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Elm Street Technology (EST), who offers a portfolio of real estate technology and marketing services companies for agents, teams, and brokerages, recently announced the acquisition of Consolidated Knowledge, a technology platform provider to the residential real estate and multi-family industries. EST aims to offer a single technology solution for lead generation. The acquisition is the next step in EST’s ongoing efforts to consolidate the real estate industry’s leading technology and marketing service providers.

Due to a shortage of licensed and certified appraisers, major national financial regulatory agencies have issued an advisory to help reduce delays in the consideration of loan applications in rural communities. Since loans cannot be executed without appraisals, the advisory outlines two options to remedy the problem. The FDIC has suggested that states issue temporary practice permits and engage in reciprocity, or that effected institutions submit a request temporary waivers to set aside licensing requirements.

Nearly a decade after the housing crisis in 2008 and the passing of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act in 2010, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will soon be required by law to examine the Ability-to-Repay/Qualified Mortgage Rule and assess the rule’s effectiveness. With the housing market having bounced back since the crash, will some of the rule’s guidelines be amended? What could this mean for borrowers and mortgage professionals?

Semper Capital, a independent investment management firm, believes that the Credit Risk Transfer market continues to be a compelling investment vehicle. Following the mortgage crisis, the Federal Housing Finance Agency has mandated a number of changes affecting the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs), reducing the risk of losses that the GSEs may pose to taxpayers. Semper believes that the CRT market remains well supported and the collateral and structural benefits are high.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency has conducted its monthly interest rate survey for 4,437 loans closed during the last five business days in April across 17 lenders, and has reported a decline by 14 to 15 basis points across all mortgage interest rates. The average loan amount has also seen a slight drop of $1,100 after experiencing a spike in March. And while average loan amounts fluctuate from one month to the next, interest rates have been dropping since February.

HouseCanary has integrated their appraisal software into a mobile application. HouseCanary Appraiser now allows appraisers to use the software without relying on web browsers. Appraisers can write reports from start-to-finish on site and cut down on time and costs.

One lawsuit has begat another in California. Ocwen Financial Corp. has alleged that the monitor appointed to review its business practices in the wake of a mortgage servicing settlement ran through an almost $45 million budget in half the time and with half the work. Ocwen alleges that Fidelity Information Services overbilled and charged for improper expenses, including associate trips to casinos and strip clubs.

The Maryland legislature has passed House Bill 26 (HB26) that amends the foreclosure notice provisions contained in Maryland Real Property Article 7-105.2. The legislature in Annapolis also passed House Bill 1048 (HB1048), which adds a new registration component to the Maryland foreclosure process. Once it becomes effective, the law will require the property to be registered with the states’ Department of Labor and Licensing Regulation within seven days of docketing the case.

As third-party vendors continue to be an extension of the servicer, it’s imperative that a servicer selects a lender-placed insurance vendor that operates as a partner. There are various elements that should be considered when evaluating a lender-placed insurance partner, one of which is technology. Vendors that can effectively leverage technology can efficiently meet the changing needs and evolving regulations of the mortgage servicing industry. A vendor’s commitment to technology can ensure that servicers remain in compliance.

As the technology conversation in the mortgage industry heats up, many companies are attempting to meet industry demands and adopt streamlined industry processes. Today’s companies are driven by creativity and innovation and are fostered by client success. DS News spoke to James Vinci, VP and Chief Technology Officer at Equator, about what mortgage professionals can learn from other industries and what technology trends are having the most impact today.