The number of bank-owned property sales in Connecticut has jumped significantly, according to The Warren Group, which provides real estate data for the entire New England region. The research firm said REOs represent nearly 6 percent of the state’s single-family home sales so far in 2009, compared to just 1 percent last year.

Applications for home purchases and mortgage refinances both declined last week, despite a 10 basis point decline in interest rates, according to the Weekly Applications Survey issued by the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) on Wednesday.

Freddie Mac’s total mortgage portfolio decreased at an annualized rate of 1.6 percent in May, while sister company Fannie Mae reported its portfolio grew by 35.1 percent. Freddie’s portfolio now stands at $823.

First American Valuation and Property Solutions, the Dallas-based branch of First American Corporation that provides residential property valuations, inspections, and preservation services, announced on Tuesday the availability of a new Property Listing Verification report.

The mortgage default servicing law firm of Martin, Leigh, Laws & Fritzlen, PC (MLL&F) and its subsidiary Mokan Title Services, LLC, both headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, recently announced that the companies presented a check in the amount of $5,000 to Harvesters Community Food Network, a local charity food bank.

Much controversy has surfaced regarding the role and effect of appraisal management companies (AMCs) in the wake of the GSEs’ new Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC). Just last week, lawmakers in the House introduced legislation that would suspend HVCC for 18 months, so that concerns over its effectiveness could be addressed.

Attorneys Michelle Garcia Gilbert and Amy McGrotty have launched a new law firm specializing in the areas of mortgage default, loss mitigation, real estate litigation, evictions, bankruptcy, and REO closings throughout the state of Florida.

Philadelphia-based Radian Guaranty Inc. , a provider of private mortgage insurance and related risk management products to lenders nationwide, has launched a new program that the company says will help borrowers qualify for traditional refinances on loans not currently serviced by their present lender – even with today’s declining home process and tighter lending standards.

Phoenix-area Realtor Jason Hall has launched a new Online Home Bidding service that he says will make selling real estate in the foreclosure-ravaged metro easier. The portal allows potential homebuyers to seek out Phoenix properties – including foreclosures and bank owned properties – from anywhere that has an Internet connection, submit a bid of interest, and then start taking the steps to buy a home.

David Keaton has been hired as a regional representative for Trust Title Company, a national provider of title and settlement services. In this position, Keaton will be responsible for building and managing Trust Title’s relationships with Central Floridian financial services firms to expand the services and support available for their residential, commercial, and construction loan portfolios.