The Valparaiso University School of Law and the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) invite proposals for papers based on a unique set of data from the National Mortgage Data Repository (NMDR), a joint project between NCLC and the University of Connecticut. Authors whose projects are selected will be invited to present their work at a Spring 2010 symposium at Valparaiso.

Researchers whose proposals are selected will gain access to extensive mortgage loan origination data from approximately 750 loan sets. These data are drawn from loans made by 50 or more lenders in 10–15 states (though the sample will overrepresent California, Massachusetts, and New York) between the years 1994 and 2007. We encourage submissions from academics, advocates, attorneys, and other practitioners.

Data Overview

All 750 loan sets will have document types 1–5 listed below. To receive a complete list of data fields, send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the words “NMDR Call for Papers - Inquiry” in the subject line. Other inquiries may be sent in the same manner.

1. Loan Application—Property zip code; existing liens; borrower income; borrower total debts; borrower total assets; borrower race, ethnicity, & sex
2. Truth in Lending Disclosure—Amount financed, annual percentage rate; estimated payment schedule over life of loan
3. Good Faith Estimate—Itemized estimated closing costs
4. HUD-1 or HUD-1A Settlement Statement—Itemized final closing costs, including broker fees
5. Loan Note—Principal; rate; rate adjustment terms (for ARMs); payment schedule; payment options (for option ARMs); prepayment penalties


Data Sources and Sampling
Data was gathered from legal services and private attorneys’ client files, and via public information requests to state government agencies.


Topics
Appropriate paper topics include, but are not limited to. . .
• Relationships between borrower’s stated income, stated assets and liabilities, and loan terms.
• Transparency of disclosure of balloon payments and other features.
• Trends in other types of debt paid down through home refinance loans.
• Cost of credit.


Proposal Requirements and Deadline
Proposals of up to 2 pages (single-spaced), along with the author’s curriculum vitae, should be submitted by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the words “NMDR Call for Papers - Submission” in the subject line. All proposals must be received by midnight on March 31, 2009. Acknowledgement of each submission will be sent (if you do not receive an acknowledgement, please follow up at 617-542-8010).


Selection Process and Symposium
Authors whose projects are selected will be invited to present their work at a symposium at Valparaiso University School of Law. The final symposium date—currently to-be-determined—will be either March 26, April 9, or April 16, 2010 (news of the specific date will be provided to applicants as soon as it is set). Applicants must commit to participating in the full symposium.


Accessing the Data
Authors will be notified of the results of the selection process by Monday, April 27, 2009. The data—comprised of a set of relational tables—will be shipped to researchers in an Access database during the week of April 27.