Archives

ORLANDO, FL - June 29, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Many families across Florida and the rest of the nation will spend the Fourth of July holiday away from home, basking on the state’s beautiful beaches, traveling to see relatives or maybe just visiting friends for a backyard barbecue.To fully enjoy those activities and other summertime pursuits spent away from home, Florida Realtors® suggests that homeowners take precautions to safeguard their residences when they’re not around. Crime rates across the country often start to peak as temperatures rise during warm weather months – the same time that many families leave their homes unoccupied and unprotected.

BIRMINGHAM, AL - June 29, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Federal prosecutors on Monday charged a Birmingham man for running a mortgage fraud scheme in which he sold houses that he did not own, U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance announced.

WASHINGTON, DC - June 29, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Labor today announced $83,941,360 in grants through the National Farmworker Jobs Program to combat the chronic unemployment and underemployment experienced by migrant and seasonal farmworkers who depend primarily on agricultural labor jobs. A total of $78,253,180 will go to 52 organizations nationwide to provide training, employment and support services for farmworkers and their families. An additional $5,688,600 will go to 16 organizations to provide temporary or permanent housing assistance

WASHINGTON, DC - June 29, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced publication of a final rule setting the minimum standards that states must meet to comply with the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 (SAFE Act) in licensing mortgage loan originators. The final rule is posted for public display on the Federal Register’s Electronic Public Inspection Desk today and will be published in tomorrow's Federal Register.

Washington, D.C. - June 29, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The collapse of the housing market resulted in greater interest in smaller homes and lot sizes, but that appears to be leveling off. There continues to be interest from homeowners in investing in their properties, particularly with regards to outdoor living space. Accessibility within the home remains a concern, especially for an aging population, along with ongoing demand for more flexible and open design within homes. Business conditions for residential architects are showing improving conditions with the highest billings score since mid-2007.

Chicago, IL - June 29, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The American Institute of Architects (AIA) today announced it would make available to potential investors a database of stalled building projects nationwide that make economic sense but which lack the financing to be completed.The AIA is announcing this commitment here today as a participating member at CGI America, the first conference of the Clinton Global Initiative solely dedicated to economic issues impacting the United States. The database should be available in coming months.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - June 29, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- CRL, the National Consumer Law Center and other groups yesterday filed a joint comment letter on why a new proposal by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency makes no sense, will not stand up in court, and should be withdrawn. [Read the letter: http://www.responsiblelending.org/mortgage-lending/policy-legislation/regulators/comments-to-the-occ-we.html.]

WASHINGTON, D.C. - June 29, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mortgage applications decreased 2.7 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending June 24, 2011.

Washington, DC - June 29, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Pending home sales rose strongly in May with all regions experiencing gains from a year ago, pointing to higher housing activity in the second half of the year, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

Washington, DC - June 28, 2011 - (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 4.74 percent based on loans closed in May. This is a decrease of 0.06 percent from the previous month. This Contract Rate series can be found at http://www.fhfa.gov/Default.aspx?Page=251.

VIENNA, VA - June 28, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) today, in its First Quarter 2011 Mortgage Loan Fraud (MLF) analysis, reported that the number of MLF suspicious activity reports (SARs) rose to 25,485 up 31 percent from 19,420 in the first quarter of 2010. FinCEN attributes the increase to large mortgage lenders conducting additional reviews after receiving demands to repurchase poorly performing mortgage loans. In the first quarter of 2011, 86 percent of MLF SARs reported activities which occurred more than two years prior to the filing of the SARs.

WASHINGTON, DC - June 28, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The American Bankers Association testified today on the need to ensure small banks have access to the secondary mortgage market, calling for workable and clear underwriting standards for all mortgage loans and a reduced government role in housing finance.

Des Plaines, IL - June 27, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- A nationwide survey of remodeling contractors by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) reveals a significant increase in the cost of a remodeling project due to current federal regulation. Regulation that according to survey results, is unwelcome to homeowners who do not have small children living in their home. And regulation that is certain to negatively impact scores of small remodeling businesses.

WASHINGTON, DC - June 27, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today released a study that finds the nation’s 1.2 million public housing units need an estimated $25.6 billion for large scale repairs. This study updates a 1998 analysis and includes costs to address overdue repairs, accessibility improvements for disabled residents, lead abatement, and water and energy conservation that would make the homes more cost effective and energy efficient.

Washington, DC - June 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a maximum grant of $5,821,833.60 under the Emergency Homeowners Loan Program (EHLP). This award represents approximately 25 percent of the total $22,990,954 allocated under EHLP.

WASHINGTON, DC - June 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today released a study that finds the nation’s 1.2 million public housing units need an estimated $25.6 billion for large scale repairs. This study updates a 1998 analysis and includes costs to address overdue repairs, accessibility improvements for disabled residents, lead abatement, and water and energy conservation that would make the homes more cost effective and energy efficient

June 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Lloyd P. LaFountain, III, Superintendent of Maine’s Bureau of Financial Institutions reported mixed news from the first quarter survey covering residential mortgage loans held by Maine’s 32 state-chartered ban...

LOS ANGELES, CA - June 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- More than 30,000 California families will face higher down payments, higher mortgage rates, and stricter loan qualification requirements if conforming loan limits on mortgages backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac are reduced beginning October 1, 2011, according to analysis by the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.).

LITTLE ROCK, AR - June 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Homeowners rebuilding after the spring storms and floods, or those planning for future emergencies, can receive valuable information from specialists with the Federal Emergency Management Agency ...

PIERRE, S.D. - June 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Gov. Dennis Daugaard announced today that teams made up of federal, state and local personnel will begin assessing the extent of flood-related damages to homes and businesses in 10 South Dakota coun...