Power House

4.7 (63)
Entrepreneurship
Weekly

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 Thursday morning for candid conversations with industry leaders to learn how they’re differentiating themselves from the competition. Hosted and produced by the HousingWire Content Studio.

2d ago

Stop waiting for rescue: Mark Milam on fixing the affordability problem

Affordability isn’t going to fix itself, and Mark Milam’s argument is that the mortgage industry should stop waiting for someone else to solve it. The CEO of Atlanta-based Highland Mortgage calls rates, home prices, and wages the holy trinity of affordability: the three things the industry doesn’t control, and the three it keeps trying to wish into place. The long stretch of low rates after 2008 is his example of a well-meant intervention the market is still paying for. He’s also skeptical that supply legislation, including the 21st Century Road to Housing Act, moves prices on existing homes, since builders will cut to clear inventory but a homeowner with equity and a low rate can simply stay put. His focus instead is on the levers the industry can reach: GSE guarantee fees, voluntary prepayment penalties that let borrowers trade flexibility for a lower rate, and first-time buyer programs built around local home prices rather than income relative to neighbors. The coalition that took on trigger leads is his proof that the industry can move policy when it organizes. Related to the episode: ⁠Zeb Lowe’s LinkedIn⁠ Mark Milam's LinkedIn Highland Mortgage Want more from Zeb? Don’t forget to subscribe to LendingLife. 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 Thursday morning for candid conversations with industry leaders to learn how they’re differentiating themselves from the competition. Hosted and produced by the HousingWire Content Studio.
4d ago

From proxy fight to AI platform: Vishal Garg’s plan for Better

Better founder Vishal Garg joins Diego Sanchez for a candid conversation about the proxy fight, the move away from ad-driven direct-to-consumer lending, and his plan to power origination for the rest of the industry rather than compete with it. Garg is blunt about his own mistake: not pushing the AI hard enough while younger competitors moved faster. They also get into distributed retail and wholesale, recent cost cuts, and what the path to profitability looks like from here. Related to the episode: Diego Sanchez' LinkedIn Vishal Garg's LinkedIn Better 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 Thursday morning for candid conversations with industry leaders to learn how they’re differentiating themselves from the competition. Hosted and produced by the HousingWire Content Studio.
Oct 29

What it takes to build a neighborhood that feels like home

A home is more than an asset. It’s the place and community we build our lives around. Zeb Lowe sits down with Matt Dean, founder of Dean&Co., to explore how thoughtful planning and authentic storytelling can turn a collection of neighborhoods and businesses into a real community. Matt shares what he’s learned working alongside developers, why getting the whole team around the table early matters, and how community-centered master-planned neighborhoods can offer something that conventional suburban development often misses. They also discuss the challenges of bringing these projects to life, including builder hesitation and local opposition, and why patient, well-aligned capital can help a vision survive the development process. For housing and real estate professionals, Matt’s message is simple: Pay attention to what makes a place feel like home. The payoff isn’t just a successful project. It’s seeing people connect, grow, and make a life there. elated to the episode: ⁠Zeb Lowe’s LinkedIn⁠ Matt Dean's LinkedIn Dean&Co. Want more from Zeb? Don’t forget to subscribe to LendingLife. 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 Thursday morning for candid conversations with industry leaders to learn how they’re differentiating themselves from the competition. Hosted and produced by the HousingWire Content Studio.
Oct 22

HW Exclusive: Mortgage fraud - Weaponizing the American Dream

Mortgage fraud has moved from a technical compliance issue to a political weapon. Though detected fraud remains uncommon, allegations can carry enormous weight—especially when homeownership feels increasingly out of reach. The episode explores why intent matters, how accusations can shape reputations before the courts weigh in, and what this reveals about public trust and the American dream. Related to the episode: ⁠Zeb Lowe’s LinkedIn⁠ Want more from Zeb? Don’t forget to subscribe to LendingLife. 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 Thursday morning for candid conversations with industry leaders to learn how they’re differentiating themselves from the competition. Hosted and produced by the HousingWire Content Studio.
Oct 15

Kevin Kauffman on how Freddie Mac collaborates with lenders to lower costs

In this Power House conversation, Kevin Kauffman shares how Freddie Mac is working alongside lenders to meet rising costs and a changing housing market. He describes a partnership built on listening, data, and practical support—from streamlining lending processes to helping consumers find down payment assistance. Related to the episode: ⁠Zeb Lowe’s LinkedIn⁠ Kevin Kauffman's LinkedIn Freddie Mac Freddie Mac News & Insights Ready to become a Freddie Mac Seller/Servicer? Want more from Zeb? Don’t forget to subscribe to LendingLife. 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 Thursday morning for candid conversations with industry leaders to learn how they’re differentiating themselves from the competition. Hosted and produced by the HousingWire Content Studio.
Oct 13

Beyond the C-suite: Who trade associations need to reach next

Trade associations are looking beyond the C-suite to better serve the people closest to consumers. Clayton Collins and California MBA CEO Paul Gigliotti discuss how stronger member engagement and collaboration across state lines can help the mortgage industry navigate a changing landscape. From industry consolidation to AI and housing affordability, the conversation explores how associations can turn advocacy into practical solutions for lenders, originators and borrowers. Related to the episode: Clayton Collins' LinkedIn Paul Gigliotti's LinkedIn California MBA 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 Thursday morning for candid conversations with industry leaders to learn how they’re differentiating themselves from the competition. Hosted and produced by the HousingWire Content Studio.
Oct 8

Sal Tarsia on C-PACE and filling the capital stack gap

al Tarsia of Castle Green Finance joins Zeb to explain C-PACE, a financing tool that lets commercial developers fund energy-efficiency and resilience work without reopening the whole capital stack. He covers how it can make a deal pencil when conventional lending leaves a gap, where it fits in housing development and disaster rebuilding, and why long-term fixed-rate money matters in a market this unpredictable. Related to the episode: ⁠Zeb Lowe’s LinkedIn⁠ Sal Tarsia's LinkedIn Castle Green Finance C-PACE Financing Want more from Zeb? Don’t forget to subscribe to LendingLife. 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 Thursday morning for candid conversations with industry leaders to learn how they’re differentiating themselves from the competition. Hosted and produced by the HousingWire Content Studio.
Oct 1

What it takes to keep producing in a tough market

On this episode of Power House, Zeb Lowe sits down with top-producing originator and Premier Mortgage Resources executive Mandi Feely Swain to trace her career from loan processing to the executive level. She explains what separates the originators who will excel in a tough market from those who fall away. Related to the episode: ⁠Zeb Lowe’s LinkedIn⁠ Mandi Feely's LinkedIn Premier Mortgage Resources Want more from Zeb? Don’t forget to subscribe to LendingLife. 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 Thursday morning for candid conversations with industry leaders to learn how they’re differentiating themselves from the competition. Hosted and produced by the HousingWire Content Studio.

See All (436)

4.7

out of 5

63 Ratings

Insightful, Informative

03/25/2024

Nasdaqx

If you’re operating in the real estate or mortgage industries, PowerHouse is a must listen on the important trends impacting the business. Clayton asks great questions of his interviewees and I regularly learn something new. Highly recommend!
Great Content & Insights

07/13/2023

jamesd44

The team and HousingWire always manages to put together great interviews with industry professionals who provide very valuable insights into the trends, changes, and important developments impacting the real estate industry. This is a great series and hugely important information for any real estate professional.
Very informative!

07/12/2023

dcgirlkayla

This is a great housing podcast that provides a great variety of information and insights on all things housing. 10/10 recommend.
Change the Title of the Podcast

06/29/2023

JAZLAJAZLA

Very specific podcast about mortgage lending industry, not about broader housing market. Please change title of program.

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 Thursday morning for candid conversations with industry leaders to learn how they’re differentiating themselves from the competition. Hosted and produced by the HousingWire Content Studio.