Origination

Hope LoanPort announced the availability of free local housing counselor resources through its Homeowner Connect website. Additionally, the organization encourages homeowners impacted by Sandy to reach out to their insurance company, servicer, and to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). For homeowners wishing to discuss options such as forbearance with their servicer, Homeowner Connect provides a localized map of free, nonprofit housing counselors available to help.

In the first full week after the storm, initial claims shot up 78,000 to 439,000--the highest level since April 2011--for the week ending November 10, the Labor Department reported Thursday. Economists expected 376,000 initial claims filings.

Redfin announced that as of mid-November, it has saved customers more than $100 million in real estate fees and reached more than $8 billion in home sales. According to Redfin, customers have saved more than $25 million on fees in 2012 alone. The company also boasts a satisfaction rate of 97 percent.

The holiday season has arrived, and for potential homebuyers hoping to celebrate winter in high style, a recently listed home in Aspen, Colorado, gives those seeking luxury properties the opportunity to own - or rent - the good life. Located in the tony Starwood area, the 13,500-square-foot estate is on the market for $18.5 million, but the owners are cashing in on Aspen's busiest time of year, also offering the home for rent at $90,000 per month.

WFG National Title Insurance Company is bolstering its leadership line up, recently adding a new company VP. Announcing the appointment of Rick Diamond, WFG is gaining a new VP of information technology for agency operations.

More than 95 percent of borrowers who refinanced in this year's third quarter selected a fixed-rate loan, according to data from Freddie Mac.

Zillow, Inc., a leading real estate information marketplace based in Seattle, Washington, announced that 33 additional real estate brokerages have signed on to participate in Zillow Pro for Brokers. In total, the number of participating brokerages is at 48.

The landscape of homeownership has undergone significant changes in recent years: The homeownership rate has declined, but so has the cost burden of owning a home. Both of these trends are most prevalent among young homeowners, according to a recent report from Fannie Mae. The national homeownership rate has declined in each of the past four years, according to the most recent Census data. The decline among those 25 to 44 years of age is more than twice the overall decline.

Overall customer satisfaction with mortgage lenders is at its highest level in six years, according to a study released by J.D. Power and Associates. The firm's 2012 U.S. Primary Mortgage Origination Satisfaction Study showed customer satisfaction reached 761 (on a 1,000 point scale) in 2012, up from 747 in 2011. According to the findings, overall satisfaction received a boost from "steady improvements related to transparency and communication" over the past few years.

RE/MAX announced the launch of its RE/MAX Commercial website, the standalone site dedicated to data-rich commercial real estate listings, investor information, and other resources.