Los Angeles, , CA - March 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- CB Richard Ellis Group Inc. (NYSE:CBG) today announced that CB Richard Ellis has been named the premier global brand in commercial real estate, according to a survey of industry professionals worldwide by The Lipsey Company. CB Richard Ellis has been voted the industry’s top brand for ten consecutive years, ever since Lipsey inaugurated its survey in 2002.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - March 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- During the fourth quarter of 2010, commercial and multifamily mortgage delinquency rates remained low for life insurance companies, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac; fell for banks and thrifts for the first time since the 2006 and rose slightly for loans held in commercial mortgage backed securities (CMBS), according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Commercial/Multifamily Delinquency Report.

Washington, DC - March 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The total number of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac completed foreclosure prevention actions in 2010 more than doubled from one year earlier, according to the FHFA’s Fourth Quarter 2010 Foreclosure Prevention & Refinance Report. Although loan modifications declined for the second consecutive quarter, refinancings through the Home

McLean, VA - March 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Freddie Mac (OTC: FMCC) today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey®(PMMS®), which shows a drop in long-term fixed rates for the third consecutive week.

WASHINGTON, DC - March 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Multifamily Information and Transactions Standards (MITS) initiative, the apartment industry’s coordinated effort to create data standards so different software programs can “talk to each other,” has released a new "Renters’ Insurance 4.0" standard.

March 2, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Even as 50,000 new foreclosures start every week, the House Financial Services Committee votes tomorrow on four bills to dismantle programs aimed at helping homeowners. Industry figures show that more households than ever are in some stage of foreclosure, with over five million mortgage holders now at risk of losing their homes. Avoiding unnecessary foreclosures and encouraging loan modifications will be key to economic recovery, as the nation is sorely missing the jobs and growth provided by a healthy housing market.

SIOUX CITY, IA - March 2, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- MyPad Down Payment Assistance Program was created to overcome the greatest barrier to homeownership, down payment. MyPad provides an opportunity for qualified low to moderate income individuals and families to purchase affordable homes by receiving money from the Home Investment Partnership for down payment on a home. Homebuyers will never have to repay the gift from MyPad as long as the home purchased remains owner occupied throughout the 5 year period of the deferred payment loan

WASHINGTON, D.C. - March 2, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mortgage applications decreased 6.5 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending February 25, 2011. The results do not include an adjustment for the Presidents’ Day holiday

WASHINGTON, DC - March 2, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, applauded the Obama Administration's announcement to streamline the portfolio and reduce the management cost of federal property. Sen. Carper plans to introduce legislation in the coming weeks to help achieve the cost savings goals set forth by the President in his budget proposal and in executive orders.

WASHINGTON, DC - March 2, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury today released the February edition of the Obama Administration's Housing Scorecard. The latest housing figures show increased existing home sales as home affordability remains high, but officials caution that the market remains fragile, as prices are unsettled.

Washington, DC - March 2, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) today released its 2010 list of top 10 states for LEED-certified commercial and institutional green buildings per capita, based on the U.S. 2010 Census information. The District of Columbia leads the nation, with 25 square feet of LEED-certified space per person in 2010, with Nevada being the leading state, with 10.92 square feet per person in 2010.

IRVINE, CA - March 2, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- RealtyTrac™ (www.realtytrac.com), the leading online marketplace for foreclosure properties, today announced the launch of a new foreclosure search widget for real estate agents and brokers, allowing them to easily insert a fully functional nationwide foreclosure property search to their websites. The new product will help agents drive more traffic to their websites and generate exclusive leads from end-users.

Lake Buena Vista, FL - March 2, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The 2011 RESNET Building Performance Conference was the venue for the U.S. Green Building Council’s launch of a new online scoring tool for green homes. The LEED for Homes Scoring Tool is a web-based application that offers anyone an easy way for anyone to explore the LEED for Homes green home building program. By easily and simply breaking the LEED for Homes rating system down into either a Quick Score path and a deeper dive Credit by Credit path, all project team members can better understand which green features they want to incorporate into a new green home

WASHINGTON, DC - March 2, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today is awarding $7.8 million in grants to 14 local projects in nine states to conduct a wide range of activities such as research on the cost effectiveness of home-based interventions for children with asthma and novel strategies for reducing risks from lead-contaminated soil and house dust (see attached). For the first time, HUD is awarding $2 million of those grants to improve indoor environmental conditions and links to education and medical services for asthmatic children and other residents living in public and assisted multifamily housing

WASHINGTON, DC - March 2, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- More than 250 communities across the country will be able to increase the economic impact of their local community development and affordable housing programs through nearly $50 million in “capacity-building” grants awarded today by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The funds awarded today will support three national organizations and are ultimately expected to produce approximately 8,000 units of affordable housing nationwide, and generate more than $1 billion in total development investment.

Washington, DC - March 2, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Throughout this month, consumers across the country can engage Realtors®, local officials, and their neighbors on an issue that literally hits close to home – home ownership – as the National Association of Realtors® kicks off a month-long Home Ownership Matters Bus Tour in cities across the nation.

EUGENE, OR - March 2, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Searching for homes around Oklahoma City, Oklahoma just became monumentally simpler, thanks to the joint partnership between broker Ray Roman and IDX, Inc. The innovative IDX solution Roman has enabled o...

WASHINGTON, D.C. - March 2, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Multifamily home owners and developers, property managers, architects, interior designers and multifamily industry professionals are invited to enter the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) 2011 Pillars of the Industry Awards competition.The Pillars Awards highlight excellence in apartment and condominium design and development, innovative financing strategies, and superior property management and marketing. Since its inception in 1990, the Pillars Awards program has earned its reputation as the most prestigious awards program of its kind

Destin, FL - March 2, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The erosion of the syndrome known as the “Wealth Effect” is showing that fall out from the housing slump is having a major lingering impact on the U.S. economy, according to Housing Predictor analysts

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - March 1, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Due to federal budget cuts to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Home Energy Assistance Target (HEAT) applicants will receive lower average payments beginning March 2, 2011.

As Washington Republicans push a $70 billion funding package for ICE and CBP through Congress, Senator Reverend Warnock is unveiling a new suite of ideas showing how $70 billion could be spent to lower costs and improve lives for Americans

The American Land Title Association (ALTA), the national trade association of the land title insurance industry, issued the following statement upon the U.S. House’s consideration of the amended, bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.

Congressman Lance Gooden sent a letter to the Dallas Housing Authority requesting answers and greater transparency regarding housing placement trends and neighborhood concentration concerns in Kaufman County. The letter responds to concerns raised by homeowners in the Gateway Parks subdivision in Forney about Housing Choice Vouchers and federal housing policies contributing to increased institutional investor ownership and neighborhood instability

The New York State Department of State (DOS) today announced the availability of nearly $20 million in funding through the 2026 Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) Initiative for three signature community planning and development programs—Local Waterfront Revitalization Program; Smart Growth Community Planning Program; and Brownfield Opportunity Area Program.

Last week, U.S. Reps. Mike Carey (R-OH-15) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19) introduced H.R. 9012, the Affordable Housing Credit Carryback Act to strengthen the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC). This legislation will change the LIHTC carryback period from one year to five years, which will increase the uptake of these important credits and spur more investment in affordable housing production.

On Wednesday, 29 credit unions from across New York State delivered a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, State Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Luis R. Sepúlveda and State Assembly Banks Chair Clyde Vanel, urging lawmakers to crack down on predatory payday loan apps by passing the Stop Taking Our Pay Act (STOP) Act (S8939–Brouk, Rochester/A9644–Raga, Queens).

Speaker Johnson released the following statement after an overwhelming bipartisan majority in the House voted to pass H. Res. 1299, an amended version of the Senate-passed 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.

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