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Issue link: http://digital.dsnews.com/i/149153
» SURVEY FINDS 57.5% OF U.S. HOUSING UNITS OWNEROCCUPIED According to the IMI report, a total of 255 metro areas made the list for July, down from 263 in June. The index improved for seven straight months before declining in April and May, only to turn around again at the start of summer. To qualify for the index, a market must have shown improvement (from its trough) in housing permits, home prices, and employment for at least six straight months. While July's report showed a decline month-over-month, the number of markets to make the index was more than triple that of July 2012. "This is the sixth straight month in which at least 70 percent of all U.S. metros have qualified for the Improving Markets Index," said Rick Judson, NAHB chairman. "The relative stability of the IMI is representative of the broad recovery under way, which is much more extensive than what we were looking at one year ago." July's index included markets across 49 states and the District of Columbia. Six new markets qualified for the list: Cumberland, Maryland; Saginaw, Michigan; Olympia, Washington; Kingston, New York; and Farmington and Las Cruces, both in New Mexico. Meanwhile, 14 metros were dropped. According to David Crowe, NAHB's chief economist, "Based on recent trends in home prices, housing permits, and employment, the outlook for a continued housing expansion remains very positive for the remainder of 2013." STAT INSIGHT 19% Share of homes sold in March 2013 that went to investors. Source: Lender Processing Services MOVERS & SHAKERS VISIT US ONLINE @ DSNEWS.COM CONTINUED FROM PAGE 40 Stewart Lender Services Hires Strategic Relations Manager Stewart Lender Services (SLS) announced the appointment of Jessica Thorne as SVP and strategic relationship manager. Prior to joining the company, Thorne served as a client relations manager for real estate law firms and later as a director of national default marketing. In her new job at SLS, she will develop and grow strategic relationships with the firm's clients. Dykema Announces Senior Counsel and Director Appointments Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced that Luke Sosnicki has joined its Los Angeles office as senior counsel. Sosnicki has extensive experience defending banks and servicers in both individual and class action lawsuits across the United States. He comes to Dykema from Nationstar Mortgage, where he served as VP and assistant legal counsel, managing hundreds of lawsuits alleging various lending violations, origination fraud, and loan servicing errors. Dykema also named Haydn J. Richards as director of its Financial Industry Group. Richards is currently a member of Dykema's Financial Services Regulatory Compliance practice in its Washington, D.C., office. His practice focuses on advising members of the financial services industry on regulatory issues on both the federal and state level. Williams & Williams Hires Director to Lead New Real Estate Advisory Real estate auction company Williams & Williams recently launched a worldwide real estate advisory. The auction firm also announced the hiring of Frank Diliberto as executive managing director to lead the global advisory and handle commercial real estate sales. Previously, Diliberto was chairman of AuctionPoint Advisory and managing director at KPMG Corporate Finance. Kozeny McCubbin & Katz Announces Promotion Kozeny McCubbin & Katz, LLP, announced Sabita Hajaree-Ramsaran, Esq., who has been with the firm for more than four years, was promoted to senior associate attorney. Hajaree-Ramsaran's experience includes 10-plus years of practice in the area of real estate and bankruptcy law, primarily in the area of foreclosure. She is a graduate of Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center. Texas MBA Elects New President, Announces Service Award Recipient The Texas Mortgage Bankers Association (TMBA) announced the election of Susan Stewart as president for 2013–2014. Stewart is the president and CEO of SWBC Mortgage Corporation. Under her leadership, the company has grown from a small, local banker into a full-service lender serving borrowers throughout the United States. The TMBA also announced Calvin C. Mann Jr. was honored with the 2013 Larry E. Temple Distinguished Service Award. Mann, who has practiced real estate law in Texas since 1973, is a partner at Black, Mann & Graham, LLP. Currently, he is an affiliate member of the Houston Mortgage Bankers Association and affiliate member of and former director of the TMBA. Field Asset Services Announces Four Executive Promotions Field Asset Services, a national provider of inspection, pre-foreclosure, post-foreclosure, and other support services to the mortgage servicing industry and residential housing investors, recently announced management promotions for four employees. Keenan Hogge moved up to become VP of inspections. Hogge, who joined Field Asset Services in 2005, will lead the fast-growing inspections segment of the company. Jesse Randall was promoted to VP of vendor administration. Randall first worked with Field Asset Services from 2007 to 2011 and eventually returned at the beginning of 2013. Since rejoining the company, Randall has taken on additional responsibilities and most recently moved to vendor administration with oversight of relocation services. Matt Steinauer was appointed VP of business development. Steinauer, who joined Field Asset Services in 2011, came to the company with 20 years of sales and marketing experience under his belt. He spearheaded many initiatives that led to the growth and development of key partnerships for Field Asset Services. Dean Dresser gained a spot as SVP and corporate controller. Dresser joined Field Asset Services in 2012 and brings 25 years of financial and operations experience to the company. He has previously held roles as chief accounting officer, VP of finance, and corporate controller for both public and private companies in the energy, security, high-technology, telecommunications, and manufacturing industries. Field Asset Services, headquartered in Texas, is a subsidiary of FirstService Corporation and services more than $10.8 billion in residential assets on behalf of its clients. The company works with 30 mortgage and asset management clients nationwide, servicing more than 130,000 active properties on a recurring basis. 43