Steve Harney: A Visionary Leader in Real Estate
It is with great sadness we share that Steve Harney, founder of Keeping Current Matters and a titan in the real estate industry, passed away suddenly this week. He was 68.
His departure leaves a void in the community; but his vision, principles, and passion for people will continue to shape our world for generations to come.
Steve’s legacy is imprinted in the fabric of the real estate business. He transformed agents into educators, guiding them through challenging times, and inspired leaders to be the beacons in their markets. His principles and unwavering courage left an indelible mark on those who had the privilege of knowing him.
His character, family values, and commitment to helping others forged his successful career, turning him into a larger-than-life personality that influenced everyone around him. Steve was not just a businessman; he was a coach, a visionary, and a builder of people. Born on April 23, 1955, in the Bronx, NY, he drew inspiration from his father and grew up surrounded by the art of telling stories. Steve’s leadership emerged early, marked by his involvement in his peer-to-peer student counseling group during high school, setting the stage for a lifetime of impactful coaching and mentoring. At the age of 21, he married his high school sweetheart, Kathy, who he continually referred to as “the most amazing woman he’s ever known.”
Steve’s career in real estate began in 1983. He quickly rose to prominence as one of the top producers nationally. Steve’s natural leadership ability led him to becoming head of the largest Prudential Realty office on Long Island in 1991.
In 1995, he founded his own brokerage, National Homefinders, a 500-agent firm that was defined by its focus on superior market knowledge and trailblazing company culture. Each of their 13 offices grew to become the leader in their marketplace. Notably, Steve championed the building of the area’s first Spanish Team, providing previously missing support for this growing community.
His passion for and commitment to real estate was unstoppable. In 2007, recognizing a need to prepare brokers and agents for what was coming in the real estate industry, Steve founded Keeping Current Matters.
As an accomplished trainer and speaker, he traveled the country for years, speaking to hundreds of teams and brokerages, with one mission: to help the best real estate professionals – and the families they served – navigate every challenge affecting the housing industry. Steve’s vision was to equip as many agents as possible with the information, analysis, and data they needed to become not just real estate professionals, but trusted advisors. In 2016, he retired from day-to-day operations and passed the reins to his son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Charlotte Harney, but remained active as the founder until his last day.
Steve’s personality was a force of nature—larger than life, impactful, and generous. He led by example, valuing simplicity, courage, and treating everyone as if they were the most important in the world. His genuine care for people defined a life dedicated to helping others. This is highlighted not only in his career accomplishments but also decades of philanthropic work. After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, he and his wife, Kathy, spent three weeks working in Houston with the American Red Cross to help displaced survivors navigate this life-changing disaster.
He was also a long-time contributor to Habitat for Humanity. His company, National Homefinders, was one of the largest supporters and volunteer groups for the organization at the time he owned it, helping dozens of families achieve the dream of homeownership.
Above all else, Steve loved his family and friends. He cherished date nights with his wife, talking basketball with his sons, and spending time with his grandchildren.
Steve is survived by his beloved wife, Kathy, three sons—Bill, Steven, and Kevin ‘Bone’ Gholson, along with his daughter-in-law Charlotte and grandchildren Graham and McRae. His siblings, JoAnn Uzzi, Michael and his wife Sue, and Ricky, mourn the loss of their brother.
He leaves behind a legacy of leadership, compassion, and a profound commitment to homeownership. Steve would say that his passing on March 4th was prophetic, as he would want all of us to march forth and continue the spirit of helping others that he lived by.
The Harney family would like to thank everyone for their kindness and support during this difficult time. On Monday, March 18, friends from near and far will be received at Unity Church of Bon Air in Richmond, VA from 1:00pm to 1:30pm, with a service to immediately follow. After the service, a full celebration of Steve’s life will be held at The Boathouse at Rocketts Landing beginning at 3:00pm. Food and drinks will be served for all those wishing to attend. Also a sharing of “Steve’s Stories” will be open to any and all during this time.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to Habitat for Humanity, reflecting Steve’s lifelong dedication to the cause. His commitment to homeownership is unending.
You can donate here:
If you would like to send cards of condolence, you can do so here:
The Harneys
Keeping Current Matters
8720 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 400
Richmond, VA 23235
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He made a difference in my life! He was super smart and super motivational. His new words of wisdom every month helped me to navigate during the turbulent time of the recession and beyond. I’ve been a member for many years because in the real estate business KEEPING CURRENT MATTERS! I could tell he was a kind man who really cared about people. Sincerely, Julie Collison, in beautiful Parkland, Wa
He was a giant among men and one of the kindest, gentle and most unselfish people in our industry. I’ll miss him.
You are in my thoughts and prayers following the loss of Steve. He was instrumental in our industry, and I always looked to him for guidance and information. He will be greatly missed.
Great leader in the industry and a beacon of light and truth for everyone that seeks it.
Remembering Steve Harney: a visionary leader who transformed real estate with insight and integrity. His legacy of mentorship and market wisdom inspires us to excel. Every day, I am grateful to read, learn, and share complex, current, and relevant real estate content in simple, easy-to-understand formats. Steve’s impact endures in every deal we close and the life we touch.
My wife and I became members of keeping current matters quite a few years ago and although we never got to meet Steve personally, we came to know him through all the information that he poured into us through keeping current matters and through the monthly market reports. Coming into real estate for an industry that was very different, and have been C level executives, we appreciated Steve’s knowledge, cando, passion, and his no nonsense approach to provide us with clear and concise metrics and advise with regards to the ever changing world of real estate. Whereas others take advantage of the different developments in the real estate industry and use it to their favor, we could always count on Steve’s objective information yet always showing compassion and care in his message. As he would often say, he took great pride in taking into account, the unquantifiable human factor that goes into play in the world of real estate, and he made sure that the message that he delivered every month to us included that human factor. For us, for me, we lost a visionary leader, the likes of which are very hard to find in today’s world. Thank you, Steve, for all of your teachings, for imprinting in us your mission to help others. We intend to carry it forward with great pride while keeping your memory alive in our hearts. Rest in Peace for all Eternity. Heaven’s real estate is safe in your hands.
Rest in Peace dear Steve!
Steve was such an inspiration to me personally. I met him briefly in Charleston one year at a Boomtown meeting and was instantly bitten by his thirst for looking at the data and connecting the dots. He always spoke of his love for family and friends. I know KCM is grieving and I also know we will all be well as we work hard to keep connecting the dots. Steve would want us to be well and search for the truth in the data. Peace and love to his family, friends and his work mates.
With much sadness but everlasting joy,
Don Swearingen
I always looked forward to Steve’s messages on KCM and in other circles. He will be missed by many in the real estate industry.
I am so saddened to hear of Steve’s passing. He was a wonderful mentor to me through his work at KCM. I met him personally in 2014 in Dallas, TX and that meeting we signed up for KCM and never looked back. Thank you for all you have done Steve. May you rest in eternal peace.
Very sorry to hear about Steve’s passing. I met him at a Shorewest Realtors training meeting in Milwaukee back in 2010, when the market was in the tank with the great recession. He and I hit it off as New Yorkers (my hometown) – and how could you ever miss that NY accent. We also seemed to have friends in common in NYC as well. His dedication to the industry and his passion for “getting it right” with the details and numbers helped so many agents shine when the clouds were the darkest. Always used to look forward to the monthly Market Update – was always nice to hear a familiar voice. He will be missed!
Thank you Steve for helping to build my confidence as a Realtor. You were a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. You will be missed! My deepest condolences to your family and friends.
My deepest condolences to the family and team of Keeping Current Matters. Steve helped build my confidence and creditability as a real estate agent. I am forever grateful for the impact he made on my career.