There’s yet another new executive in the HomeServices of America ecosystem.

Vince Leisey has been named the president of HSF Affiliates, the franchisor of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices (BHHS), which is the residential real estate franchise network owned by HomeServices of America.

“Vince’s passion for the network and our franchisees, coupled with his results-oriented approach makes him exceptionally well-suited to guide our affiliates through the next chapter in our rapidly evolving industry,” Chris Kelly, the president and CEO of HomeServices of America, said in a statement.

“He brings a rare combination of energy, insight and operational know-how, along with a deep respect for people. He is ideally suited for this role.”

Leisey has been a part of the BHHS brand network for nearly three decades, most recently serving as the CEO of BHHS Ambassador Real Estate, which serves Omaha, Nebraska, and the surrounding areas. Leisey will remain as the CEO of BHHS Ambassador as he steps into the new role with HSF Affiliates.

Leisey is also the founder of the Explosion Real Estate Conference and is a longstanding contributor to the BHHS REthink Council.

“I am honored and energized to serve as President of HSF Affiliates,” Leisey said in a statement.  “I have so much respect for the leaders across this network, and I look forward to partnering even more closely to drive growth, deliver value, and challenge ourselves to think differently about what’s possible.

This announcement comes on the heels of several executive changes within the HomeServices of America ecosystem this spring.

A little over a month ago, the firm announced that Kelly was taking over as CEO as Gino Blefari’s replacement. Earlier this month, the firm announced the appointment of Alex Seavall as chief financial and operations officer, along with the hiring of Candace Adams as executive vice president of HomeServices of America — the role vacated by Kelly.

Kind Lending today announced the appointment of Geri Farr as its senior vice president of West retail sales. Farr, who has over a decade of leadership in the mortgage industry, will focus on helping the company grow its expansion across the West and is tasked with strengthening teams and driving performance across the region. According to her LinkedIn, she started the position in April.

“Kind Lending is growing faster than ever, and Geri’s leadership will help us continue this momentum,” said Tammy Richards, Kind Lending’s president of retail. “Her ability to empower teams and drive innovative solutions perfectly aligns with our mission to expand while maintaining a culture of excellence and collaboration. We’re confident that Geri will play a crucial role in our continued success.”

Prior to Kind Lending, Farr held several high-level positions, including Bay Equity‘s Southwest Divisional Vice President and Nova Home Loans’ senior vice president, regional manager.

“I’m excited to be joining Kind Lending at such an exciting time in its growth,” said Farr. “What drew me here is the company’s energy, its commitment to people, and the opportunity to help shape something meaningful. I’ve spent my career working alongside loan officers to grow their business and break personal records, and I’m looking forward to doing that here – with a team that values both performance and connection. Leading the West Retail Sales team is a challenge I’m ready for, and I’m looking forward to what we’ll build together.”

Farr is just the latest in Kind Lending’s recent hirings, joining newly appointed COO Jennifer Folk.

Compass announced Monday that Anchor Home — a top-producing real estate team formerly known as Stahley Thompson Homes — has joined the firm’s office in Annapolis, Maryland.

Led by broker Jennifer Chino, the Anchor Home team also includes Whitney Jerdal, Angela Hays and Ashley Earle. Collectively, the group brings more than $400 million in career sales and 500-plus closed transactions across Maryland markets, including Annapolis and Severna Park.

“As Compass continues to grow our presence in the region, we are delighted to welcome Anchor Home and integrate their luxury market expertise,” Holly Worthington, principal broker for Compass’s DMV region, said in a statement.

“We’re always proud to partner with top brokerages and agents who share our commitment to delivering an exceptional experience for buyers and sellers across every market we serve.”

Anchor Home specializes in high-end residential sales, staging, new construction consultations and renovation strategies. Their average listing price is $1.7 million, according to Compass.

“We made the move to Compass because we were intrigued by the technology and drawn to the culture — and it delivered on both fronts,” Chino said. “Once we experienced the Compass platform firsthand, we knew we had made the right decision.

“The technology has helped us streamline operations, improve collaboration, and ultimately serve our clients at an even higher level. Beyond the tools, what we’ve found most valuable is the culture of camaraderie, transparency, and support. Compass truly feels like a place where innovation meets integrity, and we’re proud to be part of it.”

Chino has more than two decades of experience in real estate — specializing in luxury homes, investment properties and corporate relocations. She is also known for her work with military families to navigate complex moves.

Jerdal, a second-generation Realtor and former Capitol Hill staffer, now focuses on Annapolis-area clients. She also serves on the board of Rebuilding Together, a nonprofit that supports critical home renovations for neighbors in need.

Hays, a Maryland native with 19 years in real estate, has a background in new construction and specializes in active adult communities, downsizing and first-time homebuyers.

Earle, a fifth-generation Severna Park resident, brings a marketing background and local expertise to the team with an added focus on senior transitions.

As economic concerns grow, a new survey from Realtor.com shows that a significant share of prospective homebuyers may view a potential recession as an opportunity rather than a deterrent.

According to the survey, 63.4% of respondents expect a recession within the next year, reflecting the highest level of concern since 2019.

Despite that, nearly 30% of home shoppers said a downturn would make them more likely to purchase a home — almost double the 15.8% who said it would make them less likely to buy.

“Confidence in the economy has clearly taken a hit amid ongoing headlines around trade, tariffs, and rate uncertainty,” said Danielle Hale, chief economist at Realtor.com. “But while concerns are definitely present, some buyers anticipate that a downturn can bring opportunity. Well-prepared buyers who have been waiting on the sidelines are likely motivated by personal and lifestyle needs like growing families, new jobs, or retirements and these considerations can outweigh short term economic uncertainties.”

Life circumstances outweigh economy

The majority of respondents — 54.4% — said a potential recession would have no impact on their decision to purchase a home. For many, lifestyle drivers such as family growth, job changes or retirement remain the primary motivation to buy.

Of the 29.8% who said a recession would make them more likely to purchase, most cited expectations of lower mortgage rates and reduced competition as motivating factors.

Inventory and budget constraints

While some buyers see promise in a cooling economy, many still face significant hurdles. A lack of suitable housing inventory was cited by 44.3% of respondents as the biggest obstacle. Despite improved listing activity compared to last year, total active inventory remains 16.3% below historic levels.

Budget limitations were identified by 36% of buyers, with potential inflation and high mortgage rates posing additional threats in the coming months.

Financial barriers are also mounting — 13.5% of buyers cited poor credit scores and 8.2% reported difficulty qualifying for a mortgage. Tighter lending standards and changing student loan policies may add further strain.

Signs of a calmer market

The survey also indicates that the intense competition of the past few years is beginning to ease. Just 7.7% of respondents said overbidding was a top concern, down from 10.4% one year ago. This shift coincides with a rise in available listings, longer time on market and more stable pricing.

For buyers who remain financially positioned to act, current conditions may offer greater negotiating power and less pressure than in recent years.

Owners who flipped an inner-Geelong character home will walk away having added more than $350,000 to its value in less than three years.

The owners upgraded the kitchen and bathrooms and did plenty of cosmetic work to update the three-bedroom Californian bungalow at 3 Lascelles Ave, Manifold Heights, for which they paid $835,000 in late 2022.

Now the 483sq m property near a Shannon Ave shopping strip is worth $1.2m, selling in a post-auction deal.

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Oslo Property agent Curtis Hoare said the buyer snapped up the property after it had passed in at auction.

But Mr Hoare said there were other potential purchasers floating around to raise their interest following Saturday’s auction.

“Post auction we had a bit of interest, it was pretty popular,” Mr Hoare said.

“We had about 30 buyers throughout the campaign. It was a beautiful, stunning period home.”

Mr Hoare said the owner had purchased it with the intention of flipping the property.

“They’re a builder by trade and did an absolutely beautiful, contemporary renovation.

The build added $365,000 to the home’s value, a 43 per cent increase in three years. In that same time, Manifold Heights median house price of $1.26m has increased 29 per cent, according to PropTrack data.

The home had already been extended by a previous owner, but the new renovations took that work to a new level.

Removing an original fireplace that was floating in the rear, open-plan living area added to the sense of space for a family.

The new kitchen showcased stone waterfall benches with an integrated breakfast bar, custom cabinetry and a freestanding Smeg dual fuel cooker.

Tiling and VJ panelling added to the style, complementing other features such as full height custom window furnishings.

Feature VJ panelling was also used in the main bedroom, which also benefited from an upgrade to the ensuite including a walk-in shower with dual heads.

The main bathroom has a floating dual vanity with underbench storage, dual mirrors with concealed storage, a tub and walk-in shower with a wall niche.

New electrical and plumbing work was also done inside the walls, along with diamond leaded windows and ducted heating and cooling.

Mr Hoare said the next level the renovations took the home to were an attraction for the buyers.

“Just the quality of the build itself – extremely high quality care and very thoughtful done as well.”

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