Houston-based mortgage banking firm Envoy Mortgage has recruited Andrew Pettola to serve as regional VP for the Northeast, according to an announcement.

In an opinion released Monday, U.S. District Judge Rosemary Collyer said Attorney General Eric Schneiderman didn't present substantial evidence that Wells Fargo—one of five major servicers that originally entered into the deal with 49 state attorneys general—neglected its servicing obligations under the terms of the settlement.

In its most recent Home Price Index (HPI) release, CoreLogic reported that prices advanced 5.0 percent nationwide in December compared to the same month in 2013. The estimate includes REO transactions and short sales.

Loosening mortgage standards in the last few months failed to spur demand from borrowers, according to responses in the Federal Reserve's latest Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey. Jibing with another recent survey from Fannie Mae, larger banks were about twice as likely to report easier standards in any given category as smaller institutions.

Included in the president's newest budget is $49.3 billion set aside for HUD, a $4 billion increase over last year. In a call with reporters, HUD Deputy Secretary Nani Coloretti explained that much of the budget will be used to undo some of the cuts made as the department experienced budget restraints as a result of sequestration.

Opus Capital Markets Consultants, LLC (Opus CMC), has added to its due diligence expertise with the appointment of longtime mortgage veteran William Shuey as director of securitization.

Using data from multiple listing services in markets throughout the state, the Texas Association of Realtors reported Monday that single-family home sales statewide totaled 66,664 last quarter, an 8.46 percent increase from the same period in 2013.

The Commerce Department said Monday that construction spending rose 0.4 percent month-over-month throughout December to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $982.1 billion. November's spending rate was revised slightly upward to a seasonally adjusted $978.6 billion, still reflecting a decline from the month prior.

In findings released Monday, Bankrate.com revealed that out of 1,000 adults polled last month, more than three in five would prefer to own a home instead of renting, even if mortgage rates jump by more than a full percentage point above their current level. As of last week, Bankrate's measure for the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 3.80 percent.

Property data firm CoreLogic reported that both the sources and frequency of mortgage fraud have transitioned from an alarming level after the crisis to a more "normal" state. There is one exception, however: Home equity lines of credit (HELOCs), which have seen fraud risk rise along with demand for loans over the past year and a half.