Monthly Archives: April 2015
Murkowski Starts with Energy Efficiency in Development of Broad Bill
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today began consideration of legislation to improve how Americans use energy as part of her work to get the first broad energy bill signed into law in nearly a decade. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee received testimony on 22 energy efficiency proposals that address a wide range of issues, including building retrofits, federal energy management, appliance efficiency, workforce development, and efficiency grants.
$12 Minimum Wage Critical to Building an Economy that Works for Everyone, Says CAP’s...
Neera Tanden, President of the Center for American Progress, released the following statement today on the Raise the Wage Act, legislation introduced by Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) and Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA) to raise the minimum wage to $12 by the year 2020
Vice Chair Crowley, Rep. Brady Move to Increase Foreign Investment in U.S. Real Estate
The bill would alter the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 which requires foreign investors to pay taxes on profits earned when selling properties or real estate securities in the United States. It also exempts from the FIRPTA tax foreign pension funds investing in commercial real estate.
Builder Confidence in the 55+ Housing Market Remains Positive in the First Quarter
Builder confidence in the single-family 55+ housing market remains in positive territory for the first quarter of 2015, according to the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) 55+ Housing Market Index (HMI) released today. Compared to the previous quarter, the single-family index edged down slightly by one point to 58, which is the fourth consecutive quarter above 50.
Single-Tenant Net-Leased Auto Parts Stores: The Alternative Retail Investment, According to Hanley Investment Group...
According to Senior Vice President Jeremy McChesney at Hanley Investment Group, a nationally-recognized boutique real estate brokerage and advisory firm specializing in retail property sales, single-tenant net-leased auto parts stores are a viable alternative retail investment to fast-food and bank single-tenant net-leased investments
State, Federal Leaders to Accelerate Delta Habitat Restoration, Proceed With Water Infrastructure Fix
After months of public comment and exhaustive review, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today joined top federal officials to unveil plans that accelerate restoration of the Delta's ecosystem and fix the state's aging water infrastructure
NAHB Testifies Before House and Senate in Support of Cost-Effective Energy Legislation
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) today testified before both chambers of Congress in support of legislation that would encourage meaningful energy savings for residential construction that are achievable and cost-effective.
NAHB Remodelers Reveals the Most Popular Type of Home Remodeling Projects
To kick off National Home Remodeling Month in May, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Remodelers released survey results on the most popular remodeling jobs by its members. Remodelers report that kitchen and bathroom remodels remain the most popular, and that home owners’ top motivation for remodeling was to upgrade with newer, better features in their homes.
SEC Announces Compliance Outreach Program Seminars for Investment Adviser and Investment Company Senior Officers
The events provide an opportunity for SEC staff to share information about risks, priorities, and deficiencies observed in examinations or investigations and to discuss how senior executives and compliance professionals have addressed such matters.
Denver Visionary Federico Peña to Real Estate Executives: Don’t Just “Imagine a Great City”...
When Federico Peña ran for mayor of Denver in 1983, he envisioned a city no one had imagined to date – and his campaign slogan, “Imagine a Great City,” resonated with voters, propelling him to become the city’s youngest mayor (at 36) and the first of Hispanic heritage. Now, three decades later, Peña addressed the midyear conference of The Counselors of Real Estate, held in Denver April 19 - 22, to reassess his vision -- and the reality
Media Room Corporate Facts Freddie Mac Blog Executive Perspectives News Release Archives Economic &...
Freddie Mac (OTCQB: FMCC) today issued the company's stress test results for the severely adverse scenario conducted under FHFA's rule implementing the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act
REBNY Confidence Index: Brokers Remain Bullish On NYC Real Estate Market In1Q 2015
New York City brokers’ confidence remained positive and robust in the first quarter of 2015 with strong sales prices and market activity, according to the Real Estate Board of New York’s latest Broker Confidence Index released today.
CAP Calls for Energy Department to Finalize Net-Zero Building Rules as Congress Considers Doubling...
In 2007, Congress decided that the federal government would lead by example and improve the efficiency and carbon footprint of all new and majorly renovated federal buildings. Congress set the ambitious but achievable goal of ensuring that all federal buildings constructed in 2030 or later would be net-zero consumers of fossil fuels.
Court Halts Mortgage Relief Operation that Targeted Homeowners Facing Foreclosure
At the Federal Trade Commission’s request, a federal court halted a sham operation that allegedly told financially distressed homeowners it would help get their mortgages modified, but instead effectively stole their mortgage payments, leading some to foreclosure and bankruptcy. The FTC seeks to permanently stop the scheme and its participants’ illegal practices. It also filed a contempt action against one of the scheme’s principals, Brian Pacios, who is under a previous court order that prohibited him from mortgage relief activities
Mortgage Rates Up on Mixed Economic and Housing Data
(Marketwired - Apr 30, 2015) - Freddie Mac (OTCQB: FMCC) today released the results of itsPrimary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®), showing average fixed mortgage rates slightly higher amid mixed housing and economic reports.
Knight Prototype Fund invests in 20 new projects focused on data-driven storytelling and community...
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation today announced funding for 20 new projects through the Knight Prototype Fund, which helps people explore early-stage media and information ideas with $35,000 in funding.
Safeguard Properties Named to 2015 InformationWeek Elite 100 List of Technology Innovators
Safeguard Properties, the largest mortgage field services company in the U.S., is pleased to announce that it ranked 17 on this year’s InformationWeek Elite 100 – a list of the top business technology innovators in the U.S. The rankings were announced Tuesday, April 28 during the annual InformationWeek Conference
Godwill® and Uber Team Up for Nationwide Mobile Donation Campaign
For one day this spring, donating clothes will be even easier thanks to an innovative partnership between Goodwill and the popular on demand transportation platform, Uber. On Saturday, May 2, donors can open the app and request a pickup for their donations to be delivered by an Uber directly to their local Goodwill, free of charge
Groups Oppose Special Interest Effort to Subvert Energy Efficiency Legislation
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and nearly 500 businesses from across the country today urged Congress to reject special interest efforts to repeal the law setting goals for reducing fossil fuel use in federal buildings by 2030
Bill McKibben Responds to Gov. Brown’s New Greenhouse Gas Targets
In response to new greenhouse gas emissions targets announced by California Governor Jerry Brown, 350.org Co-Founder Bill McKibben issued the following statement: