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According to commentary from Daniel Dektar, chief investment officer at Smith Breeden Associates, all the fundamentals are in place for a housing upturn - if pent-up demand can actually translate into buyer interest.

CoreLogic is expanding its presence in Florida, recently announcing that the company has established technology partnerships with four of the state's real estate organizations. The Realtor groups will tap into CoreLogic's MLS Data Co-op to launch a multiple listing service (MLS) data sharing initiative.

Mortgage rates took a jump this week as markets await the fiscal drama to unfold in the next few months. According to Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey, the average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) was 3.40 (0.7 point) percent for the week ending January 10, up somewhat significantly from 3.34 percent in 2013's first survey. Bankrate reported similar results in its weekly survey, with the 30-year fixed average soaring to 3.67 percent--its highest level since September.

The number of construction job openings dropped 6,000 in November, and there were 11.5 available workers for each open construction job, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Thursday in its monthly Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey.

First time claims for unemployment insurance rose 4,000 to 371,000 for the week ended January 5, the Labor Department reported Thursday. Economists expected claims to drop to 362,000 from the prior week [IMAGE] The previous week├â┬ó├óÔÇÜ┬¼├óÔÇ×┬ós report was revised downward to 367,000 from the originally reported 372,000, the first time since April and advance report of claims was revised lower.

In November, the National Association of Realtors' Housing Affordability Index reached 198.2, up 1.5 points from a year ago. The association projects the index will achieve a record high of 194 for 2012. However, record high affordability doesn't necessarily translate into more homeowners, as "excessively tight underwriting precluded many would-be homebuyers from locking-in generational low interest rates," explained chief economist Lawrence Yun.

National Mortgage Insurance Corporation (National MI) is now approved to write mortgage insurance in 22 states, having recently gained approval in the key state of New York.

In Houston, Texas, Envoy Mortgage is enhancing its loan product offerings to start the new year. Currently operating mortgage retail branches in nearly every U.S. state, Envoy's customers will now have access to an expanded range of Federal Housing Administration (FHA) 203(k) mortgages.

A home with a Hollywood past has hit the market in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for $2.895 million. Built at the turn of the century, the property was made famous in the 1970s thanks to its connection to The Mary Tyler Moore Show, on which the house's exterior was featured as the main character's abode.

Class Appraisal and a la mode announced the launch of a customized plugin designed to reduce appraisal turn times and ensure high appraisal quality.