WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 8, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The multifamily housing market continued to show improvement in the second quarter of 2011, as the Multifamily Production Index (MPI) compiled by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) increased for the fourth consecutive quarter.The MPI rose from 41.7 in the first quarter of the year to 44.4 in the second quarter. It is the highest quarterly reading since 2006, and continues the trend of generally improving conditions in the market for new multifamily housing that has emerged since the MPI dropped to a record low of 16.0 in the third quarter of 2008.

NEW YORK, NY - September 7, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Jones Lang LaSalle represented the Greater New York Councils, Boy Scouts of America, in an agreement with The Trust for Public Land to permanently protect the William H. Pouch Scout Camp on Staten Island. The GNYC entered into an agreement with TPL that will result in the preservation of 94 acres from development through a two-phase plan that includes the purchase of a large portion of the site.

New York, NY - September 7, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Rose Associates, Inc., the New York-based full-service real estate firm, has hired Lisa Bulloch-Jones as director of corporate marketing. In this position, she will oversee all marketing initiatives for the company, including communications, branding, corporate advertising and public relations.

TEANECK, N.J. - September 7, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- For Encelium Technologies, a leading technology manufacturer specializing in integrated lighting control systems for commercial buildings, the future has never looked brighter. Installations of its hallmark Energy ControlSystemTM (ECS) now exceed more than 40 million square feet and the company continues to post impressive annual sales increases. And just last year, Encelium secured $11 million in a financing round led by Siemens Venture Capital (SVC), the corporate venture capital organization of Siemens.

CAMDEN, N.J. - September 7, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Smarter Agent, a mobile platform and application company, today announced the Smarter Agent real estate application for Windows Phone. Smarter Agent for Windows Phone is a comprehensive tool for anyone interested in accurate, unbiased, and local real estate information. The app features homes for sale listings and hard to find apartment listings, directly from MLS member sources for more than 50,000 cities, representing more than four million homes for sale in the United States. With its launch on Windows Phone, Smarter Agent is now available across major mobile platforms, including iPhone, Android, BlackBerry and Windows Phone

TEANECK, N.J. - September 7, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- For Encelium Technologies, a leading technology manufacturer specializing in integrated lighting control systems for commercial buildings, the future has never looked brighter. Installations of its hallmark Energy ControlSystemTM (ECS) now exceed more than 40 million square feet and the company continues to post impressive annual sales increases. And just last year, Encelium secured $11 million in a financing round led by Siemens Venture Capital (SVC), the corporate venture capital organization of Siemens.

San Francisco, CA - September 7, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco announced today that it has awarded $1 million in grants through its Access to Housing and Economic Assistance for Development (AHEAD) Program. The grants, which are made through the Bank’s member financial institutions, will be used by nonprofit organizations in Arizona, California, and Nevada for projects and programs that foster economic development and promote community stability and self-sufficiency.

CUPERTINO, SILICON VALLEY, USA - September 7, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Larry Klapow teams with Intero Real Estate Services to assist managers in business development and the growth of the company. Klapow will conduct agent trainings such as his signature class “Building Your Networks and Social Capital.” Over the course of a 19-year career involving Bay Area real estate, Klapow has earned a reputation as a peer, mentor, friend and coach. As a former President of Coldwell Banker’s Residential Brokerage San Francisco Bay Area Region, he was responsible for the development of the company and oversaw 32 offices and a talented team of up to 2,200 real estate professionals.

EUGENE, OR - September 7, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Sacramento, California area home seekers can now experience an online real estate search experience comparable to none, on the IDX enabled website of Rocklin Realtor Shab Nash. Nash, a member of the Metrolist Sacramento Multiple Listing Service (MLS), she can display thousands of area listings instantly on her IDX synced website. Additional outlets, including an iPhone application, give potential Sacramento buyers more freedom and control than ever before afforded to home seekers throughout an online property real estate search.

EUGENE, OR - September 7, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Sherry Perry and IDX, Inc. have joined forces to bring new levels of ease and accessibility to the Bryan/College Station, Texas home search, by enabling an IDX solution that has revolutionized the we...

Destin, FL - September 7, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Volatility in the stock market has diminished confidence in the U.S. housing market from recovering any time soon for the large majority of Americans, according to a new Housing Predictor survey.

Orange County, CA - September 7, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Colliers International, the second largest real estate services organization globally, welcomes Mark Baziak and his team Terrison Quinn, Peter Spragg, Mark Joens, Casey Mahony and Jesika Tran-Nguyen, to its Orange County and DTLA Offices.

Los Angeles, CA - September 7, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Nearly 1,000 CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) professionals at nearly 20 offices across the U.S. will “Get Out and Give Back” by helping to rebuild housing in their communities in September and October as part of CBRE’s BuildMonth 2011. This annual effort is the signature event of the CBRE Shelter Program, which focuses on providing shelter and housing to individuals in need. The initiative is a cornerstone of the Company’s corporate philanthropy program, CBRE Cares.

Los Angeles, CA - September 7, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Colliers International, the second largest global real estate services organization, has completed the sale of a 34,320-square-feet mixed use property located at 312 E 1st Street Los Angeles, Calif. The transaction is valued at $3.935 Million.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 7, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- David H. Stevens, President and CEO of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), today announced the appointment of Jeffrey M. Schummer as Vice President of Education. In this role, Schummer will be driving the strategic vision, development and growth of MBA's educational programs.

Washington, D.C. - September 7, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Last week, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded a total of $122 million to five communities for the redevelopment of distressed public and assisted housing.

Pittsburgh and New Orleans Among Those Included - September 7, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) released its first NAHB/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI), a new economic index revealing metropolitan areas that have shown improvement for at least six months in three key economic areas—housing permits, employment and housing prices

WASHINGTON, DC - September 6, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Johnson (D-SD) held a hearing to discuss national mortgage servicing standards. It was the eighth in a series of hearings the Committee has been holding related to housing finance reform.

WASHINGTON, DC - September 6, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced that it is charging Merline and Clifton Hylton, the owner and manager of a rental home in Windsor Locks, Connecticut with violating the Fair Housing Act for denying a request by biracial tenants to sublease their home to an African American family. The current tenants allege that Mr. Hylton told them he was rejecting the prospective sub-tenants because he “did not want too many blacks at the property.”

New York, NY. - September 6, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- International law firm Nixon Peabody LLP has expanded its Tax Credit Finance and Syndication practice in New York City with the arrival of two partners Alan S. Cohen and Mark A. Kreitman, associate Amy Curry, and paralegal George Steiner. Mr. Cohen and Mr. Kreitman most recently led Paul Hastings’ affordable housing tax credit practice.

In the realm of interior design, the kitchen holds a special place. It's not just a place for preparing meals; it's a space where functionality meets aesthetics. Among the various elements that contribute to the allure of a kitchen, the splashback stands out as both a practical and stylish addition.

Nonprofit affordable housing developer MHP has officially launched a bold new $20M campaign to double its impact by the end of the decade, activating a plan to expand and preserve more affordable housing in Montgomery County, MD and across the DMV. As of today, MHP has raised $15.8M, 79% of its goal.

PORTLAND, Maine: A Glenburn woman pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Portland to embezzling from an organization receiving federal funds and conspiring to alter money orders. According to court records, Kelly Ballinger, 57, was a former property manager for a Portland apartment complex with residences funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

A home's value is determined by several elements, and landscaping is important for improving a property's curb appeal and overall attractiveness. Well-designed landscaping, such as verdant gardens, tidy lawns, and eye-catching outdoor living areas, may dramatically raise a home's value.

Dallas lawns face a unique set of challenges. The hot Texas summers, coupled with compacted soil from regular foot traffic and heavy clay content in some areas, can lead to compacted soil, hindering air, water, and nutrient penetration to the grassroots. This results in a stressed lawn that's more susceptible to disease, pests, and poor growth.

The public has the right to attend the meeting at any of the locations. Alternatively, the public may attend the live meeting remotely: The Board assists the NYS Department of Labor and the Commissioner of Labor with regulations, compliance and licensing covering elevators, motorized lifts and walkways, chair lifts and other similar equipment.

When it comes to the exterior of your home, the entryway sets the tone for what lies beyond. A wood gate is the perfect addition to create a warm and inviting welcome for your guests. Its natural beauty and timeless appeal can instantly enhance the curb appeal of your property, making a lasting impression.

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