Power House

On today's episode of Power House, we're bringing you a special feature in honor of International Women's Day, which was last Friday, March 8th, and Women's Month, which is the whole month of March. This special feature spotlights two industry powerhouses. HousingWire editor-in-chief Sarah Wheeler leads a conversation with First American Financial Corp. Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi.During their conversation, Sarah and Odeta talk about home ownership among single, female heads of households, other demographic trends, and what's in store for the spring housing market.Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: Single women home ownership has been on the rise, driven by higher educational attainment and earning power. The pandemic had a disproportionate impact on women's employment, but single women have shown resilience and financial growth. The spring home buying market is expected to be more moderate due to the lack of significant decline in mortgage rates. Inventory levels remain low, but even a slight increase can provide more options for potential buyers. Timing the housing market is challenging, and buyers need to focus on their own needs and affordability. Related to this episode: Connect with Odeta on LinkedIn First American The Gathering HousingWire on YouTube Enjoy the episode!The Power House podcast is a show about leadership, markets and entrepreneurship in the housing industry. Each Thursday, Clayton Collins speaks with CEOs and founders from the mortgage and real estate sector to reveal how housing executives think about business growth, operational strategy, and leadership. The Power House podcast reveals the full picture through the stories of the industry’s most impactful leaders. Clayton Collins is the CEO of HousingWire, and the Power House podcast is produced by HousingWire’s Content Studio. Initially launched in 2019 as the Housing News podcast, the show was relaunched as Power House in 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In October of 2023 we invited Frank Martell to the stage at HousingWire Annual to chat with Clayton Collins about his new role as CEO of loanDepot and progress toward his Vision 2025 plan. Today, we are bringing you that conversation to your feed as a glimpse into what we call "Battlefield Playbooks” and to preview the amazing interviews that you’ll experience on stage at The Gathering coming up on April 21. Frank and Clayton discuss his vision for loanDepot's future, market trends, regulatory challenges, and more.Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: The strategic plan that loanDepot is implementing that emphasizes adaptability to current realities while exploring future opportunities The importance of focusing on balancing near-term ROI with long-term infrastructure investments, particularly in technology The benefits of having different but complementary leadership styles within your organization, and how Frank thinks about his strengths and experience in contrasts to founder Anthony Hsieh  Related to this episode: The Gathering Frank Martell talks loanDepot’s restructuring, path to profitability and M&As  Follow loanDepot on LinkedIn loanDepot HousingWire on YouTube Enjoy the episode!The Power House podcast is a show about leadership, markets and entrepreneurship in the housing industry. Each Thursday, Clayton Collins speaks with CEOs and founders from the mortgage and real estate sector to reveal how housing executives think about business growth, operational strategy, and leadership. The Power House podcast reveals the full picture through the stories of the industry’s most impactful leaders. Clayton Collins is the CEO of HousingWire, and the Power House podcast is produced by HousingWire’s Content Studio. Initially launched in 2019 as the Housing News podcast, the show was relaunched as Power House in 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we are bringing to you a conversation with two wonderful guests: Kyle Draper, speaker, author, and video marketing therapist, and Brian Vieaux, the president and COO at FinLocker. Kyle and Brian have combined their industry knowledge and networks to co-author a book titled “Rethink Everything: You ‘Know’ About Being a Next Gen Loan Officer” which features a lot of valuable insights and knowledge of what you need to know about next generation loan origination from 37 different industry voices and leaders. “Adopting an educator-first mindset, coupled with a willingness to reach, assist, engage and nurture early-journey first-time homebuyers, are the defining attributes of a next-gen loan officer. This book aims to empower mortgage professionals to cultivate these essential qualities,” Vieaux said.They share a lot of that knowledge today during their conversation, including the importance of having a social media presence and strategy, how the different methods and platforms can be utilized to reach the next generation of homebuyers, and how loan originators should be looking to adapt in a rapidly changing market.Learn more about the book and learnings in this article by HousingWire.Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: Loan originators need effective social media strategies to reach new home buyers. Educate, address misconceptions, and add value to engage mortgage audiences. Personal branding and trust are vital for digital-age loan originators. Positive mindset drives loan originators' success and business growth. Related to this episode: Connect with Brian on LinkedIn Connect with Kyle on LinkedIn FinLocker Rethink Everything You Know About Being A "Next Gen" Loan Officer  The Gathering HousingWire on YouTube Enjoy the episode!The Power House podcast is a show about leadership, markets and entrepreneurship in the housing industry. Each Thursday, Clayton Collins speaks with CEOs and founders from the mortgage and real estate sector to reveal how housing executives think about business growth, operational strategy, and leadership. The Power House podcast reveals the full picture through the stories of the industry’s most impactful leaders. Clayton Collins is the CEO of HousingWire, and the Power House podcast is produced by HousingWire’s Content Studio. Initially launched in 2019 as the Housing News podcast, the show was relaunched as Power House in 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s guest is Joe Welu, founder and CEO of Total Expert. Since launching the business in 2012, Joe has led the business from startup to industry leader – trusted by more than 200 leading financial institutions. Total Expert is a five-time recipient of HousingWire’s Tech100 award and Joe is a multi-year recipient of the HousingWire Vanguard Award. During today’s conversation, Joe explains the early lenders and partnerships that helped shape Total Expert's platform and success, as well as his strategic approach to building and evolving the leadership team. Joe shares his insights on AI not as a trend, but as a tool used to increase productivity and better enhance customer engagement. He also discusses generational trends in homeownership and the opportunities that he sees for lenders to nurture future homeowners. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: Delivering the perfect customer journey is key to success in the mortgage industry Prioritizing excellence and making necessary changes to the leadership team are crucial for growth Nurturing and educating potential homebuyers can lead to long-term success for lenders AI has the potential to revolutionize the mortgage technology ecosystem, but it must be used strategically and with a focus on outcomes.  Related to this episode: Connect with Joe on LinkedIn Total Expert Total Expert, Polly aim to help a lender identify customer opportunities faster The Gathering HousingWire on YouTube Enjoy the episode!The Power House podcast is a show about leadership, markets and entrepreneurship in the housing industry. Each Thursday, Clayton Collins speaks with CEOs and founders from the mortgage and real estate sector to reveal how housing executives think about business growth, operational strategy, and leadership. The Power House podcast reveals the full picture through the stories of the industry’s most impactful leaders. Clayton Collins is the CEO of HousingWire, and the Power House podcast is produced by HousingWire’s Content Studio. Initially launched in 2019 as the Housing News podcast, the show was relaunched as Power House in 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s guest is Victor Ciardelli, the President and CEO of Guaranteed Rate. Over the last 24 years, Victor has led the independent mortgage bank to be positioned as a top-10 national lender that produced over $34 billion in 2023 production volume. During the conversation, Victor Ciardelli shares his mortgage journey, from selling loans in a call center to founding Guaranteed Rate, and to their acquisition of PHH Home Loans. They also discuss the partnerships with real estate brokerages, technology, compliance and the evolution of loan officer compensation.Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: Building a successful mortgage company requires a strong focus on customer experience and trust. Developing relationships with top-performing real estate agents can drive business growth. Maintaining control over the mortgage process and providing a clear value proposition to customers and referral partners is crucial. Manifesting success and staying focused on long-term goals can lead to significant opportunities and partnerships. Bringing the real estate and mortgage sectors closer together is crucial for the housing industry's future success. Compensation in the mortgage industry has evolved, but new challenges and potential risks have emerged. Dodd-Frank has had a significant impact on compensation practices, but there are still areas of concern. Related to this episode: Connect with Victor on LinkedIn Guaranteed Rate Victor Ciardelli | Guaranteed Rate  New G-Rate program allows sellers to permanently buy down their buyer's mortgage rate The Gathering HousingWire on YouTube Enjoy the episode!The Power House podcast is a show about leadership, markets and entrepreneurship in the housing industry. Each Thursday, Clayton Collins speaks with CEOs and founders from the mortgage and real estate sector to reveal how housing executives think about business growth, operational strategy, and leadership. The Power House podcast reveals the full picture through the stories of the industry’s most impactful leaders. Clayton Collins is the CEO of HousingWire, and the Power House podcast is produced by HousingWire’s Content Studio. Initially launched in 2019 as the Housing News podcast, the show was relaunched as Power House in 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, HousingWire CEO Clayton Collins talks with an industry leader who is well known to many of you: Bob Broeksmit, the President and CEO of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA). With over 35 years of senior finance and mortgage executive experience, Broeksmit brings a depth of knowledge across many facets of the industry, including marketing, sales, operations, secondary marketing, and loan servicing, to his role at MBA. Prior to joining the MBA in 2018, he held executive roles at Treliant, Chevy Chase Bank, Prudential Home Mortgage and The Money Store.This compelling conversation charts Broeksmit’s journey through mortgage to his transition leading a trade association and how he measures success at a nonprofit. Collins and Broeksmit also discuss the challenges and opportunities facing leaders amid difficult housing market conditions and the top priorities he sees for mortgage in 2024.Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: Leaders in the mortgage industry should focus on understanding the objectives of their board and members and effectively communicate and align their organization's efforts with those objectives. Building relationships and credibility is crucial for trade associations to have a seat at the table and influence policy decisions that impact the industry. Success in a nonprofit trade association is measured by delivering value to members, advocating for their interests, and effectively addressing industry challenges. Leadership styles and approaches should adapt to different housing market conditions, and leaders should focus on areas they can control or influence to support their members. Collaboration with other trade associations and stakeholders in the housing industry is important to present a united front and advocate for policies that benefit the industry as a whole. Top priorities for the mortgage industry in 2024 include increasing mortgage demand, addressing supply constraints, and optimizing servicing operations. Mergers and consolidation in the mortgage industry are driven by various factors, including strategic focus, scale, and personal considerations of the leaders involved. Related to this episode: Connect with Bob on LinkedIn The Mortgage Bankers Association The Gathering HousingWire on YouTube Enjoy the episode!The Power House podcast is a show about leadership, markets and entrepreneurship in the housing industry. Each Thursday, Clayton Collins speaks with CEOs and founders from the mortgage and real estate sector to reveal how housing executives think about business growth, operational strategy, and leadership. The Power House podcast reveals the full picture through the stories of the industry’s most impactful leaders. Clayton Collins is the CEO of HousingWire, and the Power House podcast is produced by HousingWire’s Content Studio. Initially launched in 2019 as the Housing News podcast, the show was relaunched as Power House in 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, HousingWire CEO Clayton Collins interviews Brett Ludden, the co-head of Financial Services at Sterling Point Advisors, an M&A advisory and financial consulting firm. Brett has worked at various roles in leading M&A transaction-related analytics and strategies, overseeing teams at Capital One, and consulting for Fortune 500 financial institutions.Collins and Ludden discuss the current market conditions and the outlook for 2024 and beyond. The conversation goes deep on the differences between asset deals and mergers, the importance of originator retention in M&A transactions, and the qualities that make a company an attractive acquirer. They also touch on the significance of technology integration and the impact of compensation on alignment in M&A deals.Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: M&A advisors in the housing industry play a crucial role in providing industry insights and helping CEOs and owners make strategic decisions. The mortgage industry is experiencing a period of pain, and many companies are considering strategic options such as mergers and acquisitions. Companies that have a strong cash position, a well-integrated tech stack, and M&A experience are well-positioned to be attractive acquirers. Originator retention is a critical factor in M&A transactions, and companies should focus on identifying key people and creating a value proposition to ensure a smooth transition. The market outlook for 2024 and beyond is cautiously optimistic, with expectations of margin improvement and more strategic decision-making by lenders. Related to this episode: Connect with Brett on LinkedIn Sterling Point Advisors The Gathering HousingWire on YouTube Enjoy the episode!The Power House podcast is a show about leadership, markets and entrepreneurship in the housing industry. Each Thursday, Clayton Collins speaks with CEOs and founders from the mortgage and real estate sector to reveal how housing executives think about business growth, operational strategy, and leadership. The Power House podcast reveals the full picture through the stories of the industry’s most impactful leaders. Clayton Collins is the CEO of HousingWire, and the Power House podcast is produced by HousingWire’s Content Studio. Initially launched in 2019 as the Housing News podcast, the show was relaunched as Power House in 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

HousingWire President Diego Sanchez joins Power House to discuss his new role, executive partnerships and communication, and HousingWire strategy for 2024 and beyond. Clayton and Diego explore the dynamics of how executive team structures work best, including the differing roles of CEO and President. Diego shares his journey of learning about the housing industry and the fascinating ecosystem it encompasses. They discuss the vision for HousingWire in 2024, which includes integrating data and insights to provide a comprehensive view of the housing market. The focus is on delivering value to the audience and helping housing professionals make informed decisions faster and more effectively.Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: CEO / President partnerships require solid communication and a clear division of responsibilities. Managing a distributed and hybrid workforce requires constant vigilance and effective use of digital tools. The housing industry is a complex and fascinating ecosystem with various verticals and disruptive forces. HousingWire aims to provide a comprehensive view of the housing market by integrating data and insights. Related to this episode: Connect with Diego on LinkedIn HousingWire on YouTube Enjoy the episode!The Power House podcast is a show about leadership, markets and entrepreneurship in the housing industry. Each Thursday, Clayton Collins speaks with CEOs and founders from the mortgage and real estate sector to reveal how housing executives think about business growth, operational strategy, and leadership. The Power House podcast reveals the full picture through the stories of the industry’s most impactful leaders. Clayton Collins is the CEO of HousingWire, and the Power House podcast is produced by HousingWire’s Content Studio. Initially launched in 2019 as the Housing News podcast, the show was relaunched as Power House in 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Power House Podcast, HousingWire CEO Clayton Collins chats with Phil Shoemaker, CEO of The Loan Store. Phil joined The Loan Store as CEO last June after a five-year stint at Homepoint and has also held various positions at Caliber Home Loans during his 28-year mortgage career.Today, Phil emphasizes the importance of always focusing on providing excellent customer service rather than relying solely on technology and maintaining a startup growth mindset as the organization scales. They also discuss volume growth strategy as we head into 2024 and the industry’s need to bring more brokers into the wholesale market. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: The story of The Loan Store. Where the business stands today in terms of production volume and scale. Why are you uniquely prepared as an executive to build and scale this business? Unique strategies or approaches that separate TLS from competition. Strategy for winning market share in 2024. Strategy for helping brokers grow volume in 2024. Related to this episode: Connect with Phil on LinkedIn The Loan Store Phil Shoemaker on lessons learned from Homepoint’s wind-down & The Loan Store’s future HousingWire on YouTube Enjoy the episode!The Power House podcast is a show about leadership, markets and entrepreneurship in the housing industry. Each Thursday, Clayton Collins speaks with CEOs and founders from the mortgage and real estate sector to reveal how housing executives think about business growth, operational strategy, and leadership. The Power House podcast reveals the full picture through the stories of the industry’s most impactful leaders. Clayton Collins is the CEO of HousingWire, and the Power House podcast is produced by HousingWire’s Content Studio. Initially launched in 2019 as the Housing News podcast, the show was relaunched as Power House in 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode of the Power House Podcast, HousingWire CEO Clayton Collins talks with Chad Roffers, founder of Concierge Auctions. Chad discusses the early stages of his career in real estate sales and brokerage leadership, his launch of SKY Sotheby's, and the difficulties of building a technology business during the 2009 Financial Crisis. These early entrepreneurial ventures set the stage for the massive success Chad has found with Concierge Auctions, a business he founded in 2008 and continues to lead today. Chad’s entrepreneurial journey includes multiple launches and exits, and he shares the wins and losses that developed him as an entrepreneur and executive.Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:  The challenges and dynamics of operating a real estate brokerage, specifically during declining volume markets  Chad’s entrepreneurial method of working on multiple ventures  The impact of a career of emphasizing technology and adopting innovative processes and solutions early Behind the scenes look of selling Pulse Realty Software to Lone Wolf, and Concierge Auctions to a joint venture formed by Realogy and Sotheby’s in 2021 Strategic partnerships can provide credibility, resources, and expanded reach for a business, while still allowing for autonomy and independence Related to this episode: Connect with Chad on LinkedIn Concierge Auctions HousingWire on YouTube Enjoy the episode!The Power House podcast is a show about leadership, markets and entrepreneurship in the housing industry. We want to showcase how CEOs and founders from the mortgage and real estate sector think about business growth, operational strategy, and leadership through the stories of the industry’s most impactful leaders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices