US News
ClearCost Payments offers small businesses a free line-by-line review of their credit card processing fees
ClearCost Payments, a merchant services company based in Orange County, California, is offering small businesses a free Rate Analysis that estimates their costs for accepting credit cards based on the statements provided. A merchant can send in two recent monthly processing statements. ClearCost says it reviews the fees shown and returns a side-by-side comparison with its pricing at no charge. Processing statements often run several pages and spread charges across dozens of line items, so it is hard to answer a basic question: what is the average credit card processing fee my business pays? The ClearCost Free Rate Analysis estimates the merchant's effective rate from the statements provided, using total fees divided by total card sales. The comparison estimates the difference in dollars per month and per year based on the statements provided. "When business owners send us their statements, the cost of taking cards is usually spread across pages of fees," said Scott Zech of ClearCost Payments. "We go through the statement line by line and show them their real rate in plain numbers. If we can save them money, we'll show them exactly how much. If we can't, we'll tell them straight." How the Free Rate Analysis works Send the last two full monthly statements, every page and every location, by upload, text or email. ClearCost reviews each fee line by line and calculates the effective rate. The merchant gets a comparison of current costs against ClearCost's plan and decides whether to switch. There is no cost and no obligation. Two pricing options ClearCost offers two pricing models. Interchange-plus pricing passes through the card networks' interchange cost and adds a fixed markup, so merchants can see what the networks charge and what the processor charges. ClearCost says its markup is fixed under the terms of the processing agreement. Interchange itself is set by the card networks and can change. The second option is dual pricing, which displays cash and card prices on the ticket; applicable pricing and fees depend on the merchant’s agreement. ClearCost recommends it only when a business's signage and receipts can show both prices clearly. ClearCost says both options are month-to-month and have no cancellation fee under its processing agreement. ClearCost says qualifying merchants may be eligible for next-day funding and equipment without a lease, subject to applicable terms. The company also describes its processor and POS support as available 24/7, except on most federal holidays. Setups for different types of businesses Beyond processing, ClearCost helps merchants choose a POS and payment setup that fits how they operate. Supported systems include Clover, SwipeSimple, PAX, Dejavoo and FigurePOS. The company works with restaurants and bars, quick-service restaurants and self-order kiosks, retail stores, grocery stores, salons, contractors, auto repair shops, and medical and dental practices. It also sets up merchant accounts for new businesses that have no processing statements yet, and helps merchants who are leaving Square or Stripe move their card processing to a new merchant account. ClearCost serves Southern California, including Los Angeles, San Diego and the Inland Empire, as well as merchants nationwide. Merchants can request a Free Rate Analysis at ClearCostPayments.com or by calling or texting 949-946-2442. ClearCost Payments is a merchant services company based in Orange County, California, that helps businesses review what they pay to accept cards and choose a POS and payment setup. It offers interchange-plus pricing and a dual pricing option that displays cash and card prices, both month-to-month with no cancellation fee, and says qualifying merchants may be eligible for next-day funding and equipment without a lease, subject to applicable terms, as well as support described as 24/7. ClearCost serves Southern California and merchants nationwide. Merchant accounts are provided through PayBright, a registered ISO of Citizens Bank, N.A., Providence, RI. Learn more at clearcostpayments.com.
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- October 30, 2026Land & Property
What BrokerDIY Is: An AI Operating System for Real Estate Brokerages
BrokerDIY, an AI operating system for real estate brokerages, runs the daily work of a brokerage from one platform. A native CRM, task lists, a calendar, built-in e-signature and an AI transaction coordinator sit on a single private data layer, and each brokerage's data stays inside its own workspace. The software was built inside a real, working real estate brokerage, where it handled that firm's signatures and follow-up before it was turned into a product. Its departments are laid out the way deals actually move through a brokerage. What BrokerDIY does BrokerDIY combines several brokerage tools in one system. The native CRM holds contacts, the deal pipeline and follow-ups. Tasks and the calendar live in the same system, so a transaction deadline and a client follow-up show up in one place instead of in separate apps. The platform also includes an AI transaction coordinator. More broadly, BrokerDIY's AI agents assign tasks, move documents and keep deadlines tracked, and brokerage staff review that work and approve the decisions that matter. Built-in e-signature under the brokerage's brand Contracts can be sent, tracked and countersigned inside BrokerDIY. The e-signature tool is white-label, so documents go out under the brokerage's own brand rather than through a separate vendor login. One private data layer for each brokerage Every deal, message and decision a brokerage records in BrokerDIY goes into a private knowledge base scoped to that brokerage. The platform is multi-tenant: it runs on one shared codebase, and each brokerage's data is held in its own isolated workspace. That data is not shared with other tenants and is not used to train their systems. The system also learns from a brokerage's own records. Closed deals and resolved conversations feed back into that brokerage's knowledge base, and its workflows adjust to the way that particular office works. Marketing, recruiting and white-label branding Social Studio drafts listing posts, brand content and market updates from the same system that already holds the brokerage's inventory. The platform also includes recruiting tools and white-label branding. A client list that stays portable A brokerage can select its contacts in BrokerDIY and export them to a CSV file at any time. The client list is never locked inside the platform. Free calculators for agents and brokers BrokerDIY publishes free browser calculators for real estate agents and brokers. They cover commission splits, the cost of a brokerage's software stack and speed-to-lead exposure. The calculators run in a web browser and need no sign-up. BrokerDIY also maintains a public demo workspace loaded with synthetic sample data and fictional names. BrokerDIY is a software platform for real estate brokerages and is not itself a licensed brokerage. Features described reflect the BrokerDIY website as of October 30, 2026 and may change. Availability, terms and integrations are set by each brokerage's agreement with BrokerDIY LLC. About BrokerDIY BrokerDIY is an AI operating system for real estate brokerages, built inside a working brokerage. It combines a native CRM, tasks, calendar, built-in e-signature and an AI transaction coordinator on one private data layer for each brokerage. More information is available at BrokerDIY .
- October 30, 2026Health
New York-based French Optical Fashion, Inc. adds urgent eyewear adjustments for travelers with NYC optometrists on site
NEW YORK, NY — French Optical Fashion, Inc ., a Manhattan eyewear boutique and vision center, has announced a travel-ready eyewear service for New York City visitors and frequent flyers. The service covers urgent frame adjustments, backup pairs of prescription glasses, and on-site eye exams with NYC optometrists at its 7 E 33rd St. location. The company introduced the service to address eyewear problems that arise during trips, when time to resolve them is limited. Broken frames, lost glasses, and prescription changes often surface at inconvenient moments for travelers. Visitors who are away from their regular provider may not know where to find same-day help, and frequent flyers can face repeated strain on frames from packing, security screening, and changing conditions. The new service gives these travelers a single Manhattan address for adjustments, replacements, and exams. Under the new service, travelers can request urgent adjustments to frames that have loosened, bent, or shifted out of alignment. Staff also assist with fit corrections for nose pads and temples. These visits are intended to be completed while the traveler is still in the city, and the company offers appointments through its online booking link or by telephone. The service also includes backup pairs. French Optical Fashion operates an in-house lens-edging lab and keeps more than 3,000 frames in stock, allowing certain single-vision prescription glasses to be completed the same day, in some cases in about one hour, depending on the lens option. Travelers who want a spare pair for a trip or need an immediate replacement can use this capability. On-site eye exams are available for those whose prescription has changed or whose records aren't on hand. “Travelers tend to contact an eye care provider only after something has gone wrong, and they usually have a narrow window to get it fixed,” said Press Relations, Media Contact of French Optical Fashion, Inc. “Having NYC optometrists, an in-house lab, and a frame fitting team in the same Manhattan location lets us handle the exam, the adjustment, and a backup pair in one visit.” About French Optical Fashion, Inc.: French Optical Fashion, Inc., also known as French Optical, is an eyewear boutique and vision center headquartered in New York, NY. The company has served New York City since 1997 and provides comprehensive eye exams, contact lens fittings, designer eyeglasses, sunglasses, and prescription lenses. Its location is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and closed on Sunday. Visitors to Manhattan and frequent flyers looking for urgent eyewear adjustments, backup pairs, or exams with NYC optometrists can review French Optical Fashion, Inc.’s available services and booking options at French Optical Fashion, Inc. - NYC Optometrists . French Optical Fashion, Inc 7 E 33rd St., New York, NY 10016 (212) 868-3310 Google Business Profile
- October 30, 2026Business
Performance Golf SF2 vs Ping G430 SFT: Driver Comparison Report Released
Affordable Golf Courses has released a head-to-head comparison report examining two drivers built to correct slices in different ways. The report weighs the Performance Golf SF2's fixed, aggressive draw bias against the Ping G430 SFT's adjustable draw-bias setup, framing the decision around matching a driver to an individual's miss pattern rather than picking by price alone. More information is available at https://affordablegolfcourses.com/performance-golf-sf2-vs-ping-g430-sft-the-honest-comparison-for-slicers/ Heel-side weighting shifts a driver's center of gravity toward the shaft, which can make the face easier to square at impact, and the effect depends heavily on how much weight is used and exactly where it sits. That relationship, noted in a Golf Digest equipment explainer, helps explain why two drivers built on a similar concept can produce noticeably different results on the course. The report breaks down how the SF2 and G430 SFT apply that principle differently. It describes the SF2 as pairing a closed face with heel weighting in a fixed configuration, built for golfers with a severe and repeatable slice, while the G430 SFT offers movable heel weighting alongside an adjustable hosel, letting golfers fine-tune their setup instead of locking into one static configuration. Correction style is only part of the decision, the report explains, since fit and conformance carry weight too. The guide's central aim is helping golfers choose based on how severe and consistent their slice actually is, rather than on price. Fitting approaches that rely on launch-monitor data can confirm the right setup more reliably than self-reported swing-speed estimates, according to a vendor buying guide referenced in the research. Conformance status is another point of separation the report flags for competitive players. The guide describes the G430 SFT as confirmed conforming, while recommending that golfers verify the SF2's conformance status before sanctioned tournament play. The United States Golf Association maintains a List of Conforming Driver Heads that players can check directly, and its Model Local Rule G-1 requires conforming heads in competitions where committees adopt it. Taken together, the report gives slicers a way to weigh correction style, adjustability, and conformance side by side instead of guessing. Affordable Golf Courses built the comparison for recreational golfers trying to decide between a strongly biased fixed driver and an adjustable alternative, pointing readers to the full report for detailed guidance before making a purchase. Affordable Golf Courses continues to publish equipment comparisons and buying guides aimed at everyday golfers working through common swing problems without overspending on gear. Readers can find additional driver reviews and course resources at https://affordablegolfcourses.com/
- October 30, 2026Land & Property
Bob Knakal Delivers “The DNA of Success” Keynote at SIOR’s Fall 2026 Event in New York City
Bob Knakal, SIOR, Chairman and CEO of BKREA , delivered a keynote titled “The DNA of Success” at the SIOR Fall 2026 Event. The conference ran October 19–22, 2026, at the New York Hilton Midtown and brought together leading commercial real estate professionals from around the world. In a morning conversation on Thursday, October 22nd, Knakal took a 40,000-foot look at the experiences, decisions, habits and lessons that have shaped his more than four decades in New York City commercial real estate. Rather than focusing on a single deal or market cycle, Knakal shared the principles that have guided him through thousands of transactions. Over his career he has personally brokered the sale of more than 2,400 buildings in New York City. The conversation explored what it takes to build a career defined by longevity, relationships, reinvention and extraordinary results. Knakal spoke to building relationships and a personal brand, navigating change and taking calculated risks, and staying relevant while recognizing opportunity when it appears. The session fit naturally with the event’s theme, “An SIOR State of Mind,” which celebrates the idea that relationships drive results and that excellence is the baseline. Attendees left with a look at not just what Knakal has accomplished, but the mindset and approach behind it. “Success in this business isn’t about one big deal. It’s about the habits you keep, the relationships you build and your willingness to reinvent yourself when the market changes,” said Knakal. “SIOR represents the very best in our industry, and it was an honor to share what I’ve learned with this group.”
- October 30, 2026Land & Property
Gold Peach Realty Publishes Market Reports for 12 North Georgia Counties
DAHLONEGA, Ga. - Gold Peach Realty, a real estate brokerage serving North Georgia, has published housing market reports for 12 North Georgia counties: Dawson, Fannin, Forsyth, Gilmer, Habersham, Hall, Lumpkin, Pickens, Rabun, Towns, Union and White. Each report covers residential sales recorded in Georgia MLS (GAMLS) from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026 and compares them with the 12 months before. It also counts the homes listed for sale on October 12, 2026. The reports give the number of homes sold, the median sale price, the median price per square foot, median days on market, the sale-to-list price ratio and months of supply, along with town-level figures and land sales. They are published on goldpeachrealty.com. Median home prices by county, 12 months ending September 2026 Fannin County: 577 homes sold, median $650,000 (up 0.8% year over year), 11.0 months of supply Forsyth County: 2,828 homes sold, median $605,095 (down 2.4%), 4.9 months of supply Gilmer County: 612 homes sold, median $452,700 (down 3.7%), 10.0 months of supply Union County: 298 homes sold, median $445,000 (up 12.7%), 9.7 months of supply Rabun County: 303 homes sold, median $424,000 (up 6.0%), 11.9 months of supply Dawson County: 554 homes sold, median $423,000 (down 0.7%), 5.8 months of supply Towns County: 187 homes sold, median $402,000 (up 7.9%), 12.9 months of supply Hall County: 2,643 homes sold, median $399,900 (down 3.9%), 5.0 months of supply Pickens County: 483 homes sold, median $390,000 (down 0.6%), 6.6 months of supply Lumpkin County: 404 homes sold, median $383,000 (up 0.7%), 5.1 months of supply White County: 504 homes sold, median $345,000 (down 1.4%), 7.0 months of supply Habersham County: 554 homes sold, median $340,000 (up 1.5%), 5.9 months of supply What the 12 reports show Sales rose in 9 of the 12 counties compared with the year before. Dawson County's sales were up 24.5%, the largest increase, followed by White County at 16.9% and Fannin County at 15.6%. Sales also rose 11.3% in Towns, 7.9% in Gilmer and Hall, 4.9% in Forsyth, 2.5% in Lumpkin and 0.7% in Habersham, and fell 0.8% in Pickens, 3.2% in Union and 3.5% in Rabun. In 9 of the 12 counties, the median price moved by less than 4% in either direction. The biggest increases were in three mountain counties: Union at 12.7%, Towns at 7.9% and Rabun at 6.0%. Hall County's median fell 3.9%, Gilmer County's 3.7% and Forsyth County's 2.4%, the largest declines of the group. Homes took longer to sell in 8 of the 12 counties. The supply of homes for sale varied widely. In Forsyth, Hall and Lumpkin counties, the homes listed for sale on October 12 equaled about five months of sales at the past year's pace, while in Towns, Rabun, Fannin and Gilmer counties the figure was between 10 and 13 months. Dahlonega and Lumpkin County Lumpkin County, home to Dahlonega, recorded 404 home sales in the 12 months ending September 2026 at a median price of $383,000. A year earlier, the county had 394 sales at a median of $380,445. The median home sold after 37 days on the market for 98.5% of its final list price. For homes with a Dahlonega mailing address, the median was $375,000 across 324 sales. Land and lot sales in Lumpkin County had a median price of $135,000 across 66 sales. On October 12, 2026, 173 homes were listed for sale in Lumpkin County, about 5.1 months of supply. The full Lumpkin County report is at https://www.goldpeachrealty.com/lumpkin-county-ga-housing-market-report . How the numbers are calculated The reports use closed and active Georgia MLS listings from the brokerage's GAMLS data feed. Median sale price is the middle closing price, and no sales are trimmed as outliers. Months of supply divides the homes listed for sale by the average monthly sales of the past 12 months. Georgia MLS does not include homes sold only through other MLSs, so counts are lower than the whole market and coverage differs by county. Based on information from Georgia MLS for the period October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. Source: Georgia MLS (GAMLS). Statistics calculated from GAMLS closed sales recorded October 1, 2025 - September 30, 2026 (retrieved October 12, 2026); active listings as of October 12, 2026. Includes only properties listed in GAMLS. © 2026 Georgia MLS. Information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed. These statistics are provided for general information only. They are not an appraisal, a comparative market analysis or an estimate of the value of any specific property, and they should not be relied on as the sole basis for a decision to buy or sell. Gold Peach Realty is a licensed real estate brokerage in Georgia. About Gold Peach Realty Gold Peach Realty is a licensed real estate brokerage in North Georgia, based in Dahlonega and serving buyers and sellers across Lumpkin, Hall, White and Dawson counties and the surrounding North Georgia mountains. Contact Gold Peach Realty at (770) 283-1223 or [email protected].
- October 30, 2026Health
Houston Home Care Agency Explains Live-In Care vs. 24/7 Care for Seniors
HOUSTON, TX — Encore Caregivers, a family-owned home care agency in Houston, has published a guide that explains the difference between live-in care and 24/7 care. The guide is for families who know an aging parent needs help around the clock but aren't sure which model fits. The full guide is available at https://encorecaregivers.com/live-in-care-vs-24-7-care/ . Families often use the two terms as if they mean the same thing. According to the guide, they describe two different ways of staffing care, and the right choice depends largely on what happens at night. Under a live-in arrangement, a caregiver stays in the home and is available day and night but is not expected to provide active care overnight. The home must provide the caregiver with a private room. The caregiver also receives eight hours of break time each day, including five hours of uninterrupted sleep. Two caregivers typically rotate in stretches of three to five days, and any sleep interrupted to provide care counts as hours worked. The guide notes that live-in care tends to suit older adults who usually sleep through the night but want someone nearby in case help is needed. Because only two caregivers share the schedule, families often see more consistency. Live-in care is also generally less expensive than other round-the-clock options. 24/7 care works differently. Caregivers do not live in the home and do not need a bedroom. Instead, several caregivers work 12-hour shifts and stay awake and alert for the entire shift, including sitting at the bedside overnight when needed. The guide describes this model as the right fit for people who need monitoring or hands-on help at all hours, such as those who wander, need help getting to the bathroom at night, live with incontinence, or face a high risk of falls. Details on the agency’s around-the-clock services are available at https://encorecaregivers.com/24-hour-home-care/ . Nighttime is usually where the decision turns. A parent who sleeps soundly and only occasionally needs a hand may do well with a live-in caregiver. A parent who is up several times a night, needs help reaching the bathroom, or tends to wander after dark usually needs someone awake. The guide also asks families to consider daytime needs and the budget, and whether the parent would rather see one familiar face or a small rotating team. Requests like these are climbing as the population gets older. The U.S. Census Bureau’s 2018 projections show Americans 65 and older outnumbering children by 2034, a first for the country. Most older adults also say they would rather not move. In AARP’s 2021 Home and Community Preferences Survey, close to eight in 10 people aged 50 and older said they want to stay in their homes as they age. Once a parent starts needing help at night, adult children often end up deciding between live-in and 24/7 care. Encore Caregivers’ approach centers on caregivers who are trained and supervised by a registered nurse. The agency was founded by Nora Aden, RN, and Mike Aden, CPA, whose work in Houston home care dates back to 1996. Today, the company has more than 130 caregivers and provides more than 4,000 hours of care each week. Its history and national awards are outlined at https://encorecaregivers.com/about-caregiver-agency/. Houston client Ryan Vallee summed up the agency’s approach in a testimonial: “Encore cuts no corners, and creates a personal connection with each of their families.” The live-in and 24/7 care guide joins a growing library of educational resources from Encore Caregivers, which also covers in-home care compared with nursing homes and assisted living. Together, the guides aim to help Houston families compare options and plan, rather than rush into a decision during a health crisis. About Encore Caregivers: Encore Caregivers is a family-owned Houston in-home care agency licensed by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, with caregivers on duty around the clock across Houston, Katy, Sugar Land, Bellaire and nearby communities. Home Care Pulse ranked the company among the Top 100 caregiving agencies in the U.S. in 2023. Company information is available at https://encorecaregivers.com/.
- October 30, 2026Business
Take Breaks, Work Better Course Launched - Teaches 3.3 Rule for Workdays
The Real John Briggs addresses the workday habits of business owners who skip rest in the name of output, pointing to a structured approach for building pauses into daily operations. The topic connects to the company's broader mission of helping service-based business owners design workdays around clarity and sustainability rather than constant hustle. For founders juggling client work, team management, and growth targets, the discussion provides a concrete angle rather than vague advice to slow down. More information is available at https://takebreaksworkbetter.com/course/ Many business owners assume that powering through the workday without pause makes them more productive, but an Inc. article notes that short breaks can provide mental refreshment and that skipping them may leave people less effective. This pattern shows up often among entrepreneurs, coaches, and consultants carrying heavy workloads with few built-in boundaries, and addressing it calls for repeatable structure rather than reliance on willpower alone. The same Inc. article makes a further point: how someone takes a break shapes whether it actually helps, not merely whether a break happens at all. Stepping away to scroll a phone differs from a deliberate pause built around recovery, which is part of why a defined structure can offer more practical value than general reminders to rest more. Research outside the company's own materials lends some support to this idea. A systematic review and meta-analysis published in PLOS ONE found small but statistically significant effects of micro-breaks on vigor and fatigue, though the effect on performance was not statistically significant. Separately, a study in the Journal of Applied Psychology found that relaxation, socialization, and cognitive micro-breaks were linked to increased positive affect at work, which in turn predicted stronger sales performance. This broader body of research speaks to business owners as much as office employees, since founders face many of the same pressures around sustained output without pause. Built-in recovery during the workday is consistent with the company's approach of practical frameworks that reduce overwhelm and protect time and energy, fitting into daily operations rather than requiring a separate wellness routine. The underlying question is relevant for service-based business owners, coaches, and consultants who want a workday structure that holds up under real demands without draining their health or personal time. It supports the company's mission of helping founders build businesses with clarity and sustainability, pursuing consistent growth without sacrificing well-being along the way. Readers interested in learning more can visit https://therealjohnbriggs.com/
- October 30, 2026Land & Property
LPE Realty Opens in South Florida as a Licensed 100% Commission Brokerage
SOUTH FLORIDA - LPE Realty LLC, a new non-franchise real estate brokerage, is now open to home buyers and sellers across South Florida. The company is licensed by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. LPE Realty is a virtual, cloud-based brokerage with no walk-in office. Its agents meet clients at the property, on a video call or in the client's own neighborhood, and a licensed broker supervises every transaction. A brokerage without a commission split According to LPE Realty, agents at most brokerages hand a percentage of each commission to the company. LPE Realty takes no percentage split, so its agents keep their full commission. Each agent pays a low flat fee per transaction instead. The company publishes its current agent fees on its website, and those fees may change. Agent fees are paid by the agent and are never charged to clients. What the model means for buyers and sellers The company's view is that an agent who keeps more of the commission has more to put into a client's move, including the marketing of a client's home. LPE Realty states this as its view, not as a promise about any particular sale. LPE Realty recruits experienced agents who already generate their own business and know their markets. Where LPE Realty works LPE Realty agents work with buyers and sellers across South Florida, including Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach, as well as other areas of Florida. The brokerage is launching its model starting in South Florida. Buyers and sellers register on the company's website and are connected with a licensed LPE Realty agent, who follows up to understand their timing, budget and priorities. LPE Realty at a glance Legal name: LPE Realty LLC Type: licensed Florida real estate brokerage, cloud-based, no walk-in office Service area: South Florida, including Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach, as well as other areas of Florida Agent model: no percentage split; agents keep their full commission and pay a low flat fee per transaction, published on the company's website Supervision: a licensed broker supervises every transaction Contact: [email protected], (561) 652-6917 Agent fees and terms are published on the LPE Realty website and may change. Each agent's fees and terms are set by that agent's signed agreement with LPE Realty LLC. This announcement is not an offer of employment or a guarantee of earnings, leads or results. About LPE Realty LPE Realty is a cloud-based real estate brokerage serving home buyers and sellers across South Florida, including Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach, as well as other areas of Florida. More information is available at LPE Realty , by email at [email protected] or by calling (561) 652-6917. Equal Housing Opportunity.
- October 30, 2026Finance & Loan
4,046 Students Build Real-World AI Skills Through Outamation and Extern
As employers look for AI-ready talent, two hands-on externships give the next generation experience applying AI to real business problems before they enter the workforce. DALLAS, Oct. 13, 2026 – More than 4,000 students have gained hands-on experience building artificial intelligence tools through two externship programs created by Outamation, a mortgage operations technology company, in partnership with Extern, a platform that connects students with real-world work experience. The programs set out to close the gap between learning about AI and actually using it on the job. Instead of studying AI in theory, students applied it to sample mortgage documents created for training, built working tools and delivered their findings directly to Outamation, the same way a professional technology team does. Outamation and Extern built the programs together. Students worked on curriculum created by Outamation’s mortgage domain experts and AI engineers. Nirmal Patel, Outamation’s Chief AI Officer, led program design for Outamation, with leadership and support from Devang Kamdar, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer. Mike Eng, Head of Partnerships, led the effort for Extern. Program highlights include: Two levels of learning: a seven-week Foundational externship introducing AI, natural language processing and computer vision, and a five-week Advanced program where students fine-tuned their own AI models and built multi-step AI agents to automate document workflows. Real business problems: using sample files, students trained AI to recognize common mortgage document types and wrote Python code to pull out key information automatically. In-demand AI tools: externs built AI systems that answer questions about documents and tested open-source AI models, skills that apply across finance, real estate and other industries. Work that counts: students compared AI models on accuracy, cost and ease of use, and Advanced participants presented their recommendations to Outamation stakeholders. Open access at scale: students from 934 schools and 59 countries took part, regardless of location or background. “Every student today will build a career alongside AI. The question is whether they learn it by doing real work or by watching from the sidelines,” said Lisa Guadagno, Chief People Officer of Outamation. “More than 4,000 students chose to do the work. Our job as employers is to give the next generation the tools and the opportunity to succeed.” “AI skills on their own are not enough. Students learn the most when they solve real business problems with people who know the industry and people who know the technology,” said Sapan Bafna, Founder & CEO of Outamation. “Our mortgage experts and AI engineers designed this curriculum together. Students learned to use AI the way it is used on the job.” “Most companies stay out of this because they picture a program they would have to build and staff. Taking that burden on is what Extern is for. Outamation handed students a real problem and got independent evaluations of the open-source AI models their own team is weighing in return. Having to make a recommendation and defend it to the people who will act on it is the part no course can simulate,” said Matt Wilkerson, CEO at Extern. Building on these results, Outamation and Extern will work together on a new program built to evolve alongside advances in AI, so students continue learning the skills employers will need next. Students interested in future programs can learn more at www.extern.com . About Outamation Outamation is a mortgage operations technology company that uses AI across its automation toolkit. Its Outamate product suite automates document generation, client communications, loss mitigation, lien release, quality control and document AI for lenders and servicers. Outamation was the first U.S. mortgage technology company to achieve ISO/IEC 42001 certification and also holds ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Type II. The company debuted on the Inc. 5000 at No. 133. Outamation has more than 250 team members across Dallas, Miami and India. Learn more at outamation.com . About Extern Backed by Y Combinator, Foundation Capital and Eric Ries, Extern hosts remote, part-time projects so students can build experience and get dedicated mentorship for entry-level roles. 90,000 students from more than 150 countries have participated in externships with companies like TikTok, Amazon and Pfizer. 74% of externs have landed a job or internship within 12 months of completing their project. Learn more at extern.com . Media Contacts Outamation: Alyson Austin, Gaffney Austin, LLC, [email protected] , (949) 403-0484 Extern: Carlinda Lee, Marketing at Extern, [email protected] , (778) 863-6397 ###
- October 30, 2026Land & Property
BrokerOpinionOfValue.com Publishes Commercial Property Valuation Guide for Sellers
BrokerOpinionOfValue.com announced the publication of “What Is My Commercial Property Worth? A Seller’s Guide to Valuing Your Building,” a free, 12-step resource designed to help commercial property owners prepare for a valuation and understand the information buyers examine before making an offer. The guide and accompanying seller’s checklist are available at https://brokeropinionofvalue.com/commercial-property-valuation/what-is-my-commercial-property-worth/ . Created for owners considering a sale, refinancing or improvements before a future transaction, the guide explains how documented income, operating expenses, lease terms, property condition and financing influence a building’s potential market value. Preparing a Property for Buyer Review The guide organizes the valuation preparation process into 12 steps covering property documents, title and liens, zoning and certificates of occupancy, rent rolls, net operating income, building inspections, environmental and flood considerations, valuation methods, repairs, pricing and buyer financing. An accompanying checklist allows owners to mark items “Ready,” “Fix” or “Disclose.” The process helps owners identify missing records and potential issues before buyers and lenders begin their review. Separate sections address office, retail, industrial, multifamily and mixed-use properties, highlighting differences in the information buyers evaluate. Understanding Income, Cap Rates and Financing The guide explains why buyers may adjust an owner’s reported net operating income, or NOI, to reflect their underwriting assumptions. These adjustments can include anticipated property taxes, market management costs and the removal of nonrecurring income or expenses. Replacement reserves may also affect underwriting, depending on the methodology used. A numerical example illustrates how capitalization rates influence an income-based valuation. Dividing $500,000 in annual NOI by a 5% cap rate produces an indicated value of $10 million. At a 6% cap rate, the same income produces approximately $8.33 million—a difference of about $1.67 million. The example illustrates the calculation rather than assigning a market cap rate to a particular property. The guide also explains how lender requirements can affect a buyer’s purchasing capacity. Debt-service coverage and loan-to-value requirements may limit available financing, potentially requiring additional buyer equity or a change in the proposed purchase price. “Before setting a price, an owner needs to understand what a buyer will verify,” said Edward Winslow , co-founder of BrokerOpinionOfValue.com. “Can the income be documented? Do the leases support the rent roll? Are there building conditions that could change the buyer’s numbers? We created this guide to help owners prepare those answers before negotiations begin.” Evaluating Options Before a Transaction The resource distinguishes a broker opinion of value from a certified appraisal and explains why assessed value, historical purchase price and other properties’ asking prices may differ from current market value. Owners can use the guide to prepare for discussions with a commercial real estate broker, lender or other advisor about selling, refinancing, leasing or holding a property. A broker opinion of value may support preliminary planning; certain lending, legal, tax or estate matters may require a certified appraisal or another specified valuation service.
- October 30, 2026Business
McWhite’s Funeral Home Expands Family Support and Memorial Services Across South Florida
McWhite’s Funeral Home announces an expansion of its family support and memorial services, bringing greater emphasis to personalized funeral arrangements, advance planning, and digital remembrance resources for families in Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and surrounding communities. The funeral home serves families navigating the loss of a loved one, offering arrangements for traditional funerals, cremation and memorial services. Its service options also include personalized tributes, online memorial pages, and planning resources intended to help families make informed decisions during a difficult time. Albert R. McWhite, owner and office manager, leads a team that assists families with funeral arrangements and memorial planning. The funeral home’s approach recognizes that every family has different traditions, preferences, and financial considerations when deciding how to honor someone who has died. “Every life has a story, and families deserve the opportunity to honor that story in a way that feels meaningful to them,” McWhite says. “Our role is to listen, explain the available options, and help families make arrangements that reflect the person they are remembering.” Personalized services remain central to the funeral home’s offerings. Families can incorporate photographs, personal belongings, music, scripture, and tribute videos into visitations and ceremonies. Services can be arranged at the funeral home’s chapel, a church, or another location selected by the family. For those who choose cremation, options include a traditional funeral followed by cremation, a memorial service, or a more private gathering. These arrangements give relatives room to decide how they wish to commemorate a loved one. Families may prefer a formal ceremony rooted in religious tradition, while others may choose a celebration of life that draws on personal memories and shared experiences. Digital resources provide another way for families to connect with friends and relatives. McWhite’s Funeral Home offers online memorial pages featuring obituaries and photographs, along with opportunities for visitors to share condolences, upload pictures, and light virtual candles. Families can also share service details digitally, helping distant relatives and friends stay informed about arrangements. Tribute videos offer an additional way to preserve memories. Created from photographs supplied by families, these videos can be presented during a service and shared afterward in digital formats. Live streaming is also available for people who cannot attend a ceremony in person, allowing them to participate remotely. Advance funeral planning forms another part of the funeral home’s support. Its pre-planning resources allow individuals to communicate their preferences and begin considering arrangements before an immediate need arises. Early conversations can help families understand their options and give loved ones a clearer starting point when decisions eventually need to be made. The funeral home also provides assistance with veteran-related funeral arrangements and information about applicable benefits. Its website includes grief support materials, frequently asked questions, and practical guidance for families managing the steps that follow a death. “Families often come to us while dealing with an enormous amount of emotion and uncertainty,” McWhite says. “We want them to have someone who can guide them through the arrangements, answer their questions and help them understand the choices available to them.” By emphasizing individualized arrangements and continued support, the funeral home seeks to address the practical and personal needs that accompany bereavement. The focus extends beyond the day of a funeral to include advance preparation, shared remembrance, and resources families can turn to as they navigate grief.
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