Secondary Market

Home prices in September were up 5 percent year-over-year while home sales posted a 4 percent annual increase, even as housing metrics began their typical seasonal declines, according to Redfin's analysis of activity across 19 major U.S. markets. Between August and September, these 19 markets saw prices decline just 0.8 percent, which Redfin says is a smaller decline than is customary at this time of year. Over the same period, home sales dropped 17 percent├â┬ó├óÔÇÜ┬¼├óÔé¼┬Øa figure the company says represents "a typical seasonal decline."

Increased mortgage-related revenue pushed both Wells Fargo and JPMorgan Chase to record quarterly profits in 3Q 2012, the banks reported.

According to a report from Opera Solutions, Texas pays one of the nation's highest weight average coupon rates on its mortgages.

Listing his estate in Beverly HIlls for just under $10 million, Oscar-winning actor Billy Bob Thornton is moving on. The 11,012-square-foot mansion, a Spanish-style home built in the 1920s, is currently on the market for $9.995 million.

Workforce Housing in the New Economy took center stage during a recent conference hosted by the University of Miami's School of Business Administration, School of Architecture, and Office of Civil and Community Engagement. Featuring expert commentary from past and present leaders for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Bipartisan Policy Center, the Consumer Federation of America, and Habitat for Humanity, the Florida-based event provided insight into the policies, programs, and regulations that are impacting housing for U.S. workers.

In a September National Association of Realtors (NAR) survey related to home appraisals over the past three months, 11 percent of Realtors said a contract was cancelled because a home was appraised at a value below the negotiated price. Another 9 percent said a contract was delayed, and 15 percent said a contract was renegotiated to a lower sale price. One reason for the low values, according to the NAR, is because some appraisers are not taking into account the difference between distressed and non-distressed homes when making comparisons.

Two former Goldman Sachs executives have joined forces to establish Kingsguard Advisors, LP. Announcing the November 1 launch date of their new venture, the co-founders of the company also revealed that they have formed a strategic partnership with Investcorp.

Denver resident, 32-year-old Vicki Dillard Crowe was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release and a restitution payment of $2.4 million for mortgage fraud.

Radian Guaranty Inc. wrote $3.54 billion in new mortgage insurance in September, the company reported Wednesday.

After a three-year battle, Ellie Mae and software developer DocMagic reached a settlement over an antitrust suit, the companies announced jointly. DocMagic first filed against Ellie Mae in August 2009, alleging antitrust violations, intentional interference with contractual relationships, interference with prospective economic advantage, and unfair competition, according to a company release sent out at the time.