Where can I listen to this podcast?

This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.

Does this podcast accept guests?

Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

V-Man and Barko Podcast

Claim This Podcast

by V-Man and Barko

6 episodes

Updated Daily

Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸

Podcast Overview

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.

Language

🇺🇲

Publishing Since

9/13/2025

Visit Website View on Apple Podcasts RSS Feed

1 verified contact email on file for V-Man and Barko Podcast

Pitch yourself as a guest, propose sponsorships, or reach out directly to the host.

See contact details

Recent Episodes

March 3, 2026

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-Value3:48 → Why Condo Rates Are Higher Than Single-Family Home Rates4:23 → New Loan Products: The Physician's Loan Explained5:15 → IHDA Down Payment Assistance: Now Up to $15,000 for Illinois Buyers6:33 → Upcoming Event: Mount Carmel vs. Brother Rice Baseball at Wrigley Field, April 23rd!8:29 → Cubs Connection: John Mallee, Mount Carmel Grad & Cubs Hitting Coach8:51 → Guest Introduction: Collins Bonnema, Real Estate Agent & Investor, Kale Realty9:24 → Collins' Origin Story: Dad's Basement to His First Two-Flat9:53 → 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 Unknowns15:09 → Building Long-Term Wealth: The Buy & Hold Strategy15:32 → Why Collins Targets the UIC Area for His Rental Portfolio18:11 → The Kei Truck Story: Importing a 1996 Daihatsu Hijet from Japan22:30 → Wrap-Up & How to Connect with Collins Bonnema<a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.vmanandbarko.com/" target="_blank">https://www.vmanandbarko.com/</a><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/collinsbonnema/" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/collinsbonnema/</a>A and N Mortgage Services, Inc. is an Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee and Equal Housing Lender. 1945 N. Elston Ave. Chicago, IL 60642 p: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://773.305.LOAN" target="_blank">773.305.LOAN</a> (5626) <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.anmtg.com" target="_blank">www.anmtg.com</a> 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: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://773.305.LOAN" target="_blank">773.305.LOAN</a> (5626) <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://ANmtg.com" target="_blank">ANmtg.com</a> 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: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.anmtg.com/licensing/" target="_blank">www.anmtg.com/licensing/</a> and <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org" target="_blank">www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org</a>. Some restrictions may apply. Programs subject to change without notice. Offer of credit Brian Barkowski NMLS No.1623815 | Mike Vlamis NMLS No. 1673632

December 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. <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/" target="_blank">https://www.ahoopsjourney.com/</a><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://vmanandbarko.com/" target="_blank">https://vmanandbarko.com/</a>A and N Mortgage Services, Inc. is an Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee and Equal Housing Lender. 1945 N. Elston Ave. Chicago, IL 60642 p: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://773.305.LOAN" target="_blank">773.305.LOAN</a> (5626) <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.anmtg.com" target="_blank">www.anmtg.com</a> 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: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://773.305.LOAN" target="_blank">773.305.LOAN</a> (5626) <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://ANmtg.com" target="_blank">ANmtg.com</a> 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: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.anmtg.com/licensing/" target="_blank">www.anmtg.com/licensing/</a> and <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org" target="_blank">www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org</a>. Some restrictions may apply. Programs subject to change without notice. Offer of credit Brian Barkowski NMLS No.1623815 | Mike Vlamis NMLS No. 1673632

November 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.

6 total episodes available

Deep-dive analytics for V-Man and Barko Podcast

Frequently asked questions

Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

What is V-Man and Barko Podcast?: 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.
How often does this podcast release new episodes?: This podcast updates daily.
Where can I listen to this podcast?: This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
Does this podcast accept guests?: Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

Legal Disclaimer

Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.

All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.

We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.

While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at hey@podengine.ai for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.

By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.