MyFICO.com combats identity theft

MyFICO.com, a division of Fair Isaac Corp., announced the launch of myFICO Identity Theft Security, a complete line of products and services that aim to deter consumer identity theft and protect credit.  more...

Real estate construction picks up

Privately owned housing units authorized by building permits in May were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of approximately 2.1 million units, according to estimates reported today by the U.S. Commerce Department's Census Bureau, up 3.5 percent above the revised April rate of 2 million units and 12.5 percent above the May 2003 estimate of 1.85 million units.

Single-family authorizations in May were at a rate of 1.6 million, a 3 percent increase from the April figure of 1.5 million.  more...

Inman News calls for real estate innovators

"It's a bird...it's a plane..."-no, it's an Inman Innovator: someone who's demonstrated super-extraordinary powers of innovation through the use of technology or the Internet to positively influence the real estate industry and redefine key business models within the segment.

Now is your opportunity to highlight this year's super achievers. Nominate them for a 2004 Inman Innovator Award. Submission deadline is June 25.  more...

Real estate loan applications climb

Overall loan applications increased last by 5.6 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's weekly survey.

The MBA seasonally adjusted purchase index increased by 4 percent to 449.5 from 432.2 the previous week. The seasonally adjusted refinance index increased by 8.5 percent to 1,479.4 from 1,363.2 one week earlier.  more...

First American expands real estate default services

The First American Corp. today announced it has completed its acquisition of privately held, mortgage default services provider SNK Holdings Inc. and its subsidiary operations, including LOGS Financial Services, to create First American National Default Outsourcing (NDO), a growing component of First American's Mortgage Information Services group.  more...

Mortgage rates sink

Long-term mortgage interest rates were lower Tuesday, and the benchmark 10-year Treasury bond yield fell to 4.68 percent.

The 30-year fixed-rate average fell to 5.99 percent, and the 15-year fixed-rate slipped to 5.38 percent. The 1-year adjustable was up at 3.53 percent.

The 30-year Treasury bond yield dropped to 5.37 percent.

Rates are current as of 7:15 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.  more...