BOSTON, MA - June 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Residents of areas impacted by this week’s tornadoes and storms should be aware that out-of-state entities often pour into an affected region offering repair assistance, and homeowners should instead rely on Massachusetts-licensed contractors, electricians, plumbers, sheet metal workers and other tradesmen to do work.The Patrick-Murray Administration’s Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation registers home improvement contractors, and the Division of Professional Licensure licenses electricians, plumbers, and sheet metal workers. Both agencies offer online systems to check a licensee’s status.

Washington, D.C. - June 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is pleased to announce that the Union des Architectes Internationale (UIA) has selected the winners of the 1st UIA Architecture & Children Golden Cubes Awards, an international competition to honor people and organizations that help children and young people understand architecture. A total of 42 organizations and institutions from the United States submitted applications to the competition, out of 300 entries representing 19 countries.

June 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- At a time when there are 10 million extremely low income renter households in the United States and only 6.5 million homes renting at prices those households can afford, Representative Ed Royce (R-CA) has introduced a bill that would eliminate the only housing program designed to fill this gap. On May 25, NLIHC President Sheila Crowley testified at a hearing on this bill, which would abolish the National Housing Trust Fund.

Washington, DC - June 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- West Palm Beach Coalition for Independent Living Options (CILO) and the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) have filed a housing discrimination lawsuit against Cornerstone Group Development Corporation (www.cornerstonegrp.com), one of the largest multifamily housing developers in Florida and the United States. The organizations allege discrimination by Cornerstone Group and several of its affiliates against people with disabilities under the federal Fair Housing Act.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - June 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Members of Media:Yesterday, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) sent a letter to Acting Assistant Secretary for Housing - Federal Housing Commissioner Robert C. Ryan requesting the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) permit the use of electronic signatures (e-signatures) for all mortgage origination forms required by the FHA

WASHINGTON, DC - June 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced a commitment to insure a mortgage loan to the Stillwater Hospital Association in Columbus, Montana. The $14.3 million loan i...

Midland, TX - June 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today Betenbough Homes, based in Lubbock, Texas, officially opened its Legends Park community in Midland, the first community the builder will have featuring all Green Certified homes. Betenbough made the commitment in late 2010 to have all its homes Green Certified by the NAHB Research Center to the National Green Building Standard™ this year. These Green Certified homes will be offered to buyers at no additional cost.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - June 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- On Tuesday, June 7 at 1:30 p.m., the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) will host a media teleconference to reveal the results of a national survey looking at the value voters place on homeownership. The survey of 2,000 likely voters in the 2012 presidential election finds that, despite the economic downturn and housing crisis, respondents still consider owning a home to be a solid financial investment. The survey examines attitudes on homeownership among current homeowners including those who currently owe more than their house is worth as well as renters, and asks about the biggest barriers to buying a home

New York, NY - June 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Matrix Realty Group and Savanna are pleased to announce a successful year of leasing activity at the Matrix Corporate Center, a premier 1.2 million square-foot office complex located in Danbury, Connecticut. Over 150,000 square feet of commercial space was leased in 2010, bringing the center’s occupancy to 74%.

COLUMBUS, OH - June 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- An amendment to the Senate’s version of the budget bill released yesterday would take millions from a fund that provides housing for poor, elderly and disabled Ohioans, and funnel it to county recorders offices for “general purposes.”

HOUSTON, TX - June 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Adrian Levale Cole and Albert Terrance Watkins, both of Houston, have been sentenced to prison for their roles in a multi-million-dollar mortgage fraud scheme, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced today.

NEW YORK, NY - June 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Halstead Property Development Marketing and West 147th Street Associates LLC, the developers of PS90, a premier residential development, today announced new incentives for select buyers who sign their contracts by June 15th.

MONMOUTH JUNCTION, N.J. - June 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Bargain hunting means more than just good prices at The Pointe at Turnbury. While speculators try to scoop up the state’s few remaining foreclosure deals and fixer-upper properties at low prices, buyers at The Pointe at Turnbury are focusing on the quality end of the value equation. Prices have remained stable, yet active adult buyers agree that the spacious layout, luxury appointments and location just outside of Princeton qualifies The Pointe at Turnbury as a tremendous bargain.

New York, NY - June 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced an $110,000 U.S. Department of Labor grant for the United Veterans Beacon House based in Bay Shore, Long Island. The center, which provides transitional housing and job training to homeless veterans in Suffolk and Nassau County, will use the money to fund outreach efforts to homeless veterans at other shelters in Long Island, as well as efforts to connect these veterans to potential employers. Schumer said that this grant was essential in order to provide our heroes who have fallen on hard times with the helping hand they need to find jobs and get their lives back on track.

WASHINGTON, DC - June 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) and the American Association of Residential Mortgage Regulators (AARMR) today announced a 10-state settlement, in which Mortgage Access Corp. d/b/a Weichert Financial Services (MAC) headquartered in Morris Plains, New Jersey, agreed to remit a $3 million penalty.

Albany, NY - June 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Many local REALTOR boards/associations and their members across New York State and the country will be showing homes to the public as part of a Nationwide Open House Weekend, June 4-5, 2011. Local sellers will be able to showcase their homes and interested buyers will have an opportunity to visit houses in their area without having to make an appointment for a showing.

WASHINGTON, DC - June 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today kicked off National Homeownership Month and highlighted the important role housing plays in creating jobs, maintaining viable rural communities and contributing to the economy. Since the start of the current fiscal year, which began last October 1, USDA Rural Development has financed approximately 80,000 home loans for rural residents.

Los Angeles, CA - June 2, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Colliers International, the second largest global real estate services organization, welcomes Steve Algermissen to its Downtown Los Angeles office. He will serve as Executive Vice President.

West Hartford, CT - June 2, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Connecticut Real Estate Investors Association, or CT REIA, in association with the National Association of Small Business Owners, or NASBO, is announcing a new entrepreneur workshop for Connecticut business owners. This event will take place on Monday June 13, 2011 from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm at the Sheraton Four Points, 275 Research Parkway in Meriden, CT. Online registration in advance is $24 and admission at the door is $49.

BISMARCK, ND - June 2, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Six North Dakota teams recently attended a Supportive Housing Academy sponsored in part by the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA) and the North Dakota Coalition for Homeless People (NDCHP). Led...

Real estate wholesalers compete for speed. The best deals disappear fast. Wholesalers race to connect with motivated sellers before anyone else. But sellers who ignore mail or avoid attention require more than a drive-by or a stack of postcards. Wholesalers need better tools. They need better data. That’s where skip tracing makes the difference.

The establishment of a new Social and Affordable Homes Programme, which will succeed the current Affordable Homes Programme and prioritises the building of 60 per cent of homes for social rent. This programme will be the main way that the £39 billion announced for building of new social housing at the Spending Review will be delivered.

The "Roots to Reef" initiative spearheaded by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) in the Hampton River reached a critical new milestone this week in its mission to bolster the city's climate resilience.

Secretary Scott Turner announced the return of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s Innovative Housing Showcase from September 6 – 10 to the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Previously, the Innovative Housing Showcase was scheduled to take place May 30 – June 1

Buying a home is a big step, and today’s market offers a wide mix of options. Each one brings its own quirks—some exciting, others potentially costly. Knowing what to watch for upfront can spare you from stressful surprises and help you move forward with confidence.

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