Housing & Development

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 17, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Housing will see gradual improvements in activity this year as the nation’s economy and job market continue to move to higher ground, establishing momentum that will produce more considerable gains in 2012, according to economists who appeared at the NAHB International Builders’ Show in Orlando on Jan.

Destin, FL - January 17, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The best and worst housing market forecasts for 2011 have been issued by Housing Predictor, which selects the 25 best and 25 worst markets annually. Markets selected have the highest probability of reaching their forecasts, and are updated over the entire year as housing market conditions change

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Green-built homes will take an increasingly large percentage of the market in direct proportion to their price – because home buyers’ prime motivation today is cost effectiveness, according to representatives from four suppliers and product manufactures who spoke today at the National Association of Home Builders International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Fla.“The key is value for every stakeholder in the process,” from the manufacturer to the builder and the home buyer, said Richard Davenport, director of sustainable construction for BASF.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- New job creation amid a slowly recovering economy is creating increased demand by new renters seeking to move into apartments. However, the lack of credit needed to finance the development of apartments is already causing rents to increase and is likely to lead to a shortage of available apartments in the next few years.“Although we are forecasting construction of 133,000 new multifamily residences in 2011,” said the National Association of Home Builders’ chief economist, David Crowe, “that is far short of the 250,000 to 300,000 units that would be required to keep supply and demand in balance

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- A joint study by the 50+ Housing Council of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the MetLife Mature Market Institute shows the recession has made 55+ buyers more practical when selecting a new home. Design considerations have become less important, and financial concerns have become more prominent.Previous studies from these two organizations found that most 55+ buyers depended on home sale proceeds to finance a new purchase. The most recent data shows that option diminished during the economic downturn.

WASHINGTON, DC - January 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development today awarded nearly $127 million in grants to 48 local projects to conduct a wide range of activities intended to protect children and families from potentially dangerous lead-based paint and other home health and safety hazards (see chart below)

Orlando, FL - January 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- With the current state of the national economy, consumers are looking for ways to reduce costs wherever they can – operation of their homes is certainly no exception. In direct response to their customers' needs, and their own desire to "do the right thing," many home builders and remodelers have taken strides to incorporate features that make homes more energy efficient, comfortable, cost-effective to operate and maintain, and generally more friendly to the natural environment. Tuesday night, at a dinner celebration just prior to the start of the 2011 International Builders' Show, an elite group of these conscientious residential professionals received EnergyValue Housing Awards (EVHA) for new and existing homes

Washington, DC - January 12, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has named the recipients of its 2010 LEED for Homes Awards, recognizing projects, developers and home builders who have demonstrated leadership in the residential building marketplace. The awards were presented during the Residential Summit on Thursday, Nov. 18, during the 2010 Greenbuild International Conference & Expo held in Chicago, Ill. The 2010 award categories recognize innovative multi and single family projects, production builders, affordable housing projects and developers, an overall commitment to LEED for Homes, and Project of the Year.

Washington, DC - January 10, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- NeighborWorks America, a Congressionally chartered nonprofit and one of the nation’s largest community development corporations, announced today that Leila Finucane Edmonds has joined the corporation as director of National Initiatives

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - January 10, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA) will deliver industry-leading educational sessions at the 2011 NAHB International Builders' Show January 12–15 in Orlando. CEDIA will offer three of its most popular courses for design and build industry professionals and will exhibit in booth #W5047.Visitors to the CEDIA booth can learn about working with a professional electronic systems contractor (ESC) to execute home technology projects. CEDIA representatives will also share information about the Home Technology Alliance, of which CEDIA is a founding partner. In addition, visitors to CEDIA’s booth can enter to win tickets to the 2011 Indianapolis 500

Boston, MA - January 7, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The national vacancy and availability rates in the U.S. office and industrial markets, continued to decline in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2010, according to the latest analysis from CBRE Econometric Advisors (CBRE-EA). In Q4, the national office vacancy rate fell by 20 basis points (bps) to16.4%, the second consecutive quarterly decline. The national industrial availability1 rate decreased by 30 basis points in Q4 to 14.3%, marking the second consecutive decrease in availability and providing further proof that the industrial sector continues to heal.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 7, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) WHAT: The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) Annual State of the Real Estate Finance Industry Media Conference Call.Among the issues MBA representatives will discuss are the state of the industry, MBA's legislative and regulatory agenda for 2011 (including Dodd-Frank Act Implementation, GSE/secondary market reform, tax reform and residential loan servicing) and MBA's new three-year macro-economic and mortgage finance/housing forecasts.

WASHINGTON, DC - January 6, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International today announced the 29 buildings that make up the latest class of buildings to earn the BOMA 360 Performance Program designation. The BOMA 360 Performance Program is a groundbreaking program designed to recognize commercial properties that demonstrate best practices in building operations and management

WASHINGTON, DC - January 6, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today a joint partnership between the two agencies to help nearly 1,000 non-elderly Americans with disabilities leave nursing homes or other healthcare facilities to live independently. This is the first time two federal agencies are offering a combination of rental assistance, health care and other supportive services targeted to this population.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 6, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- MBA's CREF Convention & Expo is the nation's largest annual commercial real estate finance/multifamily housing industry event. Members of the media are encouraged to attend general sessions and panel discussions to gather the most up-to-date information on commercial real estate trends and business practices as well as the industry's economic outlook for 2011

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 6, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Housing professionals from across the country and abroad will convene at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., Jan. 12-15, for the 2011 International Builders’ Show (IBS), the housing industry’s largest annual trade show and exhibition. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) event, held in one of the largest convention centers in the country, will feature the most cutting-edge designs, technologies, and products for all segments of the industry

WASHINGTON, DC - January 4, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and Marin County, California today announced an agreement to promote access and overcome barriers to affordable housing for minorities and persons with disabilities throughout the County. A recent HUD review disclosed that Marin County had failed to meet its Fair Housing obligations in its use and expenditure of HUD Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME funds.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 29, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- A fanciful castle, two major hotel renovations and a medical office that features a nod to local historic architectural styles are among the winners in this year’s National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Awards of Excellence.“Even as we recover from the economic slump in the commercial building sector, the best projects in the industry continue to impress the judges for their innovation, efficient use of materials and overall construction excellence,” said Carl Harris, chair of the NAHB’s National Commercial Builder Council, which sponsors the awards each year

WASHINGTON, DC - December 28, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Justice Department today announced a $1.25 million agreement with Warren Properties Inc., Warren Village (Mobile) Limited Partnership and Frank R. Warren to settle allegations that the defendants violated the Fair Housing Act by refusing to grant a tenant’s requests for a reasonable accommodation. This settlement is the largest ever obtained by the department in an individual housing discrimination case.

Des Moines, IA - December 28, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Communities throughout the state of South Dakota were recently awarded $2.6 million in affordable housing grants through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines Affordable Housing Program (AHP)....

Washington, DC - December 28, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Housing Finance Agency today reported that the National Average Contract Mortgage Rate for the Purchase of Previously Occupied Homes by Combined Lenders, used as an index in some ARM contracts, was 4.42 percent based on loans closed in November. This is a decrease of 0.07 percent from the previous month.

BOSTON, MA - December 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston announced that a Manchester initiative will receive more than $2.1 million through its Affordable Housing Program. These funds, awarded in the form of a grant, loan, and interest-rate subsidy, will be used to finance 26 units of affordable rental housing for formerly homeless veterans earning at or below 50 percent of area median income.

BEDFORD, N.H. - December 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- New Hampshire Housing’s Single Family Mortgage Program will soon be celebrating 35 years of service! To help mark this milestone, the agency is seeking success stories from its current and past clients to show the world how this program has allowed real people to achieve their dreams.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Sales of newly built, single-family homes increased 5.5 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 290,000 units in November, according to newly released figures from the U.S. Commerce Department. The gain represents a partial bounce-back from a near-record low, downwardly revised number of new-home sales in October.

MONROE, LA - December 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, Governor Bobby Jindal joined Benchmark Bank Chairman and CEO Mike Barnett, Affiliated Mortgage Co. President Dan Hastings and Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo to announce that Benchmark Bank’s subsidiary, Affiliated Mortgage Company (AMC) of West Monroe, has committed to retain and expand its operations in Northeast Louisiana.

WASHINGTON, DC - December 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan announced that more than 3,800 children are safe from dangerous lead-based paint hazards and other health and safety risks due to grants from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and HUD’s Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control.

WASHINGTON, DC - December 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- In an effort to help families find decent housing and to prevent future foreclosures, the Obama Administration today announced nearly $73 million in housing counseling grants to more than 500 national, regional and local organizations. As a result of the funding announced today, hundreds of thousands of households will have a greater opportunity to find housing or keep the homes they have because of the housing counseling and counseling training grants awarded today by U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) applauds the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) decision to withdraw the interim fall protection guidelines for residential construction that were issued in 1995 and revert to the previous guidelines.“Job site safety is the number one priority for builders,” said NAHB Chairman Bob Jones, a home builder from Bloomfield Hills, Mich. “This action will clarify what actions builders need to take to comply with OSHA regulations while helping to ensure safer work sites.”

WASHINGTON, DC - December 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury today released the December edition of the Obama Administration’s Housing Scorecard. The latest housing figures show continued home affordability in the housing market, with interest rates near record lows, but the market remains fragile, as prices are unsettled. Foreclosure starts and completions dropped significantly in November, as lenders review internal servicing procedures. The housing scorecard is a comprehensive report on the nation’s housing market.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- After quick approval in the U.S. Senate on Friday, ushered through by Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), today the U.S. House of Representatives passed and sent to President Obama to sign Congressman Chris Murphy’s (CT-5) legislation to provide thousands of new affordable housing units for low income, disabled individuals across the country.