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Despite existing home transactions being low and recent construction activity remaining below normal levels, all 42 counties tracked by DataQuick reported an increase in property values.

Regulatory pressure is expected to be as strong as ever next year when mortgage lenders and servicers will test new waters in compliance implementation, process improvements and business strategies. Market veterans find regulatory compliance risks are higher almost in every area of the business.

Shrinking origination volumes and margins have reduced lenders’ training efforts, but they are willing to invest in programs and systems that ensure compliance or payoff.

Even though home price appreciation was up 5.2% on a yearly basis, it still is a much slower pace than the 7% figure that was seen over the summer.

Refinancings comprise less than 60% of loan volume in October.

Low inventories continue to support rising home values.

Following new legislation issued by the CFPB earlier in November, the mortgage industry’s voluntary standards organization has extended the comment period beyond yearend 2013.

Colonial Savings installed new mortgage software and consequently tripled loan volume, cut costs and improved compliance without reducing headcount.

Loan buybacks fall to the lowest level in 5 years with $1.8 billion in the third quarter.

The Department of Veterans Affairs guaranteed 629,300 single-family loans in FY 2013, while the Federal Housing Administration experienced a decline in purchase mortgage loans.

The combination of rapidly rising home prices along with strong demand from institutional investors and other cash buyers means short sales are becoming less favorable for lenders.

Planwise is sharing its Spring platform, which provides listing and tax data, with real estate sites to attract homebuyers.

Government shutdown cited as factor in October decline.

Most U.S. adults’ opinion of homeownership has failed to waver over the past five years even though the return to a normal housing market has been slow, according to a NeighborWorks America survey.

Kareem Serageldin marked up the collateralized debt obligations to meet targets and boost yearend bonuses for his $5.35 billion trading book, prosecutors claimed.

Readers can now comment on virtually all (and soon, all) content on National Mortgage News’ website. The first comments from readers prefigure some lively interactivity to come.

U.S. foreclosure inventory through October is at its lowest point since the end of 2008, LPS data reveal.

How many Mortgage Technology Conference attendees were on their mobile devices during a panel discussing the security challenges posed by mobile devices? A lot.

The Steve Fraser Visionary Award is a lifetime achievement award that honors the accomplishments of an outstanding mortgage technology innovator, visionary or evangelizer. Learn about this year's finalists and see who won the 2013 MT Award.