Servicing

The share of seriously underwater homes increased quarterly for the first time since 2012, according to housing data firm RealtyTrac.

Stock Yards Bancorp in Louisville, Ky., reported much better-than-expected earnings in the first quarter one the strength of higher mortgage revenue and net interest income.

As banks have largely ceded the market for government-backed loans to nonbank lenders and servicers, it's fallen on Ginnie Mae to be sure that these nonbanks can meet their obligations to bondholders. It's a huge concern for President Ted Tozer, who says the company does not have the resources or manpower to examine these firms' finances.

Some mortgage-bond investors are criticizing a change in Freddie Mac debt that increases the risk of loss from homeowners who can't afford their loans.

distressed loans, foreclosure, Fitch Ratings, Residential Mortgage Market Index

The largest single-family home landlords plan to raise their rents as much as 5.7% this year as they shift focus from buying properties to boosting their bottom lines.

Federal regulators fined mortgage servicer Green Tree Servicing $63 million in penalties and restitution on Tuesday, alleging that it mistreated borrowers at risk of foreclosure and failed to honor modifications of loans transferred from other servicers.

The message being telegraphed is consistent: lenders have been on notice to upgrade compliance and strict adherence is now expected.

Real estate agents' satisfaction with lenders and the underwriting process is rising as distressed home sales decrease, according to the latest survey from the California Association of Realtors.

New Jersey's Atlantic County led U.S. metropolitan areas in foreclosures during the first quarter of 2015, according to new data.