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Author Archives: Colin Robins

Colin Robins is the online editor for DSNews.com. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Texas A&M University and a Master of Arts from the University of Texas, Dallas. Additionally, he contributes to the MReport, DS News' sister site.

National Appraisal Congress Launches, First Chairman Named

The Five Star Institute announced Monday the formation of the National Appraisal Congress (NAC). In response to a developing need for thought leadership and the promotion of best practices and execution, the NAC will serve as a collection of subject matter experts to foster collaboration in the real estate appraisal industry.

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What’s Keeping Borrowers from Refinancing?

A new commentary from Fannie Mae attempts to address a perplexing question: With mortgage rates down steadily in the last several years and greater opportunity for significant savings, why have so many borrowers elected not to refinance?

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$2.7B Ocwen-Wells Fargo Deal Halted Indefinitely

Ocwen Financial Corporation announced Thursday that plans to purchase the mortgage servicing rights of a portfolio worth $39 billion from Wells Fargo Bank have been halted by the New York Department of Financial Services (NY DFS). The Atlanta-based business serves as a financial services holding company. The transaction has been halted indefinitely, and any timeline for the completion of the deal remains undecided.

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NAHB Leading Market Index Edges Higher in February

The National Association of Home Builders released new figures from their Leading Markets Index (LMI), revealing 58 out of approximately 350 metro areas have either returned to or exceeded their last normal levels of economic and housing activity. The index’s nationwide score registered at .87, meaning economic and housing activity is running at 87 percent of normal levels.

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New App Looks to Hasten Short Sale Process

ShortSave, Inc., announced Tuesday a new application aimed at shortening the time for a one-lien short sale or loan modification transaction. The average short sale takes 165 days, a time period ShortSave anticipates being able to cut to a paltry 36 days. The application is projected to save a non-performing note investor $1,200-1,800 in lost interest on an average loan.

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Has the Tech Boom Impacted Home Prices?

While "tech hub" metros have experienced elevated price gains compared to the rest of the nation, a recent analysis from Trulia chief economist Jed Kolko argues that the two may have little to do with one another. Rather, tech hubs "had steeper price declines during the bust and have fewer homes stuck in foreclosure today–and both of those factors are driving the current price rebound."

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Connecticut Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Mortgage Scam

The Office of the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIGTARP) announced Tuesday that Robert Ilunga, of Naugatuck, Connecticut, was sentenced last Friday to 18 months in federal prison for operating a multimillion-dollar mortgage fraud scheme. Ilunga will serve three years of supervised release upon his release from prison.

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