Veros, a provider of collateral valuation technology, enterprise risk management, and predictive analytics, recently released a white paper titled ""Interagency Appraisal & Evaluation Guidelines: Insights into Understanding and Integrating the New Guidance."" The white paper seeks to clarify the expanded language in the guidelines issued by federal regulators last December.

Despite a decline in California home sales last year, the number of homes sold in the Golden State for $1 million or more in 2010 rose for the first time since 2005, according to a study from San Diego-based DataQuick Information Systems. Million-dollar sales peaked in 2005 at 54,773 and then declined each year through 2009. In 2010, 22,529 homes sold for $1 million or more in California, a 21 percent increase from 18,621 in 2009. The most expensive confirmed purchase last year was a Bel Air residence for $50 million.

Stewart Title Guaranty Company is bringing together its independent title agencies in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont with the formation of the Northern New England Agency Services District. The move is expected to optimize efficiency and strengthen service and support to title agencies in the region.

Prommis Solutions, LLC, a national provider of default processing services headquartered in Atlanta, has appointed Ed Hill as SVP of trustee services. Hill will provide executive leadership for Prommis subsidiaries Cal-Western Reconveyance Corporation, Reliable Posting & Publication Company, and Interface, Inc.

New Jersey-based Visionet Systems, a full-service mortgage consulting and business process outsourcing company, recently launched new outsourcing services to assist banks with loan buybacks. Currently, Visionet is aiding two of the top four U.S. banks in recovering a majority of mortgage repurchase requests from GSEs and private investors, according to a statement from the company.

Transwestern, one of the largest privately held commercial real estate and development firms in the country, honored its chosen ""Trendsetters of the Year"" at the company's annual TrendLines event in Washington, D.C., February 10. First Potomac Realty Trust's chairman and CEO, Douglas J. Donatelli, received the 2011 Private Sector Trendsetter of the Year, and NoMa Business Improvement District's president, Elizabeth Price, received the 2011 Public Sector Trendsetter of the Year.

HOPE LoanPort, a Web-based tool developed by HOPE NOW that streamlines loan modification applications on behalf of homeowners at-risk of foreclosure, and the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) will collaborate to promote fair housing for borrowers facing foreclosure. Through training and outreach focused on ending discrimination, the organizations hope to preserve homeownership in under-served communities.

Integrated Asset Services, LLC (IAS), a Denver-based provider of default management services and residential collateral valuations, has named John Burnett as its new COO. Burnett brings more than 18 years of process management experience in REO, valuation, foreclosure, bankruptcy, and loss mitigation to the firm.

McCalla Raymer, LLC, a provider of real estate and mortgage banking legal services headquartered in Georgia, has expanded its services to Florida, opening an office location in Orlando. McCalla Raymer specializes in bankruptcy, foreclosure, REO, and eviction services throughout Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. The firm handles commercial and residential real estate and litigation matters for more than 350 clients.

DataQuick, a San Diego-based independent provider of real estate information, analysis, and solutions, recently launched a new Web site, Dataquick.com. According to a statement from the company, the site will ""better reflect the company's strengths, growing product lines, and presence online.""