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from August and 6.9 percent from a year earlier, Moody's national all-property composite revealed. The composite's components consist of the apartment and core commercial sectors, which saw monthly increases of 1.3 percent and 1.5 percent, respectively. Year-over-year, apartment and core commercial posted gains of 10.4 percent and 5.6 percent, respectively. Within the core commercial component, retail and suburban office sectors saw prices fall by about 2 percent from a year earlier. Compared to the January 2010 trough, commercial real estate prices were 28 percent higher, but they remain 21.8 percent below the December 2007 peak. The apartment sector has managed to come closer to its peak and stands 12.2 percent away from the December 2007 level, while core commercial is 25.2 percent below its December 2007 value. The apartment sector also sits 43.1 percent above its January 2010 trough. Boston led with the biggest yearly price gain out of six major metro areas measured by Moody's. There, commercial real estate prices were up 10.4 percent. New York came closest to catching Boston's lead among the other metros , with commercial prices up 8 percent over the 12-month period. Manhattan's 16.3 percent yearly gain brought up New York's overall average. Boston was also ahead of other metros for its proximity in reaching its peak. The metro sat just 1 percent below its December 2007 level. Washington, D.C. was 5.7 percent away from its peak value, and New York 7.5 percent. Los Angeles has a longer road ahead at 22.9 percent below its peak. The September assessments are based on Moody's/RCA Commercial Property Price Indices, which measure price changes in U.S. commercial real estate based on completed sales of the same commercial properties over time. STAT INSIGHT 11 The rank of Boston, Cambridge, and Quincy, Massachusetts, three of the lowest performing major metro markets. Source: Clear Capital 142 Michigan rank: 37 90+ Day Delinquency Rate Foreclosure Rate october 2012 2.73% Unemployment Rate 1.66% 9.1% year ago 3.22% 2.62% 9.9% percent point change -15.0% -36.5% -8.1% Top County BranCh CounTy 90+ Day Delinquency Rate october 2012 2.38% Foreclosure Rate 2.67% year ago 3.02% 4.22% percent point change -21.2% -36.7% Top Core-Based Statistical area ColdwaTer, MI 90+ Day Delinquency Rate Foreclosure Rate october 2012 2.38% 2.67% year ago 3.02% 4.22% percent point change -21.2% "Shortcuts like robo-signing are just one piece of the mortgage foreclosure crisis," Schuette said. "Our investigation remains ongoing, and we will bring to justice every lawbreaker we find." Arrangements were made for Brown to surrender to Michigan authorities. Earlier in November 2012, Brown agreed to a plea deal in Missouri over the company's robo-signing practices. She also pleaded guilty in a Florida court to a charge of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. Her sentencing date has not been set in that case. -36.7% note: The 90+ Day delinquecy rate is the percentage of outstanding mortgage loans that are 90plus days delinquent. The foreclosure rate is the percentage of outstanding mortgage loans currently in foreclosure. State rank is based on the October 2012 foreclosure rate. All figures are rounded to the nearest decimal. The unemployment rate reflects preliminary October 2012 figures released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. All other data courtesy of Lender Processing Services. IN THE NEWS Michigan AG Files Felony Charge Against Ex-President of DocX Lorraine Brown's legal drama continued in November 2012 as Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette announced the filing of a felony charge against the former DocX president. Brown had been charged with one count of conducting criminal enterprises (racketeering) for her alleged role in authorizing the fraudulent signing of mortgage documents filed in the state. The felony charge carried a penalty of up to 20 years in prison. According to a release from Schuette's office, the attorney general launched an investigation after county officials across Michigan reported suspicions of forgery after a 60 Minutes broadcast revealed the name "Linda Green" had been signed on thousands of mortgage documents in several styles of handwriting. Officials reviewed their files and found similar documents. Trott Named Recipient of USFN Award Trott & Trott, P.C. (Trott) was named a recipient of USFN's 2012 Diamond Award of Excellence. The Award of Excellence program recognizes USFN member firms that develop and maintain high industry standards for clients and their communities. "Our team is comprised of dedicated individuals who continually strive to exceed the goals and standards set not only by our firm, but also by our industry and community," said Trott managing partner Jeffrey Raff. "To have those efforts recognized with this prestigious award for the fifteenth consecutive year is truly an honor." Trott is a Michigan-based law firm that serves the mortgage banking industry. WAC Seeks to Go Paperless Through Software Solutions As of November 2012, Woodward Asset Capital (WAC) is aiming to go as paperless as possible through the use of software solutions the company is creating. WAC is adopting a variation of the same technologies used for OfferSubmission and VerifiedShortSale to create software for the real estate industry. Both technology solutions were created to prevent fraud and speed transactions. The cloud-based solutions WAC is developing targets relocation companies, real estate brokerages, REO to rental investors, builders, and other similar entities. The software will allow users to negotiate sales, guide transactions, ensure compliance, and reduce risk digitally and virtually.