Portland, OR - March 25, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- After several stops throughout the country this month, the Home Ownership Matters Bus Tour will stop in Portland on Saturday, March 26, outside the Portland Better Living Home Garden & Lifestyle Show. Hosted by the National Association of REALTORS®, the bus tour will give consumers the chance to speak with NAR leaders and local officials about how shifting priorities and public policies in Washington could affect home ownership in Portland

Kaneohe, HI - March 25, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Prior to February 10, 2011, Internet users could use Google Maps to search for houses or condominiums for sale. Convenient sidebars allowed the user to quickly refine their search criteria. Google Maps appealed to many people who liked to research real estate geographically and graphically.

Nashville, TN - March 25, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Morris Property Management, an Associa company, is pleased to announce the addition of eight new associations to its diverse client portfolio.

WASHINGTON, DCv - March 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Housing and Urban Development posted a Notice of Funding Availability(NOFA) today for the six entities that were last week named finalists to receive the first Implementation Grant funding through HUD’s new Choice Neighborhoods Initiative (CN).

Washington, D.C. - March 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- During the first two months of 2011 the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) is not exhibiting the strength of business conditions that were seen in the final quarter of 2010. 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 February ABI score was 50.6, up slightly from a reading of 50.0 the previous month. This score reflects a modest increase in demand for design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was 56.4, compared to a mark of 56.5 in January

Washington, D.C - March 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Economic pressures and the overall decline in home values resulted in the more modest design of kitchens and bathrooms in recent years. That trend appears to be changing towards homeowner preference for larger, and in some cases additional, kitchens and bathrooms. Households continue to desire products and features that promote energy efficiency and adaptability in the use of space for seniors and those with accessibility concerns.

NEW YORK, N.Y. - March 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mortgage rates marked a slight increase, with the benchmark conforming 30-year fixed mortgage rate rising to 4.96 percent, according to Bankrate.com's weekly national survey. The average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.41 discount and origination points.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - March 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Homebuyers often have many homes to check out as they make the rounds searching for the one that's just right. Zephyr has removed the hassle from that chore with its new Home Tour tool, which plots out multi-destination driving directions to create a customized home tour.

March 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Gov. John Hickenlooper announced today appointments to the State Agricultural Commission. The State Agricultural Commission formulates policy with respect to the management of the Department of Agriculture. The com...

WASHINGTON, DC - March 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International announced today that it will encourage its members to participate in the World Wildlife Fund (WWF)’s 2011 Earth Hour. WWF’s global initiative asks that individuals, businesses, organizations and governments turn off all non-essential lighting for one hour, from 8:30-9:30 pm local time on Saturday, March 26, 2011. The aim of Earth Hour is to visibly demonstrate global concern about climate change and a commitment to find solutions that minimize negative human impact on the Earth.

WASHINGTON, DC - March 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan announced today that public housing agencies across the United States will receive nearly $54 million to link low-income families with the necessary education and job training to put them on the path to self-sufficiency.

WASHINGTON, DC - March 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today issued a report summarizing efforts to the measure the extent of “worst case housing needs” among very low-income renter households with disabilities. HUD’s 2009 Worst Case Housing Needs of People with Disabilities finds that approximately 1 million households that included nonelderly people with disabilities had worst case needs.

EUGENE, OR - March 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- With thousands of properties being updated every day, real estate professional Ginny L. Gorman of Phillips Post Road Realty has integrated the revolutionary IDX Broker software onto her website, in an e...

DENVER, CO - March 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- It’s what matters most to buyers and sellers in today’s real estate market – working with a professional real estate agent who has the experience to get the job done. And statistics show, that is a RE/MAX agent. For the 13th consecutive year, nobody sells more real estate than RE/MAX

MIAMI, FL - March 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today Fannie Mae and Neighborhood Housing Services of South Florida (NHSSF) celebrated the one-year anniversary of Fannie Mae's South Florida Mortgage Help Center. Since opening its doors in March 2010, the South Florida Mortgage Help Center has reached out to more than 5,000 South Floridians and worked with more than 1,000 struggling families with loans owned by Fannie Mae. The South Florida Mortgage Help Center was the first of six Help Centers Fannie Mae opened in hard-hit cities across the country. Additional Help Centers are expected to open this year.

Reston, VA - March 23, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) --The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Wyoming ruled last week in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. (MERS), upholding the company’s ability to take any action required of a lender, including assigning the mortgage

DENVER, CO - March 23, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- It’s a one-of-a-kind home that reflects innovative design expertise in one of downtown Denver’s historic buildings. The Starek Loft in the Volker Building was designed by Alice Starek and fellow ...

March 23, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- New research by the Center for Responsible Lending finds that banks and other loan servicers often foreclose when investors have more to gain from a loan modification. The study—“Fix or Evict? Loan Modifications Return More Value than Foreclosures”—also finds that the industry’s poor track record on loan modifications can’t be blamed on homeowners who re-default.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - March 23, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA) has launched an all-new member benefit program designed to help its full electronic systems contractor (ESC) members market their businesses locally. CEDIA’s ESC Marketing On-Demand program features brochures, postcards, and other promotional materials which members can customize and print at affordable rates.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - March 23, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Sales of newly built, single-family homes declined 16.9 percent in February to a record-low seasonally adjusted annual rate of 250,000 units, according to figures released today by the U.S. Commerce Department."Today's report is primarily a reflection of consumer uncertainty regarding the overall economy," said Bob Nielsen, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder from Reno, Nev. "A recent Gallup poll confirmed that the economy is Americans' top concern right now. At the same time, even qualified buyers who are ready to make a purchase are facing frustrating challenges in terms of tight consumer lending conditions and inappropriately low appraisal values on new construction."

Considering a renovation or new build in Auckland? Discover why choosing local builders can make all the difference to your project's success. From navigating...

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation-funded initiative will provide loans and technical assistance to four community land trusts seeking to expand their housing portfolios and organizational capacity?

Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-28) led 27 California Delegation Members in a letter sent to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urging the agency to conduct comprehensive soil testing and establish a remediation program for properties impacted by the devastating Eaton and Palisades Fires in Los Angeles County.

New analysis from CIH shows that reaching EPC Band C in social housing would save the NHS over £85 million per year from 2030. CIH is calling on the government to invest a minimum of £5 billion in retrofitting social housing at the forthcoming Spending Review to help realise these savings

The strategic process of buying 2nd property in Singapore represents the critical inflection point where ordinary income-earners separate themselves from true wealth builders who understand the power of leverage and asset acquisition. I'm going to be BRUTALLY HONEST with you—while most people are obsessing over saving a few percentage points on their mortgage interest rate

Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) hosted a wildfire recovery housing roundtable and press conference to address the housing needs of survivors displaced by January’s devastating Eaton Fire. The roundtable brought together local nonprofits, housing advocates, and government officials from every level to discuss obstacles her constituents are facing in finding stable, affordable housing in their own communities.

The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) announced the release of a new solicitation under the Accelerating Community Empowered Shared Solar (ACCESSolar) program, which develops community solar projects on NYCHA properties.

Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-16) voted in support of H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, that will deliver on the promises House Republicans made to the American people.

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