Power House

Latest Episodes:

Rewriting the VA playbook with Rate’s Jennifer Beeston Jul 08, 2025

Show notes

Today on Power House, we are bringing you a fantastic conversation between HousingWire’s Senior Director of the Content Studio, Zeb Lowe, and Jennifer Beeston, the EVP of National Sales at Rate and a veteran loan originator. Jennifer took the stage last month at The Gathering to talk about reviving the American Dream, and we caught her right after to dive a bit deeper into her work in the VA space.

Jennifer and Zeb talk about the moment that led her to specialize in VA lending and the why behind her mission to educate people about the product’s true value. They also talk about the misconceptions around VA loans, why social media alone won’t build a lasting business, and how AI is reshaping the mortgage space, including where it falls short.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

Why VA loans are still misunderstood and how Jennifer is changing that
Why originators should focus on clients, not just real estate agents
How Jennifer built a personal brand through social media
Social media is a fantastic tool, but not a strategy in and of itself
AI can streamline tasks, but it can’t replace trust and human connection

Enjoy the episode!

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 president Diego Sanchez 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.

Staying ahead of the digital shift with Radian’s Mark Wai Jul 03, 2025

Show notes

On today’s sponsored episode of Power House, Diego Sanchez sits down with Mark Wai, EVP and Group CTO at Radian, to talk about the innovation that Radian is doing in mortgage.

Mark shares how generative AI is reshaping operations, why digital transformation takes more than just a quick fix, and what’s at stake for companies that don’t adapt to new market trends. He also talks about how Radian is using tech to make homeownership more affordable, accessible and sustainable.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

Why innovation means reinventing people, processes, and technology — not just new tools
How generative AI is transforming mortgage operations and decision-making
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to digital transformation
Customer expectations must evolve alongside technology
Companies that resist innovation risk falling behind or disappearing entirely

Enjoy the episode!

Guild CEO Terry Schmidt breaks down their $1.3B deal to Bayview Jun 26, 2025

Show notes

Last week, Guild Mortgage made headlines with its $1.3 billion acquisition by Bayview Asset Management. This week, Diego welcomes Terry Schmidt, the CEO of Guild Mortgage, to talk about how Guild plans to innovate, scale and deepen customer loyalty, without losing its retail identity.

Terry and Diego dive into the synergy between Guild’s distributed retail model and Bayview’s $700 billion servicing portfolio. They also talk about Guild’s investment in AI and tech, ongoing M&A ambitions, and how cultural alignment and local relationships will still be their secret weapon.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

Why Bayview’s acquisition of Guild was a strategic move, not just financial.
Guild’s "customers for life" strategy delivers strong recapture performance.
How Bayview’s capital unlocks new proprietary loan products for Guild.
Cultural alignment is central to Guild’s M&A and growth strategy.
AI and tech will play a major role in Guild’s next chapter.

Enjoy the episode!

David Spector talks Pennymac’s growth plans for 2025 and beyond Jun 24, 2025

Show notes

Today on Power House, Diego Sanchez interviews David Spector, Chairman and CEO of Pennymac, for an inside look at the company’s growth strategy and expansion in the wholesale space.

David shares how Pennymac is investing over $250 million annually in tech, backing broker partners without competing, and targeting a 10% market share by 2026. They also discuss Pennymac’s $700 billion servicing portfolio, non-QM market plans, and their involvement in the 2028 Olympics.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

Why TPO and correspondent lending are central to Pennymac’s 2026 goals
How Pennymac is building tech that empowers brokers, not competes with them
Why a balanced model helps them thrive in fluctuating rate environments
What’s ahead in the non-QM market for Pennymac
How Olympic sponsorship fits into their brand evolution strategy

Enjoy the episode!

Inside the Lower and Movoto deal with Dan Snyder and John Berkowitz Jun 19, 2025

Show notes

Last month, HousingWire covered the breaking news of mortgage lender Lower acquiring real estate portal Movoto from parent company OJO Labs. Last week, Diego got the opportunity to chat with Dan Snyder, the Founder and CEO of Lower, and John Berkowitz, the CEO of Movoto and now the President of Real Estate at Lower, live and in person at HousingWire’s The Gathering 2025. Today, we are bringing that conversation exclusively to our Power House audience!

Diego, Dan, and John give a behind-the-scenes look into the acquisition and how Lower is building an end-to-end housing platform that fuses powerful lead generation with localized real estate expertise. Dan and John also talk about the strategic integration of Movoto’s 50 million annual visitors, the cultural alignment between teams, and how their retail and tech playbook is designed to rival giants like Zillow and Rocket.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

Lower acquired Movoto to own the lead funnel and scale nationally.Culture fit is key in merging teams and tech platforms.
Real estate agents remain central to the buyer experience.
Movoto brings high traffic and lead value to Lower’s ecosystem.
Lower OS uses AI and mobile tools to streamline transactions.
Dual-brand strategy positions Lower as an industry leader.

Enjoy the episode!

Mike Brennan talks NMB with relationships, tech & talent Jun 12, 2025

Show notes

On today’s episode of Powerhouse, Diego sits down with Mike Brennan, President of Nationwide Mortgage Bankers (NMB), to discuss his recent move from Movement Mortgage and what drew him to NMB.

They dive into how NMB is navigating a slow housing market, the role of technology in client engagement, and why personal relationships matter more than ever. Mike also touches on growth strategies, new product offerings like reverse mortgages and non-QM loans, and his goal to double the company’s size over the next year.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

The power of strong relationships and leadership in driving mortgage success.
NMB’s focus on organic growth through talent and selective M&A.
How a lean, efficient structure supports agility and scale.
Using tech and servicing to create a customer-first experience.
Growth opportunities in reverse mortgages, home equity, and production expansion.

Enjoy the episode!

Inside Beazer Homes' Mortgage Choice program with CEO Allan Merrill Jun 05, 2025

Show notes

On today’s episode of Power House, Diego sits down with Allan Merrill, the CEO of Beazer Homes, for an inside look at how they are rethinking mortgage lending and energy-efficient living. Beazer is a NYSE-listed builder that operates in 16 markets across the U.S. and aims to blend traditional homebuilding with innovative ideas.

Alan explains their Mortgage Choice program and how this model empowers buyers with real choice and transparency when choosing a lender. He also talks about building with energy efficiency in mind, their commitment to smart customization, and their focus on making homes more attainable in today’s market.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

Beazer’s Mortgage Choice program lets buyers choose from multiple competing lenders for better service and rates.
The company leads in energy-efficient homebuilding and offers customizable options at no extra cost.
Beazer takes no marketing fees from lenders, ensuring unbiased competition.
Its growth strategy is focused and cautious, targeting specific geographic markets.
Real estate agents are key partners in guiding the homebuying journey.
Beazer is committed to improving housing affordability through smart design and financing solutions.

Related to this episode:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Enjoy the episode!

Control what’s controllable with EmpowerHome CEO Sarah Reynolds May 31, 2025

Show notes

Today on Power House, we have a crossover episode with the RealTrending podcast. Host Tracey Velt sits down with Sarah Reynolds, CEO of EmpowerHome with Keller Williams.

Sarah and Tracey talk about how to keep real estate fun, why focusing on controllable factors fuels success more than anything else, and the strategies that EmpowerHome uses to stay ahead of trends She also talks about how agent gratitude is at the heart of her leadership and how EmpowerHome is evolving to serve over 100 families a month.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

Focus on what you can control, not market conditions.
Making real estate fun again boosts individual and team morale.
Hiring with a growth mindset is key to innovation.
We’ll start to see new, emerging agents in response to market changes.
Client needs should always be the true north when driving industry policy changes.
Empower Home aims to serve 100 families a month.

Related to this episode:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Enjoy the episode!

Building an affordable future with NeighborWorks CEO Marietta Rodriguez May 29, 2025

Show notes

On today’s episode of Power House, Diego sits down with Marietta Rodriguez, President and CEO of NeighborWorks America, to talk about their mission to expand affordable housing across the nation. NeighborWorks America is a congressionally chartered nonprofit that supports a network of community organizations that develop rental and homeownership opportunities for low-income households.

Marietta shares how the organization ranks among the top 100 homebuilders across the US, talks about the dynamics of urban vs. rural housing, and why solutions like modular construction should be popularized. She also talks about building community trust to overcome NIMBY challenges and how NeighborWorks maintains bipartisan support in a politically divided landscape.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

NeighborWorks America was created to combat urban disinvestment.
The organization supports a network of nonprofits focused on housing and community development.
They provide grants, training, and technical assistance to local organizations.
NeighborWorks is a significant player in the affordable housing market.
Community trust helps overcome NIMBY challenges in housing development.
Rural housing issues require different strategies compared to urban challenges.

Related to this episode:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Enjoy the episode!

The secret to recruiting top talent with NAF CEO Patty Arvielo May 22, 2025

Show notes

On today’s episode of Power House, Diego sits down with Patty Arvielo, the co-founder and CEO of New American Funding to talk about what it takes to thrive in a challenging housing market.

New American Funding has grown 60% organically over the last year, has had significant market expansion over the past two years — all white maintaining a 98% profit retention rate over the past two decades. She walks through her 44-year leadership journey, from teenage data entry clerk to CEO, and how her partnership with co-CEO (and husband) Rick Arvielo drives their strategic edge.

They also dive into the importance of company authenticity over flashy sign-on bonuses, and how Patty is paving the way for more women to step confidently into leadership roles in mortgage.

Patty will be joining us on stage this year at The Gathering. Dont miss out — register ⁠here⁠!

Here’s what you’ll learn:

Anticipating market cycles will always be key to growth.
Steady, consistent organic growth beats out acquisitions.
Genuine culture, not quick incentives, will attract top talent.
Empathetic leadership matters more than you think.
End-to-end platforms should be seen as opportunities, not threats.
Women should be open to taking career risks.
Strong relationships are the foundation of strong companies.

Related to this episode:⁠⁠⁠

Enjoy the episode!

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