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FROM OUR DESK default servicing | in print and online Spring Fever Every spring, like clockwork, the weather warms and people begin to thaw out from the harsh, cold winter. As people begin to venture out and explore, they may notice something different. Fewer homes are on the market and more people are gunning for the ones that are available, driving home prices higher and leaving some to wonder if REOs are disappearing. That thought is not a reach of the imagination. An improving economy and a growing, albeit slowly, labor market is giving some Americans the confidence to re-enter the housing market; the improving default servicing industry—especially in the realm of technology—is making it easier for home purchases to be processed quickly and with fewer errors. For this reason, we have devoted this month's issue to exploring default servicing in the digital age. DS News is committed to highlighting the companies that are leading the way with innovative ideas and state-of-the-art advances that are pushing the industry into unchartered territory. With efficiency and accuracy being the primary goal of the industry, the trend is to move toward consolidating processes—which is why the seven companies featured in this month's "Special Section: Decoding Default Technology" are spotlighted. We also take a look at the role e-Notes play in issues related to foreclosures and how valuations play out in the context of REO strategies—both topics to help advance your business and your bottom line. Few know the true fate of REOs, but this month we have two agents weigh in on what they're seeing day in and day out in the field. What are you seeing in your business? We want to know if you agree, disagree, or if there's more to the story. Share your experiences with us at Editor@dsnews.com, and be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook and keep up with the latest industry headlines through our new and improved mobile site. We're in a period of renaissance, in both the country and within the Five Star Institute (FSI) organization. FSI is celebrating 10 years of serving the mortgage and housing industries and we want you to join us at this year's Five Star Conference in September as we commemorate the past 10 years and plant the seeds for another decade of growth— Growing Forward Together. Visit FiveStarConference.com for more information and to reserve your place at the biggest and most beneficial conference in the industry. From the DS News Editorial Team 2 for me rly PUBLISHER vol. ii no. iv magazine Mark Hulme EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Carrie Bay MANAGING EDITOR Ashley R. Harris DSNEWS.COM EDITOR DSNEWS.COM VIDEO EDITOR STAFF WRITER CONTRIBUTING WRITERS COPY EDITORS EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD DESIGN ADVERTISING DS NEWS BLACK BOOK AND LEGAL LEAGUE 100 SOCIAL MEDIA Esther Cho Jordan Funderburk Tory Barringer Keith Button, G. Stephen Caravajal Jr., Rochelle Jones, Sandra Lane, Dave Larsen Heather Hill, Alison Rich, Cassie Smith, Emily White Youree Gerald B. Alt, LOGS Network Amy Crews Cutts, PhD, Equifax Steven Horne, Wingspan Portfolio Advisors Jeffrey Jaffee, CitiMortgage Rick Sharga, Carrington Mortgage Holdings David A. Trott, Esq.,Trott & Trott P.C. Jonathon Won Andi Zimmerman: 214.525.6700 Jason Myers: 214.525.6760 Thomas Griffin: 214.525.6754 Ryan McLemore: 214.525.6723 Robyn Clayton: 214.525.6716 David Hoierman: 214.525.6728 Kelli Snowgren: 214.525.6786 Melissa Martin CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER Mark Hulme PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Ed Delgado CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER John Harrison EVP OF CLIENT RELATIONS & STRATEGY Chris McCormick DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING MARKETING DESIGN Ernest Gillespie Matt Hulme Sean Walker Jason Stone Jonathon Won PRODUCTION Daniel Meeks TECHNOLOGY Brandon Shangraw ECONOMIST Mark Lieberman Follow DSNewsDaily on No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. ©2012 REO Publishing LLC All Rights Reserved This publication is intended to provide accurate, authoritative, and detailed information in regard to the subject matter covered. All written materials are disseminated with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal advice or other professional services. Under no circumstance should the information contained herein be relied upon as legal advice as it is designed to be a source of information only. strongly encourages the use of qualified attorneys or other qualified experts with regard to the subject matter covered. does not guarantee the accuracy of the information and is not liable for any damages, losses, or other detriment that may result from the use of these materials.

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