Michigan-based Trott & Trott, P.C., a law firm conducting residential default procedures and foreclosure avoidance solutions, announced this week that Michael Beach is the firm's newest litigation attorney in its recovery services department. Beach will concentrate on deficiency judgments.

Active Data Technologies Inc., a Florida-based creator of custom REO Web sites, released a statement this week announcing that the company recently completed a pilot REO offer management platform for Fannie Mae. The program, available through the GSE's HomePath Web site allows agents representing homebuyers or investors to submit offers online to purchase Fannie Mae-owned properties in three test markets: Orlando, Florida; San Diego, California; and Wayne County, Michigan.

Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson filed a lawsuit Monday against Meredian Financial Corporation, a California-based mortgage lender and broker. According to a statement from the attorney general, the lender charged Minnesota homeowners thousands of dollars in fees to refinance their mortgages, but the refinances did not happen. Swanson says Meredian targeted homeowners struggling in the troubled economy who were looking to get out of an adjustable-rate mortgage or lower their interest rate by refinancing.

DataQuick, an independent provider of real estate information, analysis, and solutions, now offers lenders and servicers access to Home Value Explorer (HVE) through the company's Collateral Validation solution. Access to this Freddie Mac automated valuation model (AVM) is part of DataQuick's collateral risk management platform.

As part of its crackdown on mortgage scams targeting homeowners facing foreclosure, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has charged a national operation with marketing bogus loan modification services. The complaint alleges that U.S. Mortgage Funding Inc., Debt Remedy Partners Inc., Lower My Debts.com LLC, and their principals mislead consumers to believe they are affiliated with or approved by consumers' lenders. They tell consumers not to contact their lenders and to stop making mortgage payments, claiming that falling behind on payments will demonstrate the consumers' hardship and need for a mortgage modification.

HomeFree-USA recently revealed its success in assisting struggling homeowners by using HOPE LoanPort, a Web-based system to submit home retention applications to mortgage servicers. HomeFree-USA, which oversees a network of 65 housing counseling agencies, endorses the HOPE LoanPort system for eliminating lost paperwork and reducing decision times on loan modification applications.

Collateral Analytics, a provider of automated valuation models (AVMs) and real estate analytic tools for the mortgage lending industry, and Valuation Partners, a national real estate valuations provider, recently announced a partnership venture. The move will improve Valuation Partners' current hybrid valuation solutions, according to a statement from the companies.

The U.S. real estate market today offers a stronger investment opportunity than it has in the last 10 years, according to the Association of Foreign Investors in Real Estate (AFIRE). The association's 19th annual survey, highlighting trends in international real estate investment, reveals that nearly 65 percent of respondents indicate the United States offers the best potential for capital appreciation. That's 54 percentage points over second-ranked China.

The California Association of Realtors (CAR) sought to bring attention to what the organization describes as the state's ""ineffective"" short sale process Thursday by placing an open letter advertisement in California's seven largest daily newspapers. The letter, signed by CAR president Beth L. Peerce, called on lenders and industry regulators to streamline and improve the short sale process.

Robert J. Hopp & Associates, a regional provider of legal, default, disposition, and title services, recently hired Cynthia A. Nierer, Esq., as a supervising attorney in the firm's New York office. Nierer was previously directing partner of the real estate closing and eviction departments at Rosicki, Rosicki & Associates, P.C.