Servicing

The National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) Improving Markets Index (IMI) showed no signs of slowing down in March.

Zillow's Home Value Index registered a national value of $158,100 last month, which represents a slight 0.1 percent increase from January.

Ally Bank has reached an agreement with Quicken Loans to sell the last of its remaining mortgage servicing rights (MSRs) portfolio.

Existing-home sales rose 0.8 percent in February to 4.98 million, the National Association of Realtors reported Thursday. Economists had expected the sales pace to climb to 5.01 million from January├â┬ó├óÔÇÜ┬¼├óÔÇ×┬ós originally reported 4.92 million. January sales were revised up to 4.94 million.

Data from Trulia shows that once all costs are factored, buying a home is 44 percent cheaper than renting at this point.

Designing Spaces, a home improvement show airing on Lifetime Television, will feature an appearance from Equity Loans LLC. A representative from the Atlanta-based lender will feature on the show as part of an upcoming "Arming Yourself with Home Loan Knowledge, Tips for Successful Ownership" segment.

Deloitte's Consumer Spending Index experienced a minor bump in February as "a decline in initial unemployment claims and a rise in real average hourly earnings offset negative forces," the company reported Wednesday. The index, which tracks consumer cash flow as an indicator of future spending, rose slightly to 4.0 last month from a reading 3.9 in January. While the increase was relatively small, it turned around three straight months of declines and showed consumers are weathering the payroll tax increase well.

David Stevens, president and CEO of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), announced the promotion of Kenneth Markison, Esq., to VP and regulatory counsel. In his new role, Markison will lead and manage MBA's public policy initiatives around residential loan production, legal issues, and regulatory compliance.

LenderLive Network Inc., an end-to-end mortgage services provider, hired two industry veterans for executive positions.

Prices rose in February for the 11th straight month as markets across the country picked up speed, according to Redfin's Real-Time Price Tracker.