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"Servicers and investors need a reliable source of comprehensive loan-level data to create operational efficiencies and manage risk," said Herb Blecher, director of loan data products at LPS Applied Analytics. "McDash loan data and supplemental modules allow users to choose the most relevant data to help them achieve the results they want." Overall, both modules give mortgage professionals access to more data fields, support due diligence, manage risk, and make operational tasks more efficient. Based in Jacksonville, Florida, LPS delivers technology solutions and services, as well as data and analytics, to the nation's top mortgage lenders, servicers, and investors. Demand in Florida Continues to Push Up Sales, Prices Florida's housing market was hot to end the summer, according to housing data released by Florida Realtors. As national home sales and prices showed mixed results for September, Florida's market posted higher sales, higher pending sales, higher median prices, and a slightly down inventory for the month of October. Statewide closed sales of existing singlefamily homes totaled 15,643 in September, up 2 percent year-over-year. Meanwhile, pending sales rose 40.1 percent in the same period to 21,368. The statewide median sales price for single-family homes was $145,000 in September, up 7.4 percent from a year ago. "Florida's real estate market is no longer in recovery mode—stability and growth gain solid footing," said Summer Greene, regional manager of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Florida 1st and 2012 president of Florida Realtors. "Realtors across the state are reporting consistent increases in home sales and median prices, and multiple offers from buyers isn't unusual." In fact, Greene said, increasing buyer demand is creating inventory shortages in some local markets, putting more upward pressure on prices. Inventory on singlefamily homes stood at a 5.2 months' supply, slightly down from the 5.5 months that makes up a balanced market. "For sellers who may have been reluctant to enter the market, it's now time to reconsider. Conditions are turning to a seller's market," Greene said. 104 Dr. John Tuccillo, chief economist for Florida Realtors, said the market shift should spur buyers to action, as well. "The onward march of Florida's housing market continues," Tuccillo said. "Inventories have now tilted to the point where we truly have a seller's market forming. Prices are up smartly and have been for quite a while. It's getting to the point where Florida is the place to buy, but it may soon move out of reach for many households." Meanwhile, sales of townhomes-condos fell slightly year-over-year, coming in at 7,329 (-2.9 percent). Pending sales increased, however, rising 30.6 percent to 9,965. The statewide median price for townhouse-condo properties was $105,736, an increase of 18.8 percent over September 2011. CMC Forms Alliance with Secure Settlements Capital Markets Cooperative (CMC) announced the formation of a strategic alliance with Secure Settlements Inc., an independent evaluation and risk management firm based in New Jersey. CMC, which is based in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, provides services to reduce risk and maximize profits for mortgage bankers. Through the agreement, Secure Settlements will offer CMC members its third-party closing agent risk management program under special terms for members and their agents. The agreement took effect October 1. "CMC members will benefit from this partnership because Secure Settlements' program allows them to outsource closing agent vetting and monitoring while gaining access to the company's database of cleared agents and its 45,000-person watch list, the most comprehensive in the industry," said Andrew Liput, president and CEO of Secure Settlements. Tom Millon, president and CEO of CMC, also explained benefits from the partnership. "With the CFPB and other regulators expecting more proactive third-party vendor management, partnering with Secure Settlements will give our members comfort knowing they will be relying on a trusted source for the complete data needed to make intelligent choices about closing agents— before a wire is sent," he said. Georgia rank: 30 90+ Day Delinquency Rate Foreclosure Rate september 2012 4.10% Unemployment Rate 2.43% 9.0% year ago 4.42% 2.94% 9.8% percent point change -7.1% -17.3% -8.2% Top County ClayTon CounTy 90+ Day Delinquency Rate september 2012 Foreclosure Rate 9.21% 4.80% year ago 9.23% 5.22% percent point change -0.2% -8.0% Top Core-Based Statistical area ThomaSTon, Ga 90+ Day Delinquency Rate Foreclosure Rate september 2012 5.97% 3.86% year ago 5.39% 3.09% percent point change 10.8% 24.6% 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 September 2012 foreclosure rate. All figures are rounded to the nearest decimal. The unemployment rate reflects preliminary September 2012 figures released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. All other data courtesy of Lender Processing Services. Georgia Nancie Lyons Realty NANCIE LYONS c: 828.361.0003 www.nancielyons.com nancie@nancielyons.com MEMBER STAT INSIGHT -7% Annual decline in foreclosure filings in Georgia. Source: RealtyTrac