BEIJING - May 17, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- More than 300 of the world’s foremost real estate and land use leaders have assembled this week in Beijing for the Urban Land Institute’s first-ever real estate summit in mainland China. ULI is a global research and education organization dedicated to responsible land use and creating thriving communities worldwide. Founded in 1936, the institute has nearly 30,000 members around the globe, including more than 700 in the Asia Pacific region.

ATLANTA, GA - May 17, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- The town of Denton in Davidson County, N.C. is now a participating community in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which means those living and working in the town can purchase federally-underwritten flood insurance.

EUGENE, OR - May 17, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Beaverton, Oregon home seekers can now experience the innovative online real estate search made possible by IDX, Inc. on the website of Broker Sandra Daniels. The IDX solution Daniels now employs has made...

West Hartford, CT - May 17, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Renew your membership or become a new CTREA member and receive 2 Free Tickets to this great event along with a free 124 page study guide. You can attend this event for Free!

Washington, D.C. - May 17, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- ConsensusDocs announces today that the National Hispanic Construction Association (NHCA) joined the coalition, becoming the 36th member of this unique coalition that produces best practice contracts for the design and construction industry

EUGENE, OR - May 17, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- North Texas Real Estate Info Systems MLS (NTREIS) listings are now seamlessly integrated onto the website of Nord Realty, thanks to IDX, Inc. and their dynamic IDX Broker software. As a Plano, Texas real ...

WASHINGTON, DC - May 17, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today released two reports on the impact of HUD-approved housing counseling has for those families who purchase their first homes and those struggling to prevent foreclosure. In both studies, HUD found housing counseling significantly improved the likelihood homeowners remained in their homes.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 17, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Nationwide housing affordability hit a new record high for a second consecutive quarter in the first three months of this year, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI), released today. Yet tight lending conditions continue to pose a major obstacle to many prospective home buyers

Washington, D.C. - May 16, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is partnering with Broadcastr on a project that will raise public awareness of architectural accomplishments, elevate appreciation of the profession, and provide reasoning behind design.

Washington, D.C. - May 16, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- After five months of positive readings, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) has fallen into negative terrain. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the April ABI score was 48.4, following a mark of 50.4 in March. This score reflects a decrease in demand for design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was 54.4, down from mark of 56.6 the previous month.

CHARLOTTE, - May 16, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Quicken Loans Mortgage Services (QLMS), a division of Quicken Loans Inc., the nation’s largest online lender, today announced plans to add more than 75 team members by the end of 2012 to support its growing business needs.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 16, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- The foreclosure and economic crisis significantly increased homelessness and the number of families at risk of homelessness in cities and counties across the nation.

WASHINGTON, DC - May 16, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development makes $85 million available to state housing agencies to provide affordable supportive housing for extremely low-income persons with disabilities.

Washington, DC - May 16, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- First quarter 2012 commercial and multifamily mortgage loan originations were 36 percent higher than during the same period last year and 12 percent lower than the fourth quarter of 2011, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Quarterly Survey of Commercial/Multifamily Mortgage Bankers Originations. The decrease from fourth quarter 2011 reflects the industry’s usual push to finalize deals before the end of the year, and subsequent drop-offs in first quarter numbers.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 16, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- The delinquency rate for mortgage loans on one-to-four-unit residential properties decreased to a seasonally adjusted rate of 7.40 percent of all loans outstanding as of the end of the first quarter of 2012, a decrease of 18 basis points from the fourth quarter of 2011, and a decrease of 92 basis points from one year ago, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) National Delinquency Survey. The non-seasonally adjusted delinquency rate decreased 121 basis points to 6.94 percent this quarter from 8.15 percent last quarter.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 16, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mortgage applications increased 9.2 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending May 11, 2012

WASHINGTON, DC - May 16, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- The National Association of Realtors® announced today a strategic alliance with Xceligent, Inc., a leading commercial real estate information services provider. Xceligent recently acquired ePropertyData from NAR’s strategic investment fund, Second Century Ventures, to create a competitive national alternative in commercial real estate information.

WASHINGTON, DC - May 16, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- A sustainable housing recovery requires that policymakers move forward with the difficult decisions regarding the future of the mortgage market. That's according to Federal Reserve Board Governor Elizabeth Duke, who spoke to Realtors® at a joint Real Estate Services and Regulatory Issues Forum—Prescriptions for Housing Recovery session today during the

WASHINGTON, DC - May 16, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Housing and the economic recovery will play a large part in deciding the outcome of the 2012 presidential election, according to public policy experts at today's Legislative and Political Forum during the Realtors® 2012 Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo. Former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, leading Democratic strategist Celinda Lake, and National Economic Council Director Gene Sperling provided their unique insights into issues affecting the long-term direction of the country.

WASHINGTON , DC - May 16, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today's real estate market is challenging and competitive, but this year's REALTOR® Magazine "30 Under 30" honorees haven't let that deter them. The 2012 class is following in the strong entrepreneurial tradition of real estate, creating their own pathways to success.

Congressman Lance Gooden sent a letter to the Dallas Housing Authority requesting answers and greater transparency regarding housing placement trends and neighborhood concentration concerns in Kaufman County. The letter responds to concerns raised by homeowners in the Gateway Parks subdivision in Forney about Housing Choice Vouchers and federal housing policies contributing to increased institutional investor ownership and neighborhood instability

The New York State Department of State (DOS) today announced the availability of nearly $20 million in funding through the 2026 Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) Initiative for three signature community planning and development programs—Local Waterfront Revitalization Program; Smart Growth Community Planning Program; and Brownfield Opportunity Area Program.

Last week, U.S. Reps. Mike Carey (R-OH-15) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19) introduced H.R. 9012, the Affordable Housing Credit Carryback Act to strengthen the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC). This legislation will change the LIHTC carryback period from one year to five years, which will increase the uptake of these important credits and spur more investment in affordable housing production.

On Wednesday, 29 credit unions from across New York State delivered a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, State Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Luis R. Sepúlveda and State Assembly Banks Chair Clyde Vanel, urging lawmakers to crack down on predatory payday loan apps by passing the Stop Taking Our Pay Act (STOP) Act (S8939–Brouk, Rochester/A9644–Raga, Queens).

Speaker Johnson released the following statement after an overwhelming bipartisan majority in the House voted to pass H. Res. 1299, an amended version of the Senate-passed 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.

In many Iowa communities, the biggest barrier to growth isn’t a lack of jobs or schools — it’s housing. Too often, the beautiful Victorian on Main Street that should welcome a new family is sitting empty and deteriorating because federal programs designed to help restore and finance rural housing are outdated and buried in red tape.

The New York State Division of Consumer Protection (DCP) is alerting consumers about the dangers of television (TV) tip-over hazards. Millions of New Yorkers will watch the Super Bowl this Sunday either on TVs at home or at parties with friends. DCP is taking this TV-focused occasion to remind consumers of critical TV safety tips.

Fast-growing Florida has been a favorite of real estate investors for many years. With so much interest having been focused on the state, though, investors need to take care to seek the best available opportunities.

Office of General Services Commissioner RoAnn Destito today announced that the Senator Walter J. Mahoney State Office Building located at 65 Court Street in Buffalo will be sold at auction in 2020. A work group formed earlier this year made up of City, County, and State officials working with professional real estate consultants CBRE, determined that in the current competitive and robust Buffalo real estate market

The Bureau of Land Management today announced that Karen Mouritsen has been named the new California State Director—a key leadership position based in Sacramento. As State Director, Mouritsen will direct a team that manages lands encompassing 15% of the Golden State’s total land mass

The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) today announced the opening of the new JLC Recovery and Wellness Center in New York City. JLC is operated by Exponents Inc. and provides free help and support services for people affected by addiction and for their families.

In spite of a robust U.S. economy, a strong employment rate, and steadily increasing 401(k) plan earnings, Black homeownership rates continue to drop. Drawing from the 2019 release of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers

Yesterday, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, asked the Department of the Interior about its commitment to the Yakima River Basin during a hearing on the president’s FY 2017 budget request. Deputy Secretary of the Interior Michael Connor agreed with Sen. Cantwell that the Yakima River Basin plan “is a model for the rest of the nation in water management.”

“Consumers Energy is thankful to be a part of holiday celebrations across the state as warm Thanksgiving memories are being made, and we are committed to providing many more generations of Michigan families with reliable, affordable energy in all seasons,” said Garrick Rochow, Consumers Energy’s vice president and chief customer officer

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 13, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Six federal financial regulatory agencies today issued a final rule that creates exemptions from certain appraisal requirements for a subset of higher-priced mortgage loans. The exemptions are intended to save borrowers time and money while still ensuring that the loans are financially sound

Atlanta, Georgia - November 13, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance (“Department”) entered into a Consent Order with Equity Loans, LLC, License Number 23300, located at 1150 Hammond Dr., Building E, Suite 650, Atlanta, Georgia 30328, to resolve allegations pertaining to violations of the Georgia Residential Mortgage Act