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The number of housing markets across the country showing lasting improvement expanded by leaps and bounds in November, according to a report from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The NAHB/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI) showed 125 markets demonstrating consistent improvement, up from the previous record high of 103 in October.

Real estate technology provider a la mode, inc. announced that its Mercury Network service will waive all fees related to gathering disaster reports in areas impacted by Hurricane Sandy. According to a company release, in the aftermath of Sandy, orders for disaster inspection reports from lenders increased more than 200 times the normal level.

Equifax Inc. announced that Jeff Dodge, VP of investor relations, will be representing the company throughout November at several conferences.

Bank of Commerce Mortgage (BOCM) announced the addition of Jay Kunkle to the company's Newport Beach branch. Kunkle will serve as a senior mortgage advisor for the branch. A Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist, he brings more than 20 years of mortgage lending experience to BOCM.

Home prices in September posted their biggest yearly gain in more than 6 years, but prices also displayed a typical seasonal slowdown and fell month-over-month, according to the Home Price Index (HPI) report from CoreLogic. Including distressed sales, the report showed home prices moved higher by 5 percent from September 2011, the seventh straight month of yearly increases and the biggest annual gain since July 2006. From August to September, prices decreased by 0.3 percent.

A turnaround in housing helped drive Freddie Mac to a $2.9 billion profit in the third quarter, the GSE reported.

Fewer people are being kept out of the housing market because of the economic climate, according to a national survey by FindLaw.com.

Arizona-based Integra Group Real Estate LLC is rolling out a new program for investors seeking to tap into the U.S. housing market. Providing "education, guidance, and opportunities" for investing in the current real estate environment, the company has announced the launch of the Integra Group Multi-Family Home Investors Initiative.

Equifax Inc. announced Kent E. Mast will be retiring as corporate VP and chief legal officer after a successful 45-year career. Stepping up to fill Mast's role is John J. Kelley III.

The FDIC added two more banks to this year's failed bank list Friday, bringing the total year-to-date to 49. The two shuttered banks were located in Illinois and Florida, each marking the eighth bank in their state to close this year.