News

In September, home prices improved in nearly all of the largest counties throughout the United States as tracked by DataQuick. According to the company's new Property Intelligence Report (PIR), home prices grew in 40 out of 42 counties month-over-month, while prices improved in all 42 counties from the previous quarter and over the last year. DataQuick suggested the PIR is displaying evidence the recovery in housing is underway, but the PIR found an uneven recovery, with some areas facing risk factors, such as high REO inventory.

LOGS Network, a consortium of default-related firms providing legal and outsourcing solutions for the residential mortgage and consumer credit industries, has added Janeway Law Firm, PC, to its network. Serving the entire state of Colorado, the newest member of LOGS is a full-service law firm and a member of the Fannie Mae retained attorney network.

Data from CoreLogic shows the nearly 284,000 properties at risk represent almost $88 billion. Based on early projections of Sandy's path, eight major metro areas in the Mid-Atlantic region--including New York, Philadelphia, and Boston--are at risk.

In September, foreclosure resales accounted for 19 percent of all homes that were resold, a decrease from 19.2 percent in August and 44.4 percent in September 2011. In March 2009, foreclosure resales peaked at 66.2 percent.

The FDIC closed another Pennsylvania institution, bringing the state's year-to-date tally to two and the national tally to 47.

A sharp drop in distressed sales is one of the main drivers behind the steady rise in home prices seen in certain areas throughout the country, according to the monthly Campbell/Inside Mortgage Finance HousingPulse survey. In September, the HousingPulse Distressed Property Index (DPI) hit a record low of 38.6 percent based on a three-month moving average. HousingPulse respondents reported major banks seem to be keeping many REO properties off the market this year, but suggested banks may look to release ""significant amounts"" of bank-owned properties next year, which could lead to lower home prices. When real estate agents were asked about the impact of the upcoming national elections, responses were mixed.

Consumer spending rose $87.9 billion, 0.8 percent, in September, twice the 0.4 percent growth in personal income, the Bureau of Economic Analysis reported Monday. While the increase in income matched economist expectations, the increase in spending was higher than the forecast. It was the third straight month spending grew faster than income.

Property types at the November 10 auction include commercial, multifamily, single-family residences, and condos. All properties are available for online bidding now until the auction date.

A massive mortgage fraud investigation led to 17 defendants being charged with crimes ranging from mortgage fraud to money laundering, according to a release from the Justice Department. The new indictment brings the total number of defendants to 81.

Ally Bank announced it has launched a ""process to explore strategic alternatives for its agency mortgage servicing rights (MSR) portfolio and its business lending operations."" The announcement signals another step in Ally's shift away from the housing market.