News

Radian Guaranty Inc., the mortgage insurance (MI) subsidiary of Radian Group, announced the availability of additional training and resources to help lenders comply with the new Qualified Mortgage (QM) rule that went into effect on January 10. Radian's 45-minute webinars discuss how QM impacts MI and the company's QM-compliant product options.

The veteran-, minority-, and woman-owned default services law firm founded by Marisol Morales, Esq., recently announced its expansion into Puerto Rico and a name change from Morales Law Group, PA, to Millennium Partners. The firm says the new name better reflects its expanded market reach and growth in staff.

A new survey from New York's Federal Reserve Bank polls a rotating panel of approximately 1,200 household heads to measure consumer expectations regarding a number of key indicators. This week, officials released their first report detailing the survey results. Expectations for home price gains and income growth were down slightly, but consumers were optimistic about credit access.

ValuTrac, a software solutions company catering to the appraisal management and mortgage lending industry, hired Hank Pruett as VP of sales. Pruett has nearly 25 years' experience in appraisal management, title issues, and client relations and is knowledgeable in all types of appraisals, both residential and commercial. [COLUMN_BREAK] knowledgeable in all types of appraisals, both residential and commercial.

Home equity loans and lines of credit are on the rise, as delinquencies continue to plummet across the nation, according to recent research from Black Knight Financial Services. The data and analytics division of Black Knight Financial Services--formerly the LPS Data & Analytics division--released its November Mortgage Monitor Report, which found that total delinquencies are at extremely low levels in every product category.

When a homeowner is unable to make their mortgage payments or owes more on the home than it's worth, a short sale can be a viable option that avoids the negative implications of a foreclosure for both the homeowner and the mortgage-holder. However, common perceptions of short sales as difficult, lengthy, restricted to specific circumstances, and harmful to personal credit cause many to shy away from the option.

Credit Plus, a mortgage information company with headquarters in Maryland, announced it has expanded its Undisclosed Debt Verifications service to offer updates from all three credit bureaus.

The national field services company AIM Your Way, LLC/America's InfoMart, Inc., welcomed two industry veterans to its executive management team. Anthony Golden has been named president and Todd Pawlinski was brought on as EVP of operations.

Rosenberg & Associates, LLC, added two new attorneys to its ranks--Caroline Fields and Tracy Leyba. Both are recent graduates of the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law and admitted to practice law in the state of Maryland.

Nearly 23,000 permanent loan mods were completed under the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) in November, according to the U.S. Treasury, bringing the total count of active HAMP mods to just over 922,000. Treasury officials also touted the government's Second Lien Modification Program (2MP), pointing out that more than 123,000 second liens have been modified, saving homeowners a median of $153 a month.