Tag Archives: Attorneys & Title Companies

Churchill Mortgage, a Tennessee-based leader in conventional and government-backed residential mortgage lending across 26 states, touted its continued commitment to local communities during April, otherwise known as National Volunteer Month.

Mortgage Insurance Companies of America (MICA) reported a lift in business in March, with dollar volume rising both month-over-month and year-over-year. At the same time, the number of private mortgage insurance applications received by MICA members totaled 43,278 in March, up from 36,793 in February and 32,540 in March 2012. March's application volume was the highest since last October, when MICA members reported receiving 46,045 applications.

First-quarter commercial and multifamily loan originations decreased 36 percent quarter-over-quarter but climbed 9 percent over the same period last year, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) reported. According to MBA, the overall increase in commercial/multifamily lending volume was driven largely by increases in originations for hotel and multifamily properties, which rose 35 percent and 30 percent, respectively. Compared to last quarter, numbers were down, following the traditional seasonal pattern.

Continental Title Holding Co., Inc., an independent title insurance agency with headquarters in St. Louis, announced the acquisition of Assured Title Company of Warrenton, LLC.

The nation's homeownership rate fell to 65 percent in the first quarter of 2013, according to data from the Census Bureau.

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which took a hit in March as the first effects of the sequester were felt, increased from 61.9 to 68.1 in April, the firm reported. Consumers were considerably more upbeat about the near future than they were in March. The Conference Board's Expectations Index improved to 73.3 in April, a jump from 63.7 the prior month. While more respondents also expressed confidence in their assessment of current conditions, monthly gains were only moderate.

Despite weakness in the Midwest, home prices posted their strongest year-over-year gain in almost seven years in February, according to the Case-Shiller 10- and 20-city Home Price Indexes released Tuesday. Month-over-month, the 10-city index improved 0.4 percent in February, while the 20-city index was up 0.3 percent. On a yearly basis, the 10-city index was up 8.6 percent, and the 20-city index rose 9.3 percent. Economists had forecast the 20-city index would rise slightly to 146.16, essentially unchanged from January.

In March, investors accounted for 13.3 percent of the market share for non-distressed properties, while current homeowners represented 50 percent of the market.

Santa Ana's Stearns Lending, Inc., a nationwide mortgage lending institution, announced its inclusion on Mortgagestats.com's list of the 2012 Top 20 Residential Lenders Ranked by Volume.

LRES announced new features to its vendor portal website intended to grant licensed appraisers the ability to manage their property appraisal orders more efficiently.