If you’ve ever had a buyer say, “I’d love to own a home, but I just don’t have the money,” this podcast episode is for you.

On the latest NAR Center for REALTOR® Development Podcast, host Monica Neubauer sits down with Skyler Lemons, also known as Chicago’s Down Payment Grant King. Skyler, one of NAR’s 2025 30 Under 30 honorees, has built his business around helping first-time and low-to-moderate-income buyers get into homes—many of whom didn’t think ownership was even possible.

Skyler has already helped secure more than $250,000 in financial assistance for his clients, and he’s sharing how he does it. From leveraging local and national programs to creating systems that educate and nurture buyers, Skyler proves that down payment assistance isn’t just a tool—it’s a pathway to closing more deals.

Brokers will walk away with:

• A clearer understanding of how down payment assistance programs work.
• Tips to paint the financial “big picture” for buyers.
• Strategies to use social media, guides, and AI automation to build lasting client pipelines.

Skyler’s mission is simple: bridge the homeownership gap through education, strategy, and community impact. And after listening, you may just decide to add his playbook to your own business toolkit.

View the transcript of this podcast and learn more about Skylar Lemons here.