DartAppraisal.com, a provider of nationwide residential real estate valuations, has announced their integration to FirstClose, a service of First Lender's Data Inc. (FLDI). Based in Austin, Texas, FLDI provides cutting-edge technology solutions to mortgage lenders nationwide.Read more

Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation announced that it has more than doubled its mortgage sales in New England in 2009, becoming one of the largest mortgage lenders in the region. Mortgage loan volume for the company's New England offices grew from $295 million in 2008 to $720 million in 2009, a 244 percent increase. Fairway is now ranked 28th in mortgage loan volume in Massachusetts, up from 76th in 2008, just two years after opening its first Massachusetts branch in February of 2006.Read more

There’s a new sheriff in town. It’s about time and none too soon! These folks mean business! The U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) is determined to move forward with strong actions to reduce defaults and claims that are dragging down the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage insurance program. Guided by the firm resolve of its new HUD Secretary, Shaun Donovan, and FHA Commissioner, David H. Stevens, new ways and means are being implemented to put FHA’s future on a much stronger foundation.Read more

AllRegs, a publisher of guidelines for the mortgage industry, and FICO, a provider of analytics and decision management technology, have introduced a new FICO National Certification program: the Certified FICO Professional (FICO Pro). This program is designed to recognize individuals who have a strong understanding of FICO scores and how the FICO score impacts both the lender and the consumer.Read more

AllRegs, an information provider for the mortgage lending industry, has announced the approval of four continuing education courses by the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System & Registry (NMLS). These new NMLS course approvals follow the approval of AllRegs’ Pre-Licensing course, the 20-Hour Mortgage Originator SAFE Comprehensive (Course Number 1013), on Aug. 17, 2009. AllRegs became an Approved Education Provider (#1400024) by the NMLS on July 7, 2009.

The following AllRegs courses have been approved for continuing education:Read more

Specialized Asset Management LLC , a provider of asset marketing and disposition services to mortgage lenders, servicers and investors, has announced that it has partnered with RealtyTrac, an online foreclosure marketplace for default, auction and bank-owned REOs. The partnership gives additional market exposure for foreclosed property listings provided by Specialized Asset Management LLC, displaying them prominently to RealtyTrac’s three million unique monthly visitors.Read more

PartnerFirst LLC has announced a partnership with ServiceLink where both companies have combined resources to provide a "one-stop shop" solution to national mortgage servicers and homeowners through the ServiceLink Short Sale Agent Network. ServiceLink's clients can confidently refer defaulting homeowners to select a certified real estate agent from the Short Sale Agent Network to help them streamline the short sale process.Read more

Recently I participated in a Murder Mystery weekend at a bed and breakfast lodge. Every guest was a given a role to play. There were eight suspects; each of whom had one or more of the following: Means, Opportunity and Motive. Having the Means and Opportunity was very important, but having the right Motivation was the key to solving the puzzle. We interviewed the suspects, collected clues, then presented who we thought was the killer and why. It was great fun, but I failed to figure out who done it. I was very logical and surmised that a suspect with a monetary motive was the one.Read more

Advantage Systems, a provider of accounting and contract management tools for the mortgage and real estate industries, announced that it posted record sales in 2009, surpassing its previous highest sales year of 2006 by six percent. The sales figure represents a 28 percent increase over 2008. The company cites increased sales of the Web-Based Branch Reporting Tool within its Accounting for Mortgage Bankers (AMB) system as a strong driver of the growth.Read more

I’m sure you’ve heard that incredulous gasp or moment of silence on the other end of the phone when you tell someone that they might benefit by considering an interest-only adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM). It’s as if the very mention of an interest-only ARM places you in a category of being, “One of THOSE”—a big bad mortgage broker who singlehandedly caused the whole housing, financial and economic crisis.

So, I have two questions for you:Read more