Servicing

After reaching 100 in May, the list of metropolitan areas with improving housing markets fell to 89 in June, according to the National Association of Home Builders/First American Improving Market Index. While the number of metros on the index dropped, a closer look shows high volatility, not a straightforward decline in improving markets. About half of last month's improving markets ├â┬ó├óÔÇÜ┬¼├óÔé¼┼ô 52 metros ├â┬ó├óÔÇÜ┬¼├óÔé¼┼ô maintained their improving status in June. The other 48 metros listed as improving markets in May fell off the list.

Boasting 40 acres of land, full equestrian facilities, and six guest houses, the La Quinta, California, estate once belonging to Merv Griffin is now on the market for $9.5 million.

Multifamily and commercial lender, CWCapital, has added a new senior vice president. The company recently announced the addition of David A.Burt as CWCapital's SVP within its small balance, multifamily program.

The national housing market recovery is ├â┬ó├óÔÇÜ┬¼├àÔÇ£in full swing,├â┬ó├óÔÇÜ┬¼├é┬Ø according to the June edition of RE/MAX├â┬ó├óÔÇÜ┬¼├óÔÇ×┬ós National Housing Report. The report, released Monday, revealed that May saw increases in both home sales and house median home price for 42 of the 53 surveyed metropolitan markets. For the fourth consecutive month, the RE/MAX report found an overall increase in median home price across the country. In May, the national median home price was $166,500, a 6.1 percent increase year-over-year, RE/MAX said.

Seeking to align the company's name with its expanded portfolio of valuation management services, Coester Appraisal Group has announced its new corporate title, CoesterVMS.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency, conservator of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, has issued a proposed rule that would prohibit the GSEs from purchasing loans affected by the Property Assessed Clean Energy program. PACE is a local government initiative designed to help homeowners finance energy-efficient and renewable energy projects for their homes. FHFA's proposed rule is open for comment for 45 days from its date of publication, June 15. PACE financing for energy-efficient projects is available in 18 states and the District of Columbia.

HUD rescinded guidance Friday that would have obligated homeowners to resolve debts outstanding of $1,000 or more or enter into a repayment plan by closing time for a mortgage backed by the Federal Housing Administration. Guidance from February required that lenders with homeowners in dispute of credit accounts or collections in that amount resolve or pay down the debt in order to meet eligibility criteria for a FHA-insured loan. That policy would have gone into effect by July 1, although earlier guidance remains.

California-based CoreLogic will move forward with nominating three new board members to bolster its company directorship. The appointment of new board candidates follows CoreLogic's spring announcement that it would seek new members, and the company has selected Douglas C. Dorman, and Jaynie Miller Studenmund to stand for election.

Celebrity enclave, Malibu, California is losing a famous resident. Jim Carrey has listed his 2,866-square-foot estate in the star-studded Malibu Colony neighborhood for $13.95 million.

Canadian-based commercial real estate company Avison Young is bolstering leadership in the company's New York office. Finance expert David Eyzenberg has been added as a principal for Avison Young, and he will focus on raising capital and providing investment banking services for the company's clients.