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Nonfarm payrolls counted more than 80,000 new jobs for the economy over October, slashing the unemployment rate by a few percentage points but at a clip that analysts say will marginally improve an otherwise uncertain economic outlook. The Labor Department reported Friday that the jump to more than 100,000 new jobs over September - a facelift driven largely by a return to work by striking Verizon employees - slid back to new figures with few surprising numbers for several industries.

An October scorecard released Thursday by the Obama administration portrayed the housing market as one beset by mixed circumstances over September and the months before. A still-heavy foreclosure glut matched with declining home values and prices left the market slightly worse for the wear in some areas. The report measured up home prices, home sales, and refinance originations, finding declines for some and stabilization for others. A positive portrayal of efforts by the Obama administration also met with less favorable consumer sentiment.

REALTOR Magazine has announced this year's winners of the publication's Good Neighbor Awards program, targeting realtors whose commitment to community development sets them apart. Annually, REALTOR honors five individuals for their volunteer work and achievements in community improvement, and the magazine's elite list focuses on those in the real estate industry who stand out as key leaders in all aspects of their lives, both personal and professional.

Stewart Information Services Corp. (SISCO) is shaking up its corporate leadership, with the recent announcement that Matthew W. Morris will take over as the company's CEO. Replacing his father, Malcolm S. Morris, and his cousin, Stewart Morris, Jr., as co-CEOs for the entity, Matt is being promoted from an executive role within SISCO.

After inching forward in the last few weeks, mortgage rates again plummeted on fresh concerns about the euro zone crisis, with rates dropping to 4.00 percent, the second-lowest reading for Freddie Mac. The GSE released a weekly survey alongside finance Web site Bankrate. Freddie reported the 30-year loan falling from 4.24 percent recorded last week, not a far cry from the 10-percentage point plunge to 4.23 percent from 4.33 percent that Bankrate.com recorded. Investor confidence shot up after Europe agreed to bail out Greece.

A new survey from Zillow: reveals that prospective homebuyers may have an overly optimistic view when it comes to their expectations related to property appreciation and housing value. In the website├â┬ó├óÔÇÜ┬¼├óÔÇ×┬ós recent poll, more than 42 percent of those that plan on purchasing a home in the near future said they anticipated a 7 percent annual increase in their property value during their ownership period.

Collateral valuation services provider First Valuation has found a new national sales executive in Brandon O'Briant. While remaining based in Dallas, Texas, O'Briant will apply his 15 years of experience in the mortgage industry to managing First Vaulation's current clients and establishing partnerships on behalf of the company.

As mortgage rates rose, then fell on a debt deal in Europe, mortgage application volume also crept forward last week, with the uncertain economy and high unemployment forcing homeowners to stay on the sidelines. In releasing a weekly survey, the Mortgage Bankers Association found mortgage applications on a seasonally adjusted curve upward to 0.2 percent from the week before. Refinance activity fell on the whole as purchases, still near historic lows, remained overwhelmingly near bottom, the MBA said.

BB&T looked southward to acquire Florida-based BankAtlantic Tuesday, assuming $3.3 billion in low-cost deposits and picking up 78 branches from the retail lender in the process, according to statements released by the companies. The move ranks BB&T ├â┬ó├óÔÇÜ┬¼├óÔé¼┼ô one of the largest U.S. banks by assets ├â┬ó├óÔÇÜ┬¼├óÔé¼┼ô the sixth largest franchise in the Miami market. The North Carolina-based acquirer will pay $301 million above the premium price for the deposits and branches, plus $2.1 billion in performing loans. The acquisition is also another move up for the bank.

Chrysalis Holdings, LLC, has added a new member to its board of directors, with the announcement that Maylene Tan Khieu will join the company's leadership. Khieu is the chief credit officer and senior vice president of compliance for NewDay Financial, LLC, which is a key holding for Chrysalis.