Washington, DC - February 15, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Housing Finance Agency on Jan. 18 announced a joint initiative to consider alternatives for a new mortgage servicing compensation structure. As part of that effort, FHFA has established a dedicated web link to post information, including background materials and issues for consideration

WASHINGTON, DC - February 15, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the Federal Housing Administration’s (FHA) capital reserves, FHA Commissioner David H. Stevens today announced a new premium structure for FHA-insured mortgage loans increasing its annual mortgage insurance premium (MIP) by a quarter of a percentage point (.25) on all 30- and 15-year loans. The upfront MIP will remain unchanged at 1.0 percent. This premium change was detailed in President Obama’s fiscal year 2012 budget, also released today, and will impact new loans insured by FHA on or after April 18, 2011.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 15, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes remained unchanged at 16 for a fourth consecutive month in February, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), released today. "While builders are starting to see more interest among potential home buyers, we are also dealing with a multitude of challenges, including competition from foreclosure properties and inaccurate appraisals of new homes, which are limiting our ability to sell," said NAHB Chairman Bob Nielsen, a home builder from Reno, Nev. "On top of that, an extremely tight lending environment continues to make it almost impossible to obtain credit for viable new and existing projects, and most do not see that situation improving anytime soon."

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 15, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Most home buyers who claimed the federal tax credit of up to $7,500 for buying their first home in 2008 are required to start repaying the credit in 15 annual installments, beginning with their 2010 tax returns. The credit—some form of which was offered for qualified home purchases in 2008, 2009 and 2010—has different repayment rules depending on when and under what circumstances the home was purchased. As tax season approaches, this may cause confusion among home buyers who received the tax credit.

EUGENE, OR - February 15, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- IDX, Inc. has revolutionized the online real estate solution of Portland, Oregon Broker Phuong Ha of Capital Investment Realty. Ha has enabled IDX Broker software onto his professional website, syncing thousands of Regional Multiple Listing Service (RMLS) property listings into his advanced search functions. The capabilities he now hosts create a dynamic search page for his website, making his listings more visible and accessible via his IDX-enabled online real estate solution.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 15, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Joanne Theunissen, CGP, has been elected 2011 Chair of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) National Sales and Marketing Council. The announcement was made Jan. 11 at the International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Fla. Theunissen is owner/designer for Howling Hammer Builders, Inc. in Mount Pleasant, Mich., and is also an active member of the HBA of Central Michigan and the Michigan Association of Home Builders.

DENVER, CO - February 15, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- RE/MAX Commercial® Practitioner Dave Smith, CCIM, completed one of the largest deals of his career, a contract that involved parties in two different countries and four U.S. states. The deal was recently named by the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) Institute’s Nebraska Chapter as a “Big Deal of 2010.” The buyer of the commercial property in Pueblo, CO, is from Tel Aviv, Israel who was using an agent in Los Angeles, CA, and the seller lives in Texas. Smith resides in Omaha, NE.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 15, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Existing research on development patterns and transportation provides no causal link between residential land use and greenhouse gas emissions and leaves tremendous uncertainty as to the interplay of these factors, according to a new publication from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The publication, “Climate Change, Density and Development,” provides a fact-based overview of the state of research on the relationship between development, density, transit and the production of greenhouse gases.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 15, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Thomas Vetter, MIRM, Master CSP, CMP, CSP, has been elected 2011 Chair of the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) Institute of Residential Marketing, the education branch of the National Sales and Marketing Council (NSMC). The announcement was made Jan. 11 at the NAHB International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Fla.

WASHINGTON, DC - February 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, after the U.S. Treasury Department issued a white paper proposing several pathways to reform the mortgage markets, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) issued the following statement

BURLINGTON, VT - February 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Vermont congressional delegation today opposed a White House budget proposal that would nearly cut in half a heating assistance program for seniors and low-income families with children.

DENVER, CO - February 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Stacy Neir, a leading Broker Associate with Kentwood City Properties, and award-winning artist Michael Gadlin, will host a special “Art of Living” event on Sunday, February 27, 2011 from noon t...

EMERYVILLE, CA - February 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Home sellers continue to discount their asking price in an attempt to entice buyers to move towards a purchase according to a report issued by national real estatebrokerage ZipRealty (www.ziprealty.com; NASDAQ: ZIPR). ZipRealty’smonthly Price Reduction report, which is generated from a review of MLS-listed properties in 26 markets, shows that inventory is up a modest 2.81 percent from January 2010, but the total number of homes where sellers have cut the asking price at least once was up 17.6 percent. This double-digit growth in discounted homes may be another indicator of a sluggish market.

Washington, D.C. - February 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The American Institute of Architects (AIA) today issued the following statement on the fiscal 2012 budget President Obama presented to Congress this morning

Washington, D.C. - February 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- In response to the Administration's release of its report, “Reforming America’s Housing Finance Market”, John H. Dalton, President of the Housing Policy Council issued this statement:

Swarthmore, PA - February 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Fair Housing Council of Suburban Philadelphia (FHCSP), a single mother, and her minor child settled federal housing discrimination complaints filed against Bucks County property management company Quality Realty Associates (QRA) and agents Vincent Quattrocchi, Louis Quattrocchi and Cecelia Quattrocchi.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- While Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac need serious reform, we must get these reforms right. Among the Administration’s several proposals, only one—the one that maintains a limited role for the GSEs—even has potential for ensuring all families have access to home loans and achieving stability in the housing market.

McLean, VA - February 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Freddie Mac (OTC: FMCC) today announced its first ever offering of Structured Pass-Through Certificates (“K Certificates”) backed only by multifamily mortgages with a 7-year term. The company expects to offer approximately $861 million in K Certificates (“K-701 Certificates”), which are expected to price the week of February 21, 2011, and settle on or about March 9, 2011

February 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Almost three-quarters (74 percent) of current homeowners in the New Orleans area say their homes were damaged by Hurricane Katrina, according to data released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. Of these, more than four in 10 reported their homes had suffered major damage and required repairs of $15,000 or more for which most owners received federal flood insurance.

WASHINGTON, DC - February 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan today unveiled HUD’s fiscal year 2012 budget proposal. Titled Creating Strong, Sustainable, Inclusive Communities and Quality Affordable Homes the budget seeks to help lead America out of an unprecedented economic crisis and ensure our economy is competitive – growing and working for all Americans. HUD is taking responsibility for our deficit, by investing in what makes America stronger and cutting what doesn’t.

Staying safe at home is more significant than ever. The odds of break-ins are increasing. So, it is imperative to ensure your home security. Do you own an apartment? Or are you a condo owner? There are simple steps that can help guard your home.

U.S. Representative Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15) today announced more than $1.9 million in federal funding for the Ford City Storm Sewer Rehabilitation Project.

When homeowners think about upgrades that improve property value, kitchens and bathrooms often come to mind first. However, windows and doors quietly influence comfort, efficiency, security, and resale appeal in ways that few other improvements can match.

U.S. Representative Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15) announced $1.8 million in federal funding for the West Market Street Pedestrian Improvements and Traffic System Improvements Project in East Buffalo Township.

Mixed-access developments bring together pedestrians, residents, shoppers, service vehicles, and emergency responders in the same shared space. Managing how vehicles move through these environments requires solutions that provide control without creating a rigid or unwelcoming atmosphere. Collapsible bollards offer that balance.

U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.), Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Freight, Pipelines, and Safety,introduced the Securing American Freight, Enforcement, and Reliability in(SAFER) Transport Act, or the SAFER Transport Act, comprehensive legislation to address ongoing issues negatively impacting U.S. freight and highways, improve roadway safety for Americans, and protect our national security.

Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-33) announced that he secured $1,092,000 in community project funding for Cucamonga Valley Water District’s (CVWD) Baseline Waterline Improvement Project. This grant funding will strengthen the resilience and dependability of the Inland Empire’s clean water infrastructure by allowing CVWD to replace 3,800 linear feet of 12-inch waterline along Baseline Road, spanning from Deer Creek Channel to Milliken Avenue.

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