Service puts Magic into mortgage lending

ServiceMagic has added a lender referral service to its online marketplace of real estate salespeople and home improvement contractors. The new lender service connects home loan borrowers to prescreened lenders and mortgage brokers who pay a fee to participate in the program.  more...

Stone resigns from Fidelity board

Fidelity National Financial on Thursday announced that Patrick F. Stone has resigned from its board of directors. Stone most recently served as the chief executive officer of Fidelity National Information Solutions Inc. (FNIS), a majority-owned subsidiary of FNF.  more...

Real estate poised for brisk 2004

Rising family income coupled with low mortgage rates are two of the critical ingredients for a strong housing market, which are expected to be at work in 2004, according to Freddie Mac's latest economic forecast.  more...

SoCalMLS takes training to the ice

The Southern California MLS will kick the National Hockey League's Mighty Ducks off the ice next week in order to introduce a new MLS system and conduct training sessions for thousands of its brokers and agents next week in Anaheim.

On Jan. 14, the SoCalMLS will attempt to fit in as many attendees as possible into the 18,000-seat Arrowhead Pond stadium where real estate professionals will learn the ins and outs of the MarketLinx Tempo MLS System.  more...

Interest rates sink, benchmark bond rises

Long-term mortgage interest rates were lower Thursday, and the benchmark 10-year Treasury bond yield rose to 4.25 percent.

The 30-year fixed-rate average sank to 5.46 percent, and the 15-year fixed-rate dropped to 4.79 percent. The 1-year adjustable was down at 3.33 percent.

The 30-year Treasury bond yield remained at 5.08 percent.

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