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3 November 2025 November 2025 ยป themortgagepoint.com C O N T E N T S C O N T E N T S Departments 4 MTECH 12 MOVERS & SHAKERS Cover Story 24 UNDER PRESSURE With rates easing and affordability still out of reach for millions, housing enters 2026 in slow motion, testing the patience, adaptability, and strategy of every market participant. 36 38 46 50 52 44 56 Features HOW TOUGH CONVERSATIONS HELP LOAN OFFICERS REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL Delivering constructive feedback with empathy can turn independence into impact. HONORING THE WOMEN SHAPING THE FUTURE OF HOUSING MortgagePoint shares insights from the 2025 Women in Housing Leadership Award recipients to discuss their proudest achievements, mentors who inspired them, and advice for the next generation of industry leaders. NEW GROWTH AHEAD: TAPPING INTO HOME EQUITY AND NON-QM SYNERGIES With second-lien volumes at 17-year highs and non- QM sales projected to hit $100 billion, lenders are finding growth at the intersection of flexibility and borrower need. SIDEBAR WITH STAN Freedom Mortgage CEO Stanley Middleman discuss- es why 2026 could bring renewed opportunity, how AI could upend interest rates, and why complacency may be the mortgage industry's biggest risk. BANKRUPTCY, BOTS & BIAS: AI'S EMERGING ROLE IN CHAPTER 13 MANAGEMENT As artificial intelligence becomes more common in bankruptcy law, its promise of efficiency comes with new ethical and procedural risks that courts and practi- tioners can't afford to ignore. Counsel's Corner Anna Lin, Principal and President, Roach & Lin, P.C. Sponsored Content PROTECTING VACANT REO PROPERTIES FROM LISTING SCAMS Why Every Broker Should Set Up Google Alerts Immediately