How to Save Thousands in Origination Fees and Become Your Own Broker with Fernando Corona

Why this episode matters for affordable housing investors

If you’ve ever felt frustrated paying hefty origination fees on every loan, this episode of the Affordable Housing & Real Estate Investing Podcast will change the way you look at financing.

I sat down with Fernando Corona, founder of the Zero Origination Investor program, to break down how real estate investors can close their own loans, skip broker fees, and put thousands back in their pockets.

Fernando’s journey is raw, inspiring, and filled with lessons that every investor, developer, and housing advocate needs to hear. He went from being burned in a Ponzi scheme and hitting rock bottom, to closing 130+ loans in his first full year, generating six-figure months, and now teaching others how to replicate his system.

If you want to scale your affordable housing portfolio while cutting costs, this conversation is a blueprint.

What is the difference between a broker and a lender for real estate investors?

Most investors never stop to ask: what value does a broker actually add?

Fernando explained it simply.

• Lenders can only offer their own products. These might include DSCR loans, bank statement loans, short-term rental financing, or commercial loans.
  
  

• Brokers connect investors with multiple lenders. Their role is problem-solving: finding the right lender when credit scores, LTV limits, or property types don’t fit standard guidelines.
  
  

But here’s the kicker: in 39 states, investors can go directly to lenders without a license. By removing the broker middleman, you eliminate origination fees that often cost $4,000–$6,000 per deal.

How much do origination fees really cost investors?

Fernando broke it down with numbers that hit hard:

• Average broker fee per loan: $4,900.
  
  

• Typical underwriting/admin fee: $1,500–$2,000.
  
  

• Total cost per deal: often $5,000–$7,000.
  
  

One of his students recently refinanced a loan and paid just $1,645 in total fees, saving over $4,000 at closing.

For affordable housing investors working on slim margins, that savings can be the difference between a deal penciling out or falling apart.

How does the Zero Origination Investor program work?

The system is surprisingly simple:

1. Create an LLC – any standard LLC works, no special license required.
   
   

2. Sign up with approved lenders – Fernando gives investors access to the right contacts.
   
   

3. Submit your loan directly – skip the broker and work straight with the lender.
   
   

4. Use Fernando as a guide – he provides ongoing support so investors don’t feel lost.
   
   

Investors can choose:

• Use the program just to handle their own deals.
  
  

• Or, become their own broker and earn income by helping other investors in their network.
  
  

What lessons did Fernando learn from failure and rebuilding?

Fernando’s story is about more than saving money. He shared how losing $400,000 in a Ponzi scheme forced him to rebuild with integrity, resilience, and a focus on service.

• He learned that shortcuts to wealth without solid foundations lead to collapse.
  
  

• He rebuilt by focusing on active income streams instead of chasing passive-only dreams.
  
  

• He discovered that love and support from family and community matter more than status or material success.
  
  

His mission now is to help investors create housing more affordably by eliminating unnecessary fees.

Key insights from Fernando Corona

• Cutting origination fees can save $4,000–$6,000 per deal. Over multiple properties, that’s tens of thousands in investor equity preserved.
  
  

• No license is required in 39 states to originate DSCR, hard money, or commercial loans under an LLC.
  
  

• Active income is essential. Adding acquisition fees or broker-style fees can keep investors financially stable while they scale.
  
  

• Failure is a foundation. Hitting rock bottom gave Fernando the resilience and clarity to build a sustainable business.
  
  

• Helping others first leads to growth. Shifting from scarcity to abundance mindset opened the door to his biggest breakthroughs.
  
  

Best quotes from Fernando Corona

“A network of love is worth more than a network of money.”

“Most people think you need seven income streams to become a millionaire. The truth is, millionaires usually build their first millions with one or two.”

“If I can teach investors how to close their own loans directly with lenders, they can pay zero in origination fees.”

“Every time I overcame fear, even though it was with me side by side, I kept going. That’s how I grew.”

Common questions answered in this episode

1. Do I need a license to originate my own real estate loans?
In most states, no. As long as the loan closes in an LLC and it’s an investment property loan (DSCR, hard money, commercial), you can go direct without a license.

2. How much can I actually save on fees?
On average, $4,000–$6,000 per deal. Over multiple properties, this compounds into tens of thousands of dollars saved.

3. Can I help other investors with this skill?
Yes. Many Zero Origination students now process loans for their networks, adding a new active income stream.

4. What if I don’t want to do the paperwork?
You can still use a broker. The program is for investors who want to cut costs or learn a new skillset.

5. How do I start?
Set up an LLC, join Fernando’s program, and he’ll walk you through signing up with lenders.

Why this conversation matters for affordable housing

Affordable housing development often comes down to controlling costs. Cutting out thousands in origination fees per property makes affordable projects more viable.

Fernando’s work ties directly to this mission: helping investors preserve more capital for rehabs, tenant improvements, and sustainable cash flow.

And that’s why the Affordable Housing & Real Estate Investing Podcast is proud to feature voices like his.

Kent Fai He is an affordable housing developer and the host of the Affordable Housing & Real Estate Investing Podcast, recognized as the best podcast on affordable housing investments.

Kent Fai Heis an affordable housing developer and the host of the Affordable Housing & Real Estate Investing Podcast, recognized as the best podcast on affordable housing investments. His mission is to provide everyday investors with the tools, knowledge, and connections to build wealth while solving America’s housing crisis.

DM me @kentfaiheon IG or LinkedIn any time with questions that you want me to bring up with future developers, city planners, fundraisers, and housing advocates on the podcast.