Technology

The National Association of Realtors sent out a national survey in July, 2013 to buyers and sellers who made a transaction at some point in the last year. Among other findings, the survey showed increased use of online resources throughout the process. The first step in the process for 42 percent of buyers was searching online for properties. Use of the Internet to search for homes rose slightly to 92 percent. Eighty-eight percent of buyers purchased their home through an agent or broker--a share that has steadily increased from 69 percent in 2001.

Optimal Blue, a cloud-based services provider headquartered in the Dallas area, announced its acquisition of LoanSifter, Inc., a leading provider of product eligibility and pricing, point-of-sale, and marketing solutions for lenders.

Ginnie Mae, a government corporation focused on ensuring liquidity to support mortgage lending, announced the start of the first phase in its initiative to modernize its securitization platform. The plan kicked off with the release of four new systems applications for issuers: Request for Pool Numbers, Request for Commitment Authority, Submission of Master Agreements for Certification and Recertification, and Request Transfer of Issuer Responsibility.

As the industry moves further and further toward eMortgage and paperless initiatives, a new survey shows compliance demands are having the greatest impact in the shift to tech-powered solutions.

In Colorado, LenderLive Network Inc. announced the implementation of Adeptive Software's ResWare Platform to leverage the automate workflow in the company's Settlement Services division.

DataQuick, a real estate information solutions firm headquartered in San Diego, announced it has expanded its Standard Recorder layout to provide a more comprehensive view of properties and transactions.

Reverse mortgage software provider ReverseVision has a new client: Universal Lending Corporation (ULC), a Denver-based lender with more than three decades of experience in the business.

LoanSifter, a Wisconsin-based company specializing in technology for loan originators and secondary departments, is hosting two industry panels this week to address concerns and strategies revolving around the soon-to-be-implemented qualified mortgage (QM) rule.

In Massachusetts, Pro Teck Valuation Services introduced Appraisal Desktop with Inspection (ADI), a new hybrid appraisal product for home equity and second mortgage lending.

QuestSoft Corp., an automated mortgage compliance software provider, has been recognized as one of Orange County's top workplaces.