Latest news with #FAIRWINDS
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
FairWinds Migrates from .COM to .FAIRWINDS, Showcasing Leadership in Strategic Internet Addressing
WASHINGTON, DC / / July 15, 2025 / FairWinds Partners, the world's leading domain name strategy consultancy, has completed the migration of its website from to "This transition is more than a domain change. It reflects our belief in the future of .BRAND top-level domains," said FairWinds founder Josh Bourne. "Our move to .FAIRWINDS reinforces the strategic value that these top-level domains offer and our evolution from a pioneering domain name advisory firm to the trusted partner for global brands navigating the digital landscape via the address bar." Unlike second-level domains like top-level domains reside on the internet's root servers -- the foundation of the internet's naming system. .BRAND top-level domains are not publicly available and are used exclusively by the brand owner. ".BRAND top-level domains provide a powerful way to amplify, control, and secure a brand's digital presence while giving visitors visual proof of authenticity and safety," said Tom Wells, vice president at FairWinds. Founded in 2006, FairWinds has helped more than 250 clients worldwide build and protect their online presence. The company has helped scores of clients -- including Major League Baseball, Pfizer, Nike, and American Express -- secure .BRAND top-level domains. During the last round of applications for new generic top-level domains from the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), FairWinds submitted 133 top-level domain applications on behalf of its clients -- including more .BRANDs than any other advisory firm. FairWinds is the only domain consultancy to invest alongside its clients by securing and operating its own branded top-level domain, .FAIRWINDS. The company has launched .FAIRWINDS as ICANN prepares to receive fresh applications for new generic top-level domains in April 2026 for the first time since 2012. To help brand owners of all kinds -- including corporations, nonprofits, higher-ed institutions, and others -- determine whether they should participate in the upcoming ICANN application window, FairWinds is rolling out its signature SPARK (Strategy, Planning, Application, Registration, and Knowledge) service as well as an educational website with comprehensive information on the process for securing a top-level domain. "FairWinds has played a critical role in establishing .BRAND top-level domains as a trusted and strategic asset for major corporations," Bourne said. "Our migration to places FairWinds among a select group of forward-thinking companies, such as Apple, Barclays, BMW, and Microsoft, that have adopted .BRAND domains as a pillar of their digital strategy."###For media inquiries, please contact Miguel Calle Jaramillo at miguel@ or 202-900-4555. About FairWinds PartnersFairWinds Partners is the leading domain name consultancy that elevates online presence by increasing website traffic, growing revenue, and improving online customer experiences. For more information, visit SOURCE: FairWinds Partners View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Sign in to access your portfolio
Business Journals
29-05-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
Jumbo loans and 3 other mortgage trends impacting Central Florida homeowners
In Central Florida, the luxury home market is not just about extravagant features; it's about the growing demand for high-end properties. Often, the buyers of these homes will choose to finance them with a jumbo mortgage — a financing option that exceeds the lending limits set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency. In 2025, jumbo loan financing starts at $806,501. 'We're seeing move-up buyers and even first-time buyers making a concerted effort to buy their forever homes,' said Kevin Bishop, assistant vice president of mortgage sales at Orlando-based FAIRWINDS Credit Union. 'They're putting a lot of effort and money into buying these homes because they want a sense of permanence. These higher loan amounts are in demand in this housing environment.' expandFAIRWINDS CREDIT UNION Bishop and his colleague at FAIRWINDS, Dan Felix, vice president, mortgage services, recently shared their insights about jumbo loans and other key mortgage trends. Seizing opportunities in the luxury home market with jumbo loans Luxury homes are in demand nationwide, and prices in this segment have increased 8.8% from a year earlier – more than twice as fast as non-luxury homes. 'For homebuyers interested in the high-end market, a jumbo mortgage opens access to luxury real estate in a way that makes sense financially,' Felix said. 'Shorter-term loans, like a 15-year jumbo mortgage, allow these buyers to reduce their interest rate significantly and pay off their homes faster.' A jumbo mortgage also eliminates the need for multiple loans or complicated financing arrangements. FAIRWINDS offers 15-, 20- and 30-year jumbo loans for high-earning homebuyers. Rates in mid-May were 5.375%, 6% and 6.5%, respectively, and lower than conventional mortgage rates. In addition to low rates, FAIRWINDS offers biweekly payments and 'freedom' principal payment options so homeowners can pay down the loan more quickly and save on interest over time. For those seeking to build their dream home rather than buy, FAIRWINDS offers construction-to-permanent loan program options, including jumbo loan terms, that allow members to convert construction financing into a mortgage when the home is complete. Mortgage rate locks and re-locks Mortgage lock volume surged in March as the housing market transitioned into the spring homebuying season. A lock is an agreement between the lender and the buyer that guarantees a specific rate while the buyer is looking for a home, which prevents the rate from changing because of fluctuations in the market, Bishop said. FAIRWINDS offers a rate lock program with the option to re-lock once during the closing process if rates go down. In addition, while some financial institutions require a contract in place to lock in a mortgage rate, FAIRWINDS does not. 'It gives members one less thing to worry about while they're trying to find the right home,' Bishop said. Home equity for renovations Another current trend is home equity financing. Bishop and Felix point to data that shows people are hanging onto their homes twice as long as they did in 2005 as many older Americans are aging in place. Even Gen Xers are in on the trend, with more than one-third having lived in the same home for at least 10 years. 'Home equity serves as an option for members looking to invest back into their homes with affordable renovations,' Felix said. Home equity lines of credit and home equity loan originations were up by 6% and 8% respectively in last year's third quarter, marking the 11th quarter of consecutive growth. At FAIRWINDS, members are encouraged to save up and pay cash for renovations. However, members have access to a range of home equity solutions, including home improvement-specific financing, if needed. The key, says Felix, is to make sure you have a plan in place to pay off the balance as quickly as possible. Special mortgage programs Bishop and Felix are also seeing growth in the custom programs the credit union offers to first-time homebuyers, community heroes and physicians. For example, the Physician Mortgage Program helps doctors, dentists and orthodontists finance homes with no private mortgage insurance requirement, no closing cost options and as little as 0% down. This is especially helpful to doctors who are early in their career and may not have liquid assets for a down payment, Bishop said. 'No matter what option a member selects, our priority is to help you pay off your mortgage as quickly as possible,' Bishop said. 'The goal of financial freedom is to be able to live generously and give back to others.' At FAIRWINDS we embrace a 'better together' approach, offering you a personalized, full range of mortgage lending options. We're your dedicated partner, supporting you every step of the way. Learn more.
