V-Man and Barko Podcast

V-Man and Barko
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Hosted by Mike Vlamis and Brian Barkowski, this podcast blends real-world mortgage expertise with community-focused conversations. With decades of combined experience in lending, financial services, and relationship-building, V-Masn and Barko break down the mortgage process into clear, practical insights that anyone can understand. Each episode covers topics like buying your first home, refinancing strategies, credit and budgeting tips, and the latest mortgage market trends, all while spotlighting stories from local communities, business owners, and industry professionals who shape where we live and work. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, a seasoned homeowner, or just curious about the housing market, V-Man and Barko bring approachable advice, a few laughs, and a deep commitment to empowering listeners with the knowledge they need to make confident financial decisions.

Episodes

  1. Mar 3

    V-Man and Barko Podcast | 005 | Collins Bonnema - Kale Realty

    In Episode 005, V-Man and Barko break down what's really happening with mortgage rates, decode the national average everyone keeps quoting, and introduce two hot new loan products, including an IHDA down payment assistance credit now up to $15,000. Then real estate investor and agent Collins Bonnema of Kale Realty joins to talk house flipping in the southwest suburbs, building a rental portfolio near UIC, long-term wealth strategy, and, yes a 1996 Daihatsu Hijet mini truck imported directly from Japan. 0:00 → Welcome & Mortgage Rate Update: The 10-Year Treasury Drops Below 4% 1:57 → What the 5.99% National Average Actually Includes (And What It Doesn't) 2:41 → The Factors That Really Determine YOUR Rate: Credit Score, DTI & Loan-to-Value 3:48 → Why Condo Rates Are Higher Than Single-Family Home Rates 4:23 → New Loan Products: The Physician's Loan Explained 5:15 → IHDA Down Payment Assistance: Now Up to $15,000 for Illinois Buyers 6:33 → Upcoming Event: Mount Carmel vs. Brother Rice Baseball at Wrigley Field, April 23rd! 8:29 → Cubs Connection: John Mallee, Mount Carmel Grad & Cubs Hitting Coach 8:51 → Guest Introduction: Collins Bonnema, Real Estate Agent & Investor, Kale Realty 9:24 → Collins' Origin Story: Dad's Basement to His First Two-Flat 9:53 → House Flipping 101: Why Location Is Everything (Especially in the SW Suburbs) 11:18 → Resources for First-Time Real Estate Investors (BiggerPockets & More) 13:08 → Hidden Costs & Hard Lessons: Crawl Spaces, Inspectors & the Unknowns 15:09 → Building Long-Term Wealth: The Buy & Hold Strategy 15:32 → Why Collins Targets the UIC Area for His Rental Portfolio 18:11 → The Kei Truck Story: Importing a 1996 Daihatsu Hijet from Japan 22:30 → Wrap-Up & How to Connect with Collins Bonnema https://www.vmanandbarko.com/ https://www.instagram.com/collinsbonnema/ A and N Mortgage Services, Inc. is an Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee and Equal Housing Lender. 1945 N. Elston Ave. Chicago, IL 60642 p: 773.305.LOAN (5626) www.anmtg.com NMLS # 19291 IL MB.0006638. Serving: IL, IA, IN, FL, MI, MN, TX, WI THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT. This is not a commitment to lend. A and N Mortgage Services, Inc. 1945 N. Elston Ave. Chicago, IL 60642. p: 773.305.LOAN (5626) ANmtg.com NMLS No. 19291. Serving AL, AZ, CA, CO, FL, IA, IL, IN, KS, MA, MI, MN, MT, NC, OH, SC, TN, TX, WA, WI. California: Licensed by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act. Colorado: Regulated by the Division of Real Estate. Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee. IL MB.0006638. Texas Recovery Fund Notice. TX- SML Approved. For licensing information and for Texas consumers to file a complaint, go to: www.anmtg.com/licensing/ and www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org. Some restrictions may apply. Programs subject to change without notice. Offer of credit Brian Barkowski NMLS No.1623815 | Mike Vlamis NMLS No. 1673632

    26 min

  2. 12/17/2025

    V-Man and Barko Podcast | 004 | Aaron Mitchell - A Hoops Journey

    Title: The "Lock-In" Effect: Are Portable Mortgages the Answer? Description: With millions of US homeowners "locked in" at 3% rates and hesitant to sell, the mortgage industry is buzzing about a potential solution: Portable Mortgages. In this episode, V-Man and Barko are joined by Aaron "Mitch" Mitchell, a teacher and podcaster from Vancouver, Canada, to give us a firsthand look at how portable mortgages actually work north of the border. While the idea of taking your low interest rate with you to a new home sounds perfect, the reality involves different term structures, transfer taxes, and strict qualifications. We break down whether this concept could ever truly work in the US banking system. In this episode, we cover: 00:00 – Intro: Meet Aaron "Mitch" Mitchell from Vancouver. 01:54 – What is a "Portable Mortgage"? 03:46 – The Canadian Experience: How 5-year renewable terms work vs. the US 30-year fixed. 08:16 – Why the US Mortgage-Backed Security (MBS) system makes portability difficult. 11:36 – The "Lock-In" Effect: Why inventory is stuck and how portability could help. 14:52 – The Affordability Crisis: The average first-time homebuyer is now 42 years old (up from 28). 26:00 – AI in Education: How teachers and students are navigating tools like ChatGPT. 36:00 – The Hoops Journey: Mitch’s experience podcasting and the basketball community. About the Guest: Aaron Mitchell is an educator and the host of the "Hoops Journey" podcast, where he interviews basketball personalities from around the globe.  https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/ https://vmanandbarko.com/ A and N Mortgage Services, Inc. is an Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee and Equal Housing Lender. 1945 N. Elston Ave. Chicago, IL 60642 p: 773.305.LOAN (5626) www.anmtg.com NMLS # 19291 IL MB.0006638. Serving: IL, IA, IN, FL, MI, MN, TX, WI THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT. This is not a commitment to lend. A and N Mortgage Services, Inc. 1945 N. Elston Ave. Chicago, IL 60642. p: 773.305.LOAN (5626) ANmtg.com NMLS No. 19291. Serving AL, AZ, CA, CO, FL, IA, IL, IN, KS, MA, MI, MN, MT, NC, OH, SC, TN, TX, WA, WI. California: Licensed by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act. Colorado: Regulated by the Division of Real Estate. Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee. IL MB.0006638. Texas Recovery Fund Notice. TX- SML Approved. For licensing information and for Texas consumers to file a complaint, go to: www.anmtg.com/licensing/ and www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org. Some restrictions may apply. Programs subject to change without notice. Offer of credit Brian Barkowski NMLS No.1623815 | Mike Vlamis NMLS No. 1673632

    44 min

  3. 11/20/2025

    V-Man and Barko Podcast | 003 | Laki Hatzelis - Broker Owner - RE/MAX 10

    In this episode of the V-Man and Barko Podcast, we take time to chat with Laki Hatzelis, Broker/Owner of RE/MAX 10 and talk about his path from growing up on the south side to building a successful career in real estate. He shares how family shaped his approach to business, how his connections to Mount Carmel and the wider Catholic League community opened doors, and how he’s steadily grown his network and reputation through long-term relationships and consistency.

    24 min

  4. 10/15/2025

    V-Man and Barko Podcast | 002 | Neena Vlamis - CEO - A and N Mortgage

    In this episode of The V-Man & Barko Podcast, we sit down with Neena Vlamis, Founder and CEO of A & N Mortgage, to talk about her journey from Downers Grove South to leading one of Chicago’s most respected woman-owned mortgage companies. Neena shares how she went from nearly becoming an English professor to building a thriving business, what drives her leadership philosophy, and how she built a company culture that celebrates individuality and empowers women. We also dive into: The latest Fed meeting news and what rate cuts could mean for buyers and homeownersNeena’s leadership secrets for hiring great people and creating a collaborative, driven teamHer passion for philanthropy, including the A & N Mortgage golf outing that raised $48,000 for the American Cancer Society and support for the Infant Welfare SocietyA little Chicago Catholic League football talk and community highlights Whether you’re in real estate, lending, or just love a good local success story, this episode is packed with inspiration, mortgage insight, and plenty of laughs. 🎧 Listen now and nominate someone doing good in the community at vmanandbarko.com.

    25 min

  5. 10/01/2025

    V-Man and Barko Podcast | Episode 001

    Welcome to the very first episode of the V-Man & Barko Podcast! 🎙️ Mike “The V-Man” Vlamis and Brian “Barko” Barkowski sit down to share their journeys from teaching and coaching to helping families buy homes and refinance smarter. In this kickoff episode, you’ll hear: How their Brother Rice and Mount Carmel roots connect them to the Chicago communityStories from careers in real estate, lending, and even minor league baseballWhy education, planning, and trusted advice matter when it comes to mortgagesWhat’s really happening with rates right now — and what homeowners should watch out forTheir plans to spotlight local schools, neighborhoods, and people making a difference This show blends mortgage know-how with community pride, laughs, and plenty of Chicago flavor. Subscribe and follow along as V-Man & Barko bring you insights, stories, and guests who make homeownership and neighborhood life real.

    21 min

  6. 09/13/2025

    Announcing the V-Man and Barko Podcast

    Announcing the V-Man and Barko Podcast as Mike Vlamis and Brian Barkowski join forces to bring you mortgage education, community news and hopefully some fun along the way. Subscribe and follow for updates as we begin this mortgage podcast series.

    3 min

Trailer

About

Hosted by Mike Vlamis and Brian Barkowski, this podcast blends real-world mortgage expertise with community-focused conversations. With decades of combined experience in lending, financial services, and relationship-building, V-Masn and Barko break down the mortgage process into clear, practical insights that anyone can understand. Each episode covers topics like buying your first home, refinancing strategies, credit and budgeting tips, and the latest mortgage market trends, all while spotlighting stories from local communities, business owners, and industry professionals who shape where we live and work. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, a seasoned homeowner, or just curious about the housing market, V-Man and Barko bring approachable advice, a few laughs, and a deep commitment to empowering listeners with the knowledge they need to make confident financial decisions.

Information

  • Creator
    V-Man and Barko
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 V-Man and Barko