Mortgage Heroes's Podcast

California's new SB 296 could mean major property tax savings for veterans with a 100% VA disability rating. But does 100% VA disability mean you pay ZERO property taxes? In this episode of the Mortgage Heroes Podcast, William Flores sits down with retired U.S. Navy veteran and homeowner Christian Torres Sanchez to explain California Senate Bill 296, the expanded disabled veterans property ta...

What happens when military service ends—but your commitment to serving others doesn't? In this episode of Friends of Mortgage Heroes, Andy Cruz sits down with retired Naval Officer and helicopter pilot Marvin De La Vega to talk about his incredible journey from flying Navy helicopters around the world to building a 20+ year career in San Diego real estate—and finding a new mission helping fel...

Can you really repair your credit—and how do you know if a credit repair company is actually helping you or just selling you a scam? In this episode of Friends of Mortgage Heroes , Andy Cruz sits down with Michael Officer of Score Experts to break down how credit scores really work, what lenders are looking for, and the mistakes that could be keeping you from qualifying for a mortgage, auto loan,...

Can your home become your next investment? In this episode of the Mortgage Heroes Podcast, we break down four proven real estate strategies that everyday homeowners, military families, first-time buyers, and investors are using to generate income, build equity, and create long-term wealth. Whether you're considering an ADU, converting your garage into a rental, buying a multifamily property,...

Success in real estate isn't built by one person—it’s built by the right team . In this episode of the Mortgage Heroes Weekly Podcast , we're excited to welcome Cesar "Super Lender" Holguin to the Mortgage Heroes family. But this conversation goes far beyond a team introduction. We explore what separates great mortgage professionals from average ones, why collaboration creates...

Most people think owning an Airbnb is easy. Buy a property. List it online. Watch the money roll in. The reality? Most short-term rental investors leave thousands of dollars on the table because they misunderstand what actually drives bookings, revenue, and long-term success. In this episode of Friends of Mortgage Heroes, Andy sits down with Braydon Moreno, co-founder of Tumo Stays, to unpack what...

Your VA loan can do more than help you buy a home — it can help you build long-term income, stability, and legacy. In this episode of the Mortgage Heroes Podcast , Brian and Will sit down with retired Command Master Chief Lloyd Stanford to talk about how military homebuyers, veterans, and current VA homeowners can think beyond “just buying a house” and start using homeownership as a long-term weal...

Why are so many real estate investors leaving California right now? In this episode of Friends of Mortgage Heroes, we sit down with Chris Armao from APX 1031 Exchange to talk about what’s REALLY happening in the investment property world in 2026—from rising landlord pressure to the growing popularity of 1031 exchanges and DSTs (Delaware Statutory Trusts). This conversation goes far beyond basic “w...

Thinking about converting your garage into an ADU or rental unit in San Diego? In this episode of Mortgage Heroes, we break down the REAL process behind garage conversions, ADUs, financing options, construction costs, cash flow strategies, and how homeowners are turning unused space into long-term wealth. We discuss: How one property became THREE income-producing units Real garage conversion costs...

What if you could instantly find out what you can build on ANY property… in seconds? In this episode of Friends of Mortgage Heroes , we sit down with real estate investor, broker, and entrepreneur Miguel Aldrete to break down his newest project— Builder Match —a powerful tool that’s changing how investors, realtors, and homeowners analyze deals. Instead of spending hours (or days) researching zoni...

What’s REALLY happening in the San Diego housing market right now? In this episode of Friends of Mortgage Heroes, Andy sits down with experienced real estate professionals Billy & Yesenia to break down the surprising trends shaping the 2026 market—from flat rental prices to the rise of ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) and why so many people are choosing to stay put instead of making a move. If...

What does it look like to start a business at 17… and actually make it work? In this episode of Friends of Mortgage Heroes, we sit down with Noah Burroughs — a 20-year-old entrepreneur who built a pressure washing business from the ground up and is already thinking bigger than most seasoned business owners. From launching his company with his father to taking full ownership and scaling forward, No...

What happens when your first business fails? For Dave Fraser, it became the foundation for building one of the top deck and outdoor living companies in the country . In this episode of Friends of Mortgage Heroes , we sit down with Dave to break down his journey from a tech startup in Malibu to becoming a nationally recognized leader in construction — with 18+ Deck of the Year awards and a reputati...

Are homebuyers finally catching a break in today’s market? 👀 In this episode of the Mortgage Heroes Podcast , we break down what’s really happening with interest rates, buyer demand, affordability, and inventory —and what it means if you're thinking about buying, selling, or refinancing in 2026. With more buyers entering the market and conversations shifting from rate fear to monthly payment...

Rental properties are supposed to be passive income … right? Not so fast... In this episode of Friends of Mortgage Heroes , Andy sits down with Dina King of We Lease USA to break down what’s really happening in the San Diego rental market — and why more landlords than ever are hitting a breaking point. From missed rent payments to legal risks, market saturation, and rising tenant expectations… own...

Everyone is waiting for interest rates to drop… But what if that’s the biggest mistake you can make? In this episode of Mortgage Heroes , we break down why trying to time the market is actually costing buyers MORE money — and what you should be doing instead to win in today’s housing market. If you’re thinking about buying a home in San Diego (or anywhere), this episode will completely shift how y...

In this episode of the Mortgage Heroes Podcast, we sit down with Douglas “DJ” Gutierrez — San Diego real estate investor, community member, Marine veteran, husband, and father of three girls — to break down what’s really happening in today’s housing market and how you can position yourself to win. DJ is someone who not only talks real estate — he lives it. From investing in flips, rentals, and mul...

Communication is the most important skill in business, relationships, and leadership — yet almost nobody is actually trained to do it well. In this episode of Friends of Mortgage Heroes, Andy sits down with NLP coach and communication strategist Kody G to break down the real reason so many people struggle to articulate their ideas, influence others, and confidently share their message. Most people...

Is it finally time to make a move? In this episode of Mortgage Heroes Weekly, Andy and Brian break down three of the biggest topics dominating San Diego real estate right now: 🏠 Multi-generational homes & ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) 📉 Mortgage rates finally trending down ⏳ Should you buy now… or keep waiting? With inventory tight and rates easing, the 2026 spring market is shaping up to...

What happens when a 23-year Special Operations veteran leaves the military… and loses his identity? In this powerful episode of Friends of Mortgage Heroes, we sit down with Shannon Daniel, founder of Tribe Cold Plunge, to talk about: - Transitioning out of elite military service - The identity crisis many veterans face - The mental and physical toll of high-performance careers - Why “comfort” is q...

Are Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs) making a comeback… and should you actually consider one? In this episode of the Mortgage Heroes Podcast, Andy and Brian break down: ✔️ When an ARM makes sense (and when it absolutely doesn’t) ✔️ The difference between 2008-style ARMs and today’s regulated products ✔️ How a 5/1 or 7/1 ARM can lower your monthly payment by $500+ ✔️ Why inventory shifts are creati...

In this episode of the Mortgage Heroes Podcast, Andy and Brian dive deep into the 5 key areas every future homebuyer must address to successfully purchase a home in 2026 — even in today’s challenging housing market. From credit clean-up strategies that could boost your approval by $50K+ to creative low down payment solutions (VA, FHA, and DPA programs), they walk through real numbers, real scenari...

In this episode of the Mortgage Heroes Podcast, we're joined by retired Command Master Chief and real estate expert Lloyd Stanford from Big Block Realty to tackle one of the most important topics facing service members today: how to navigate military relocation and make smart homeownership decisions in 2026. With 32 years of military service and nearly a decade in real estate, Lloyd shares re...

In this powerful and heartfelt episode of Friends of Mortgage Heroes , we sit down with Talia Gaytán and Ashley Camac of Zero8Hundred, a nonprofit deeply committed to helping active duty service members, veterans, and their families transition into civilian life with dignity, support, and connection. From suicide prevention and mental health assessments to transition assistance and alumni programs...

Refinancing your home can be tricky—especially when interest rates are falling. In this episode of Mortgage Heroes, Andy, Memo, and Brian dive deep into why timing your refinance may be even more important than the rate itself . We break down key strategies to help you make smart, informed choices when the market is shifting. We cover: ✅ Why waiting for the “perfect” rate can backfire ✅ How to a...