The highly-publicised auction of Pope Leo XIV’s childhood home has been extended by a month — after it was revealed the Chicago suburb where he was raised was launching a bid to acquire the humble dwelling so it can be preserved as a local landmark.

Pope Leo, who was born Robert Francis Prevost, spent several years living in a small three-bedroom, three-bathroom dwelling in Dolton, Illinois. His father, Louis Prevost, sold the property in 1996, according to records, after which it was sold on two other occasions.

According to Realtor, the current owner, property flipper Pawel Radzik, acquired the three-bedroom, three-bathroom abode in March 2024 for $US66,000 ($A101,553) and had initially planned to renovate it, then sell it off — until that is, one of its former residents was chosen to succeed the late Pope Francis during the conclave in May.

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At the time, the property was on the market for just $US199,900 ($A307,605); however, it was swiftly delisted just hours after Pope Leo’s new historical role was revealed.

It was later revealed the home was being put up for auction via Paramount Realty USA — with listing agent Steve Budzik noting the decision to sell the property to the highest bidder came after his team struggled to settle on an appropriate listing price for an abode with such historical significance.

However, the home’s journey took another twist when the Village of Dolton, with support from the Chicago Archdiocese, announced plans to acquire the house, either by buying it, or by using eminent domain to take over ownership.

“The Village of Dolton intends to purchase this home either through direct purchase or through their eminent domain power,” Odelson wrote in a letter sent to Paramount Realty USA, according to the New York Times.

“The Village intends to work with the Chicago Archdiocese and other agencies to allow the home to be viewed and visited by the public as a historic site.”

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Odelson added discussions with the seller were underway, saying the Village of Dolton and the local archdiocese would prefer not to rely on eminent domain for the acquisition of the home because it would garner too much media attention.

“[It] keeps the home in the news and not the light that the village or the church want,” he said. “We don’t want it to be a controversy; we want it to be a sacred site.”

Initially, the auction of the property was due to close on June 18. However, an update to the listing has now extended the bidding process to July 17, with Budzik explaining to Realtor.com via email this was done in order to “allow more time for bidders to review, perform due diligence, and bid”.

A spokesperson for Paramount Realty USA added the extended auction window will also give bidders an opportunity to “tour the property” if they wish.

Neither Budzik nor Paramount Realty USA commented on whether negotiations with the Village of Dolton had any bearing on the decision to extend the auction.

After Dolton announced its plans to acquire the home, Budzik told Realtor.com his client was very much open to working with its representatives, as well as the Chicago Archdiocese, stating in an email: “The seller is open to the potential opportunity of working with the Village of Dolton to purchase the property at fair market value.

“We also understand that the Chicago Archdiocese could be involved in making this a historical landmark, which is great news for the seller. We would love to come to a mutually beneficial agreement in the coming days.”

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To make matters more complicated, CBS News reported on June 16 a motion had been filed seeking a preliminary injunction to block the Village of Dolton from using taxpayer money in order to buy Pope Leo’s childhood home.

This motion is understood to have been filed as part of an ongoing wrongful termination lawsuit filed against Dolton by a former employee, Lavell Redmond, who claimed in a 2022 filing that his employers had refused to discuss terms of a settlement because the village did not have sufficient funds.

In his June 15 motion, Redmond’s lawyers claimed Dolton is in “severe financial distress” and made several allegations of financial mismanagement, unresolved legal obligations, and a potential misuse of taxpayer funds.

Matthew R. Custardo, the lawyer who filed the motion, stated to WGN9 the injunction was being sought in order to stop “hypocrisy,” insisting the injunction would in no way hinder the sale of the home but rather prevent local politicians from using taxpayer funds in order to take it over.

“This isn’t about stopping history. It’s about stopping hypocrisy,” he said.

“You can’t cry broke in court and then try to spend taxpayer funds on non-essential acquisitions.”

While bids for the property start at $US250,000 ($A385,148), it is widely predicted the home could sell for much more, although experts have hesitated to put a specific value on the property in the weeks since the auction was announced.

The online auction house also provides a copy of the original purchase deed from the 1949 sale of the home to Pope Leo’s father, Louis, which is dated March 3 of that year.

**This story first appeared in Realtor.com and was republished with permission.**

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On the market for the first time in 70 years, a groundbreaking architect-designed Fig Tree Pocket home is testament to the fact great design is truly timeless.

Perched on a ridgeline, the riverside residence was originally built in the late 1940s, and boasts views to Mt Coot-Tha, the city, and Mount Gravatt.

The home won a number of awards for its visionary design when first constructed before being purchased by architect Bill Conrad and his wife Janet, who was among Queensland’s first female landscape architects.

Their son Michael Conrad explained his parents bought the property prior to their wedding in 1957 and lived there for almost their entire married lives.

“Dad grew up in Hamilton and Mum in Coorparoo,” he said.

“So, to move to the other side of town to a property that had been a pineapple plantation with a dirt road was quite bold.

“But for 63 years they lived here.

“It’s just one of those houses you never want to move from.”

Set over two titles on a sprawling 3136sq m of private grounds, the home has undergone a series of renovations.

“When they bought it, it was a two-bedroom house with maid’s quarters underneath,” Mr Conrad said.

“After my eldest brother was born, they extended it to add another two bedrooms.

“Then, when we all moved out, they remodelled, and one bedroom became an extension to the dining area.”

Designed to maximise those sweeping city and river views, the home now includes three bedrooms, formal and informal living areas, an open plan kitchen and lounge area, and a self-contained studio.

Featuring wood panelling, timber floors, signature stonework, and floor-to-ceiling glass, it boasts a post-modern vibe that was well ahead of its time.

“The Crow ash timber floors and the stonework in the entry way are absolutely beautiful,” Mr Conrad said.

“To do something like that was really a bit daring for such a conservative time.”

But it’s not just the house with architectural credentials.

The tiered garden is a work of art itself.

“The garden was designed by Mum and it’s just as unique as the house and the site it’s located on,” Mr Conrad said.

“There are bushy areas, native zones, exotic bits, and it was designed so the garden would grow around the house but when you’re inside you can still enjoy the view and see everything.”

Mr Conrad said the property and its riverside location made for an idyllic childhood as the suburb of Fig Tree Pocket evolved around them.

“Mum and Dad had three boys, and we grew up in that house, running around in the bushy backyard, fishing in the river, and catching crabs,” Mr Conrad said.

“We’d sail, water ski, and one time I even swam across the river to visit a friend.

“It was great fun.”

The property also proved ideal for entertaining, with Mr Conrad recalling long lunches enjoyed on the outdoor terrace with up to 70 people in attendance.

“They’d go right through the afternoon and into the evening,” he said.

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Located at 290 Jesmond Rd, the property encompasses two titles, includes 36m of waterfrontage and is touted as the highest riverfront property in Brisbane’s western suburbs.

It offers buyers a series of options, including preserving the architect-designed home, rebuilding or renovating the residence, or potentially developing the site.

The property is listed with Rachael Spinks of Spinks & Co Residential and is scheduled to go to auction on June 28.

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Kathryn Whiteley knows exactly how brutal Melbourne’s rental market can be.

The Nunawading renter has seen properties snapped up in minutes, sometimes for $100 above the asking rent, and has experienced the anxiety of applying for homes alongside dozens of desperate hopeful tenants at inspections.

“You turn up hoping to find somewhere stable and suddenly it’s like a silent auction,” Ms Whiteley said.

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“People are whispering offers to the agent, offering six months in advance, it’s insane.

“One property jumped up nearly $100 just from competition. I left feeling so defeated.”

The new laws to ban all forms of rent bidding are due in November that will make it illegal for landlord to accept, encourage or solicit rental offers above the advertised price.

Agents and landlords who breach the rules could race up to fines of $47,422 under the reforms, which aim to close legal loopholes and improve fairness for tenants.

But, Ms Whiteley says many renters have already been forced to bid, or miss out.

“It puts so much pressure on people who are just trying to find a home,” she said.

“You feel like you’re being punished for not being wealthy.”

She considers herself lucky now, living in a property managed by a “respectful, generous landlord”, the kind of rental experience she says should be far more common.

“I’ve had agents ghost me, landlords who barely return messages,” Ms Whiteley said.

“To have someone who actually checks in, who hasn’t raised the rent just because they can, it means everything.”

But even with supportive landlords doing the right thing, Ms Whiteley said the system is “failing everyone, renters and landlords alike”.

“We talk about this generational divide, but we shouldn’t be turning it into ‘us versus them,” she said.

“A lot of older Australians are struggling with rising costs too. It’s not just young people who are doing it tough.”

Ms Whiteley said the cost of living squeeze – particularly soaring food and fuel prices – has made it harder than ever to stay ahead, let alone save for a home.

“The dream of owning a home feels like it’s slipping away for so many of us,” she said.

“Rent takes up so much of your income that saving just isn’t realistic anymore.

“People are working full-time, doing everything right, and still falling behind.

“The ones trying hardest are often the ones struggling most.”

Despite the challenges, Ms Whiteley still holds onto hope for a fairer system.

“We need a housing system that looks after everyone, the renters trying to get by, the investors doing the right thing, and the older Australians who paved the way,” she said.

“Housing shouldn’t be this hard. Everyone deserves a place to belong.”

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James Packer adviser Lawrence Myers is tipped to be the mystery circa $80m buyer of Crown’s penthouse at Barangaroo.

Myers, who is the chief executive of Packer’s family office Consolidated Press Holdings, and his wife, Sylvia, currently have their Rose Bay mansion listed with hopes above $90m.

The Agency’s Steven Chen, who sold the penthouse and is the co-agent for the luxury Bayview Hill mansion, has been contacted for comment.

And according to multiple sources, Myers, who took up the Consolidated Press role two years ago, has negotiated a deal to eventually move into the luxury penthouse, which will sit 32 floors above Packer’s luxury two-level apartment.

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The sources differ on the price Myers is paying, with the amounts ranging between $70m and just under $80m.

The Wentworth Courier last week broke the news that the buyer of the 849sqm six-bedroom penthouse, on levels 81 and 82 of the Barangaroo tower was rumoured to be from Sydney’s east.

Designed by Meyer Davis, the penthouse includes a small pool with balcony. All up there are four balconies, with views to Darling Harbour, North Sydney, the heart of the CBD and the iconic harbour.

Other features include a gym, wine cellar for 300 bottles, a butler’s pantry, two guest bedrooms, a separate entrance for nannies and chefs and a wet bar.

The panoramic views, taking in the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, can never be built out.

Although one of Sydney’s best apartments, it’s understood James Packer’s double storey apartment on levels 48 and 49 of Crown — which cost $72m — is even more impressive.

“Packer’s is just spectacular, with more than 1000 sqm of space and two designers have worked on the interiors,” one source said.

The Myers family’s Rose Bay home, listed with both Chen and Pillinger chief Brad Pillinger, is also spectacular.

On a 1039sqm block, the grand property, designed by David Walker and Peter Janks, has incredible views of the Harbour Bridge from nearly every room — even the bathtub and gym.

There’s also an incredible wet-edge pool with spa and cabana.

The 1,100 sqm of internal space flowing to the outdoors can host parties of more than 200 guests and an executive office on the entry level is big enough for boardroom-scale meetings.

There’s a 10-seat cinema, games room on the lower ground level.

And there are four bedroom suites, with three of them opening to balconies facing the harbour.

The house, in the name of Sylvia Myers, was bought from billionaire businessman Brett Blundy in 2018, title records show. No price is indicated, though reports at the time put it in the $43m-$45m range.

It adjoins a harbourside pathway to Queens Beach and there’s an eight car garage with a turning circle.

The current Rose Bay record is $55m for a Bruce Stafford-designed six-bedroom residence at 12 Dumaresq Rd, which sold in February.

The post James Packer adviser tipped to be $80m penthouse buyer appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Technology is accelerating change across the financial services industry, and United Wholesale Mortgage is at the forefront of mortgage innovation. With the launch of two groundbreaking platforms— the Loan Estimate Optimizer (LEO) and Mia, an AI-powered assistant for loan officers, UWM is setting a new benchmark for how technology and especially AI can transform the lending experience. Behind this momentum is Jason Bressler, UWM’s Chief Technology Officer. With decades of experience and a team of over 1,800 technologists, Bressler is redefining what’s possible in mortgage tech and helping lead the industry into a smarter, more automated future.

HousingWire: At the recent ‘UWM LIVE!’ event, UWM introduced two significant AI tools. Can you describe these tools and how they will benefit mortgage brokers? And how long was it in development and testing before it was fully rolled out?

Jason Bressler: Yes! The first one we rolled out was LEO, which stands for Loan Estimate Optimizer. Think of it as having the best loan officer right next to you, someone who can instantly analyze a competitor’s loan estimate, flag anything misleading or outdated and suggest better options on the spot.

For instance, LEO can identify if the appraised value was inflated, if the rate is outdated or if the competitor omitted pricing adjustments. It also taps into UWM’s extensive set of programs and pricing strategies to give loan officers clear, competitive alternatives they can present to borrowers.

When we build LEO, we refined it through extensive pilot testing. The biggest challenge wasn’t a technical bug, but the complexity of UWM’s offerings—numerous tools, products and incentives that can overwhelm users. We designed LEO to handle this, factoring in broker compensation, licensing and program availability to deliver accurate, tailored comparisons. It was a fast build, but we made it happen and the results speak for themselves.

HW: What has been the initial response to LE Optimizer (LEO) and the Loan Officer Assistant, Mia?

JB:  LEO has been a major success because it is simple to use, fast and instantly helpful. Loan officers and brokers can quickly test it out and get the answers they need, making real-time support more achievable than ever.

Mia is changing the game for mortgage brokers. She’s a generative AI voice agent that handles both inbound and outbound calls and answers complex borrower questions in a natural, conversational way. Mia can explain loan options, down payments and LTV ratios, greet callers by name and transfer live calls when enabled. While she can’t quote interest rates, she keeps conversations personalized and helpful. Mia also handles outbound follow-ups, such as 20-day check-ins and reminders, helping brokers stay top of mind with clients while saving time and reducing manual work.

To help brokers explore what Mia can do, we’ve rolled out dedicated inbound numbers. Each broker is assigned a unique number tied to their area code, which is automatically linked to their account. Many have already started calling their own lines to test Mia’s capabilities and the response has been overwhelmingly positive.

HW: Focusing on Mia specifically, voice AI is relatively new to the mortgage industry. What impact do you hope Mia will have on the industry?

JB: I see Mia being the ultimate delegation tool. I am really big on delegation. For loan officers, that means securing business and closing deals. This isn’t a replacement for a loan officer, but a true enhancement. You might not be able to afford a full-time Loan Officer Assistant, but Mia can make all your calls, stay ahead of your clients and handle volume efficiently. If 100 clients qualify for a rate drop, Mia can call them all within five minutes, leave voicemails and set appointments, allowing the loan officer to focus on closing. Technology, when used right, helps delegate tasks that are time-consuming, expensive or complex. That’s exactly what Mia does.

HW: Looking ahead, what are your plans for further development or expansion of LEO and Mia’s capabilities?

JB: The goal is to make LEO more intuitive by adding more features to the Loan Estimate (LE) optimizer.  This way, loan officers can easily access the necessary information in one place and generate an LE quickly. While on the phone with a borrower, they can instantly send the LE with all their key talking points at the click of a button.

With Mia, there’s huge potential in the Consumer Direct model. It normally takes years to develop a top-performing Consumer Direct loan officer, but Mia can support those conversations from day one. The opportunities for how we use Mia are almost limitless. As we continue to carefully expand her capabilities and ensure she behaves as intended ethically, we can then decide which features to release next to best support our brokers.

HW: Considering AI more broadly, what advice do you have for mortgage brokers who may be hesitant to adopt AI tools like those UWM has just introduced?

JB: At some point, if you keep doing things the same way, you risk getting left behind. That’s exactly what will happen if you don’t take the time to explore what’s out there. As a UWM partner, you already have free access to powerful tools. All you need to do is log in, try them out and see what they can do.

In software development and delivery, the hardest part is getting people to adopt new tools. But once adoption begins, momentum builds quickly and creates a strong feedback loop. That’s why the best advice I can give is simple: just try it. Even if it feels unfamiliar or intimidating, giving it a chance is the first step forward.

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