Servicing

One of the biggest challenges for lenders trying to unload distressed real estate is to do so without pushing prices even lower. Foreclosed homes already sell at steep discounts-sometimes trailing market values by as much as 30 percent.

If you're looking for the next megabank to exit the mortgage sector the most likely candidate would be Ally Financial, the government owned bank holding company that controls No. 5 ranked servicer GMAC Mortgage/Residential Capital Corp.

Private-label residential mortgage securitizations continue to be relatively scarce, but the market keeps coming up with creative ways to issue them from time-to-time that are worth noting as investors continue to hunger for yield.

A Fitch Ratings pre-sale report is out on the first commercial mortgage-backed security backed by non- and sub-performing assets to come to market in over a decade.

There were more cures than new notices of default in February for the nation's private mortgage insurers, continuing a trend of recent years, according to data compiled from members of the Mortgage Insurance Cos. of America.

A pilot program can be devised to show principal reduction is a cost-effective way to keep underwater Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac borrowers in their homes and prevent strategic defaults, according to a new report by a research group.

A key piece of case law supporting defaulted borrowers' fight against Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems Inc. was vacated Wednesday, after a federal judge ruled that a New York-based bankruptcy judge overstepped his authority when he issued a scathing opinion of the private loan registry.

A New York-based real estate fund manager that currently handles more than $2 billion of assets has expanded its business operations by opening new offices in Fort Myers, Fla.

I occasionally get invitations to speak at mortgage industry events (in addition to chairing our own SourceMedia conferences). My reaction is always bifurcated. On the one hand I'm always flattered people think my outlook on the business is worth listening to. On the other hand I'm always worried I will say something exquisitely stupid.

Investors ramped up their purchases of single-family homes last year to a level not seen since 2007 -- and only half of those buyers financed the purchase. Almost half (49%) paid cash, according to a new report from the National Association of Realtors.