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Author Archives: Samantha Guzman

Samantha Guzman is an award-winning visual journalist and graduate of the University of North Texas Mayborn School of Journalism. She specializes in visual storytelling and has skills in video, audio and photography, in addition to news writing. She has traveled to Mexico and Bosnia as an assistant for multiple multimedia projects and taught news writing, photojournalism, and narrative storytelling in the past.

FHA to Take Mortgage Appraisals Online in 2016

The Electronic Appraisal Delivery(EAD) portal for FHA insured single family will be used to provide information necessary for mortgagees to prepare for delivering both forward and reverse origination appraisals, HUD announced through a mortgage letter. Mortgage lenders will be required to use the web-based platform for mortgagee submissions of FHA appraisal data and reports for case numbers assigned on and after June 27, 2016.

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Survey: More Homebuyers Want Energy-Efficient Homes

An NAHB survey of single-family home builders revealed that nearly 25 percent of builders installed alternative energy-producing equipment in new construction. This includes geothermal heat pumps and photovoltaic solar panels. The current 30-percent tax credit available for homeowners who install this equipment is set to expire at the end of 2016, which makes this a good time for interested buyers to consider purchases.

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Auction.com Revises March Real Estate Nowcast

Based on the latest Google Trends data and updated housing market data tracked by Auction.com – which together indicate a shift in March home sales – the adjusted Auction.com Nowcast projections are slightly higher than those released on March 24. The original nowcast called for a range between 4.83 and 5.12 million, with a targeted number of 4.97 million.

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RoundPoint MSR Purchases Continue to Grow

RoundPoint began building its co-issue desk in 2013 and began acquiring MSRs via the co-issue desk in mid-2013 in order to capitalize on opportunity presented by low interest rates and attractive returns on servicing rights, according to the announcement. The MSR purchase data was taken from a recent analysis of the company's MSR purchase history.

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Bank of America Launches Center to Help Homebuyers

Customers can search a database of more than 1,300 down payment and closing cost assistance programs when they visit the Bank of America Down Payment Resource Center. Customers can also learn how to use down payment and closing cost programs in combination with first mortgage loans to make homebuying more affordable when they visit the center. They can also get information to help them prepare for purchasing a home and speak with Bank of America mortgage specialist to explore other possible options.

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HELOCs Increase 15.8 Percent Year-Over-Year

In 2014, more than $120 billion worth of HELOCs were originated, which is a 21.5 percent year-over-year increase. In addition, more than 1.2 million new HELOCs were opened in 2014, a 15.8 percent increase from the year before. These represent six year highs for HELOC originations.

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Mortgage Banks, Subsidiaries Report Loss in Fourth Quarter

Average production volume was $417 million per company in the fourth quarter of 2014, down from $437 million per company in the third quarter of 2014, but up from $367 million per company in the fourth quarter of 2013. The volume by count per company averaged 1,769 loans in the fourth quarter of 2014, down from 1,901 loans in the third quarter of 2014 but up from 1,641 loans in the fourth quarter of 2013.

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CFPB Releases New ToolKit

CFPB

The toolkit was developed as a part of the CFPB’s “Know Before You Owe” mortgage initiative and helps consumers take full advantage of the new Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure forms that lenders are required to begin providing in August.

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Home Prices Rise in 20 U.S. Cities

Both the 10-City and 20-City composites saw gains in January compared to December. The 10-City composite gained 4.4 percent, up from 4.3 percent seen in December. Data released today for January 2015 show that home prices continued their rise across the country over the last 12 months. However, monthly data reveal slowing increases and seasonal weakness.

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Bank of America to Use Video Mortgage Bankers

Bank of America began installing automated teller machines with video screens two years ago and began testing screens in some of its branches three years ago. The bank’s use of video to interact with customers is in contrast to some of its big-bank peers, who are taking a wait-and-see approach to the technology.

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