A new module available from Fiserv, Inc., LoanServ: LoanLink, gives lenders the ability to offer borrowers the option to access their loan information, including loss mitigation options, via an Apple app. Consumers can update their loan information in real-time via the Internet or iPhone or iPad application, and retrieve such details as payoff requests, payment histories, and information about loan modifications and other options for borrowers struggling to make their mortgage payments.

For the first time in six months, home sales in the 54 U.S. markets surveyed by RE/MAX are greater than one year ago, the company said in its newly released January housing report. RE/MAX says the year-over-year sales difference has improved for three consecutive months now with several cities experiencing double digit growth to lead the trend. Home prices, however, were 4.6 percent lower than in January 2010.

Default Resource, a provider of REO management, valuation, and loss mitigation services, has entered into a strategic partnership with Mortgage Specialists International (MSI) that allows Default Resource to add property preservation and hazard insurance claims to its list of services. MSI is a national property preservation, field services, and hazard claims provider that offers customized services while maintaining compliance with HUD or other investor and agency regulations.

Dallas-based Wingspan Portfolio Advisors, which specializes in severely delinquent loans and managing foreclosure alternatives to reduce loss severity, offers proof of the demand for special servicing outsources with its recent company growth announcement. The company, which began operations in 2008 with a small group of former GSE and servicing executives, reached 300 employees this month.

InHouse Inc., a California-based appraisal management company and provider of appraiser management technology for banks, lenders, servicers, credit unions, and other mortgage originators, now offers technology to manage multiple broker price opinion (BPO) vendors, including BPO companies, appraisers, and individual real estate agents and brokers, via its Connexions appraisal management system.

CoreLogic, a California-based provider of information, analytics, and business services, announced a new property report, the Listing and Market Activity Report, on Tuesday. The new report combines Multiple Listing Service (MLS) data with data from the CoreLogic public record database to provide a property's value, statistics on home price changes, foreclosure rates and ratios, as well as REO, foreclosure, and short sale indicators.

Three of the top five lenders use Point In Time for retro income verification, according to Equifax. Point In Time, a service that validates and documents a borrower's employment and income at the point of loan funding, is provided by Equifax's the Work Number, the largest source for employer employment and income verifications.

Stewart Lender Services, a nationwide provider of centralized origination, loss mitigation, and REO asset solutions for mortgage lenders and servicers, has announced three key partnerships that will allow the company to expand its service offerings. Stewart is collaborating with Inglet Blair, LLC, Spectrum Field Services, and Field Asset Services.

BrokerPriceOpinion.com, a California-based provider of customized valuation solutions, now provides a new online repair cost estimator with its broker price opinion (BPO) services. The tool, available as an add-on to the BPO, generates repair estimates for REOs, short sales, and other properties. It covers interior and exterior repair cost and maintenance estimates and complies with new GSE and interagency valuation requirements.

DecisionReady, a provider of default servicing compliance solutions, released a pre-foreclosure review module for the DecisionReady Compliance Suite on its cloud-based technology platform this week. Operating like a compliance quality control checklist, the pre-foreclosure review module enables servicers to ensure they meet the requirements for reviewing a delinquent mortgage loan.