Mortgage Matters

Heidi discusses the challenges of home ownership, particularly the down payment, which takes an average of six years to save. She and her guest, Josie Hatem, Homebuyer Programs Specialist with Nevada Housing Division, highlight the new Worker Advantage Program. The program offers $20,000 in down payment assistance with the potential to buy down the interest rate. This program is available to essen...

Roland Daniels and Heidi Griffith discuss the Ruby Thomas toy drive, which has collected over 700 gifts for children at Ruby Thomas, a school where all students receive free meals and many are unhoused. They also highlight the Silver State Fair Housing Council, which ensures equal housing opportunities. Kate Zook, the council's executive director, explains the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits dis...

Rolandand Heidi discussed the Ruby Thomas Holiday Toy Drive, aiming to provide toys for all 683 students at Ruby Thomas Elementary, a school with many unhoused students. They highlighted the upcoming final Path to Home Ownership workshop on December 6, which covers comprehensive home-buying topics and offers a homebuyer certificate. They also addressed the 50-year mortgage concept, noting it doesn...

Roland and Heidi discuss upcoming events and opportunities for Nevada home buyers. They highlight the Path to Home Ownership workshop on December 6, which covers budgeting, credit maintenance, and various down payment assistance programs. This workshops provides attendees with their Homebuyer Certificate, making them eligible for the down payment programs offered. The Nevada Housing Division's new...

Heidi sat down with Starla Jordan, a realtor with Coldwell Banker Premier Realty, to discuss the upcoming Nevada Housing Division Home is Possible class on Monday, November 17, which will cover all the Nevada Housing Division down payment assistance programs. They highlighted the brand new Worker Advantage Program, starting December 1, offering up to $20,000 in assistance for down payments or inte...

Roland and Heidi talk about how the Home Is Possible down payment assistance programs and other homebuyer programs are helping families achieve affordable homeownership. They share how two recent buyers used these programs to purchase their homes with seller credits and minimal out-of-pocket costs, one spending less than $1,000 and another under $3,000. They highlight their upcoming online homebuy...

Roland and Heidi launched a toy drive for Ruby Thomas Elementary, a school in Las Vegas serving nearly 700 students,  many of whom are experiencing homelessness or living in severe hardship, 100% of whom receive free breakfast and lunch. The school represents more than 20 languages and cultures, reflecting the true diversity of Clark County. Joining Roland and Heidi is Melissa Marzan, Student Succ...

Roland and Heidi speak with Kevin Hickey, Homeownership Program Manager at Nevada Rural Housing, about programs that help Nevadans buy homes. Kevin explains the Home At Last and Launch Pad programs, which provide down payment support and affordable interest rates, as well as the Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) that offers buyers a 20% annual tax credit on mortgage interest. He also shares detail...

If your credit score has ever felt like a wall between you and homeownership, this episode is for you. Eric Chavez, Associate Director of Housing Programs at Chicanos Por La Causa, joins Roland and Heidi to share no-cost, practical ways to build or rebuild credit, including secured credit cards, credit builder loans, and avoiding common traps like paid credit repair services. Plus, Eric breaks dow...

Roland and Heidi discuss the Nevada Housing Division's homebuyer programs with Josie Hatem. They highlight success stories, including a 79-year-old grandmother, a young teacher, and a ride-share driver who improved his credit score. The programs, like the Home Is Possible and Teacher Homeownership Assistance, offer down payment assistance and credit counseling. Upcoming online classes on October 1...

Roland Daniels and Heidi Griffith discussed upcoming education workshops, including a path to home ownership workshop on the first Saturday of each month and a Nevada Housing Division class on October 13. They highlighted the impact of the recent Fed rate cut on short-term rates, noting that mortgage rates actually increased post-announcement. They also addressed the government shutdown's potentia...

Roland and Heidi welcome Josie Hatem from the Nevada Housing Division to talk about the Home Is Possible programs. From first-time buyers to teachers, veterans, and essential workers, Josie explains how these options make homeownership more attainable for Nevadans. Tune in and learn how these programs can help you move forward, and don’t miss our next online Home Is Possible class on Monday, Octob...

Roland and Heidi discussed down payment assistance programs in Nevada, highlighting an upcoming online class on September 22 at 3:30 PM. They emphasized the importance of these programs in overcoming the barrier of saving for a down payment. They also talked about the Fed's recent decision to reduce short-term rates by 0.25%, but it may not immediately impact long-term mortgage rates.

Roland and Heidi discussed an upcoming Nevada Housing Division class on September 22, 2025, from 3:30 to 5:00 PM, which will cover down payment programs and first-time homebuyer assistance. They highlighted a $7,500 down payment program for K-12 public school teachers and a zero-down payment VA loan for veterans. Aprille Noble, a retired US Air Force Major and mortgage loan officer, emphasized the...

Roland and Heidi discussed their upcoming events and services. They highlighted the "Path to Homeownership" class on September 6, covering home buying and living, including credit and budgeting. They also mentioned a session at the Center on September 13, focusing on homeownership for the LGBTQIA+ community. Additionally, they noted a packed online class with the Nevada Housing Division, which cov...

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...