Housing & Development

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 19, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has signed a memorandum of understanding with a major Chinese trade association that will bring a large number of additional manufacturers and product options to the annual NAHB International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas in January 2013. The agreement underscores the International Builders’ Show’s role as the preeminent light construction trade show in the Americas.

WASHINGTON, DC - April 19, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Maurice Jones was sworn in today as the Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Jones was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on March 29, 2012. As the second most senior official at HUD, Jones will be charged with managing the Department's day-to-day operations, a nearly $47 billion annual operating budget, and the agency's 8,900 employees.

Washington, DC - April 19, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has terminated all remaining provisions of the consent cease and desist order applicable to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBank). The order was terminated because of improvements in the FHLBank’s financial condition and capital position, resolution of risk management concerns, and consideration of specific commitments and assurances made b

Washington, D.C. - April 19, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and its Committee on the Environment (COTE) have selected the top ten examples of sustainable architecture and green design solutions that protect and enhance the environment. The projects will be honored at the AIA 2012 National Convention and Design Exposition in Washington, D.C

CHICAGO, IL - April 18, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Pat Quinn sent a message of welcome to Illinois to federal housing leaders to Illinois as they addressed the 500 attendees at the Illinois Governor’s Conference on Affordable Housing at Chic...

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 18, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) today called on Congress to simplify the tax code as part of a comprehensive tax reform effort in order to help small businesses to continue serve as an engine of economic growth.

WASHINGTON, DC - April 17, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- A narrow definition of the impending Ability to Repay regulation could harm consumers and the housing market recovery, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

WASHINGTON, DC - April 17, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced the indefinite debarment of three South Florida mortgage loan officers and a Pittsburgh title agent following their criminal convictions on charges they defrauded elderly borrowers, mortgage lenders and the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). Marcos Echevarria, Louis Gendason, John Incandela and Kimberly Mackey pled guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud for their part in a $2.5 million nation-wide reverse mortgage scam. All four individuals are currently serving prison terms.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 17, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Single-family housing production held virtually unchanged in March as a double-digit decline in the more volatile multifamily sector brought combined nationwide starts activity down 5.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 654,000 units, according to data released by the U.S. Commerce Department today.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 17, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes declined for the first time in seven months this April, sliding three notches to 25 on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index, released today. The decline brings the index back to where it was in January, which was the highest level since 2007.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 17, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- A diverse group of 33 lenders, housing professionals, consumer advocates and civil rights organizations came together today to call on the CFPB to issue broadly defined and clear Qualified Mortgage (QM) standards as part of the forthcoming Ability to Repay regulation.

HUMBOLDT - April 17, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Officials from Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC), the City of Humboldt and Excel Development Group are celebrating the grand opening of Humboldt Senior Housing in Humboldt. The newly constructed...

Denver, CO - April 17, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- For the second month in a row, home prices have risen higher than a year ago. Median prices in March were an impressive 5.8% higher than March 2011 in the 53 metro areas surveyed for the RE/MAX National Housing Report. February marked the first time in 18 months that home prices rose higher than the previous year, and year-to-year price increases haven’t occurred in two consecutive months since August 2010.

CHICAGO, IL - April 17, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- A RE/MAX analysis of March home sales activity in the metropolitan Chicago real estate market indicates that the marked increase in home sales activity seen in recent months is beginning to have a positive impact on home prices. According to RE/MAX, combined sales of detached and attached homes in the seven-county metro area totaled 6,501 units and were 22 percent higher in March than in the same month last year and were up 37 percent over the February total.

MONROE-WOODBURY, N.Y. - April 13, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- HighPointe at Woodbury Junction, the collection of 25 upscale single-family homes rising in this Orange County neighborhood, is bustling with activity.

Orlando, FL - April 13, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Gateway Bank of Southwest Florida, headquartered in Sarasota, Florida, has formed a strategic alliance with FBC Mortgage, LLC for residential mortgage lending. Their combined new unit will operate unde...

LITTLE ROCK - April 12, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Dustin McDaniel highlighted the benefits of the national mortgage settlement during a roundtable discussion with U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan and Tennesse...

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 12, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- The cost of construction materials jumped in March, even as the amount contractors charge to complete projects remained stagnant, according to an analysis of producer price index figures released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that the spike in materials prices continues despite relatively weak overall demand for construction, and cautioned that current market conditions could force some firms out of business.

CHATTANOOGA, TN - April 12, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) --Mitigation specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be in Chattanooga, Cleveland and Hixson to provide free rebuilding information Sunday, April 15, through Thursday, April 19.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 12, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- With the April 17 tax-filing deadline right around the corner, the most important tax deduction for tens of millions of middle-class families could be on the chopping block as early as next year’s tax season if some policymakers get their way