Among other things, the Department of Housing and Urban Development has imposed a 90-moratorium on foreclosures of FHA-insured loans affected by Hurricane Sandy.

Because of storm damage, lenders will need to have properties re-appraised which means home inspectors will be busy in the New York-New Jersey area and surrounding locales.

More firms are contemplating selling servicing rights -- including the nation's megabanks.

The Federal Housing Administration notes that purchase money loans represented 62% of all government insured forward mortgages originated in fiscal year 2012.

A spokeswoman for Wells Fargo said the refunds were not prompted by any regulatory action -- nor are they related to a federal lawsuit filed early this month by the U.S. Attorney in New York.

Talk of the 'Qualified Mortgage' rule coming out before Thanksgiving may be premature.