We are dropping a special episode in your feed — the first of a four-part masterclass series presented by Zillow Home Loans. This series will feature experts from Zillow and across the housing industry who offer insights and strategies you can use today to best navigate today’s rapidly evolving mortgage market. Today’s episode is a conversation between Clayton Collins and Orphe Divounguy, Ph.D., a senior economist for Zillow Home Loans and a member of Zillow’s Economic Research team. Orphe’s research focuses on housing and labor markets, and quantitative methods for policy evaluation.Orphe and Clayton unpack the current dynamics that buyers and sellers are seeing, some of the common public misconceptions about rates, and how affordability challenges and other driving forces are impacting the average homebuyer. They also chat about creative alternatives to traditional financing — and how agents should be seeing these alternatives as an opportunity to better serve consumers.Related to this episode:Home buyers see first signs of affordability relief in months | Zillow Mortgage rates decline amid expectation of economic slowdown | HousingWireBuyers are in the game, but interest rates are keeping sellers on the bench | Zillow Prospective home buyers spend about as much time researching new TVs as they do mortgage lenders | ZillowAffordability Calculator - How Much House Can I Afford? | ZillowA Trusted Lending Partner for Agents | Zillow Home LoansCriticalChoices AchievingHomeownershipConnect with Orphe on LinkedInHousingWire's Youtube ChannelEnjoy the episode!Gathering of Eagles will bring together the nation's top residential real estate CEOs, Presidents, and C-Level leadership teams to grow, network, and set the pace for what's next in our industry. 2023's Gathering of Eagles is at Omni Barton Creek Resort in the rolling hill country of Austin, Texas from June 18-21. Click here to learn more and register your spot!The Housing News podcast explores the most important topics happening in mortgage, real estate, and fintech. Each week a new mortgage or real estate executive joins the show to add perspective to the top stories crossing HousingWire’s news desk. Hosted by Clayton Collins and produced by the HW Media team.