First American Valuation and Property Solutions, the Dallas-based branch of First American Corporation that provides residential property valuations, inspections, and preservation services, announced on Tuesday the availability of a new Property Listing Verification report.

Jacksonville, Florida-based Lender Processing Services (LPS) says foreclosure starts have increased to their second highest level since the company began keeping records in 1992. LPS released its June Mortgage Monitor Report last week, which provides mortgage industry performance indicators based on data collected as of May 31.

Five more regional banks – two in California, two in Georgia, and one in Minnesota – were closed by regulators on Friday. These latest failures bring the total number of shuttered financial institutions in 2009 to 45.

Government officials joined forces with local leaders in Miami on Friday to kick off a nationwide campaign to promote the federal Making Home Affordable program and the options available to struggling homeowners.

The mortgage default law firm of Potestivo & Associates P.C., based in Rochester Hills, Michigan, announced last week that the firm exceeded its fund-raising goal for the American Cancer Society’s signature event, Relay for Life.

David Keaton has been hired as a regional representative for Trust Title Company, a national provider of title and settlement services. In this position, Keaton will be responsible for building and managing Trust Title’s relationships with Central Floridian financial services firms to expand the services and support available for their residential, commercial, and construction loan portfolios.

Phoenix-area Realtor Jason Hall has launched a new Online Home Bidding service that he says will make selling real estate in the foreclosure-ravaged metro easier. The portal allows potential homebuyers to seek out Phoenix properties – including foreclosures and bank owned properties – from anywhere that has an Internet connection, submit a bid of interest, and then start taking the steps to buy a home.

A new Indiana law, set to take effect July 1, requires mortgage lenders and servicers to provide homeowners facing foreclosure in the state with a pre-suit notice at least 30 days before a foreclosure action is filed.

Realtors are becoming increasingly vocal about the implementation of the new Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC) by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) sent a letter , on behalf of its 1.

Miami Heat basketball star Dwyane Wade and retired Heat center Alonzo Mourning harnessed their celebrity influence Thursday to raise awareness of the foreclosure crisis in Miami and the affordable, certified resources available to struggling homeowners.