Power House

By HousingWireBusiness Entrepreneurship News Business News

Power House episodes

March 29, 2024Logan Mohtashami: The man behind the charts
On today’s episode of Power House, we are dropping a fantastic conversation with the myth, the legend: Logan Mohatshami, lead analyst at HousingWire. Logan gives a glimpse behind the curtains of his life and his transition to writing about real estate and economic data.
In a previous life, Logan was a high school basketball coach, but has since built his housing career on his passion and obsession for timely and accurate economic data and analyses. He and Clayton talk about the challenges that come with managing a market that never sleeps, the impact of inflation, and the potential for a housing boom in the coming years.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
Accurate and timely data analysis is crucial in the housing industry.
Storytelling is essential for conveying complex economic concepts to a broader audience.
Managing a 24/7 market requires passion, dedication, and a strong work ethic.
The housing market has the potential for a boom in the 2020s.
Related to this episode:
Connect with Logan on LinkedIn
Mortgage Rates Center
Housing Market Tracker
Logan Mohtashami on HousingWire
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.
39 min
March 21, 2024Mike Tassone: Evolving customer acquisition and lead gen
On today’s episode of Power House, we are bringing you a fantastic conversation with Mike Tassone, COO and co-founder of Own Up. Own Up is a concierge mortgage marketplace that allows consumers to access customized data and a network of vetted lenders. Prior to his current role, Mike co-led the residential lending business for Leader Bank, which he helped grow to a top 40 lender in the US during his tenure.
During their conversation, Clayton and Mike talk about the mortgage lender growth strategies, tactics to recruit high-quality loan originators, and the pros and cons of being maniacal Fed-watchers. They also discuss the pricing ecosystem in the mortgage industry and how the NAR settlement may impact mortgage lead gen and the order-of-operations of the homebuying and financing journey.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
The recent Fed meeting had no surprises and the market responded favorably to the expected rate cuts.
Own Up was founded to solve the frustration of mortgage shopping and provide a better consumer experience.
Recruiting high-quality loan originators and focusing on their strengths contributed to the growth of Leader Bank.
The lead generation market has shifted from refinance to purchase, and lenders have had to adapt to the changing landscape.
The future of real estate agents and loan officers depends on their ability to prioritize their time and provide value to consumers.
Related to this episode:
Connect with Mike on LinkedIn
Own Up
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.
41 min
March 14, 2024Odeta Kushi and Sarah Wheeler on the surge in women's homeownership
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.
28 min
March 07, 2024Frank Martell: Coming through the cycle as a winner
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.
29 min
March 01, 2024Brian Vieaux & Kyle Draper: Rethinking Everything (about loan origination)
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.
46 min
February 22, 2024Joe Welu: Prioritizing customer journeys for better business outcomes
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.
46 min
February 15, 2024Victor Ciardelli: The Power of Focus (...on customers, LOs and agents)
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.
1 hr 14 min
February 08, 2024Bob Broeksmit: Playing to your strengths in business and on Capitol Hill
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.
44 min
February 02, 2024Brett Ludden: mortgage bank M&A, originator retention, tech stacks and deal structures
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.
43 min
January 26, 2024Diego Sanchez: HousingWire President shares the full picture
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.
28 min

About Power House

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The Power House podcast brings the biggest names in housing to answer hard-hitting questions about industry trends, operational and growth strategy, and leadership. Join HousingWire's Zeb Lowe every…