The appraisal industry has seen many changes within the past few years, and with greater oversight and scrutiny coming from every direction—appraisers are under the microscope.

Mortgage rates for 30-year loans fell for a fifth week as stock market volatility and weaker-than-expected economic reports drove investors to the safety of the government bonds.

First American Financial Corp. signed a definitive agreement to acquire Interthinx for $155 million from its parent company, Verisk Analytics.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are not properly using a web portal developed to collect and screen appraisal information in order to minimize losses, according to an audit released Thursday.

The Federal Housing Administration's long-awaited decision to start accepting electronic signatures on mortgage documents will cut down on costs and streamline operations for banks and other mortgage lenders. But the industry still faces several hurdles before it can reap the benefits of this technology upgrade.

The contest, as it were, is not really over when the big game ends.

Mortgage applications volume increased 0.4% on a seasonally adjusted basis for the week ending Jan. 31, according to the MBA.

Black Knight Financial Services finished yearend loan processing on a record 41 million loans last month.

But the dollar volume of newly delinquent loans is $200 million more than in December.

A lender promises to be “ready to close" loans within 15 business days of receiving an appraisal—a far cry from where the mortgage industry once imagined it was heading.

Signs of a strong housing market are evident in Nassau and Suffolk County, N.Y., with foreclosure sales and months of available housing inventory both low.

But this group is also concerned about a lack of properties for sale and rising mortgage rates.

Refinances will make up just 38% of single-family originations this year—down from 60% in 2013 and 70% in 2012, according to Freddie Mac.

The sequestration and political wrangling last year meant fewer direct RHS mortgages last year, while the safety of the federal eagle on guaranteed loans appealed to lenders.

The positive trend will continue through 2016 as originations in those categories increase to $333 billion, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Nonbank mortgage lenders likely increased their market share during 4Q, KBW analysts say.

Foreclosure starts ended the year at the lowest level since April 2007 and pipelines are clearing in most states.

The slide in refinancing brings commitments to purchase new mortgages to its lowest level since June 2011.

Right now, there are contradictory messages between servicers of what is compliant. Utilizing technology can help servicers remain compliant to all of the industry regulation in effect today.

Alaska is the last on a very short list of states that have digitized 100% of their real estate and land inventories.