Washington - Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr. issued the following statement today regarding the HOPE NOW alliance's progress report on the number of homeowners helped since the organization's inception. The report indicated that during the fourth quarter, following the creation of the alliance, mortgage servicers in the organization were modifying subprime loans three times faster than in the third quarter.

States Clamp Down on Sharks; Legitimate Investors May Feel Sting As the number of foreclosure filings climbs, increasing by 99.5 percent between the third quarter of 2006 and that of 2007, so does the number of laws designed to protect consumers from scams that pretend to help troubled home owners refinance.

Real estate practitioners need to adopt new strategies in the new year to give them a competitive edge, given that there are more than 2.5 million licensed real estate practitioners nationwide--all of them competing for work in a slow market.

(Denver, CO., January 16, 2008) - RE/MAX International is the nation's number one real estate franchise, and the number ten franchise overall, according to Entrepreneur Magazine's 29th Annual "Franchise 500 Survey." RE/MAX has held the honor of the top real estate franchisor for eight of the past ten years.

WASHINGTON, DC -- The National Multi Housing Council and National Apartment Association (NMHC/NAA) today filed a lawsuit against the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) asking the courts to strike down the FCC’s recently issued regulations retroactively banning “exclusive access” agreements between cable providers and apartment owners.

Due to home owners trying to rent homes they can’t sell, rentals are abundant and prices are at bargain levels in areas hit hard by foreclosures.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Jan. 15, 2007 - A proposed change in the bankruptcy law that would allow bankruptcy judges to unilaterally change the terms of mortgage contracts would cost home buyers across the country hundreds of dollars every month and thousands of dollars a year, according to a new resource on MBA’s website

In the current issue of FDIC Quarterly the FDIC outlines the analytical case for a systematic and streamlined loan modification process that will help avert foreclosure for borrowers who are current on their loans, but who cannot refinance or afford the higher payments when interest rates reset

Sales of new homes dropped last month to their lowest level in more than 12 years. Mortgage applications have fallen to their lowest level in a year. Bidding wars are pretty much done

WASHINGTON, January 14, 2008 - Beginning today, the National Association of Realtors® is reaching out to consumers with the facts about homeownership and the value of real estate as a long-term investment.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 11, 2008 - CampusMBA, the award winning education division of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) today launched the Enterprise Certification Program, a specialized and comprehensive bundle of top tier, certification-based and results-oriented learning solutions designed to elevate and uphold a company's quality and excellence.

As current market conditions dictate changes to the way companies do business, now is the time for servicing professionals to pool knowledge, information, resources and discover new ways to increase operating efficiencies

Washington , DC – The Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO) has published a new Mortgage Market Note on the conforming loan limit. The Note provides background information on the potential implications of increasing the conforming loan limit in high-cost areas, as proposed in pending House and Senate legislation.

WASHINGTON - Federal employees who fail to report their income to qualify for housing assistance they would not otherwise be eligible for stand to lose their jobs, pay steep fines and face possible criminal penalties.

Leading online real estate companies Yahoo! Real Estate, Zillow.com®, and Trulia.com today announced they will share a new standard data format for the distribution of real estate listings online.

Washington, DC – The Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO) has issued a revised Policy Guidance on the Examination of Mortgage Fraud Programs of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The guidance details the standards for overseeing and evaluating policies and programs the Enterprises have developed to minimize mortgage fraud.

San Antonio, TX - January 10, 2008 - USAA Real Estate Company announced today the successful conclusion of fundraising for the US Industrial REIT II. The fund has raised $450 million in equity commitments from ten institutional investors including domestic pension funds, insurance companies and other fund investors, $50 million more than originally planned.

After years of unsustainable price appreciation and lax lending practices, a housing correction was inevitable and necessary. That correction is underway. Over the next two years, we also face an unprecedented wave of 1.8 million subprime mortgage resets, raising the potential of a market failure. Because the industry does not have the capacity to manage this volume, without action, unnecessary foreclosures would result.

Writing a monthly rent check often feels like lighting money on fire. You'll never again see that cash, you build no equity and there are no tax benefits.

Over the next few months, existing-home sales are expected to hold fairly steady as indicated by pending sales activity, and then rise later in the year and continue to improve in 2009, according to the latest forecast by the National Association of REALTORS

Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) issued a statement on the administration’s plan for Fiscal Year 2026, calling it a dangerous, extremist blueprint ripped straight from Donald Trump’s playbook — a plan to Make America Unsafe Again.

As any homeowner knows, there’s always another project to work on. Unfortunately, these projects aren’t always cheap, and we end up letting them languish because we can’t afford them. If this sounds familiar, we’ll offer some tips below to lower the cost of your home renovation project and fix your home on a budget.

Utah’s high-desert terrain, with its mix of mountains, plateaus, and valleys, shapes how homes settle into the landscape. Wild temperature swings and sun exposure shift with each season. On a clear morning, sunlight sweeps over a valley rim, painting shadows along the slopes and filling large windows with changing light. In these places, thoughtful home design means more than shelter

As many American families struggle to find a safe, affordable place to call home, U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) introduced legislation to help build nearly 1.6 million new affordable homes over the next decade.

President & CEO Maureen A. Coleman announced that the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation is now accepting applications for the next round of Green Resiliency Grants. Governor Kathy Hochul made $60 million available for vital stormwater management and resilient infrastructure projects in flood-prone communities across New York State.

Choosing an experienced roofing team affects a property's long-term durability and value. Quality workmanship helps prevent leaks, structural damage, and high repair costs. Well-installed roofs also enhance energy efficiency, reducing heating and cooling expenses.

Experienced flippers understand the obvious risks—foundation cracks, outdated wiring, or a leaky roof. Still, pests are often the silent profit killer in flip projects. Infestations with termites, carpenter ants, or rodents remain hidden until contractors strip back drywall or flooring.

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