US Senate makes Fannie, Freddie hearing for Tuesday - 2004-02-09
Government watchdogs will testify before a Senate panel regarding government-sponsored mortgage finance enterprises on Tuesday as lawmakers consider ways to improve oversight after financial scandals last year.

Representatives of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the General Accounting Office will speak to the Senate Banking Committee on regulation of the top two sources of U.S. housing finance, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Read the full story at Reuters via Forbes

Some US Appraisers Feel Pressure To Boost Home Values - 2004-02-09
In an attempt to keep their business thriving as the mortgage sector adjusts to the reality of lower refinancing and lower new purchase volumes, some mortgage lenders appear to be turning up the heat on home appraisers to overstate the values of properties they are appraising.

At least, that's what some appraisers are saying, according to a recent study from October Research Corporation, a provider of national news and information to the real estate services industry.
Read the full story at Dow Jones via Yahoo!