Servicing

A new report from Neuberger Berman Group LLC indicates that 2013 will usher in greater stability and a reduction in uncertainty and volatility for investors. Releasing macroeconomic analysis, the company touted diversification of assets and the appeal of real estate securities during the year ahead.

RentRange LLC appointed Eric Taylor to serve as its new president. Taylor joins the company with more than 25 years in the mortgage and insurance services industry.

Nationstar Mortgage LLC has agreed to purchase residential mortgage servicing rights (MSRs) in the amount of $215 billion in unpaid principal balance from Bank of America.

December saw mixed signals in terms of housing demand, according to Redfin's latest Real-Time Demand Pulse.

Veri-Tax, LLC, and its subsidiary, Verification Bureau, LLC, announced the launch of a Form 4506-T electronic signature solution as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) gears up to accept electronic signatures on income verification requests.

In New Jersey, RedVision--a national provider of title reports and real property research solutions--announced the hiring of Andrew Nadal as regional sales director for the Southeast region. Nadal has a wealth of industry experience, having spent time at both Stewart Title and Statewide Lien Company.

Though he became famous for his role on legendary television show, Dallas, the late Larry Hagman is making posthumous headlines far from Texas, following news of another price reduction on the West Coast property he once called home. Located in Ojai, California, the actor's 43-acre estate was originally placed on the market in 2009 for $11 million and the listing's asking price has now dropped to $6.495 million.

According to a report from Fitch, home prices have risen at their greatest pace since 2005, but in certain markets, technical factors--including low mortgage rates, tight supply of existing for-sale homes, and weak levels of new home construction--rather than "fundamentals" acted as the driving force behind the price gains over the past few quarters. In order to determine sustainability, Fitch conducted an analysis using its Sustainable Home Price (SHP) model.

Zillow, Inc., announced real estate industry vet Chris Crocker is joining the team as the company's VP of strategic partnerships. Crocker brings to the position more than 16 years of experience in the real estate industry, having served most recently as regional VP of operations for the Southwestern U.S. region of NRT, LLC.

The Texas Mortgage Bankers Association (TMBA) announced the details of its annual Southern Secondary Market Conference to be held February 12-14. The three-day agenda was developed to offer attendees new information, guidance, trend identifications, and new, emerging strategies in secondary marketing.