Data and information management

Even though the rates for the 30-year fixed-rate conforming mortgage rose to their highest level since November, application volume was up 11.7% for the week ended Jan. 4, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Prices for the commercial real estate loans that comprise mortgage-backed securities rose in November.

As the housing market goes, so goes the economy. Therefore credit unions located in some of the hardest-hit economic areas of the country should enjoy improved bottom lines this year.

U.K. house prices rose for a second month in December and will probably remain little changed in 2013 as the uncertain economic outlook constrains property demand.

Of the 100 largest metropolitan areas, 82 had an increase in asking prices on a year-over-year basis.

Friday’s job report shows mortgage brokers hired 1,200 new employees in November while other mortgage lenders trimmed their payrolls for the second straight month.

After months of steady ups and downs, the delinquency rate for commercial mortgage-backed security loans has finally hit a wall.

There was a 21.6% decline in mortgage application volume on a seasonally adjusted basis during the last two weeks of 2012 as refinancings during the week of Dec. 28 were at their lowest point since April.

Delinquency rates on second mortgages and home equity lines of credit have been rising this year.

The October residential shadow inventory level was 2.3 million units, representing a supply of seven months.

American Realty Capital-Retail Centers of America Inc. recently closed its acquisition of San Antonio-based San Pedro Crossing Shopping Center.

Sales of existing houses and condos in the Phoenix area rose to the highest level for a November in seven years.

The National Association of Realtors is looking ahead for another good year with sales rising 10% in 2013.

Sales of newly constructed homes jumped 4.4% in November after falling 3.5% in October.

The October Case-Shiller 20-city home price index shows prices edged down 0.1% in October from the month prior.

Freddie Mac purchased $62.5 billion in mortgage loans and securities in November, up 25% from the month prior.

Home prices in November increased by 2.2% over October and by 10.1% over November 2011.

Aggregate Ellie Mae loan origination system data show the percentage of conventional refinances with loan-to-value ratios of 95% or higher was at 9.62% in November, suggesting Home Affordable Refinance Program activity remains relatively strong.

Home values gained an estimated 6% in the U.S. this year, the first increase since 2006, as the housing market began to recover from its worst slump since the 1930s.

The seasonally adjusted House Price Index published by the Federal Housing Finance Agency shows prices rose 0.5% nationwide in October after a 0.2% increase in September.