Origination

Carlyle Group has spent about $2.5 billion betting on the U.S. housing recovery since late 2008.

The members of the Mortgage Insurance Cos. of America wrote $10.5 billion in primary new insurance in January, down approximately 2% from $10.7 billion in December, but more than double the almost $5 billion written in January 2012.

Data show the distressed asset inventory is dwindling down simultaneously, opening the way to a sustainable housing recovery and gradually closing what appears to be a window of opportunity in short sales.

Freddie Mac posted earnings of $4.5 billion in the fourth quarter, up from $2.9 billion the prior quarter, and completed its first profitable year since 2007.

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

Sen. Robert Menendez has proposed a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage reform bill in response to the Federal Housing Administration’s efforts to get a better handle over its reverse mortgage program.

Reporting a $387 million fourth-quarter loss did not deter investors from flocking to the mortgage insurer's stock.

CommonWealth REIT has priced its controversial 30 million share public offering at $19 per share. Meanwhile, a second lawsuit has been filed by another investor seeking to stop the sale.

It would appear that a real estate salesperson selling a home to a buyer that refers the buyer to a particular loan originator or creditor (lender) or a loan originator that works for the lender and expects compensation becomes a loan originator.

Discontinued operations lead to Impac having a net loss of $3.4 million for 2012, compared with net earnings of $3.2 million in 2011.