Washington, DC - May 25, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Housing Finance Agency today reported that the National Average Contract Mortgage Rate for the Purchase of Previously Occupied Homes by Combined Lenders, used as an index in some ARM contracts, was 4.80 percent based on loans closed in April. This is a decrease of 0.04 percent from the previous month.

WASHINGTON, DC - May 25, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced HUD will speed federal disaster assistance to the State of Idaho and provide support to homeowners and low-income renters forced from their homes following flooding, landslides, and mudslides storm during March and April.

May 25, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Lee & Associates, one of the largest national commercial real estate providers with regional expertise, has closed a $1.9 million sales transaction for a 42,700-square-foot industrial building located at 7260 Sycamore Canyon Boulevard in Riverside, California.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 25, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Nationwide housing affordability during the first quarter of 2011 rose to its highest level in the more than 20 years it has been measured, according to National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI) data released today.The HOI indicated that 74.6 percent of all new and existing homes sold in the first quarter of 2011 were affordable to families earning the national median income of $64,400. This eclipsed the previous high of 73.9 percent set during the fourth quarter of 2010 and marked the ninth consecutive quarter that the index has been above 70 percent. Until 2009, the HOI rarely topped 65 percent and never reached 70 percent.

May 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- WHATg>: Vermont will be recognized nationally for its outstanding work in producing affordable housing and creating sustainable living environments

PITTSBURGH, PA - May 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- A resident of Richland Township, Pennsylvania has been sentenced in federal court to 27 months in prison and two years of supervised release on his conviction of wire fraud conspiracy, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

LOS ANGELES, CA - May 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today announced the creation of the California Attorney General's Mortgage Fraud Strike Force, staffed by Department of Justice attorneys and investigators charged with protecting innocent homeowners and bringing to justice those who defraud them.

LOS ANGELES, CA - May 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- A Buellton man was sentenced today to 21 months in federal prison for defrauding banks by nearly simultaneously seeking home equity lines of credit from four different federally insured financial institutions. Larry P. Corbi Jr., 36, who resided in Marina del Rey during the course of the scheme and has since relocated to the Central Coast, was sentenced by United States District Judge Dale S. Fischer. In addition to the prison term, Judge Fischer ordered Corbi to pay $356,644 in restitution.

NASHVILLE, Tenn.- May 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mitigation specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be in Memphis Lowe's and Home Depot stores this week. They will answer questions and offer home improvement tips and proven techniques to prevent and lessen damage from future disasters.

NEW YORK, NY - May 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- On behalf of Morgans Hotel Group, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels today announced the sale of the Morgans and Royalton Hotels in New York. FelCor Lodging Trust purchased the two hotels for $140 million. Leading the Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels team on this transaction was Executive Vice President Jeffrey Davis with Vice President Gilda Perez-Alvarado.

LOS ANGELES, CA - May 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- A second man who was employed as an inspector with the City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety pleaded guilty this afternoon to federal bribery charges for taking thousands of dollars in bribes to approve work done at residential construction sites in South Los Angeles, even though the work had not been inspected.

San Francisco, CA - May 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Oliver Burgelman, long-time agent at Zephyr Real Estate, has created a new web tool to demonstrate how the real estate market in San Francisco is trending. The website, allows viewers to instantly see on a San Francisco map whether the average price per square foot is increasing or decreasing. This unique market-trends tool shows properties currently available for sale in all of San Francisco, or by one of the 10 MLS districts, by neighborhood or by a customized “price square” of the viewer’s choosing.

Jackson, MS - May 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- While other parts of the state are dealing with the aftermath of the flooding and tornado natural disasters, Commissioner of Insurance Mike Chaney and the Mississippi Insurance Department (MID) remind coastal Mississippians that hurricane season begins in a little over a week. Preparations for a forecasted active, 2011 Hurricane season need to begin now, during National Hurricane Preparedness Week, May 22-28, 2011.

May 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- On May 25, NLIHC President and CEO Sheila Crowley will testify in support of the National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF) at a hearing of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets and Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs) titled, “Transparency, Transition and Taxpayer Protection: More Steps to End the GSE Bailout.” The hearing will be at 2 pm in room 2128 of the Rayburn House office building.

WASHINGTON, D.C - May 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- “Today’s report shows that the banking industry continues to gain strength. For a year now, asset quality has steadily improved, loan losses have declined, and capital is at record highs. This forward momentum helps solidify the base for making new loans to bolster growth in the expanding economy. “Banks added nearly $25 billion in equity capital during the first quarter and total industry capital is now more than $1.5 trillion. Banks also have set aside more than $218 billion in reserves to cover possible loan losses. Capital plus reserves gives a total buffer protecting the industry of more than $1.7 trillion. This demonstrates strong industry-wide improvement and a continued build-up of underlying strength. In addition, the industry capital-to-assets ratio – a key measure of financial strength – continues to remain very strong and ended the quarter at an all-time high.

Scottsdale, AZ - May 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- A mere eight weeks after opening two model homes at The Village at Paradise Reserve, Cullum Homes is proud to announce that Phase One of the luxury new home community just west of 40th Street on Lincoln Drive near Paradise Valley has sold out. Two homes in Phase Two have also been sold.

FRESNO, CA - May 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced that United States District Judge Lawrence J. O'Neill sentenced Wrenl Burge, 40, of Fresno, to 41 months in prison and Albert Lewis Ellis, 46, also of Fresno, to 33 months in prison for a scheme to falsify mortgage loan documents. Burge was ordered to pay $1,011,524 in restitution, and Ellis was ordered to pay $548,178 in restitution to the mortgage lenders.

WASHINGTON, DC - May 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- ABA Housing Partners Foundation announced today its partnership with Texas Bankers Association to build a Habitat for Humanity home in San Antonio, Texas. The two groups will work together to raise donations from bankers across the country to fund the foundation’s first build in the Southwest at the American Bankers Association’s Annual Convention in October 2011

Torrance, CA - May 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Lee & Associates, the nation’s largest broker-owned commercial real estate services firm, closed the $1.8 million sale of a 22,400-square-foot industrial property at 5217 Industry Ave., in Pico Rivera, Calif. Senior Vice Presidents Jeff Bethel of Lee & Associates’ City of Industry office and Peter D. Bacci of Lee & Associates-Central Los Angeles represented both the buyer and seller in the transaction. Daniels Western Meat Packers, Inc., a meat and food products supplier since 1953, purchased the property in an all cash deal from Burke & McCoy Family Trusts.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Sales of newly built, single-family homes rose 7.3 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 323,000 units in April, their best pace since December of 2010, according to figures released by the U.S. Commerce Department today. The report also showed that the nationwide inventory of new homes for sale continued to fall to just 175,000 units in April, which is a new record low."The fact that new-home sales have now risen for two consecutive months is certainly welcome news following an all-time low sales number in February," said Bob Nielsen, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder from Reno, Nev. "That said, builders are still contending with a great deal of competition from foreclosed properties for sale in certain markets, and in places where this is not an issue, it remains extremely difficult to obtain credit to build new homes."

A new report from the American Economic Liberties Project (AELP) examines how federal and state policy failures after the 2008 financial crisis handed Wall Street investors the keys to Atlanta’s housing market, sheds light on the rise and spread of investor-owned and built rental housing in Atlanta, and details what corporate homeownership means for tenants, homebuyers, and communities across the country.c

Atlanta has emerged as one of the most active real estate markets in the United States, driven by population growth, corporate relocation, and sustained demand for residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments. From multifamily housing projects to large-scale commercial investments, the city continues to attract developers, private investors, and institutional capital looking for long-term opportunities.

Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14) led the House Appropriations Committee full committee markup for the Fiscal Year 2027 Financial Services and General Government bill. Congressman Joyce is the primary author of this funding bill as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government

On Wednesday, April 16, the Governor signed into law legislation sponsored by Sen. Chip Curry, D-Belfast. The bill, LD 2225, “An Act to Support Municipal Enforcement of Residential Construction Laws, Codes and Regulations,” aims to help communities navigate the challenges of housing development more effectively, especially in smaller and rural towns.

Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) joined local leaders in Parksley to recognize $750,000 in Community Project Funding (CPF) secured for the Town of Parksley’s Water Supply Storage Improvement Project.

A metal double garage has become an increasingly popular choice among homeowners in the United Kingdom who are looking for a practical, durable, and cost-efficient way to expand their storage space. As property prices continue to rise and space becomes more valuable, investing in a structure that combines functionality with longevity is more important than ever.

Home warranties have become a practical tool in real estate transactions, not because they eliminate risk, but because they help manage how that risk is perceived and handled during the deal process. In an environment where inspection reports can quickly influence buyer confidence, warranties often serve as a stabilizing mechanism that keeps negotiations focused and prevents small issues from escalating into deal blockers.

The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) today announced the final results of the resident vote at Isaacs Houses. Residents have weighed in on the future of their homes and have opted to remain under the traditional Section 9 model.

The Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority (The Port) announced today that it has closed on more than 200 home sales throughout Hamilton County, marking a major milestone in its long-term residential strategy to revive blighted and vacant properties to expand access to quality housing.

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