Washington, D.C. - May 11, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, Gov. Martin O’Malley of Maryland signed into law the state’s adoption of the International Green Construction Code (IGCC) enabling the adoption of the IGCC by all local governments across the state. This law is a result of legislative debate – and Maryland is the first state in the nation to make such a collective commitment to the importance of well-built buildings in addressing some of today’s biggest challenges

Washington, DC - May 11, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The pendulum on mortgage credit has swung too far in the other direction after the recent housing downturn and is putting an unnecessary burden on creditworthy consumers, impeding the economic and housing market recoveries. That’s what a panel of industry experts told several thousand Realtors® gathered at a special symposium, Ensuring Mortgage Availability for Creditworthy Homebuyers, during the Realtors® 2011 Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo in Washington, D.C., here through May 14.

Torrance, CA - May 11, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- In the first Class A multifamily transaction to take place in Las Vegas in at least 36 months, Birmingham, Ala.-based REIT, Colonial Properties Trust (NYSE: CLP), acquired a 341-unit apartment community for $40,900,000, according to Jim Fisher, a Principal with Lee & Associates-LA North/Ventura, Inc and Stephen Peters, a Principal with Lee & Associates-Investment Services Group, who represented the buyer in the transaction.

Washington, DC - May 11, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Reforms to America’s housing finance market must ensure a reliable source of affordable mortgage lending for creditworthy consumers. That’s according to Realtors® and other industry insiders who examined the federal government’s future role in the secondary mortgage market at the “Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac: Obama Options and Beyond” session during the National Association of Realtors® 2011 Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo, here through May 14.

Washington, DC - May 11, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Now is the time for Realtors® to come to the aid of their industry, on behalf of the nation’s 75 million home owners, aspiring home owners, real estate investors, and the nation’s economy. That was the message delivered today during “59 and ½ Minutes: A Member-Director Forum” during the Realtors® Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo here.

Torrance, CA - May 11, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Lee & Associates, one of the largest commercial real estate brokerage firms in the country, has opened its newest office in Greenville, S.C. The firm now has 43 offices nationwide as it remains committed to its expansion campaign scheduled to continue through 2011.

Washington, D.C. - May 11, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- NeighborWorks organizations around the country working to increase the energy efficiency of the more than 5,000 rental homes that they build and rehab annually, as well as their mixed-use projects, now have access to a new suite of flexible and affordable loan products from NeighborWorks Capital.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 11, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- According to new data released by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), stark contrasts exist in housing affordability between major races and ethnic groups across the United States. The NAHB’s quarterly index, the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI), which measures housing affordability in metropolitan areas nationwide, was broken down for the first time in its history to analyze the differences in income and housing affordability in 2010 across five different races/ethnic groups.The report examined median incomes and housing affordability for Whites, Blacks, Hispanics, Asians and American Indians/Alaska Natives. The HOI for all races/ethnic groups combined was 72.8 in 2010, meaning that 72.8 percent of all homes sold in the U.S. last year were affordable to families earning the national median income of $64,400.

Miami, FL - May 11, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federated Companies, a leading national real estate investment and development firm, is pleased to announce that it has completed the sales of its' remaining retail asset located at 115 Washington Street in Attleboro, Massachusetts. Built in 2007, this free-standing retail building is 15,950 square feet and is fully occupied by Goodwill Industries. It was sold to a private seller for $2.625 million.

New York, NY - May 10, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- SL Green Realty Corp. (NYSE: SLG) today announced Jeff Sutton and it have formed a joint venture that has entered into an agreement to acquire the Times Square property located at 1552 Broadway from The Riese Organization, which will continue to operate the TGI Friday's restaurant at the property at least until the summer of 2012. The transaction is expected to close during the third quarter of 2011.

AUSTIN, TX - May 10, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) today announced a $190,2651 award to a Houston-based nonprofit housing finance agency assisting eligible residents in eight southeast Texas counties and 11 cities purchasing a home of their own, providing greater stability to area low income families and a shot in the arm to the local economy.TDHCA made the award through its HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program to the Southeast Texas Housing Finance Corporation (SETHFC), which the organization will use to provide nine households with down payment and closing cost assistance and helping them achieve the American Dream of homeownership.

May 10, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) WHO: Lt. Governor Greg Bell, Gordon D. Walker, Director, Utah Division of Housing and Community Development, Matt Minkivitch, Executive Director, The Road Home

Seattle, WA - May 10, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- One year has passed since the City Council adopted legislation to allow backyard cottages in all single family zones. Join Councilmembers, architects, and backyard cottage owners as they discuss and review how many cottages have been built, what they look like, their scale, and where they're appearing.

CLEVELAND, OH - May 10, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today announced his office has filed a lawsuit against The Modification Group LLC (TMG), a Cleveland business that offered to help homeowners avoid foreclosure in exchange for $1,995 or more. The lawsuit alleges multiple violations of Ohio consumer law, including failure to deliver.“We have received dozens of complaints against The Modification Group,” Attorney General DeWine said

Los Angeles, CA - May 10, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBG) today announced that the Company has been recognized as the 6th ranked provider of outsourcing services across all industries, according to the annual Global Outsourcing 100 released by the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals (IAOP). This is the highest ranking for any commercial real estate services firm on the 2011 list, which recognizes the world’s most prestigious outsourcing service providers.

Los Angeles, CA - May 10, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc. has been named to the FORTUNE 500 list of the largest U.S.-based companies for the fourth straight year. CB Richard Ellis is the only commercial real estate services firm ever to be included in the FORTUNE 500.

CHICAGO, IL - May 10, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- According to the REAL Trends Top 500 Report recognizing the top real estate companies in the country, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® once again was named the highest-producing network in terms of total sales for 2010 among this elite top 500 group of companies.

ANNAPOLIS, MD - May 10, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Martin O’Malley and Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown today joined members of the Administration, community leaders and local elected officials at the home of Prince George’s County resident Fanny Melvin to encourage homeowners at risk of losing their homes to take advantage of foreclosure prevention programs in Maryland, including the Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (EMA), the MDHOPE Network and available counseling services throughout the state.

Washington, DC - May 10, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Existing-home sales continued to recover in the first quarter with gains recorded in 49 states and the District of Columbia, while 22 percent of the available metropolitan areas saw prices rise from a year ago, according to the latest survey by the National Association of Realtors®.

EUGENE, OR - May 10, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The customizable IDX Broker software known for simplifying the online real estate search has been added to the website of Columbia, Missouri real estate professional Lori Holliday. Now, Holliday hosts a dynamic IDX enabled search page for her clients, thanks to IDX, Inc. The revolutionary technology extracts raw listing data directly from the Columbia MLS (CBORMLS) and seamlessly integrates it onto the search page of Holliday. IDX Broker even gives home seekers the ability to experience unprecedented levels of access to listings through the search capabilities Holliday supports on her website. Her IDX enabled search page has forever changed the way potential Columbia buyers find their dream home online

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.

Be Aware of Deceptive Business Practices That Can Cost Thousands of Dollars for Services Not Provided While Moving to a New Home. Follow the New York Department of State on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for “Tuesday’s Tips” – Practical Tips to Educate and Empower New York Consumers on a Variety of Topics

In Waukegan, Illinois, about 40 miles north of Chicago, Dulce Ortiz is celebrating with her children. Ortiz is a cofounder of the local environmental justice organization Clean Power Lake County. She has been organizing for years to get coal ash waste cleaned up from the site of the retired coal power plant in her town.

In recent years, the interplay between high-speed rail (HSR) systems and land markets has emerged as a topic of significant interest. Despite the growing attention, the specific effects and underlying mechanisms of HSR on land prices have not been extensively studied. Our research aims to bridge this gap by analyzing China's land transaction data.

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