In this episode of Buying Local, host Matt Knoth sits down with Ohad Oren, Licensed Loan Consultant at loanDepot, to break down what actually goes into getting approved for a mortgage without the jargon or pressure. Ohad shares how education, trust, and long-term relationships help buyers navigate one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives with confidence.

Connect with Ohad Oren through loanDepot at loandepot.com/loan-officers/ooren, or reach out to him directly on LinkedIn.

0:00 Welcome to Buying Local & introduction to Ohad Oren

2:10 Ohad’s early career: engineering, computer science, and finance

4:45 Life in auto finance and the grind of dealership hours

6:20 Transitioning into mortgages and finding balance

8:05 Customer vs. client: how mortgage relationships really work

10:15 Why real estate agents and lenders must operate in lockstep

12:05 Licensing, regulation, and why mortgage rules matter

14:30 The emotional side of buying a home

16:10 Why “closing fast” isn’t always the buyer’s priority

18:05 Simplifying complex mortgage options for clients

20:10 Expecting surprises in every real estate transaction

22:00 Referral networks and relationship-driven business

23:55 What pre-approval really looks like behind the scenes

26:05 Down payments vs. affordability reality checks

28:20 Understanding closing costs and where the money goes

30:45 How mortgage banks actually make money

33:10 Preparing years in advance for homeownership

36:20 Setting realistic expectations for first-time buyers

39:30 Long-term value of trust and education

42:45 Final thoughts and advice for local homebuyers