Fannie Mae released its September book of business, revealing further declines as new acquisitions came to their lowest level in more than a year. The GSE's book of business totaled $3.163 trillion as of the end of September, shrinking at a compound annual rate of 1.3 percent. The company's single-family serious delinquency rate slipped to 2.55 percent.

Home price gains continued at a strong pace in September despite recent warnings of an impending slowdown, CoreLogic reported Tuesday. The company recorded a 12 percent annual gain among all property types, including distressed sales, and a five-year appreciation rate of 3.4 percent. September marked the 19th consecutive month CoreLogic has reported an annual increase in national home prices.

Joseph Cuomo, SVP and director of business development for online real estate marketplace Auction.com, has been recognized by Real Estate Forum magazine as one of the commercial real estate industry's Top 45 Under 40. Cuomo was celebrated in the magazine's October issue as one of the rising superstars of commercial real estate.

PCV Murcor, a real estate valuations provider, announced the launch of ValuationsDirect, an online appraisal ordering platform designed specifically for mortgage brokers and correspondents. Appraisal reports ordered through the new platform are sent to local appraisers who have specific expertise in their markets and come with a certificate of appraiser independence.

Sabal Financial Group, L.P., a privately held diversified financial services firm that specializes in real estate, lending, and banking, appointed Marguerite Brogan as managing director. From her post in New York, Brogan will manage Sabal's business development efforts and assist with its commercial real estate loan transaction services businesses.

Senate Republicans blocked a vote on the nomination of Rep. Melvin Watt to head up the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Watt's proponents say the former real estate lawyer would support greater consumer protections and assistance for homeowners. Critics say acting director Edward DeMarco has dutifully protected taxpayers, pursued policies that promote a healthy housing economy, and should get the nod for the director's spot.

After taking a break in the summer, home price growth got back up to strength in September, according to statistics reported by DataQuick in the company's Property Intelligence Report. DataQuick reported price growth ""resumed at a rapid rate in September and spread to all"" of its 42 reporting counties on a monthly, quarterly, and yearly basis. Other metrics, such as sales, weakened, however.

Wingspan Portfolio Advisors, a diversified mortgage services company operating in Dallas, was named for the second straight year in Inc. Magazine's Hire Power Awards, a list of the top 100 businesses in America for job creation. Having earned the No. 65 spot in the 2012 inaugural list, Wingspan's ranking moved up to No. 5, making it the highest ranking company in the financial services sector this year.

Ally Financial is the fifth bank to reach a settlement with the federal government over soured mortgage bonds sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac prior to the housing and foreclosure crisis. The bank announced Tuesday that it settled the 2011 lawsuit brought by the Federal Housing Finance Agency over toxic mortgages. Ally also reached a separate settlement with the FDIC to resolve pending litigation related to the company's legacy mortgage dealings.

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday released the latest Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) statement as it wrapped up another two-day, closed-door meeting. The sentiment among FOMC members was generally cautious concerning the U.S. economy and its continuing headwinds. With a near-unanimous vote, the committee decided not to change the pace of its $85 billion-per-month asset purchase program but left open the possibility of a taper in the future.