Strict underwriting standards and tighter credit conditions for mortgages are leading more borrowers to turn to friends and family for loans to help fund home purchases. But both borrowers and lenders both can run afoul of tax, legal and other complications if these personal loans aren’t structured properly.

A slim majority of Americans want the federal government to do more to help homeowners with troubled mortgages, according to a recent survey conducted by Yahoo Real Estate.

The nation's top five ranked residential funders, as a group, are continuing to lose production market share, but most of that loss can be attributed to one firm: Bank of America, which is deemphasizing mortgages.

Average weekly mortgage rates continued their "How low can they go?" trend in Freddie Mac's primary market survey, declining slightly to another round of record lows.

RealtyTrac said foreclosure filings reached the lowest level in four years, as there were nearly 1.9 million default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions nationwide in 2011.

The real estate industry's data standards organization embarks on a new chapter as a standalone group.

Real estate agents and brokers should evaluate the portals where they place their home listings to maximize their effectiveness, said Spencer Rascoff, the CEO of home listing portal and mortgage rate search marketplace Zillow.

Rob Katz, Ellie Mae's executive vice president of product strategy, resigned last week, for personal reasons.

Despite projections that national home prices will increase slightly in 2012, Clear Capital said figures are still going to be near levels not seen in over a decade.

Freddie Mac is making it easier for investors to track the performance and credit quality of its multifamily mortgage-backed securities known as 'K Certificates.'

Many mortgage industry observers believe the HARP 2.0 program will contribute greatly to loan origination volumes in 2012. The question for many originators is where do we find consumers who are eligible for the program under the expanded criteria?

Wipro Gallagher Solutions has redefined its fulfillment offerings to meet the demands of loan originators and servicers for middle and top-tier lenders.

It's a distinction that doesn't portray the mortgage business in a very good light. But it's a milestone nonetheless: The national Loan Modification Scam Database has now collected more than 20,000 complaints.

Fitch's U.S. commercial mortgage-backed securities report shows 2011 ending with another decrease in delinquencies during December, but notes that office delinquencies are continuing on an upward trajectory.

The trend toward fewer loans becoming delinquent appears to have halted momentarily, according to the latest mortgage monitor report released by Lender Processing Services.

Strong refinancing activity spurred mortgage companies to add new loan officers and processors to their payrolls in November for the second consecutive month.

Delinquencies on home equity lines of credit rose a scant 2 basis points in the third quarter to 1.93%, according to new figures compiled by the American Bankers Association.

Only 5% of Americans surveyed in a Harris Poll said they plan to refinance their mortgage this year, while just 1% said they expect to take out a home equity line of credit.

In 2011, technology tools were crucial for lenders and servicers to adapt to changing compliance demands, new trends in origination and servicing, as well as in the valuations and default arenas. And many industry players are expecting more of the same in 2012.

The MT Advisory Board discusses lender M&A, tech interests in 2012 and the effect of MERS on e-mortgages.