The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed, increased 0.6 percent in October, marking the second consecutive monthly gain, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS

WASHINGTON - December 10, 2007 - Existing-home sales are projected to trend up in 2008, with pending home sales showing a slight near-term rise, according to the latest forecast by the National Association of Realtors®. However, a recovery for new-home sales is unlikely before 2009.

Real Estate website Fizber.com has launched Google Checkout payments service on their website to speed Real Estate transactions.

WASHINGTON, December 06, 2007 - The National Association of Realtors® today expressed support of President George W. Bush’s efforts to curb the increase in foreclosures due to irresponsible lending practices and complicated mortgage products by allowing modification of certain loans or freezing the interest rates for up to five years

WASHINGTON - December 6, 2007 - Comptroller of the Currency John C. Dugan issued the following statement today at the Department of the Treasury press conference announcing a plan to assist a key segment of subprime borrowers to modify their mortgages and avoid foreclosures

It’s a turbulent time for many real estate practitioners — but headlines about sluggish sales and tighter financing hardly capture the whole story. More than ever, you need to be up to speed on the wide-ranging phenomena driving today’s dodgy marketplace.

Washington, DC - December 6, 2007 - The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has opened the call for papers for educational sessions at the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo, which will be held November 19-21, 2008 in Boston, Massachusetts. The theme of the seventh annual conference will be Revolutionary Green: Innovations for Global Stability. All session proposals must reinforce the conference theme.

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Move, Inc., the leader in online real estate search, has signed a new exclusive three-year content distribution agreement with online leader MSN. As a result, the more than 94.8 million(1) monthly MSN visitors will continue to have instant access to the largest online collection of resale homes, new homes, and rentals at Move.com and Move-operated REALTOR.com(R)

NuWire Investor recently published its 2007 list of the top 10 places to invest based on an analysis of nearly one hundred U.S. cities

If you’re thinking about selling your home, you may be considering using the services of a real estate broker or agent. But before you sign a listing agreement, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the agency that works for a competitive marketplace, wants you to be informed about your choices.

PropertyShark.com today released its November 2007 report covering first-time residential foreclosures in Los Angeles, Miami, Seattle and New York City. The number of new Seattle foreclosures jumped 118% in November 2007 over October 2007, and 33% over November 2006. The number of foreclosures rose in Los Angeles, 13.09% higher than last month and 233.7% higher than the same month in 2006. There were 643 residential foreclosure auctions scheduled in Miami-Dade County for November 2007

WASHINGTON - December 4, 2007 - Thousands of residents displaced by the 2005 Gulf Coast hurricanes are continuing to have their rent paid through a new government initiative, the Disaster Housing Assistance Program, which is being administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on behalf of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 05, 2007 - The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) today released its Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending November 30, 2007. The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, was 791.8, an increase of 22.5 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from 646.3 one week earlier

From advanced home sensors to computerized wine cellars, today’s cutting-edge homes are starting to think on their own. Learn about the latest gadgets and trends

Alexandria, Va. - Dec 4, 2007 - As the Bush administration huddles with major lenders to finalize a relief plan for subprime borrowers, new results today from a survey conducted by Harris Interactive® on behalf of the National Taxpayers Union (NTU) warn against the government going too far. Almost half (48%) of U.S. adults aged 18 and older think a federal bailout of the subprime market would help either lenders who issue subprime mortgages or Wall Street banks who profit from subprime mortgages; in contrast, roughly a quarter (26%) believe homeowners who hold subprime mortgages would benefit most.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- National surveys show that most of the 60 million Americans who live in homeowner and condominium associations are happy in their communities, but not all association boards govern as responsibly as they should. That can lead to homeowner frustration, factional conflict and, in the worst cases, expensive lawsuits.

Washington, D.C. - December 4, 2007 - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) is working to add an additional $1 billion in funds to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to help families who are struggling with rising energy costs this winter. Sen. Menendez joined Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) in asking the president for an additional $1 billion in funding (Menendez.senate.gov/pdf/120307LIHEAPletter.pdf); he is also a co-sponsor of legislation Sen. Bernard Sanders (I-VT) introduced today – the Keep Americans Warm Act of 2007 would also increase funding to LIHEAP by $1 billion

When Doreen Cardin first put her house on the market, she was hopeful that the house would find a buyer right away. Cardin's husband, a mechanic, was unable to work. The loss of an income had proven tough for the young couple, who live 20 miles north of Seattle. They needed the money.

London-base global investment company LaSalle Investment Management told clients that the outlook for global real estate is strong, despite recent turbulence in the U.S. market and debt markets in general.

The assumption that the subprime mortgage crisis is limited to buyers with poor credit is mistaken, according to an analysis prepared for The Wall Street Journal, which examined more than $2.5 million in subprime loans made since 2000.

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