Benjamin: Flavio, thank you for joining us today. Please introduce yourself and share a bit about what you do here in Las Vegas.
Flavio Rayas: I am a Realtor and a mortgage loan officer here in Las Vegas. I specialize in handling both the real estate transaction and the financing side for my clients.
Benjamin: How long have you been in the industry?
Flavio Rayas: I have been working in mortgages and real estate since 2005, which is about 21 years now. I started my career in California, moved out here 18 years ago, and have been serving the Southern Nevada community ever since.
Benjamin: What originally brought you to Las Vegas 18 years ago?
Flavio Rayas: When the recession hit in 2008, my brother moved out to Vegas and opened up a business. He reached out and said, "Hey, I know real estate and mortgages are struggling right now. Why don't you move to Vegas and help me run my business?" That is what brought me here. Once I settled in, I knew I couldn't step away from real estate, so I earned my Nevada real estate and mortgage licenses and got right back into the field.
Benjamin: Having been here for nearly two decades, what is one major change you have seen in the Valley?
Flavio Rayas: The most noticeable change is the traffic. When I arrived in 2008, there was practically no traffic at all, but that has shifted as our population has expanded. Property values have certainly increased over time as well, but compared to California, Las Vegas remains significantly more affordable.
Benjamin: Tell us a little bit about your family life.
Flavio Rayas: My wife and I relocated here together from California. We have three children: an older daughter and two sons. Most recently, I became a grandfather for the first time, she is five months old now.
Benjamin: Congratulations on becoming a grandfather. How do you and your family like to spend your time together locally?
Flavio Rayas: My two sons started practicing Jiu-Jitsu, and I decided to join them. We train together regularly, and they also compete. Beyond martial arts, we love the outdoors. We enjoy visiting local hot springs, spending time at Lake Mead, and going on family hikes whenever possible.
Benjamin: You have an impressive background in martial arts. How did your journey into Jiu-Jitsu begin?
Flavio Rayas: In California, I earned a black belt in Taekwondo while simultaneously training in Muay Thai, where I also achieved a black belt rank, along with Kali Escrima. When we moved to Vegas, my sons wanted to try something new, so they picked up Jiu-Jitsu. Sitting on the sidelines watching them got boring, so I hopped on the mats too. Now I train right beside them and hold a blue belt.
Benjamin: That discipline clearly carries over into your work. Recently on Facebook, you shared a story about helping a young couple purchase their first home. Could you walk us through that experience?
Flavio Rayas: They are close friends of my son, a very hardworking young couple. They had previously worked with another Realtor and loan officer who were giving them the runaround. My son suggested they sit down with me. We built a clear, structured strategy and closed their deal in just three weeks.
Flavio Rayas: We secured a great interest rate for them, negotiated full seller concessions to cover their closing costs, and bought down their interest rate. Their final monthly payment came in significantly lower than what they were previously quoted. We surprised them at closing with a new TV, a personalized welcome basket, and custom gifts. As first-time buyers, it was an incredible moment for them.
Benjamin: What truly sets your approach apart from other real estate professionals in Las Vegas?
Flavio Rayas: Most agents only hold a real estate license, meaning they understand the transaction from one perspective and rely heavily on outside lenders for financing details. Because I maintain active licenses in both real estate and mortgage lending, I manage the full picture.
Flavio Rayas: I know exactly what it takes to qualify a borrower, how rate buydowns work, how long-term refinancing strategies play out, and how to structure offers that save buyers substantial money. I can pre-qualify a client directly and tour homes with total financial clarity from day one.
Benjamin: Being fully bilingual is also a major advantage when guiding families through these decisions.
Flavio Rayas: Absolutely. With the young couple I mentioned, their parents didn't speak English. Homeownership is a major family decision, and the parents wanted to be part of the process. Being able to explain the financial details to the parents in Spanish while communicating with the couple in English ensured the entire family felt confident and protected every step of the way.
Benjamin: If you could change one thing about Las Vegas, what would it be?
Flavio Rayas: I wish we had a beach! Coming from California, that is the one thing I miss, although after 18 years, I have certainly grown to appreciate the desert.
Benjamin: What is your ultimate local spot to eat in Las Vegas?
Flavio Rayas: We love exploring new restaurants, but our reliable family staple is Chili's on Eastern Avenue. I actually worked at a Chili's back in high school in California, so I know the menu inside and out. Their burgers are always consistently great!