Draft:Barry Habib

Barry Habib (born January 15, 1960) is an American entrepreneur known for his expertise in the mortgage and housing industries. He is the founder and CEO of Highway and has made significant contributions through his work as a mortgage originator, market strategist, and media commentator.

Habib was born in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, New York, to Sephardic Jewish immigrants from Turkey. His father, an international journalist, passed away from a heart attack when Habib was 11 years old. Habib grew up in a financially challenging environment and initially aspired to be a professional athlete or singer. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Baruch College in New York City.

Habib began his career in the mortgage industry in 1986. He quickly became one of the top mortgage originators in the United States, originating over $2 billion in personal production over 24 years. In 1989, he founded Certified Mortgage Associates, which he grew into a successful company before selling it.

In the early 2000s, Habib founded the Mortgage Market Guide, a platform that helps mortgage professionals interpret and forecast mortgage rate and bond market activity. He later sold this company and founded MBS Highway, a similar platform providing daily market insights and tools for mortgage professionals.

To further enhance the knowledge of mortgage professionals, Barry Habib created the Certified Mortgage Advisor (CMA) course in 2020.

In November 2022, MBS Highway expanded its reach with the acquisition of ListReports, a real estate data and marketing platform. The subsequent rebranding of MBS Highway, CMA, and ListReports under the parent brand name "Highway" marked a significant milestone, with Habib continuing to serve as the company's CEO.

Habib is also known for his role in the entertainment industry as the lead producer and managing partner of the Broadway musical "Rock of Ages." The musical received five Tony Award nominations and was adapted into a major film in 2012, in which Habib played a minor role.

Habib is a frequent guest on financial news programs, including CNBC and Fox, where he shares his expertise on the mortgage and housing markets. He has also been a professional speaker on financial markets for over 20 years.

Habib has received numerous awards for his contributions to the mortgage industry. He was named 2019 Mortgage Professional of the Year and is a three-time Crystal Ball Award winner by Zillow and Pulsenomics for the most accurate real estate forecast out of 150 of the top economists in the United States.

Habib is the author of "Money in the Streets," a book that offers a playbook for finding and seizing opportunities all around you.