Educating Homebuyers.

Homebuyers finally have some leverage again.

This week, Brady sits down with Central Iowa Realtor Josh Baker to talk about how the housing market has shifted, why buyers have more negotiating power today, and what both buyers and sellers need to know in a more normalized market.

They discuss pricing, inspections, interest rates, when to start planning your move, and why waiting for the “perfect” market may not always make sense.

Josh also shares his journey from medical sales into real estate and how he built his business largely through relationships and referrals.

If buying or selling a home is somewhere in your future, this episode will help you better understand the opportunities available in today’s market.

00:00 Welcome to Educating Homebuyers
00:33 Meet Josh Baker
01:33 How Josh Got Into Real Estate
03:43 The Importance of Mentorship
05:05 Building a Referral-Based Business
09:15 What the 2026 Housing Market Looks Like
09:54 Homebuyers Are Back in the Driver’s Seat
11:53 How Sellers Should Approach Pricing
13:21 Should You Keep Waiting to Buy?
15:53 How Brady Got Into the Mortgage Business
19:26 Building the Key Mortgage Group Experience
21:14 Why Listing Agents Should Call the Lender
22:53 Josh’s Central Iowa Market
25:04 Where Is the Housing Market Headed?
25:56 Advice for Buyers 6–12 Months Out
27:11 How Early Should You Contact an Agent?
27:55 Preparing Your Home to Sell
28:54 Why Inspections Matter, Even on New Homes
30:39 How Agents and Lenders Can Stand Out
31:09 Being Available for Your Clients
35:05 Building a Business Without Chasing Leads
36:26 Golf Talk
38:17 Final Thoughts

Does your mortgage lender really need to live in the same city as you?

In this episode of Educating Homebuyers, Brady sits down with fellow Key Mortgage Group lender Jared Nicolaisen to challenge what it actually means to work with a “local lender” and why trust, communication, experience, and execution matter a whole lot more than where your lender physically sits.

Jared shares his journey from entering the mortgage industry with virtually no experience to building a successful business, relocating his family to Minnesota, and continuing to serve clients and referral partners across multiple markets.

They also break down what separates an average mortgage experience from a great one, why getting a preapproval letter should only be the beginning, and why the best lender isn't always the one offering the lowest advertised rate.

Jared even shares a story about telling one of his own clients to use another lenderbecause the deal they were being offered was simply too good to pass up. That decision ultimately led to even more referrals because the client knew Jared was willing to put their best interest ahead of making a sale.

In this episode:

00:00 – Welcome to Educating Homebuyers
01:09 – Jared’s journey into the mortgage industry
02:15 – From terrified of video to embracing social media
03:13 – Building momentum at Key Mortgage Group
04:23 – What a five-star mortgage experience actually looks like
06:14 – How a lender’s reputation can help buyers win offers
07:23 – Creating a consistent experience for every homebuyer
08:45 – Jared’s decision to relocate to Minnesota
10:53 – Maintaining relationships while living in another state
12:21 – Does your mortgage lender really need to be local?
14:02 – How technology has changed the mortgage process
14:28 – Building a mortgage business across multiple markets
15:27 – Balancing marriage, moving, and growing a business
16:43 – Why relationships matter so much in mortgage
17:02 – Giving back through the Pinky Swear Foundation
18:26 – Jared’s vision for Minnesota
19:28 – Why a preapproval letter isn't enough
20:10 – Staying connected with clients after closing
21:21 – Why Jared told a client to use another lender
21:54 – Interest rate vs. the actual cost of your mortgage
23:10 – Making homebuying less intimidating
24:23 – The real reason we love helping people buy homes

At the end of the day, being a great mortgage lender isn't about sitting in an office down the street. It's about knowing the market, communicating well, educating your clients, being transparent, and being someone they can trust to execute when it matters.

Most homebuyers only see the front end of getting a mortgage: fill out an application, send in some documents, and wait to find out if you're approved.

But what actually happens behind the scenes when a loan isn't so straightforward?

In this episode of Educating Homebuyers, I sit down with Lance Everhart, someone I've worked alongside for most of my career and one of the smartest mortgage minds I know.

Lance has been in banking since 2004 and specializing in residential mortgage lending since 2009. He's also one of the first people I call when I have a complicated loan scenario and need another set of eyes on how we can get it done.

We get into some of the situations most homebuyers never see, including:

• Can you actually buy a house with a 610 credit score?
• How we can sometimes improve a credit score quickly with a rapid rescore
• Why having additional money in reserves can completely change an approval
• How variable income, overtime, commissions, and inconsistent hours are calculated
• Why the income you make isn't always the income we can use
• Why getting approved for a certain payment doesn't necessarily mean you should spend that much
• How changing property taxes and insurance can impact your payment after closing
• How we received an automated VA approval with an 83% debt-to-income ratio
• Bank statement loans, non-QM financing, and other creative options when traditional guidelines don't work

One of my favorite lines from the episode sums up our approach pretty well:

It's not always a “no.” Sometimes it's, “How can we get this to be a yes?”

That's also why I encourage homebuyers to start the mortgage conversation early. The more time we have before you find the perfect house, the more opportunities we have to look at your credit, income, assets, loan programs, and overall financial picture to put you in the strongest position possible.

If you've ever wondered “How did THAT get approved?!”, this episode gives you a look behind the curtain at how we actually evaluate and structure mortgage approvals.

🎙️ The Mortgage Secrets Most Homebuyers Never See | with Lance Everhart

Welcome to Educating Homebuyers.

Chapters

00:00 – What Really Happens Behind a Mortgage Approval
01:13 – Meet Lance Everhart
02:07 – Getting Into Banking in 2004
03:15 – Entering Mortgage Lending During the Financial Crisis
05:09 – From Big Banks to Specialized Mortgage Lending
07:00 – How We Evaluate a Mortgage Application
09:36 – Can You Buy a House With a 610 Credit Score?
11:16 – Turning a Mortgage “No” Into a “Yes”
12:27 – The Fastest Ways to Improve Your Credit Score
14:33 – How Rapid Credit Rescoring Works
15:22 – A Client Increased Her Credit Score Over 100 Points
16:40 – The Credit Utilization Rule Homebuyers Should Know
18:35 – Why We Look Beyond the Credit Score
19:08 – Why You Should Get Pre-Approved Months Before Buying
20:34 – How Variable Income Affects Mortgage Qualification
22:09 – The Income Mistake That Can Kill a Mortgage Approval
23:55 – Why We Require Documentation Before Issuing a Pre-Approval
26:11 – Can You Qualify for More House Than You Should Buy?
27:23 – Why I Don't Focus on Maximum Pre-Approval
28:26 – The New Construction Property Tax Surprise
30:32 – Why You Need Breathing Room in Your Housing Payment
32:11 – The Difference Between “Can You?” and “Should You?”
32:31 – The 83% Debt-to-Income Mortgage Approval
35:23 – When Conventional Mortgage Guidelines Don't Work
35:52 – Bank Statement & Non-QM Mortgage Options
36:55 – What We Know vs. What We Can Prove
37:20 – Final Thoughts

Buying your first home can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be.

In this episode of Educating Homebuyers, I sit down with Realtor Kaylee Johnson to break down some of the biggest misconceptions first-time buyers have and what you actually need to know before getting started.

We cover:
🏡 Do you really need 20% down?
💳 How to build and improve your credit
📈 The truth about today's interest rates
💰 Why focusing on your monthly payment matters more than chasing the lowest rate
🤝 How the right Realtor and lender can completely change your experience
❤️ Why buying a home is about so much more than just the transaction

Whether you're planning to buy in the next few months or just starting to think about homeownership, this episode will help you feel informed, educated, and comfortable before taking your next step.

If you're buying in Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, or Florida, I'd love to help.

🌐 www.teambhaye.com

NMLS #1450053

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
00:33 Meet Kaylee Johnson
01:58 How Kaylee Got Into Real Estate
07:47 What Real Estate Is Really Like
11:24 The Reality of Commission Income
13:29 Why Comparing Yourself on Social Media Hurts
18:24 Building a Referral-Based Business
21:17 My Homebuying Process Explained
24:44 Biggest First-Time Homebuyer Myths
25:21 Do You Really Need 20% Down?
26:32 When Should You Start the Process?
28:44 A Client Story You'll Love
31:48 How Homeownership Builds Wealth
33:10 The Truth About Today's Interest Rates
38:13 Credit Tips Every Buyer Should Know
42:34 Final Advice

A lot of people assume buying a home isn't possible because they have an ITIN instead of a Social Security number.

The truth? It may be much more possible than you think.

In this episode of Educating Homebuyers, Brady Haye sits down with Des Moines Realtor Adamarys Gamboa to discuss the realities of purchasing a home with an ITIN, common misconceptions surrounding homeownership in the Latino community, and why education is one of the most important parts of the buying process.

Adamarys shares how she unexpectedly found a career in real estate, built her business through social media, and now helps first-time homebuyers understand the path to homeownership with confidence.

We also discuss:
• Can you buy a home with an ITIN?
• Common ITIN mortgage requirements
• Credit score and down payment expectations
• Challenges for self-employed buyers
• Why many families incorrectly believe they can't qualify
• How social media has transformed the real estate business
• Why starting the mortgage conversation early can make all the difference

Whether you're a first-time homebuyer, a real estate agent, or simply curious about the home buying process, this episode is packed with practical advice and real-world experience.

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 Welcome to Educating Homebuyers
00:33 Meet Adamarys Gamboa
01:40 How She Got Into Real Estate
05:26 Lessons From Her First Home Purchase
06:16 Why Education Matters During the Homebuying Process
08:10 Helping Latino Families Become Homeowners
09:46 What If You Don't Qualify Today?
10:28 Helping Buyers Who Never Thought They Could Own a Home
11:17 Building a Real Estate Business Through Social Media
13:30 AI and the Future of Real Estate
15:34 Common Challenges Buyers Face Today
16:00 Buying a Home With an ITIN
17:38 Why Preparation Makes the Buying Process Easier
18:21 Final Advice

🏡 Looking to buy a home in Iowa?

Visit https://www.teambhaye.com to connect with Brady and his team.

📲 Connect with Brady Haye

Website: https://www.teambhaye.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradyhaye

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BradyHayeMortgage

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradyhaye

NMLS #1450053

#ITINLoan #FirstTimeHomeBuyer #HomeBuying #Mortgage #RealEstate #DesMoines #IowaRealEstate #LatinoHomeownership #EducatingHomebuyers #BradyHaye

Everyone seems to have an opinion about today's housing market.

Some say it's a terrible time to buy. Others think real estate has completely stalled.

The reality? It's a lot more nuanced than that.

In this episode of Educating Homebuyers, I sit down with Central Iowa Realtor Aaron O'Toole to talk about what's actually happening in today's market. We discuss why buyers have more negotiating power than they've had in years, how seller concessions and rate buydowns are creating opportunities, and why having the right Realtor matters now more than ever.

We also cover:
• Why today's market actually benefits many buyers
• The importance of buyer consultations
• Seller concessions, inspections, and sewer scopes
• Creative strategies for finding off-market homes
• Why the best real estate professionals educate instead of sell
• How communication can make or break the homebuying experience

Whether you're thinking about buying your first home, upgrading, downsizing, or simply trying to understand what all the headlines really mean, this conversation will help you separate fact from fiction.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
00:42 Aaron's journey from teacher to Realtor
02:08 Why education creates better homebuyers
04:37 Has real estate slowed down?
07:16 Why buyers have more opportunities today
08:51 Finding homes before they hit the market
11:35 The inspection that saved a buyer thousands
15:17 Why we never pressure clients
18:56 Communication throughout the buying process
21:09 Staying connected after closing
23:14 Final advice for buyers

If you're thinking about buying a home in Iowa and want guidance from a team that puts education first, we'd love to help.

🌐 https://www.teambhaye.com

NMLS #1450053

Thinking about getting into real estate?

This week Brady sits down with Myrissa Jordan to discuss her journey into the industry and what she's learned during her first year as a Realtor.

From passing the licensing exam and working with her first clients to building a personal brand through social media, Myrissa shares practical advice for anyone considering a career in real estate.

The conversation covers communication, marketing, relationship-building, buyer expectations, and the importance of creating systems that improve the client experience.

Many people assume they're not ready to buy a home long before they ever speak with a lender or Realtor.

In this episode of Educating Homebuyers, Brady sits down with Ashley Noethe, Realtor, investor, former high school business teacher, wife, and mother of four. Ashley shares her journey from education into real estate, how she and her husband built wealth through real estate investing, and why so many people rule themselves out of homeownership before ever finding out what's possible.

Together, Brady and Ashley discuss first-time homebuyer misconceptions, Iowa Finance Authority programs, home appreciation, building equity, real estate investing, social media, personal branding, and why asking questions is often the most important step in the homebuying process.

If you've ever wondered whether you're ready to buy a home, this conversation is packed with practical advice, real-world experiences, and encouragement to help you move forward with confidence.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
00:30 Meet Ashley Noethe
01:00 Growing Up in California and Moving to Iowa
02:04 Finding Her Path Through College
04:24 Building Confidence Through Entrepreneurship
04:48 Their First Real Estate Investment
07:10 How Ashley Became a Realtor
09:15 Leaving Education for Full-Time Real Estate
11:02 Building a Business Through Authenticity
13:07 Social Media, AI, and Personal Branding
16:00 People Buy People
17:15 Is Now a Good Time to Buy a Home?
18:18 The Reality of First-Time Homebuyer Programs
20:00 New Construction vs Existing Homes
24:04 The Power of Starting Early
25:25 Leveraging Equity to Build Wealth
27:09 Why You Can't Time the Market
28:46 Ashley's Advice for Future Homebuyers
30:06 Final Thoughts

What’s REALLY causing the housing affordability crisis right now?

In this episode of Educating Homebuyers, Brady Haye sits down with luxury real estate agent, developer, and industry leader Adam Pretorius to unpack the true challenges facing today’s housing market.

This conversation goes far beyond just interest rates.

Adam shares insight into:
• Why housing affordability has become such a major issue
• The exploding cost of new construction
• Why builders can’t keep up with demand
• Luxury real estate trends
• Mixed-use developments and townhome communities
• The future of the American Dream
• Why younger buyers may value community amenities differently
• The realities of development, zoning, and housing inventory

Whether you're a first time homebuyer, investor, realtor, or simply curious about where the market is headed, this episode offers valuable perspective on the future of housing.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro
01:01 Adam’s journey into luxury real estate
02:40 Breaking into the luxury housing market
04:08 Why design & development matter
05:47 What luxury buyers are really looking for
07:17 Relocation buyers & selling lifestyle
08:45 Inside large scale housing developments
12:17 The REAL affordability problem
14:05 Why townhomes may become more popular
17:47 Mixed-use communities & Prairie Trail
20:06 The future of real estate & housing

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone navigating today’s housing market.

Connect with Brady Haye Mortgage Team:

Website: Brady Haye Mortgage Team
Instagram: Instagram

Buying a home today can feel overwhelming, especially with higher rates, limited inventory, and constant market headlines. In this episode of Educating Homebuyers, Brady sits down with realtor Micole Chapman to talk about how buyers can navigate today’s housing market with confidence.

Micole shares her inspiring story of becoming a single mom, rebuilding her life through real estate, and growing a referral-based business centered around relationships, education, and trust. Together, Brady and Micole break down what buyers should actually expect during the process, from buyer consultations and inspections to payment expectations, hidden costs, and staying confident in today’s market.

Whether you’re a first-time buyer, planning your next move, or just trying to better understand the market, this episode is packed with practical advice and real conversations.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro
00:48 Micole Chapman’s Story
02:58 Why She Chose Real Estate
04:07 How Social Media Built Her Business
05:36 Why Referrals Matter
06:57 Helping Clients Through Life Changes
09:18 What Happens During a Buyer Consultation
11:16 Hidden Costs Buyers Forget About
13:48 Setting Realistic Payment Expectations
15:31 How Realtors Get Paid
17:36 Building a Real Estate Team
20:02 Balancing Real Estate and Family Life
22:56 Using Social Media to Stay Relevant
25:47 Why Relationships Matter in Real Estate
26:40 Final Thoughts