Lake Mary, Florida’s JVI Appraisal Division, LLC, a nationwide provider of appraisals and valuations of foreclosed properties, has been awarded a contract with the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) to perform appraisal services for the government.

The Five Star Default Servicing Conference and Expo announced Friday that RES.NET will be the event’s hosting sponsor. RES.NET, headquartered in Lake Forest, California, is the provider of a comprehensive workflow management system for asset managers, brokers, and other mortgage and real estate professionals.

The New York Federal Reserve Bank purchased $33.15 billion in mortgage-backed securities (MBS) from government agencies this week. Total MBS purchases since the Fed program began in early January now stands at $270 billion.

Martin, Leigh, Laws & Fritzlen, P.C. announced its selection, for the second year in a row, as one of Kansas City’s Top 10 Small Businesses of the Year by the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.

Real property research provider RedVision announced on Friday that it has acquired New York’s Real Property Technologies, LLC, parent company of Barretta Realty Skyline:http://www.brsonline.

The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) announced last week that a recent survey it conducted signals hope on the horizon for struggling homeowners facing foreclosure. The activist group said it surveyed all major mortgage servicing companies in the nation, and has found that at least 76 percent of outstanding mortgage loans are serviced by companies who have committed to implementing the Obama administration’s Making Home Affordable loan modification program.

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner testified before the House Financial Services Committee again on Thursday, pleading his case for an upheaval in financial regulation and expanded authority over a wider scope of financial institutions.

The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) laid off 20 of its staff members this week. The cuts include some VPs and are from the group’s business units dealing with government affairs, membership, education, and marketing.

Robert J. Hopp & Associates, LLC (RJHA), a regional provider of legal, default, disposition, and title services, announced Wednesday that it is expanding its presence with the opening of an office in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Interest rates for both 30-year and 15-year fixed rate mortgages (FRMs) hit another record low this week, according to the Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) released on Thursday by Freddie Mac. The GSE said that for the week ending March 26, 2009, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.