Larry Gonzales

LPGA pro Dewi Weber didn’t even like golf as a kid. She played because she hated losing. Now she’s competing for wins on tour, and she’s sharing the morning routine, the mental game, and the parenting lesson that changed how she sees success.

In Episode 21 of In Search of Excellence: Island Style, host Larry Gonzales sits down with Dewi to explore the preparation, competitiveness, and perseverance behind her journey to professional golf.

From a tennis injury in the Netherlands to competing at the University of Miami and on the LPGA Tour, Dewi shares how she learned to handle pressure, anxiety, and self-doubt—and why confidence starts with putting in the work.

She also opens up about life behind the scenes: exhausting travel, practice, strength training, financial challenges, and the support of her wife, Jen, as they prepare for parenthood.

Whether you’re an athlete, parent, business owner, or someone pursuing a big goal, this conversation offers a candid look at effort, setbacks, and how we define success.

⛳ Featuring Dewi Weber, with mentions of Hoakalei Country Club, the LOTTE Championship, and the LPGA Tour @LPGA.

IN THIS EPISODE

• How an ankle injury led Dewi from tennis to golf
• Her journey from the Dutch National Team to the University of Miami
• Why preparation builds confidence under pressure
• Morning routines, reading, and journaling
• Responding to mistakes and difficult days
• The realities of professional golf, travel, and finances
• Coaching, relationships, and support
• Preparing for parenthood
• Advice for young athletes and their parents

MEET OUR GUEST

Dewi Weber
Professional Golfer | LPGA Tour
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dewiweber/

FEATURED ORGANIZATIONS

Hoakalei Country Club: https://www.hoakaleicountryclub.com/
LOTTE Championship: https://www.lottechampionship.com/
LPGA: https://www.youtube.com/@LPGA

VIDEO CHAPTERS

00:00 Show Intro
00:14 Tennis To Golf
02:07 Finding Love For Golf
05:18 Miami Breakthrough
06:08 Pressure And Prep
08:00 Routine And Journaling
14:12 Turning Pro Decision
17:22 Marriage And Support
19:59 Money And Tour Reality
22:21 Staying On Tour
28:15 Coaches And Confidence
30:57 Behind The Scenes Grind
34:21 Consequences And Focus
39:18 Handling Bad Days
41:31 Parenthood Ahead
49:16 Advice For Young Golfers
53:43 Closing Thanks

Hosted by Larry Gonzales
In Search of Excellence: Island Style
Powered by The Broker Mortgage Experts

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations about leadership, discipline, mental toughness, personal growth, and the pursuit of excellence.

💬 What’s one routine or mindset shift that helps you perform better under pressure? Tell us in the comments.

👍 Like this video and share it with an athlete, coach, parent, or friend working toward a big goal.

🎧 Also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

#DewiWeber #lpga #LotteChampionship #HoakaleiCountryClub #golfmindset #mentaltoughness #InSearchOfExcellence #LarryGonzales

What is an escrow account in a mortgage, and where does your money actually go?

If you're buying your first home, you'll likely see escrow listed on your Loan Estimate or Closing Disclosure.

In this video, Larry Gonzales explains how mortgage escrow accounts work and why they're commonly used to collect money for property taxes and homeowners insurance.

Your monthly mortgage payment may include:
✅ Principal
✅ Interest
✅ Property taxes
✅ Homeowners insurance

The tax and insurance portions are generally held in escrow until those bills are due.

Understanding escrow helps you plan for the true monthly cost of homeownership.

▶️ Watch the full Housing Market Update on YouTube.

🔔 Subscribe for weekly mortgage tips, VA loan education, and Hawaiʻi housing market updates.

#escrow #mortgageexplained #homebuying #firsttimehomebuyer #shorts

🏡 Oʻahu's housing market is telling two different stories!

The September 2026 Honolulu Board of REALTORS® report shows:

🏠 Single-family homes: 293 closed sales, UP 6.2% year-over-year.
🏢 Condos: 375 closed sales, DOWN 8.1%.

Single-family homes continue to show strong buyer demand, while the condo market offers a different picture.

And here's what's interesting: the median single-family home price actually declined, even as sales increased.

Whether you're buying or selling on Oʻahu, knowing which market you're in matters.

▶️ Watch the full Housing Market Update — link in bio.

👉 Follow @LarryTheLO and subscribe for weekly Hawaiʻi real estate and mortgage updates.

#oahurealestate #HawaiiHousingMarket #honolulurealestate #housingmarket2026 #homebuying #LarryTheLO

What is a mortgage rate buydown, and is paying for a lower interest rate worth it?

There are two main types of mortgage rate buydowns: permanent and temporary.

In this Housing Market Update, Larry Gonzales explains the concept of a par rate, a mortgage rate with no discount points paid and no lender credit received and why choosing a lower rate may involve additional upfront costs.

Understanding mortgage rate buydowns can help you compare loan options, evaluate closing costs, and make a more informed homebuying decision.

▶️ Watch the full Housing Market Update on YouTube.

🔔 Subscribe for weekly mortgage rates, VA loan tips, and Hawaiʻi housing market updates.

#MortgageRateBuydown #mortgagerates #homebuying #valoan #shorts

Why are Millennials and Gen Z afraid to buy a home? A new First Home IQ study reveals that homebuying anxiety, down payment myths, and lack of trust may be keeping young buyers from homeownership.

According to the study discussed in this video, 60% of Millennials and Gen Z find homebuying overwhelming, 66% worry about their finances, and 54% fear mortgage lenders may take advantage of them.
So what does this mean for Realtors, mortgage professionals, and the next generation of first-time homebuyers?

In this video, Larry Gonzales (Larry The LO) breaks down the psychology behind Millennial and Gen Z homebuying fears, the biggest misconceptions about down payments, and why education and transparency are essential to earning the trust of younger buyers.

You'll also learn why financial stability doesn't always eliminate anxiety, how to make the homebuying process less intimidating, and why showing buyers their actual numbers can be more powerful than simply telling them they're qualified.

📌 What You'll Learn
✅ Why 60% of young buyers feel overwhelmed by homebuying
✅ Why financial anxiety continues even among higher earners
✅ Why 54% worry about being taken advantage of by lenders
✅ How Realtors can build trust with Millennial and Gen Z buyers
✅ Why personal conversations still matter in the age of AI
✅ The truth about 3%, 5%, 10%, and 20% down payments
✅ How VA loans and USDA loans may offer 0% down payment options
✅ Why educating buyers is more effective than pressuring them
✅ How to help buyers avoid becoming house poor
✅ Why transparency creates stronger client relationships

⏱️ Video Chapters
00:00 First Home IQ Study: Millennials & Gen Z
00:30 Why Young Buyers Feel Overwhelmed
01:00 Financial Anxiety and Homebuying Fear
01:40 Why Higher Income Doesn't Eliminate Anxiety
02:20 How Realtors Can Reduce Homebuyer Stress
03:20 Building Trust With Young Homebuyers
04:00 Why 54% Fear Mortgage Lenders
04:40 Human Advice vs. AI Homebuying Plans
05:00 Helping Buyers Avoid Becoming House Poor
05:40 How Transparency Builds Trust
06:20 Showing Buyers Realistic Financial Scenarios
07:20 The Down Payment Myth
08:00 Why Buyers Still Think They Need 20% Down
08:40 Why Homebuyer Education Matters
09:20 VA Loans and USDA Zero-Down Options
10:00 How to Earn the Next Generation's Trust
10:30 Get the First Home IQ Report

🏡 What This Means for Realtors
Millennials and Gen Z aren't necessarily saying no to homeownership. Many simply don't know where to begin.
As real estate professionals, our responsibility is to make the process easier to understand, not more intimidating.

Start with a conversation. Listen to their concerns. Explain the financing options available. Show realistic monthly payments and help them understand what they can comfortably afford.

The goal isn't just to help someone buy a home. It's to help them become a successful homeowner.

📲 Want a Copy of the First Home IQ Report?

Text me "NEXT GEN" and I'll send you a copy of the report.

Understanding the next generation of homebuyers today can help you build stronger relationships and better serve them when they're ready to purchase.

🏠 Looking to buy your first home in Hawaii or explore your VA loan benefits?

Visit: https://larrythelo.com

👍 LIKE this video if you found it helpful.
💬 COMMENT: What's the biggest fear you hear from first-time homebuyers?

🔔 SUBSCRIBE for mortgage education, Realtor strategies, VA loan tips, and Hawaii real estate updates.

#FirstTimeHomeBuyer #MillennialHomebuyers #GenZHomebuyers #RealEstateTips #MortgageEducation

Mortgage rates finally dropped! But will Wednesday's CPI inflation report push mortgage rates higher again? Here's what homebuyers need to know in this week's Monday Rate Update.

After several weeks of rising mortgage rates, we finally saw some relief. Conventional 30-year fixed mortgage rates eased to approximately 7.48%, VA mortgage rates dropped to around 7.17%, and the 10-year Treasury yield ended the week near 5.24%.

But could this relief be short-lived?

In this week's Monday Rate Update, Larry Gonzales breaks down the upcoming CPI and PPI inflation reports, the Federal Reserve's October 27–28 meeting, and why oil prices and tensions in the Strait of Hormuz could have a major impact on mortgage rates.

We also explore why today's slower housing market may create opportunities for first-time homebuyers, veterans, and military families using VA loans.

📌 Video Chapters

00:00 Mortgage Rates Finally Drop
00:35 Conventional and VA Mortgage Rate Update
01:30 Why the 10-Year Treasury Matters
02:20 This Week's Economic Calendar
03:15 Wednesday's CPI Inflation Report
05:00 Core Inflation and Mortgage Rate Outlook
06:30 Federal Reserve Rate-Hike Expectations
08:00 Oil Prices and Strait of Hormuz
10:00 Global Bond Markets and Consumer Confidence
12:00 Housing Market Update and Price Reductions
13:30 VA Loan Advantages for Homebuyers
15:00 Seller Credits and Negotiating Opportunities
16:30 Should You Lock Your Mortgage Rate?
18:00 What Buyers Should Do Before Wednesday
19:00 Final Thoughts and Mortgage Rate Outlook

🏡 What This Means for Homebuyers

Mortgage rates may be elevated, but that doesn't mean opportunities have disappeared.

With fewer purchase applications and more sellers reducing their asking prices, buyers may have more negotiating power to request seller credits, closing-cost assistance, and mortgage rate buydowns.

For eligible veterans and active-duty military families, VA loans can offer additional advantages, including no required down payment and potentially lower mortgage rates than conventional loans.

The key is understanding your monthly payment, evaluating your options, and having a strategy before major economic reports move the market.

Don't gamble with your mortgage rate. Have a plan.

📲 Thinking About Buying a Home in Hawaii?

Whether you're purchasing your first home, relocating to Oahu, or using your VA loan benefit, Larry and The Broker team can help you explore your financing options.

🌐 https://larrythelo.com

👍 LIKE this video if you found it helpful.
💬 COMMENT with your mortgage or housing market questions.
🔔 SUBSCRIBE for weekly mortgage rate updates, VA loan education, and Hawaii real estate news.

#MortgageRates #MortgageRateUpdate #CPIInflation #VALoans #HawaiiRealEstate

Oil prices eased as Middle East crude supplies recovered but geopolitical risk hasn't disappeared.

Saudi Arabia restored flows through its East-West Pipeline, while Middle East crude exports rebounded significantly in September. Those developments helped ease some of the supply pressure that had pushed oil prices sharply higher.

Why does this matter for homebuyers?

Energy prices can affect inflation expectations and the bond market, which are among the factors that can influence mortgage rates.

That's why oil remains one of the numbers I'm watching.

▶️ Watch the full Housing Market Update on YouTube.

🔔 Subscribe for weekly mortgage rate and housing market updates.

#oilprices #mortgagerates #inflation #housingmarket #shorts

Home price growth is slowing but that isn't the same thing as home prices falling.

Larry breaks down the latest Case-Shiller Home Price Index and explains why slowing appreciation matters for buyers and homeowners.

Monthly price gains have faded from their earlier pace, but the data Larry is discussing still show some appreciation.

And because Case-Shiller is released with a lag, it doesn't fully capture what's happening in the housing market today.

▶️ Watch the full Housing Market Update on YouTube.

🔔 Subscribe for weekly mortgage, housing market, and homebuying education.

#homeprices #CaseShiller #housingmarket #realestate #shorts

Inflation has fallen significantly from its 2022 peak so why haven't prices returned to where they were?

Because lower inflation doesn't mean prices automatically fall. It means the rate at which prices are increasing has slowed.

The U.S. CPI inflation rate reached 9.1% in June 2022, its highest 12-month increase since 1981. Those price increases accumulated over time, and slower inflation doesn't reverse them.

That's one reason affordability can remain challenging even after inflation improves.

▶️ Watch the full Housing Market Update on YouTube.

🔔 Subscribe for weekly mortgage and housing market education.

#inflation #affordability #housingmarket #homeprices #shorts