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08.20.25

Written by Chase Majerus

All Too Well-versed in Housing, Finance, and Real Estate

You know the deal, This Week Today isn’t just a newsletter, it’s your slightly smarter friend who won’t shut up about housing, money, and why it all matters.

We show up every week, filter out the boring stuff, and give you the good parts: the moves, the shake-ups, the wins, and the “wait, they did what?” moments.

Think of it like a quick coffee chat where you walk away knowing something useful, maybe laughing once or twice, and definitely feeling ahead of the curve.

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Buffett's Big Bet on Builders

(from Housingwire.com)

Warren Buffett isn’t exactly known for chasing trends, so when he puts nearly $1 billion into homebuilders, people pay attention.

Berkshire Hathaway quietly scooped up over 7 million shares of Lennar this year, worth close to $800 million, while also grabbing a hefty stake in D.R. Horton.

At first glance, it might look like Buffett is just making another long-term bet but the timing is telling. The U.S. is still millions of homes short, and a friendlier regulatory environment could supercharge development. Consultants point out that big builders have the land, the capital, and the systems in place to weather storms and keep building when smaller players can’t. That’s exactly the kind of “moat” Buffett loves: hard to replicate, entrenched advantages, and vertically integrated services.

Some thought Berkshire was pulling back from housing earlier this year when rumors swirled about selling HomeServices of America, but those whispers were quickly shut down. Instead, Buffett looks like he’s doubling down, signaling that while housing may be bruised, it’s far from beaten.

Read more here

Major Manor

Ohio's $3M Entertainment Oasis

(from Resltor.com)

Looking for a home that feels more like your own private resort? This New Albany, Ohio estate is packed with jaw-dropping amenities including a brand-new “entertainment barn” that takes hosting to another level.

  • Price: $2.99 million (recently reduced from $3.499M)
  • Size: 9,389 sq. ft. with 6 bedrooms, multiple guest suites, and a lavish primary suite
  • Entertainment Barn: Indoor basketball/pickleball court, full kitchen and bar, lofted lounge, fireplace, and space for gatherings of 70–80 people
  • Outdoor Living: In-ground pool with diving board, brick pizza oven, grilling station, built-in bar, tiered patios, pergola, fire pit, and outdoor fireplace
  • Luxury Features: Chef’s kitchen with oversized granite island, new white oak floors, home office, formal living and dining rooms, and a four-season room
  • Play Spaces: Turf field with in-ground trampoline, children’s playroom with floor-to-ceiling chalkboard, and room for a private putting green

From Olympic-level training in the backyard to cozy fireside winters in the barn, this property is basically a five-star resort disguised as a home.

Want to peek inside? Check out the full listing here and enjoy a little lookie-loo!

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S1 FinFit is a FREE app that provides a roadmap to help you reach your financial and lifestyle goals, no matter how big or small! Free credit monitoring with alerts, set financial goals, create budgets, and keep track of your spending to see where your money is going.

Download the app on the appropriate app store with the links below!

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Opendoor's CEO Steps Aside Under Pressure

(from CNBC.com)

Opendoor’s rollercoaster year just got another twist: CEO Carrie Wheeler is out after investors pushed for her resignation.

The online real estate platform has seen its stock skyrocket sixfold since hitting rock bottom at 51 cents in June, but excitement hasn’t erased doubts about its long-term stability. Wheeler’s latest earnings report failed to inspire confidence, and hedge fund manager Eric Jackson led a very public campaign calling for new leadership, one quickly joined by co-founder Keith Rabois.

In her departure note, Wheeler said the company needed “new leadership to take the reins” as it navigates a shaky housing market and slowing home acquisitions. Opendoor, once a SPAC darling, has since been battered by rising mortgage rates and a 99% stock value collapse from its peak.

For now, technology chief Shrisha Radhakrishna steps in as interim leader while the company searches for a permanent CEO. The move signals that Opendoor’s next chapter will be written under heavy investor scrutiny, with plenty of eyes watching if it can pull off a real turnaround.

Read more here

MBA Pushes Back on Fannie-Freddie Merger

(from NationalMortgageProfessional.com)

In a follow-up to a story we covered in last week’s This Week Today, the proposed merger of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is drawing louder opposition.

While President Trump and some investors see potential in combining the two mortgage giants, the Mortgage Bankers Association is firmly against it, warning that less competition could mean higher costs for homebuyers and more risk baked into the system.

The MBA’s stance boils down to protecting competition, ensuring fair oversight from regulators, and keeping a clear separation between the GSEs and the primary market. They also stress the need for a defined federal backstop to prevent taxpayer bailouts if things go sideways.

Lawmakers like Chuck Schumer and Elizabeth Warren are echoing those concerns, arguing that rushing into a merger could destabilize housing finance when affordability is already stretched thin. Critics worry that one mega-GSE would act more like a monopoly, limiting lender choice and leaving borrowers with fewer options.

For now, the merger talk may sound bold, but the resistance suggests it won’t be an easy sell in Washington.

Read more here

Vlog

Connecting Beyond the Inbox

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We’re trying something new with This Week Today: a Vlog section. Why? Because yes, we’re on social media, and we’d love for you to join us there too. Our newsletter is all about making mortgage, real estate, and finance easy to understand, but sometimes the best way to connect is face-to-face (or at least, screen-to-screen).

Every week, our Chief Production Officer (shout out JJ Jerotz!) takes the newsletter you’re reading right now and turns it into a short, punchy video. It’s a quick way to get the highlights if you’re on the go, and it’s a chance to hear the same ideas brought to life in a more personal format

You can check out his latest video here!

But that’s not all, we’re also featuring some of our all-star loan officers from across the country. They share what’s on their radar and break down the biggest questions they get from clients, like how HELOCs work, what to know about new construction, common homebuyer misconceptions, and even tips on investing in real estate.

Shoot, we’re so dedicated to helping people learn, grow, and feel confident about managing their money that we’ve also been making videos about our free app, S1 FinFit. Think of it as your financial sidekick, it helps you build credit, track your spending, set goals, and even figure out when you’re mortgage-ready.

With S1 FinFit, you’ll get:

  • Free credit monitoring & alerts
  • Smart budgeting tools to set goals and track progress
  • One dashboard for your accounts, loans, and investments
  • Mortgage readiness checks and home equity tracking
  • Financial tips that help turn big goals into doable steps

We designed S1 FinFit to take the guesswork out of money. Whether you’re worried about your credit, saving for a home, or just trying to get a clearer picture of your finances, the app gives you a simple roadmap to follow. No pressure. No confusion. Just real tools to help you thrive.

You can download S1 FinFit here!

At the end of the day, we’re not just sending out information, we’re starting conversations. Our social media videos are one more way we’re trying to connect, answer real questions, and help you feel confident about the market.

So if you’re not following us yet, now’s the perfect time to see what we’re up to!

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