>> Major funding for "Opportunity Knock$" is provided by the National Council for Financial Opportunities, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing poverty and creating economic mobility by breaking down systematic barriers, increasing equitable access to capital, and making opportunity accessible to all.

Its programmatic areas of focus include financial resiliency, financial accessibility, and income adequacy.

Additional funding provided by Balance, a national nonprofit financial-counseling agency... and by Callahan & Associates, which facilitates collaboration between financial cooperatives.

Previously on "Opportunity Knock$"... >> I sing.

I'm thinking about private lessons.

>> I think that you both need to get business plans in place.

>> We're meeting with Warren, and then he refers us right across the hall to Karen to talk to us about mortgages.

>> You have the beginnings of a plan.

>> Okay.

>> But the reason we need to really flesh the plan all the way out is so that you can take advantage of the opportunities that are out there.

>> We're going to save you $1,000.

>> Oh, gosh.

>> Are you kidding me?

>> A month.

>> Oh, my God!

>> Every day, millions of Americans must make the choice between rent and food.

"Opportunity Knock$" has matched three expert coaches with six struggling families to give a personalized financial experience that even you can benefit from.

Through this journey, we will see that the American dream is possible with the right advice.

Will the obstacles they face prove to be too much for these six families or will the coaches help them open the door when opportunity knocks?

♪ >> I know we met with Warren and that was great, I loved it, but I'm super-excited to meet with Karen and find out more of the home-specific information, because that is our goal.

That's what we want to do.

>> Well, here we go.

Round 2.

>> Yes.

Hi, Karen.

>> Hi.

How are you?

>> Good, good.

>> Good to see you again.

>> Thank you.

>> Sitting down with Karen, she helped us finish our loan application and gave us some details and summaries of what we qualify for.

>> I'm not sure if you're aware of the current housing market that we're experiencing here in North Carolina.

>> I don't know the particulars.

>> Tell us more, yeah.

>> Well, it's very, very competitive.

Prices are consistently going up on a daily basis, along with rates, unfortunately.

>> Yeah.

Okay.

>> I am nervous that she might say buying a home is not realistic for us.

Can you explain to me pre-qualify, pre-approval, and then, once we get the loan, like, what is the difference between all of those?

>> Okay, so, pre-approval means that you've completed an application, we've pulled credit, and we will issue a pre-approval letter.

And sellers prefer to have a pre-approval because it shows that you've actually taken the steps to sit down with a financial institution and you're serious, as opposed to a pre-qualification.

>> Okay.

>> And then what's the difference between pre-approval and then when you're actually approved?

Is that just the green light, you have the money?

>> Green light, you are approved, and we're ready to close.

>> Okay.

>> Okay.

That is quite a process.

>> It is a process.

It is a process.

So, I've actually run some numbers for you and I did a fee summary so that you can see what an estimated payment of 250 would look like.

>> Sure.

>> We offer 100% program here at Coastal, which means that you borrow 100% of the sales price.

>> Okay.

The only thing that you would be responsible for out of pocket would be your closing cost.

However, since you are military, you do qualify for FHLB Set-Aside Program, which is a $10,000 down-payment assistance that you can use toward your closing cost, okay?

Your closing costs are at the bottom here.

We could use that $10,000 to pay for your closing costs so that you would not have to come out of pocket with any money.

>> Oh, wow.

>> So you could truly get into a home with no money down, no money out of pocket.

>> Sorry.

Thanks.

I didn't realize...

I didn't realize it was possible for us to do that outside of a VA loan.

It's possible we could have a home for our family, for our kids to grow up in.

Thank you.

>> You're making me cry.

>> Gosh, I wasn't... >> You didn't know we were going to make you cry.

today, did you?

>> I wasn't expecting this.

>> Well, I think it's important for you to understand that we've been married five years, which isn't a crazy long time, but we've worked really hard to get out of debt early on in our marriage.

We've made a lot of sacrifices to move in with my family, and we've been accepted with open arms.

It's been wonderful.

But to have our own place would be very meaningful.

>> And that's what we're here to help you make that dream come true.

>> I think back to things that Jean told us and that Warren told us about a credit union being for members.

>> This is the deal we would get here, not somewhere else.

>> Mm-hmm.

>> Exactly.

Exactly.

Not everyone will offer a 100% program.

>> Jared and I have talked about our financial journey and this process of buying a home.

It's kind of felt like just us figuring this out.

>> Yeah.

>> And now as I see Karen getting choked up and crying across from me, like, it's not just us.

We have people batting for us.

We have people on our team.

We have individuals with skill sets that are here to support us, that believe in us.

>> And I know you applied for the 250, right?

>> Right.

>> But I did go ahead and do a fee summary for you at 330, just in case you find a house that's a little bit higher than your 250.

>> Uh-huh.

>> Doesn't mean you have to use it.

>> Yeah, but we can use it up to -- We could go up to that amount.

>> Exactly.

>> So, this is helpful.

Now we know we have some wiggle room.

We're pre-approved up to 330.

>> Yes.

>> But now we need to go and actually look and see kind of what's realistic in the area.

>> Thank you so much.

>> You are so welcome.

Good luck house-hunting.

>> Thank you.

>> Okay.

♪ >> Hi!

>> Hi!

Louis!

>> How are you guys doing?

>> Good.

>> Good.

>> Hi.

>> Come on in.

>> Thank you.

So, part of your homework was go to the Opportunity Finder, and you were going to look up a CDFI to get a lower rate for your credit cards and all the debt that you had.

>> Yeah.

We did.

>> So, give me the good news.

Tell me what happened.

>> Actually, it was really easy.

>> Yeah.

>> We just went on it and clicked what we needed, and then it took us right to a CDFI close by.

And it was great.

We went there and we met with Ana.

She was wonderful.

>> So helpful and so empathetic to what we needed.

>> Yeah.

And they actually helped us save $1,000 a month.

>> $1,000 per month.

>> What?!

>> Yeah.

>> No way.

So, how did they do that?

>> We recognized we were in a predatory-loan situation.

>> Oh, shoot.

>> And so they actually helped consolidate all of our loans together, the loans and his credit-card debt, and then just got us now an amazing reduced rate.

>> Wait, wait, wait.

Hold on a second.

This is amazing.

So, it's already implemented?

>> Yeah.

>> Yeah.

>> Phenomenal.

What are you doing with that 1,000 bucks?

>> We love the idea of owning our own house.

>> Right.

>> However, even crunching a little bit of the numbers very quickly, we do realize that it will most likely definitely not happen in Los Angeles.

And so we are starting to think about different cities right now outside of L.A. >> Having Louis come back is like having an old friend come over for coffee.

>> Yeah.

He's so personable, and we picked right back up where we started from the first time.

>> I'm really proud of you guys.

>> Thank you so much.

>> And I also asked you to go on the Opportunity Finder for business advice, right?

Business coaching.

And how did that go?

>> It went really well.

I met a woman named Laurie from Score, and it was great.

She just helped walk me through the steps of starting up a business plan, and she's going to be available to mentor me along the way.

>> That's fantastic.

What's Score?

>> So, Score is a nonprofit organization of people who are pretty much retired in their field, and then they come back and they help mentor other people, like entrepreneurs.

>> That's amazing.

You found this through the Opportunity... >> Yes.

Well, I just clicked "business plan."

>> Okay.

>> Then it took me right to all these different locations in the city.

>> I am really, really, really proud of you, honestly.

>> Thank you, Louis.

>> I can't wait to see what happens in the next step.

>> He just makes you feel that you can trust anything that he's saying.

And we trust him now.

>> Yeah.

>> Share with me on the most important things.

Starting your family.

That whole IVF process -- what's going on?

>> If everything goes our way, we could be pregnant in maybe -- >> Within a couple weeks.

>> Within a couple weeks.

>> Wow.

>> Yeah.

>> But, like, having more of a plan, having more, like, some security intact, like, now I don't have to be frantically thinking about those things.

I can just focus now on allowing this first trimester to unfold.

>> I'm getting teary-eyed just thinking about that.

I am going to pray for you guys.

>> Thank you.

>> But let's not forget, we still have more homework to do, right?

Okay.

So, you're going to the career center.

>> Yep.

>> You're going to look for other potential job opportunities in different locations, maybe where housing might be cheaper.

>> Yes.

>> Yeah, hopefully.

And then great opportunities for both of you, because you're going to have to take a look at, if you do make that move, that you also want to have an opportunity for you to start your business there, as well, right?

>> Exactly.

>> Louis is realistic.

I mean, he looks at us and he's not expecting us to become multimillionaires overnight.

And so he comes with this bit of knowledge that, you know, go somewhere where it's going to be a little bit easier to get ahead.

>> So, I'm looking forward to find out, hey, where you might be moving to.

>> I know.

>> That's exciting.

>> It's very exciting.

>> That's exciting.

Alright, congratulations, guys.

>> Thank you so much.

>> Yeah.

>> Thank you for your help.

♪ >> Hi!

>> Hello!

>> Oh, my goodness!

So nice to see you!

>> Yes, nice to see you again.

>> Please have a seat.

>> So, after hours and hours of research, I finally got the business plan completed.

And now it's time to visit into Galene.

>> Thank you so much for sending me your business plan.

I did get a chance to review it.

It looks great.

Here are some things that I thought you did very well.

I love the market potential.

You were able to really drill down into the population of our area, the age range that you're looking for.

That's going to be very helpful.

You have your mission statement, which is amazing.

That's very important for people to understand your mission statement.

I see that you're registered with the county as to try to get procurements from different state and local and federal agencies, which is really important.

It's good that you have projections.

It's important to really have a budget for your business.

Just like you budget for yourself, you want to budget for your business.

Very good.

Well, this is a great business plan.

>> Thank you.

Oh, she said the business plan looks good, and now I can breathe again.

It is a big weight off my shoulders, and I'm just excited at this point.

>> As your business plan continues to evolve, we are here for you.

We have a business and innovation and solution center, so we can definitely continue to help you.

As your business grows, we can help you with that business growth.

>> Thank you so much.

>> So, I think your next step is access to capital, possibly a small-business loan.

>> Okay.

>> And just knowing you as our member, we think that the best fit is LiftFund.

We are partnered with them, and they are a national CDFI microlender who can definitely assist you.

And I would love for you to set an appointment with our good friends at LiftFund.

>> Okay.

I appreciate everything you've done for me, and I'll definitely reach out to LiftFund.

>> Awesome.

>> Yes.

Thank you.

>> Awesome.

I want a hug.

I'm like... >> It feels unreal.

Like, definitely, I'm knocking on the door.

I'm right there.

It feels good.

I'm, you know, not doubting myself anymore.

I feel like I can do it.

♪ >> Honey?

>> How's it going, babe?

>> Hi.

Have a seat.

>> Oh, well, thank you.

>> Welcome to my office.

>> We just had another great session with Louis, and our next assignment is to really see where I could work, most likely not being in L.A. >> How are you feeling about the transition out of your job?

>> Very scared to make the next step.

I'm really fascinated to know how much house I can afford to own in a different city outside of Los Angeles.

And I'm also a little bit nervous, because this is actually for real at this point.

So it's a transition.

>> Do you mind if we do a little tapping session on this?

>> Sure.

>> Let's just put our hand on your chest.

Take a deep breath in.

>> [ Breathes deeply ] >> And exhale.

Just letting go of everything that's come before this moment.

And then just real gently, I want you to just massage underneath your collarbone.

Just real gentle.

I want you to tune in to the fear of the unknown, moving from something that feels really secure and comfortable, and now you're going to be making that leap.

Now, tapping lightly on the chest, just repeat after me.

Even though.

>> Even though.

>> I'm feeling all this stress.

>> I'm feeling all this stress.

>> I deeply love.

>> I deeply love.

>> And trust myself.

>> And trust myself.

>> When we have stress, it affects our biology and our physiology.

So we become stuck when we're not taking care of ourselves physically and emotionally.

It's possible.

>> It's possible.

>> I can let this go.

>> I can let this go.

Going through this tapping process with Fiona, I feel that when I speak these words aloud, it is actually real.

Now I'm getting through it, and so it makes more sense.

It's more clarified.

>> I can release this fear.

>> I can release this fear.

It's not as scary as before.

So, of course, those scary thoughts and those demons can perpetuate until we actually start speaking about them.

>> Inhale.

>> I'm in a much better spot to even start the actions of getting to the next step.

>> And release everything.

[ Both breathe deeply ] ♪ >> How is your business plan coming along?

>> It's coming along.

>> Patrice said that it's great to have ideas, but until you put those ideas on paper, you've really done nothing.

>> How about yours?

>> It's coming along.

But, you know, I think I need promotion.

>> Like, you just thought it.

You want a promotion already?

>> [ Laughs ] Not that type of promotion.

Like, I need to promote it.

I need to get it out there.

I need people to know what I do, you know, and how it can help them.

And so I was thinking about, like, you know, getting the kids in on this, because they could help me to promote it.

My approach is to help children, so why not ask my own kids?

Christian is in theater, and Josiah is like the social-media/YouTube guru.

I think they're young, they're spontaneous.

I think they'll help me.

>> Alright, so, you know what you want to promote, right?

>> I want to promote my voice lessons and piano, as well.

So, what else do I need to do?

>> Just talk about it.

Probably put a date where you think you're gonna start.

>> Alright, well, I'm ready whenever you guys are ready.

Alright, it's always -- Is it on?

>> Yes.

>> Okay.

Hello, everybody.

My name is Tiffany White, and I am so excited to come to you today to tell you about my new adventure.

I am starting vocal/piano lessons, and it's called Tunes by Ty.

Tunes by Ty.

[ Laughs ] >> Hey, hold on, hold on, hold on.

Cut.

Cut.

We need a good intro.

Make me some music.

>> Okay, some music?

Hey, take two.

Okay, you ready?

>> Alright.

3, 2, 1, go!

>> Hello, everybody.

My name is Tiffany White, and I'm so excited -- [ Laughter ] >> You might as well go on to take three.

They can't hold theirself together.

What kind of camera crew y'all are?

>> I'm not the camera crew.

I'm the editing crew.

>> Well, editing crew, stop laughing.

>> I can't.

It's too funny.

>> First of all, Christian, the name is Tunes by Ty.

>> Tunes by Ty.

>> You got to let that out.

>> I just came up with the name.

Why not Tunes by Ty?

You know, I got some friends.

My name is Tiffany.

They call me Ty.

So I came up with tunes by Ty.

And Josiah thought it was hilarious.

>> Wait, wait, wait, wait.

[ Laughs ] Alright.

>> It's not -- >> Sorry.

>> Alright, alright.

>> Okay, here we go.

>> Alright, 3, 2, 1, go.

>> Hello, everybody.

My name is Tiffany White, and I am so excited to bring to you my newest adventure.

>> Y'all are silly.

>> Cut the whole show.

We're never going to be able to make this video if you're laughing.

>> Okay, okay.

I'm ready.

Go.

3, 2 -- You know what?

Go, go.

>> Hello, everybody.

My name is Tiffany White, and I'm so excited to bring to you my newest adventure.

I am about to start vocal lessons.

Why y'all laughing?

>> Your editing chief is terrible.

>> Cut.

Cut the whole thing.

You know what?

Get out.

Get out.

Get out.

>> Why?

>> Because you're not going to be able to compose yourself.

Get out.

Go.

Go.

We cannot get it together.

And so you know what?

I just had to send him out.

>> 3, 2, 1, go.

>> Okay.

Hello, everybody.

My name is Tiffany White, and I am so excited to come to you today to tell you about my newest adventure.

And I'm calling it Tunes by Ty.

You said, "What is Tunes by Ty?"

Well, if you've ever been wanting to sing, if you've ever been wanting to play the piano, now is your time.

>> Sit down.

Why are you being so much?

I'm sorry.

I'm trying to focus.

It's Bentley being -- >> I'm finna put you out the room.

I was in the moment, and, apparently, he was in the moment because he was laughing, you know, just as hard.

Okay, this is the last one, I promise.

>> Take 10.

>> So, it only took us like 100 times to finally get the video done.

Thank y'all.

[ Laughs ] >> Alright, come on.

>> That boy.

>> Alright.

Awesome.

>> You got 24 hours for your first cut.

>> What?

♪ >> Are you guys excited for the second meeting with Jean?

>> I am.

>> You'll get a chance to meet Jean, and I guess she's gonna be here in a few minutes.

>> And you'll get a chance to meet Jean.

>> I'm looking forward to reporting back to Jean and sharing with her not only have we done the homework that she's requested of us, but also the results that the credit union has shared with us.

>> I just heard a knock.

I think that's Jean.

>> We're going to go get her.

I kind of feel like a student who did all their homework so well, and I'm just waiting for the teacher to give me a gold star.

[ Both laugh ] Dad, this is Jean.

>> Hi.

>> It's a pleasure meeting you.

I've heard a lot of good things about you.

>> Oh, well, thank you so much.

You have a lovely home.

And you're on lunch duty?

>> I am.

Phil and I are going to take this outside and have a little picnic.

>> That sounds great.

>> So we will leave you to your business.

>> We have a lot of business.

Yeah.

>> Alright.

>> We got some work to do.

>> Thank you so much.

>> Thanks, Jean.

>> Yeah.

>> Should we sit down and get started?

>> We will.

Should I take my regular place?

>> Your usual spot.

>> All righty.

Tell me how the homework went.

>> Homework went really well.

We went on the Opportunity Finder tool.

We found a credit union.

We met with an individual, and he gave us a home-education class.

And then, the second meeting, we went back and met with a loan officer.

She talked about different loan products and options.

>> What options did she present to you?

>> Because I'm a veteran, the VA loan is one option.

>> Yeah.

>> But she also contrasted it with this special option for first-time homebuyers.

>> So, tell me the details of that program, what you can remember.

>> Yeah.

They offer some down-payment assistance, $10,000 that is free if we don't sell it within five years.

And then they also offer 100% financing.

>> Did she say anything else about the loan that you applied for?

>> We went in saying 250, and she said we can actually potentially qualify for more.

She was talking around like the 330 range.

>> How does that feel?

>> It feels exciting to qualify for more.

That gives us more options of what we can look at.

>> Have you considered a bigger home, right?

Maybe a duplex where there's a tenant in part or half of it.

This might give you a little bit of passive income.

>> Yeah.

>> What do you think of that idea?

>> I think I'm more open to it than I would have been in the past.

Because you say "passive income," and that's very attractive to me.

It's been a slightly uncomfortable idea to think about going for a home that has a higher price tag, even though we're pre-approved for a higher number, but now with this idea of, okay, but if your home is earning you money and you have passive income, well, maybe it makes sense to go for a home with a larger price tag so you can get set up for that passive income.

>> While we're talking about your income stream, have you done any homework?

>> Yes.

Again, we went on the Opportunity Finder, and it connected us with some other resources and just kind of opened my eyes and put me to other directions where I'm like, "Okay, this is possible.

I can still use my analysis skill set.

I can still be home with the kids."

There's options, like you said, for flexible work.

I don't know exactly what that looks like yet, I'm still exploring, but it's great to have those options and it's great to have a partner who's fully supportive.

>> Not just a partner who's fully supportive, but parents who are really supportive, the fact that they just see this as a landing place for your young families as you launch, that's something.

Have you thought about doing something nice for your parents?

>> So, it would be nice to do something for them.

>> Yeah.

>> Maybe we could cook them a meal or something like that.

My family loves food.

That's one of the ways we show love.

My mom's always the one cooking, so maybe for once, we could do it for her so she wouldn't have to.

>> I love that idea.

>> I'm very glad that Jean brought up intentionally showing gratitude.

I think it's easy to get comfortable and feel a general sense of gratitude, but really being very intentional and specific and saying, "I recognize the accommodations you've made for us.

I recognize the help that you've given us and that you've been doing it for a year and a half."

So not just saying a general "Thank you, we love you," but very specific.

>> Well, I am so excited to see what happens next.

Send me pictures of the houses.

>> I will.

>> Yeah.

>> We both will.

>> We'll keep you updated.

>> And please tell your parents that I said goodbye.

>> Yes.

>> We will, for sure.

>> Thank you again.

>> Bye.

Sure.

Anytime.

>> Thank you, Jean.

>> Bye.

>> To find your own opportunities, please visit opportunityknocks.net.

Next time on "Opportunity Knocks"... >> It's not selling as much as I would hope.

>> Any sales?

>> I've sold about like $40.

>> Do you think that we can get a house for 250?

>> But look at this one.

>> I wanted to call this meeting for the betterment of the vibrancy of our church and the legacy of our church.

>> But what I'm going to do is, I'm going to crunch some numbers here and see what we can get you guys going with.

>> All that work done to the house wasn't going to be for free.

It's like $96,000.

>> [ Clears throat ] >> Major funding for "Opportunity Knock$" is provided by the National Council for Financial Opportunities, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing poverty and creating economic mobility by breaking down systematic barriers, increasing equitable access to capital, and making opportunity accessible to all.

Its programmatic areas of focus include financial resiliency, financial accessibility, and income adequacy.

Additional funding provided by Balance, a national nonprofit financial-counseling agency... and by Callahan & Associates, which facilitates collaboration between financial cooperatives.