Homeownership changed my direction. Now I help other people find theirs.
I am Steven “Harry” Protopappas, NMLS #2543750, a mortgage loan originator licensed in California and Nevada.
Illustrative Reno-area photography.
After a decade working as a flight attendant, I recently moved back to Reno with my wife to start our family and put down roots. I came home with a different definition of what a house can mean.
Why this work is personal
Buying a home changed the direction of my life. It gave me stability and created the foundation for what came next. In 2018, I began investing in real estate. I house-hacked a triplex and now operate five short-term rentals.
That experience helped me build more financial freedom, but I do not present homeownership as a guaranteed investment result. Every home, loan, market, and household budget is different. What I can do is help you understand the numbers, the risks, and the next decision before you commit.
I understand that income does not always fit neatly on a pay stub
My own background has included W-2 work, 1099 income, real estate investing, and operating rentals. That is why I pay attention when a tax return, business deposit pattern, or property cash flow does not fit a standard explanation.
Sometimes a standard mortgage is the best fit. Other times it is worth looking at bank statements, the rent from an investment property, or eligible savings and investments. I will explain what I would compare first and why.
You do not have to pick the mortgage
The loan pages on this site are here so you can learn. They are not a test. Bring the goal, the numbers you know, and the questions you are worried might sound basic. We will narrow the choices together.
What I want to build in Reno
I want QHM to become a useful local resource for people buying their first home, moving to Northern Nevada, running a business, or building a small real estate portfolio. That starts with clear guides and honest conversations. Community is something I intend to earn through useful work, not claim in a headline.
How I work
- I verify current guidelines before presenting a program as an option.
- I explain the tradeoffs, including when a simpler or less expensive path deserves the first look.
- I tell you what happens next, what documents matter, and what is still conditional.
- I do not treat an early conversation like a commitment to apply.
Licensing and contact
Steven “Harry” Protopappas · Mortgage Loan Originator · NMLS #2543750
Powered by NEXA Lending
NEXA Mortgage, LLC · NMLS #1660690 · Equal Housing Lender
Licensed in California and Nevada · (619) 815-7100 · info@qualifiedhomemortgage.com
Verify licensing at NMLS Consumer Access.
I built my own path through homeownership before helping other people with theirs
My experience as a homeowner and investor is not a promise that every purchase produces the same result. It means I understand why the payment, the property, the cash left afterward, and the long-term plan all matter at the same time.
- Mortgage Loan Originator NMLS #2543750, licensed in California and Nevada.
- Real estate investor since 2018 and operator of five short-term rentals.
- Back in Reno with my wife to start our family and build a useful local practice.