and why waiting for “perfect” conditions can delay your homeownership goals. With clear distinctions between pre-qualification and pre-approval, and a heartfelt invitation to their...

Congresswoman Susie Lee discussed the impact of the Senate's reconciliation bill on Nevada, highlighting $7 billion in Medicaid cuts over a decade, affecting 115,000 residents. She emphasized the need for affordable housing, proposing the Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act to develop 25,000 acres over 50 years. Lee also addressed the ACE Act, which expedites land appraisals,...

Roland and Heidi discussed the upcoming Path to Homeownership workshop on July 12, which offers a HUD home buyer education certificate. They shared Joss's journey to homeownership, highlighting the importance of down payment assistance programs. They also addressed the issue of trigger leads, which flood consumers with unsolicited calls from lenders, and the Home Buyers Privacy Protection Act, whi...

Roland and Heidi discuss the significance of National Homeownership Month in June, highlighting the 65% homeownership rate and the affordability challenges. They emphasize the importance of education through classes and workshops, such as the "Home is Possible" and "Path to Homeownership" programs. They address the potential privatization of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which could impact loan qual...

Roland and Heidi discuss the importance of homeownership during National Homeownership Month. They highlight programs like the Nevada Housing Division's "Home is Possible" initiative, which offers down payment assistance up to $165,000 annual income and can be used by veterans. They debunk myths about homeownership, emphasizing that age is not a barrier, with the average first-time homebuyer age b...

Roland and Heidi discuss the importance of estate planning for homeowners, emphasizing the need to avoid probate to save loved ones from legal fees and potential property loss. They highlight an upcoming online class on June 10, 2025, and a housing fair on June 7, 2025, both aimed at providing down payment assistance and homeownership resources. They explain the complexities of probate, the benefi...

Roland and Heidi discussed the current housing market trends in Las Vegas, highlighting a significant increase in housing inventory, with over 6,200 homes listed without offers in April. They noted the impact of economic factors like Moody's downgrade and tariffs on materials, which have pushed mortgage rates higher. The median home price dipped slightly to $480,000, offering potential buyers more...

Roland and Heidi discuss the upcoming online home ownership class, Home is Possible, on May 12th at 4 PM, covering Nevada Housing Division's down payment assistance programs, including a first-time buyer program, programs that allow ownership in other states, a $7,500 grant for teachers, as well as income limits up to $165,000. They also highlight the benefits of VA loans, which offer zero down pa...

Roland and Heidi discuss the Nevada Housing Coalition's efforts to promote affordable housing. Maurice Page, the coalition's Executive Director, highlights the state's shortage of 78,000 affordable housing units, with only 36,000 pre-COVID. The coalition's $500 million Home Means Nevada initiative aims to increase affordable housing by 3,400 units by 2026. They also discuss the Governor's housing...

Roland and Heidi discussed the importance of Fair Housing Month, emphasizing equity and access to safe housing. They were joined in studio by Gil Sanchez, Director and head of new membership efforts, and Allen Shelton, 1st Vice President and Political Advocacy Chair, with NAREB, who shared insights on the critical role of homeownership in building wealth and stability in Black and Brown communitie...

Roland and Heidi discuss the importance of Title and Escrow in home buying. They introduce guests Desiree Holmes and Brian Holland from Stewart Title. Desiree explains her role as an escrow officer, emphasizing the neutrality of Title and Escrow services. They address wire fraud prevention, stressing the importance of verifying wire instructions. Brian highlights Stewart Title's 132-year history a...

Roland and Heidi discuss various home-buying programs and upcoming educational opportunities. They sit down with Kevin Hickey, Homeownership Programs Manager with Nevada Rural Housing, to talk about exciting changes to the Home at Last down payment program, which offers down payment assistance up to 4% and permanent rate reduction through seller concessions and a 5-year forgivable term. Nevada Rur...

Roland and Heidi discuss the importance of Fair Housing Month in April, highlighting the Fair Housing Act's 1968 enactment and its significance in civil rights. They emphasize that discrimination can be subtle and affect access to wealth, safety, and stability. Upcoming classes include a down payment support class on April 18 and a VA home loan class on April 19. They debunk myths about VA loans,...

Roland and Heidi discuss upcoming educational opportunities in April, including a Path to Home Ownership workshop, a VA loan class for veterans, a down payment assistance class for realtors, and an A to Z class on down payment programs. They highlight the importance of fair housing, noting that April is Fair Housing Month. Fernanda Heki from Silver State Fair Housing Council explains the council's...

Roland and Heidi discuss upcoming educational classes and workshops in April, including the Path to Home Ownership workshop and a real estate class for realtors. They were joined by Kevin Hickey, Nevada Rural Housing's Homeownership Programs Manager, highlighting the Launch Pad program, which offers down payment and closing cost assistance for rural Nevadans, with options ranging from 2% to 5%. Th...

Roland and Heidi discuss the Las Vegas real estate market with Starla Jordan from Coldwell Banker. The median home price in January was $485,000, with approximately 5,600 homes on the market. The average days on the market is 47 days. The National Association of Realtors' settlement in August 2024 changed how commissions are negotiated, requiring buyers to sign a buyer brokerage representation agr...

The discussion on Mortgage Matters focused on the potential privatization of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Aaron Vantrojen, CEO of Geneva Financial, explained the historical context, noting Fannie Mae's creation in 1938 and their role in providing inexpensive mortgages. He highlighted that privatization could increase interest rates, impacting home affordability. Currently, Fannie and Freddie handle...

Roland and Heidi discuss the potential impact of changes to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and HUD on the mortgage industry. Aaron VanTrojen, CEO of Geneva Financial, explains the CFPB's role in regulating the mortgage industry post-2008 financial crisis and the challenges of its current state. He highlights the necessity of consumer protection regulations and the potential risks...

Roland and Heidi discuss the importance of homeownership and the challenges faced by potential home buyers. They highlight the Path to Home Ownership workshop, which includes education on budgeting, mortgage processes, and credit improvement. Kevin Hickey from Nevada Rural Housing explains their programs, including down payment assistance and the Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC), which offers a t...

Roland and Heidi are joined by the Black Realtists of Southern Nevada (NAREB) discussing its mission to promote home ownership among Black and minority communities. Special guests, including Allen Shelton, Aprille Noble, Rhonda Tolbert, and Gil Sanchez, highlighting NAREB's efforts in advocating for fair housing, providing educational resources, and organizing events to support first-time home buy...

Roland and Heidi discuss the importance of generational wealth. They emphasize the need for financial education, starting with children, and the importance of credit and life insurance in building wealth. They also highlight the challenges of probate and the necessity of estate planning.  They talk about their upcoming class on Monday, February 10, 2025, with the State of Nevada Housing Division....