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According to Zillow's second-quarter Real Estate Market Reports, the U.S. Zillow Home Value Index (HVI) rose to $161,100 as of the end of June--up 2.4 percent quarter-over-quarter and 5.8 percent year-over-year. The second quarter's increase was the largest annual gain since August 2006 and the largest quarterly gain since the fourth quarter of 2005--as well as the second-largest quarterly gain since 2004. Over the next 12 months, Zillow forecasts an additional 5 percent increase in home values.

LendingQB, a provider of end-to-end loan origination software (LOS), and DocuTech, a provider of enterprise-class compliant document preparation software, announces a partnership to integrate their platforms.

The American Land Title Association (ALTA) recognized three land title experts with National Title Professional (NTP) designations Monday.

According to data reported by Redfin agents operating in 19 U.S. markets, June sales were down 4.7 percent compared to May, though they were still 2.7 percent up year-over-year. Home prices, on the other hand, continued to climb, coming in 4.3 percent higher than May and 18.7 percent higher year-over-year. Every one of the markets tracked in Redfin's report saw prices rise both on a monthly and yearly basis. Inventory also posted another solid gain in June, rising 2.4 percent month-over-month.

Existing-home sales fell 1.2 percent in June to an annual sales rate of 5.08 million as the price of a single-family home rose 13.5 percent from a year earlier--the strongest year-over-year gain since November 2005, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported Monday. The drop in sales came despite an increase in April in NAR├â┬ó├óÔÇÜ┬¼├óÔÇ×┬ós Pending Home Sales Index, which tracks contracts for existing single-family homes. The index rose in April to 105.7 from 104.1 in March and fell in May.

Annual home price and sales gains continued their streak in June, increasing on a yearly basis for the 17th straight month, according to RE/MAX's monthly housing report.

GMH Mortgage Services, a nationally recognized mortgage banker headquartered in Pennsylvania, announced the addition of Brian Beale as associate VP of corporate recruiting.

In Dallas, Wingspan Portfolio Advisors brought on experienced mortgage vet Meredith McCrory as VP of strategic alliances.

Genworth's U.S. Mortgage Insurance (USMI) unit has been recognized by the National Association of Federal Credit Unions (NAFCU) for its efforts to educate companies on mortgage origination practices.

The First Title Radio Show debuted on May 31 and has aired seven episodes so far. In that time, host Doug Dennison--a radio, real estate, and government auction expert--has interviewed more than 15 real estate professionals, including representatives from Sperry Van Ness, Florida Keys Real Estate, Rowell Auctions, Inc., and the Five Star Institute.