From smartphones and tablets to social networking, technology infiltrated the way we live so immensely it is hard to imagine not having them constantly at our fingertips.

The demand for homeownership has always been a primary indicator of the state of the national economy.

Several industry solution providers have led the pack in advancing the quality and availability of mortgage data, analytics and compliance.

2013 is the year the housing market will see even stronger recovery.

The explosion in the number of REOs became a great way for investors and consumers to purchase properties for a steal.

Like bartenders and psychologists, distressed debt servicers spend the day listening to people’s problems.

Post-closing document management has taken on new importance in the mortgage industry, particularly in light of record foreclosure volume, the robo-signing scandal and subsequent regulations and scrutiny.

Code violations are a slippery slope. If not careful your property might descend into lien oblivion, racking up enormous fines that create unwanted risk for investors.

Servicers will soon be subject to new guidelines as well, as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalized rules in January of 2013 designed to establish a national servicing standard.

The relationship between appraisers and lenders can be counterproductive and costly if appraisers end up working with the wrong appraisal management company.

It is clear that throughout 2013, regulatory requirements will be at the forefront of technology, origination and service initiatives with a significant focus on nonbanks, community banks and credit unions scrambling to comply.

Like many other small business owners who survived the fiscal cliff fiasco, many small shops in the mortgage market are bracing for yet another government-induced crisis as early as mid-February when our national debt hits its ceiling.

Teaching struggling borrowers how to manage their finances creates value at numerous levels not only for the parties directly involved such as servicers.

It’s not easy being a residential property appraiser these days.

It’s no secret that many of our cities are financially strapped for cash as their expenses continue to outweigh their revenues year after year.However, declaring bankruptcy is not necessarily the answer.