The new MLS real estate search engine recently launched by Cape Coral, Florida-based Askzenrealestate.com is creating a lot of hype. The company is best known for its real estate blog, which provides readers with information on the region's changing real estate market. Through the addition of its new search engine, the site's visitors can receive real-time, up-to-date MLS listings.

Cassidy Turley, a commercial real estate services firm, recently announced that Peter Ruggiero and Lisa Birrittieri have joined the company's capital markets investment services group. Ruggiero will serve as managing director of U.S. capital markets, and Birrittieri will assume the role of VP, U.S. capital markets for the firm.

As a result of regulatory reforms signed into law by Gov. Edward G. Rendell in 2008, the Pennsylvania Department of Banking increased enforcement activity in the mortgage industry in 2009. Last year, the department suspended 542 mortgage companies and professionals for violations such as failure to obtain bonding, inadequate supervision of employees, and not completing criminal background check and education requirements.

Lincoln Appraisal & Settlement Services, a national appraisal management and settlement services company headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, has expanded its nationwide client base. On Thursday, the company announced the addition of its newest client, InterBank Lending.

In the fourth quarter of 2009, California had the highest mortgage fraud risk, according to the latest fraud report from Interthinx, a provider of risk mitigation and regulatory compliance tools. California nudged Nevada into the No. 2 spot on the company's list. Arizona was third and Florida was fourth. Interthinx's study shows that the most common type of mortgage fraud these days relates to property valuation schemes involving short sales, REOs, wholesale flipping, and refinancing.

It is a well-known fact that job loss is often the trigger that sends many borrowers into default and down the road to foreclosure. However, according to the February 2010 Economic Outlook released Friday by Fannie Mae, prospects for employment gains are improving, and as a result, the housing outlook is hopeful.

Fannie Mae has approved four new mortgage insurers to provide mortgage insurance for conventional first mortgage loans, according to a lender letter released Thursday. Two of these mortgage insurers also received approval to do business with Freddie Mac.

Federal Realty Investment Trust, an equity real estate investment trust headquartered in Rockville, Maryland, recently promoted Dawn Becker to COO and EVP of the company. Becker, who has been with Federal Realty for 13 years, was hired in 1997 to provide deal structuring and legal guidance to support the company's acquisition efforts.

In an announcement Wednesday, the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae) said it guaranteed more than $38.1 billion in mortgage-backed securities in January. The corporation also said the single-family loans in Ginnie Mae-guaranteed securities that were 90-days or more delinquent fell to 2.

Wells Fargo & Co. announced Wednesday that as of January 31, 2010, it had 137,128 active trial and completed modifications in place under the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP). Of these, 17,652 were permanent modifications--double the number of permanent modifications reported as of the end of December, and 7,554 were permanent modifications pending completion.