Data and information management

A steep drop in refinances and declining purchase activity are taking a toll on Federal Housing Administration endorsements.

This follows a near 2% negative return in 2Q13, according to LifeComps.

The top aides have worked for Wells Fargo and the Center for Responsible Lending.

Small lenders have cut over 14,000 employees since June.

Americans flush with cash as they regain equity in their homes are spending more after years of pinching pennies.

Applications for HECMs jumped 100% in September.

The foreclosure inventory as of November 2013 is made up of 812,000 homes.

Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae investment vehicles averaged returns of about -1% to -3% over the course of the year when Federal Reserve policy and long-term rate trends changed.

Rising house prices are making it easier for second-lien borrowers to refinance.

Through December, 31% of residential properties in the foreclosure process now have some equity.

Competition is likely to heat up given that companies show more optimism about their individual production than that of the market as a whole, a Mortgage Bankers Association survey shows.

Ability to repay should not have an effect on activity going forward although the qualified mortgage rule will.

U.S. consumers have greater optimism in accessing mortgage credit at the end of 2013 to acquire a home compared to a year ago.

Thomas H. Lee Partners owns 35% of each of Black Knight’s operating units.

Borrowers have been generally in a rush to refinance during the holidays. This year, there has been no such impetus.

Another one-third will think 6% will be the point where the market will turn.

Buyers are rushing into the New York market after a jump in mortgage rates since May, heightening competition for properties at a time when supply is dwindling.

Limited supply, waning affordability and the decline in investor purchases continue to constrain home buying activity in Clark County, Nev.

This type of single-family real estate investment recovered from a slight decline the prior month and rose nearly 2% in November, according to the Census Bureau.

The low-coupon mortgage servicing rights have a 70%-plus California concentration and a Colorado concentration just under 30%, according to MountainView Servicing Group.