Servicing

Existing-home sales fell 1.2 percent in June to an annual sales rate of 5.08 million as the price of a single-family home rose 13.5 percent from a year earlier--the strongest year-over-year gain since November 2005, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported Monday. The drop in sales came despite an increase in April in NAR├â┬ó├óÔÇÜ┬¼├óÔÇ×┬ós Pending Home Sales Index, which tracks contracts for existing single-family homes. The index rose in April to 105.7 from 104.1 in March and fell in May.

Annual home price and sales gains continued their streak in June, increasing on a yearly basis for the 17th straight month, according to RE/MAX's monthly housing report.

GMH Mortgage Services, a nationally recognized mortgage banker headquartered in Pennsylvania, announced the addition of Brian Beale as associate VP of corporate recruiting.

In Dallas, Wingspan Portfolio Advisors brought on experienced mortgage vet Meredith McCrory as VP of strategic alliances.

Genworth's U.S. Mortgage Insurance (USMI) unit has been recognized by the National Association of Federal Credit Unions (NAFCU) for its efforts to educate companies on mortgage origination practices.

The mortgage servicing industry's efforts to adhere to nationwide reforms hasn't gone unnoticed by consumers, according to J.D. Power's 2013 U.S. Primary Mortgage Servicer Satisfaction Study.

The First Title Radio Show debuted on May 31 and has aired seven episodes so far. In that time, host Doug Dennison--a radio, real estate, and government auction expert--has interviewed more than 15 real estate professionals, including representatives from Sperry Van Ness, Florida Keys Real Estate, Rowell Auctions, Inc., and the Five Star Institute.

As a Yale Athletics Corporate Partner, Total Mortgage is the official mortgage services provider for Yale Athletics and will have a presence in multiple platforms.

In Colorado, Allonhill added two managing directors to its sales roster as the company finds more opportunities for growth.

Despite soaring builder confidence, new housing permits and starts fell in June, with new construction falling to the lowest level in 10 months, the Census Bureau and HUD reported Wednesday. The seasonally adjusted annual rate of new housing permits tumbled 7.5 percent--the largest month-over-month decline since January 2011--while starts fell 9.9 percent, the second-largest drop since February 2011. Builders completed homes at an annual adjusted pace of 755,000 in June, 6.3 percent more than May.