Yearly Archives: 2014

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 16, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Top Construction Official Urges Congress to Act Swiftly to Pass Water Resources Reform & Development Act Released Today By a House-Senate Conference Committee to Help Economy, Lauds Bipartisan Support for Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 16, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, the Senate Banking Committee approved S. 1217, the Housing Finance Reform and Taxpayer Protection Act of 2013, by a bipartisan vote of 13-9. The legislation included a bipartisan agreement drafted by Chairman Johnson and Ranking Member Crapo and is designed to stabilize the housing finance market and strengthen the American economy. It will create greater competition in the housing finance system and reduce risk to the taxpayer while ensuring affordable, fair access to all creditworthy borrowers.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 16, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- As part of the Obama Administration's efforts to invest in infrastructure that will expand opportunity for all Americans, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today awarded organizations in 14 states loans and grants to support rural infrastructure, job creation efforts and business development.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 16, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Six Miami-area residents, including three former loan officers, pleaded guilty in the Southern District of Florida this week to participating in a fraudulent scheme designed to enrich real estate developers by selling condominium units to straw buyers.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 16, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- The current Administration set a bold and ambitious goal to end chronic and veteran homelessness by 2015. To accomplish this mission, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) launched a comprehensive, evidence-based, data- and outcome-driven strategy supported by significant local and federal partnerships and a considerable financial commitment

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 16, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Soaring production of multifamily apartments pushed nationwide housing starts above the million-unit mark in April, according to newly released figures from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau. Total housing production rose 13.2 percent for the month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.07 million units, due entirely to a 39.6 percent increase on the multifamily side, while single-family production held steady

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 16, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- The eight county Kansas City metropolitan area recorded 441 single family building permits during April, bringing the year-to-date total to 1,304 according to the Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City’s (HBA) monthly Residential Building Permit Statistics report. The monthly average of 326 through April of 2014 exceeds the monthly average during the first four months of 2013, making the first third of 2014 the most active since 2007. Area multi-family permits continue to correspond with national trends of increased apartment building with 1,159 units permitted through April

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 16, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Any mortgage finance reform needs to prioritize access to credit and affordability for all creditworthy borrowers – and that’s not what we see in the bill that passed the Senate Banking Committee today

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 16, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- WHAT: The Alliance to Save Energy will officially launch its Energy 2030 On the Road campaign during the organization’s 7th annual Energy Efficiency Global Forum (EE Global), May 21, 2014 in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 16, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- The following is a statement by Pamela H. Patenaude, Director of Housing Policy at the Bipartisan Policy Center, on the Federal Housing Administration’s Blueprint for Action:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 16, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Kevin Kelly, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders and a home builder and developer from Wilmington, Del., today issued the following statement following the Senate Banking Committee’s passage of the Housing Finance Reform and Taxpayer Protection Act, legislation sponsored by Chairman Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) and Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho)

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 16, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes in May fell one point to 45 from a downwardly revised April reading of 46 on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) released today.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 16, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Slightly lower median home prices along with steady mortgage rates contributed to higher housing affordability in the first quarter, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI), released today

KAUAI, HAWAII - May 15, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- ValueRock Realty Partners has kicked off a multi-million dollar renovation at Kauai Village, a 113,496-square-foot retail center located on Kuhio Highway in Kapa’a. ValueRock has owned the center since 2007 with plans to upgrade the customer experience.

CHICAGO - May 15, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Pircher, Nichols & Meeks, a national real estate law firm with offices in Chicago and Los Angeles, announced that Kathleen Dempsey Boyle has joined the firm as an of counsel member in the Chicago office. Ms. Boyle has an extensive background in commercial real estate transactions for the development, operation and leasing of shopping centers, infill urban developments and mixed use properties.

WASHINGTON - May 15, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Homeownership is expected to retain its political luster through the 2014 election cycle, even as lawmakers struggle to reach consensus on major policy issues like immigration and healthcare, said two top political strategists at today’s Federal Legislative and Political Forum during the Realtor® Party Convention & Trade Expo

WASHINGTON - May 15, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Housing Agency is taking additional steps to expand access to mortgage credit for underserved borrowers, according to Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan, who spoke to Realtors® today at the FHA: 80 Years and Counting – Regulatory Issues Forum during the Realtor® Party Convention & Trade Expo.

WASHINGTON - May 15, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- The inability of the U.S. Congress to compromise on key issues such as immigration reform, healthcare and government spending will likely continue through President Obama’s second term. This was the message delivered to Realtors® by news anchor and political commentator Chris Matthews, who spoke at today’s Insights and Perspectives with Chris Matthews session at the Realtor® Party Convention & Trade Expo

WASHINGTON - May 15, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- A group of rising young Realtors® is taking advantage of renewed optimism in housing and commercial real estate markets to champion their client’s buying, selling and investing goals and advance their real estate careers. This year’s Realtor® Magazine “30 Under 30” honorees are hardworking young professionals who understand the importance of building strong customer and community relationships

Washington, D.C. - May 15, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) joined leaders of America’s design and construction industry – along with building owners and operators – today in pledging to promote resilience in contemporary planning, building materials, design, construction and operational techniques as the solution to making the nation’s aging infrastructure more safe and secure.