News

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 7, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The number of improving housing markets continued to expand for a third consecutive month in November, rising from 23 to 30 on the latest National Association of Home Builders/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI), released today. The list dropped two metros and added nine new ones – Cheyenne, Wyo.; Corpus Christi, Tex.; Davenport, Iowa.; Fort Collins, Colo.; Hinesville, Ga.; Lima, Ohio; Monroe, La.; Tyler, Tex.; and Williamsport, Pa.

WASHINGTON, DC - November 7, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- A broad spectrum of real estate, business, lending, manufacturing, environmental and energy efficiency organizations led by The Real Estate Roundtable, U.S. Green Building Council and the Natural Resources Defense Council have launched a joint initiative focused on energy efficiency policies that will create new jobs and boost economic growth.

WASHINGTON, DC - November 4, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- On November 2, the International Code Council (ICC) honored Ron Nickson, Vice President of Building Codes for the National Multi Housing Council/National Apartment Association (NMHC/NAA) Joint Legislative Program, with their 2011 ICC Affiliate Award in recognition of his 30 years of service to the industry.

WASHINGTON, DC - November 4, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The National Housing Conference, known as the united voice for housing, today commended the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s announcement of proposed rules to strengthen oversight of the $1.6 billion HOME Investment Partnerships Program, which has been accused of waste and lax oversight. HUD’s announcement comes after NHC testified alongside current and former HUD employees this week in a joint hearing before the House Subcommittee on Insurance, Housing and Community Opportunity and the House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.

WASHINGTON, DC - November 4, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced HUD is proposing new regulatory requirements under its HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME). HOME is the largest federal block grant to state and local governments designed exclusively to produce affordable housing for low-income families.Since 1992, the HOME Program has successfully assisted more than one million affordable homes for lower income families. However, Secretary Donovan believes the program can be strengthened to significantly boost the program’s performance at the local level.

November 4, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- CT REIA and Nyrik & Linda Huuskonen presents: Powerhouse Wealth Strategies Real Estate Workshop Weekend

VIENNA, VA - November 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) today proposed regulations that would require government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Home Loan Banks to develop anti-money laundering (AML) programs and file suspicious activity reports (SARs) with FinCEN.

WASHINGTON, DC - November 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury today released the October edition of the Obama Administration's Housing Scorecard – a comprehensive report on the nation’s housing market. The latest housing data offer continued mixed signals as new home sales rose compared to August, but were still slightly down from the prior year. Mortgage defaults and foreclosure sales continued a downward trend as more homeowners were able to secure mortgage relief. However, foreclosure completions ticked slightly upward in September after months of decline.

November 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation (OFIR) has shut down an operation claiming to be a Detroit mortgage company called “United Commercial Credit” by ordering it to cease and desist from doing busi...

November 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- At a hearing today, National Low Income Housing Coalition board member and legal services attorney Charles Elsesser will testify before a House panel in support of an Administration proposal on public housing conversion

COLUMBUS, OH - November 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- More than 1,400 affordable housing professionals across Ohio and the nation are expected to gather at the Greater Columbus Convention Center November 29-December 1 for the 2011 Ohio Housing Conferen...

WASHINGTON, DC - November 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today that it has reached an agreement with Luxury Mortgage Corporation (LMC), a mortgage lender based in Stamford, Connecticut, settling accusations that the lender discriminated against a woman by denying her mortgage loan because she was on maternity leave. Under the settlement, LMC agrees to pay the woman who was denied the mortgage $12,000.

WASHINGTON, DC - November 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury today released the October edition of the Obama Administration's Housing Scorecard – a comprehensive report on the nation’s housing market. The latest housing data offer continued mixed signals as new home sales rose compared to August, but were still slightly down from the prior year. Mortgage defaults and foreclosure sales continued a downward trend as more homeowners were able to secure mortgage relief. However, foreclosure completions ticked slightly upward in September after months of decline.

Washington, DC - November 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Third quarter 2011 commercial and multifamily mortgage loan originations were 98 percent higher than during the same period last year and 10 percent higher than the second quarter of 2011, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Quarterly Survey of Commercial/Multifamily Mortgage Bankers Originations.

Washington, DC - November 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today the National Association of Realtors®, and Move, Inc. (NASDAQ: MOVE), the leader in online real estate and operator of Realtor.com, extended the lead of Realtor.com as the world’s largest online destination for real estate listings with the launch of the Realtor.com International web site.

Washington DC - November 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- For the past 12 years the Good Neighbor Awards program has recognized Realtors® who are devoted to strengthening communities through volunteer work and helping those in need. The five individuals named as this year's REALTOR® Magazine Good Neighbor Award winners are leading examples of how Realtors® value service and are committed to improving communities.

HARRISBURG - November 2, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Rep. Stephen E. Barrar (R-Chester/Delaware) announced today that Pennsylvania’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is now accepting applications for cash grants and crisis grants.

OLYMPIA, WA - November 2, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Washington State Department of Commerce awarded more than $48 million from the state’s Housing Trust Fund for 47 affordable housing projects across the state. Approximately 1,647 housing units will be built or rehabilitated. The projects will directly support an estimated 1,800- 2,000 jobs, with about 500 local jobs supported annually once the projects are completed.

Washington, DC - November 2, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), a longtime advocate for homeowners in Ohio, today released the following statement upon the news that the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency will move fo...

November 2, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Secretary of State Jim Condos announced that over $23,000 in grants were awarded to 5 municipalities to help them to continue to meet the mandates of the federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) which was signed into ...