Apply Online
Schedule a Call

October 2025

NAF hires Nathan Ballentine as regional VP for South Carolina

HWmember, Mortgage, New American Funding, People Movers, South Carolina, Team Leaders /

New American Funding (NAF) on Wednesday named Nathan Ballentine as its new regional vice president for South Carolina. In this role, Ballentine will lead growth and development across the state, spearheading market expansion and sales initiatives. With more than 25 years of experience in the mortgage industry, Ballentine will focus on recruiting and onboarding top-performing […]

NAF hires Nathan Ballentine as regional VP for South Carolina Read More »

1 in 5 Gen Z adults say housing affordability is top life concern

Affordability, Gen Z, Homebuying, Homeownership, HWmember, Real Estate, Realtor.com /

Nearly one in five members of Gen Z say housing affordability is their top life concern, according to a new survey from Realtor.com. The survey of 1,000 adults ages 18 to 27 found that 82% of Gen Z respondents who either own a home or hope to own one believe buying a home is harder

1 in 5 Gen Z adults say housing affordability is top life concern Read More »

Figure debuts AI-powered platform for DSCR loans

Artificial Intelligence, Figure Technologies, HWmember, Loan Processing, Mortgage, Technology, Underwriting /

Figure on Wednesday launched an AI-powered platform for debt-service-coverage ratio (DSCR) loans, expanding its blockchain-based capital marketplace into one of the fastest-growing segments of housing finance. A release from the company confirmed that West Capital Lending and Axen Mortgage are among Figure’s first partners to embed its DSCR product. The platform allows investors to qualify

Figure debuts AI-powered platform for DSCR loans Read More »

New condo regulation weighed by Florida real estate leaders

Florida, Homebuying, HWmember, Luxury Real Estate, Miami, Real Estate, Regulatory Compliance /

Florida’s real estate landscape is shifting after lawmakers passed House Bill 913, a sweeping measure designed to strengthen structural safety, transparency and financial accountability in condominium and cooperative associations — particularly those with three or more habitable stories. The law — enacted in response to the 2021 Surfside condominium collapse that killed 98 people —

New condo regulation weighed by Florida real estate leaders Read More »

Trump to receive Fed chair candidates in December

Federal Reserve, HWmember, Interest rates, Jerome Powell, LendingLife, Mortgage, Regulatory, Scott Bessent, Trump administration /

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNBC on Wednesday that he’ll soon be giving President Donald Trump several candidates to serve as the next chair of the Federal Reserve. “Likely sometime after Thanksgiving, in December, we’ll present the president with three or four candidates for him to interview,” Bessent told CNBC’s Sara Eisen. Bessent disclosed that he’s trimmed the

Trump to receive Fed chair candidates in December Read More »

HomeSmart unveils new brand identity

Arizona, Brokerage, HomeSmart International, HWmember, Real Estate, Real Estate Marketing, RealTrends Verified Rankings /

HomeSmart announced a new brand identity at its annual Ignite: Growth Summit 2025, marking the company’s 25th anniversary. The rebrand includes an updated logo, visual design and messaging that leaders said reflect HomeSmart’s evolution and ongoing focus on supporting agents. HomeSmart ranks No. 11 by transaction sides and sales volume on the 2025 RealTrends Verified

HomeSmart unveils new brand identity Read More »

How a 24-year-old Agent Closed Million+ in 2024 Sending Golden Letters

How a 24-year-old Agent Closed $56 Million+ in 2024 Sending Golden Letters

Real Estate, Vetted by HousingWire, Vetted Visionaries /

On paper, Will Van Wickler’s story sounds like a fairy tale. A 24-year-old college dropout and self-described introvert closed $50 million-plus last year, sending 26-word golden letters in Maine. Even the titles of Van Wickler’s (many) podcast appearances sound suspicious. My personal favorite: “How To Hit a Million In Your First Year As An Introvert!”

How a 24-year-old Agent Closed $56 Million+ in 2024 Sending Golden Letters Read More »

Zillow unites agent focused products in Zillow Pro

Agent, CRM, HWmember, Real Estate, Real Estate Technology, Zillow /

Zillow is uniting some of its various agent-focused product offerings under a new umbrella. Described as a suite of products, Zillow announced the launch of Zillow Pro on Wednesday.  The suite of products includes Follow Up Boss, My Agent and Agent Profiles. The integration of these products enables agents to do things like invite any

Zillow unites agent focused products in Zillow Pro Read More »

Bessent says he’ll give Trump Fed Chair options in December

Federal Reserve, Politics and policy /

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he would present President Donald Trump with a list of candidates to serve as the next chair of the Federal Reserve in December. “Likely sometime after Thanksgiving, in December, we’ll present the president with three or four candidates for him to interview,” Bessent told CNBC on Wednesday.  Bessent said he’s

Bessent says he’ll give Trump Fed Chair options in December Read More »