Mortgage Matters

Mortgage Matters
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Mortgage Matters is a Las Vegas, Nevada–based mortgage and homeownership podcast hosted by licensed loan officers Roland Daniels (NMLS #355859) and Heidi Griffith (NMLS #2247754) with Geneva Financial. Airing every Sunday at 7:30 AM on KUNV 91.5 and available wherever you listen to podcasts, the show covers real mortgage questions, down payment assistance programs in Nevada, VA loans, FHA loans, first-time homebuyer strategies, and building generational wealth through homeownership. But Mortgage Matters is more than a mortgage show. Roland and Heidi regularly bring in community voices—organizations and individuals doing meaningful work across Las Vegas and Nevada—because they believe homeownership doesn't happen in a vacuum. Housing advocacy, community resources, and economic empowerment are part of every conversation. Roland and Heidi are active community educators who lead free homebuyer workshops across Nevada in partnership with the Nevada Housing Division, Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC), and Nevada Rural Housing Authority, plus a series of other housing and finance classes, covering programs like Home Is Possible and Worker Advantage. Roland Daniels is a director with the local chapter of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), Black Realtists of Southern Nevada — an organization both Roland and Heidi are proud members of. Heidi Griffith currently serves as acting President of the Silver State Fair Housing Council, where Roland also serves as a board member. Together, they bring decades of Las Vegas mortgage expertise — and a deep commitment to closing the racial and economic homeownership gap — to every episode.

  1. 4D AGO

    Nevada Rural Housing Explained - $20K Down Payment Programs, AB540, and What Buyers Need to Know

    What if $20,000 could be the difference between continuing to rent and finally owning a home? This week on Mortgage Matters, Roland Daniels and Heidi Griffith break down what’s really happening with housing in Nevada, including the $133 million AB540 housing bill and how it’s actually being used across the state. They’re joined by Kevin Hickey, Homeownership Program Manager with Nevada Rural Housing, to walk through the programs that are helping buyers get into homes right now - including options offering up to $20,000 toward down payment, closing costs, or even lowering the interest rate. They also clear up some of the biggest misconceptions around down payment programs, what it really means to be a first-time homebuyer, and why waiting for the “perfect” market could cost more than moving forward today.

    30 min

  2. MAR 29

    What Families Are Really Facing in Las Vegas Schools - A Conversation with Ruby Thomas Elementary

    This episode of Mortgage Matters focuses on what families and students are really facing in Las Vegas schools, with a conversation featuring Melissa Marzan from Ruby Thomas Elementary. The discussion highlights the realities of student homelessness in Southern Nevada, where more than 13,000 students are experiencing housing instability. It explores what that looks like day to day, how it impacts children and families, and the role schools and community support systems play in creating stability. The episode also reflects on the Ruby Thomas Elementary toy drive and the impact it had on students, along with the importance of community involvement beyond the holiday season. Also discussed is the Title I HOPE documentary, Learning to Survive: A Lesson in Student Homelessness, which shares real stories from students and families across the district. A screening will be held on April 27 at 10:30 AM at the West Charleston Library, providing an opportunity to better understand the challenges many families are facing and how the community can support. At the beginning of the show, upcoming Nevada homebuyer education opportunities are covered, including the Path to Homeownership workshop and the Nevada Housing Division Home Is Possible class. The Worker Advantage program is also discussed, including how eligible buyers may access up to $20,000 for down payment assistance and interest rate buydown options. This episode connects housing, education, and stability, and highlights why access to all three matters. Heidi Griffith (NMLS #2247754) and Roland Daniels (NMLS #355859) are mortgage advisors with Geneva Financial (NMLS #42056) in Las Vegas and hosts of Mortgage Matters Radio on KUNV 91.5. Through their radio show and homebuyer education workshops, they focus on helping people understand credit, finances, and how to prepare for homeownership. They regularly teach homebuyer education classes that cover financial readiness, credit preparation, and programs available to Nevada homebuyers.

    28 min

  3. MAR 22

    Breaking Down Nevada's Down Payment Assistance Programs, Income Limits, Credit Requirements, and the $20,000 Workers Advantage Benefit

    Roland Daniels and Heidi Griffith, discuss the Nevada Housing Division's down payment assistance programs. They highlight the importance of these programs in bridging the gap to homeownership, noting that it typically takes seven years to save for a down payment. The Nevada Housing Division's programs offer up to 5% down payment assistance, with a minimum FICO score of 640. They clarify misconceptions, such as the income limit  and the need for perfect credit. The Workers Advantage program offers $20,000 in assistance to essential workers. They emphasize the importance of education and resources for improving credit and understanding homeownership responsibilities.

    29 min

  4. MAR 15

    From Broke to Budgeting: How Down Payment Assistance Helps First-Time Buyers Buy a Home

    On this episode of Mortgage Matters, hosts Roland Daniels and Heidi Griffith build on last week’s conversation with guest Jill Avilez, whose journey from a cash-only, credit-free lifestyle to building financial stability highlights how everyday financial habits can change the path toward homeownership. Roland and Heidi discuss practical budgeting strategies that can help people take control of their finances - from tracking spending and reviewing recurring bills to cutting unnecessary subscriptions and reducing delivery spending. Small adjustments can create room to save and move closer to long-term goals like buying a home. They also highlight an upcoming Nevada Housing Division homebuyer education class, where attendees can learn about down payment assistance programs, credit requirements, and the homebuying process. In recognition of Women’s History Month, the episode also shares a powerful statistic: single women have purchased more homes than single men every year since 1981, reflecting the growing role women play in building financial stability through homeownership. Mortgage Matters is a weekly public radio show hosted by Roland Daniels and Heidi Griffith that airs Sunday mornings on KUNV 91.5 in Las Vegas. The show focuses on housing, financial literacy, community conversations, and helping people understand the path to homeownership.

    30 min

  5. MAR 8

    Financial Literacy: From No Credit to 697 | Mortgage Matters

    Most people were never taught how money actually works. Credit. Budgeting. Debt. Saving. These things shape our financial future, yet many of us grow up learning about them through trial and error. In this episode of Mortgage Matters, Heidi Griffith talks about financial literacy and why understanding your finances can change the direction of your life. Heidi is joined by Jill Avilez, who shares her personal journey of going from having no credit at all to building her score to nearly 700. Jill talks honestly about what it felt like to realize she didn’t fully understand how money worked - and the steps she took to change that. From negotiating bills and reviewing bank statements to building credit and starting her first real savings, Jill’s story shows how small changes can create real momentum. This conversation is a reminder that many people aren’t struggling because they’re irresponsible - they’re struggling because nobody ever taught them how the system works. If you’ve ever felt behind financially, this episode is for you. If you have questions about anything discussed on today’s show, you can call or text 702-210-2057. You can also visit Mortgage Matters Radio on Facebook to find links to upcoming classes and resources.

    30 min

  6. MAR 1

    Down Payment Assistance Nevada: Worker Advantage, Rural Rocks & the Path to Homeownership Workshop | Mortgage Matters Radio

    Roland Daniels and Heidi Griffith teach homebuyer education classes across Nevada every month. This episode of Mortgage Matters covers what they're hearing and seeing right now. They spend real time on the Worker Advantage Program, Nevada Housing Division's $20,000 down payment assistance for essential workers in healthcare, education, construction, and public safety. With roughly 600 loans remaining statewide, they walk through how the funds work, how to use them to buy down your interest rate, and why the current rate environment makes the buy-down option worth a serious look. They also cover Rural Rocks 20K, Nevada Rural Housing Authority's $20,000 program with buy-down options, and explain which parts of the Las Vegas Valley (Whitney, Winchester, Summerlin South) actually qualify as rural, which catches most people off guard. They talk through the WISH Fund, a 4-to-1 match program through CPLC (Chicanos Por La Causa) returning in April, and how it can be layered with Nevada Housing Division and Nevada Rural Housing down payment programs for maximum assistance. The episode also previews the upcoming Path to Homeownership Workshop on Saturday, March 7, 2026 from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM, a free full-day homebuyer education class in Las Vegas offered in partnership with CPLC, covering credit, budgeting, homeowners insurance, real estate representation, new home sales, and down payment assistance programs. The episode closes with a reminder about the Silver State Fair Housing Council's housing tester program and how to get involved in the fight against housing discrimination in Nevada. 📅 Path to Homeownership Workshop: Saturday, March 7, 2026 | 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM 📞 Register or ask questions: 702-210-2057  Roland Daniels NMLS #355859 | Heidi Griffith NMLS #2247754 | Geneva Financial NMLS #42056

    29 min

  7. FEB 15

    Supporting Homeless Students in Southern Nevada - Inside the Title I HOPE Program at Clark County School District

    Roland and Heidi sit down with Meg Pike, Coordinator of Title I HOPE (Homeless Outreach Program for Education) at Clark County School District. Meg explains how the Title I HOPE Program supports students experiencing homelessness in Southern Nevada, including the federal protections that allow for immediate school enrollment, transportation assistance, and access to essential resources such as school supplies and academic support. The conversation highlights the real challenges housing instability creates for families and how schools play a critical role in maintaining consistency and opportunity for children. Roland and Heidi also talk about their upcoming online Home Is Possible Down Payment Assistance class with the State of Nevada Housing Division and highlight the new $20,000 Worker Advantage Program.  Because stable housing impacts every part of a family’s life, including education, the episode connects student support with long-term housing opportunities.

    29 min

  8. FEB 8

    Mortgage Matters Explores Marble Manor Redevelopment, $50M Grant Drives Affordable Housing Expansion, Community-Centered Revitalization, and Fair Housing Compliance Efforts

    Roland and Heidi are joined by Kathi Thomas, Chief Housing Officer at Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority, and Kate Zook, Executive Director at Silver State Fair Housing Council. They discuss the redevelopment of Marble Manor, a historic public housing site in Las Vegas, which received a $50 million Choice Neighborhood Initiative Grant. The project will transform the 235 cinder block units into 625, with 235 households returning. The redevelopment includes green space, childcare, and resident-run retail. Kathi Thomas and Kate Zook emphasize the importance of community involvement and accessibility, noting the project's alignment with the city's 100 Plan. They also highlight the need for housing discrimination testers to ensure compliance with the Fair Housing Act.

    30 min
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About

Mortgage Matters is a Las Vegas, Nevada–based mortgage and homeownership podcast hosted by licensed loan officers Roland Daniels (NMLS #355859) and Heidi Griffith (NMLS #2247754) with Geneva Financial. Airing every Sunday at 7:30 AM on KUNV 91.5 and available wherever you listen to podcasts, the show covers real mortgage questions, down payment assistance programs in Nevada, VA loans, FHA loans, first-time homebuyer strategies, and building generational wealth through homeownership. But Mortgage Matters is more than a mortgage show. Roland and Heidi regularly bring in community voices—organizations and individuals doing meaningful work across Las Vegas and Nevada—because they believe homeownership doesn't happen in a vacuum. Housing advocacy, community resources, and economic empowerment are part of every conversation. Roland and Heidi are active community educators who lead free homebuyer workshops across Nevada in partnership with the Nevada Housing Division, Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC), and Nevada Rural Housing Authority, plus a series of other housing and finance classes, covering programs like Home Is Possible and Worker Advantage. Roland Daniels is a director with the local chapter of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), Black Realtists of Southern Nevada — an organization both Roland and Heidi are proud members of. Heidi Griffith currently serves as acting President of the Silver State Fair Housing Council, where Roland also serves as a board member. Together, they bring decades of Las Vegas mortgage expertise — and a deep commitment to closing the racial and economic homeownership gap — to every episode.

Information

  • Creator
    Mortgage Matters
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    77
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Mortgage Matters