Washington, D.C. – May 16, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is partnering with Broadcastr on a project that will raise public awareness of architectural accomplishments, elevate appreciation of the profession, and provide reasoning behind design. more »

Decline is possibly a brief pause from unusually strong winter activity

Washington, D.C. – May 16, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — After five months of positive readings, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) has fallen into negative terrain. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the April ABI score was 48.4, following a mark of 50.4 in March. This score reflects a decrease in demand for design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was 54.4, down from mark of 56.6 the previous month. more »

- Company experiences explosive growth, Quicken Loans also commits to Charlotte –

CHARLOTTE, – May 16, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — Quicken Loans Mortgage Services (QLMS), a division of Quicken Loans Inc., the nation’s largest online lender, today announced plans to add more than 75 team members by the end of 2012 to support its growing business needs. more »

WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 16, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — The foreclosure and economic crisis significantly increased homelessness and the number of families at risk of homelessness in cities and counties across the nation. more »

New Section 811 demonstration links state housing agencies with state Medicaid agencies

WASHINGTON, DC – May 16, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development makes $85 million available to state housing agencies to provide affordable supportive housing for extremely low-income persons with disabilities. This is the first time in the history of HUD’s Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities Program that funding will be offered to state housing agencies that meet new eligibility criteria, including having a partnership with a state health and human services and Medicaid agency to provide essential support and services. The Notice of Funding for the Section 811 Project Rental Assistance was posted on Grants.gov today here. more »

Washington, DC – May 16, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — First quarter 2012 commercial and multifamily mortgage loan originations were 36 percent higher than during the same period last year and 12 percent lower than the fourth quarter of 2011, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Quarterly Survey of Commercial/Multifamily Mortgage Bankers Originations.  The decrease from fourth quarter 2011 reflects the industry’s usual push to finalize deals before the end of the year, and subsequent drop-offs in first quarter numbers. more »

WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 16, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — The delinquency rate for mortgage loans on one-to-four-unit residential properties decreased to a seasonally adjusted rate of 7.40 percent of all loans outstanding as of the end of the first quarter of 2012, a decrease of 18 basis points from the fourth quarter of 2011, and a decrease of 92 basis points from one year ago, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) National Delinquency Survey. The non-seasonally adjusted delinquency rate decreased 121 basis points to 6.94 percent this quarter from 8.15 percent last quarter. more »

WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 16, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — Mortgage applications increased 9.2 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending May 11, 2012. more »

WASHINGTON, DC – May 16, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — The National Association of Realtors® announced today a strategic alliance with Xceligent, Inc., a leading commercial real estate information services provider.  Xceligent recently acquired ePropertyData from NAR’s strategic investment fund, Second Century Ventures, to create a competitive national alternative in commercial real estate information. more »

WASHINGTON, DC – May 16, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — A sustainable housing recovery requires that policymakers move forward with the difficult decisions regarding the future of the mortgage market. That’s according to Federal Reserve Board Governor Elizabeth Duke, who spoke to Realtors® at a joint Real Estate Services and Regulatory Issues Forum—Prescriptions for Housing Recovery session today during the Realtors® Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo. more »

WASHINGTON, DC – May 16, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — Housing and the economic recovery will play a large part in deciding the outcome of the 2012 presidential election, according to public policy experts at today’s Legislative and Political Forum during the Realtors® 2012 Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo. Former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, leading Democratic strategist Celinda Lake, and National Economic Council Director Gene Sperling provided their unique insights into issues affecting the long-term direction of the country. more »

WASHINGTON , DC – May 16, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — Today’s real estate market is challenging and competitive, but this year’s REALTOR® Magazine “30 Under 30″ honorees haven’t let that deter them. The 2012 class is following in the strong entrepreneurial tradition of real estate, creating their own pathways to success. more »

WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 16, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — Nationwide housing production gained 2.6 percent from an upwardly revised pace in March to hit a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 717,000 units in April, according to newly released figures from the U.S. Census Bureau and HUD. This modest gain was seen in both the single- and multifamily sectors, which registered growth of 2.3 percent and 3.2 percent, respectively. more »

Chicago, IL – May 16, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — HomeFinder.com, a leading real estate search site and provider of digital marketing solutions for real estate agents, today kicks off its 2012 Agent Makeover Sweepstakes. The five winning real estate agents will be chosen at random to receive a comprehensive digital business and personal style makeover, including: an all-expense-paid, two-night trip to Chicago, business coaching, educational training on online marketing, a full style makeover and a professional photo shoot. All licensed real estate agents are eligible to enter the sweepstakes, which will run from May 15, 2012 through August 10, 2012. more »

CHICAGO, IL – May 16, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — April home sales activity in the metropolitan Chicago real estate market was characterized by rising sales and firmer home prices, according to an analysis by RE/MAX. Combined sales of attached and detached homes in the seven-county metro market totaled 6,771 units in April, which compares to 6,501 units sold in the previous month and 5,713 in April 2011. These represent increases of 4.2 percent and 18.5 percent respectively. more »

Two National Surveys say RE/MAX Agents Most Productive

DENVER, CO – May 16, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — Among the national real estate franchises, RE/MAX agents continue to be the most productive. In both the 2012 REAL Trends 500 and the RIS Media Power Broker surveys, RE/MAX agents continue to be the clear leaders with respect to agent productivity. The two prestigious annual surveys, which rank performance in 2011, showed once again that RE/MAX leads all national franchises when it comes to helping U.S. homebuyers and sellers. more »

FARMINGTON HILLS, MI – May 15, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — Agree Realty Corporation (NYSE: ADC) today announced that it has acquired the southeast corner of Indian Avenue and S. Tamiami Trail and will ground lease the parcel to JPMorgan Chase. The Company and Chase have previously executed a twenty-year ground lease. Chase intends to construct a retail bank branch on the site. more »

WASHINGTON, Dc – May 15, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — The Department of Veterans Affairs  is once again hosting a nationwide 2K “Walk and Roll” event at more than 130 VA facilities on May 16 to coincide with National Employee Health and Fitness Day.  The event will also encourage employee and local community support of homeless Veterans. more »

Technical and capacity building grants intended to amplify HUD funds

WASHINGTON, DC – May 15, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — In a budget climate where state and local governments are challenged to do more with less, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today awarded $70 million in grants to help communities and non-profit organizations, improve their use of federal funds to revitalize neighborhoods, help the homeless and produce more affordable housing. more »

WASHINGTON, DC – May 15, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — The income and business of Realtors® is growing after many years of decline, according to the 2012 National Association of Realtors® Member Profile.

The study’s results are representative of the nation’s Realtors®, who are members of NAR.  Realtors® account for about half of the 2 million active real estate licensees in the U.S.*  Realtor® members go beyond state licensing requirements by subscribing to NAR’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, commit to continuing education and have access to professional resources to better serve the needs of clients.  Many non-member licensees are inactive or part time. more »