WASHINGTON, DC - February 10, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Continued government participation in the secondary mortgage market is essential to ensuring affordable and available home mortgages to qualified consumers when private lenders withdraw from the market, according to the National Association of Realtors®’ recommendations for restructuring the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs)

Washington, DC - February 10, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Home sales rebounded in 49 states during the fourth quarter with 78 markets – just over half of the available metropolitan areas – experiencing price gains from a year ago, while most of the rest saw price weakness, according to the latest survey by the National Association of REALTORS®.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 10, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) called on Congress today to repeal all new expanded 1099 reporting requirements imposed in recent laws that will harm job creation and place a major paperwork and cost burden on the nation's small businesses.Testifying on behalf of NAHB before the House Small Business Committee, Mike Kegley, a builder from Union, Ky., and president of the Home Builders Association of Kentucky, told lawmakers that the collection of W-9 forms, monitoring payments over the course of a year, and additional staff time will cost individual small businesses thousands of dollars per year

COLUMBIA, MD - February 9, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Enterprise Community Investment, Inc. (Enterprise), a national leader in affordable housing and community development, today announced that Freddie Mac (OTC: FMCC) has given the company approval to originate affordable multifamily loans nationally on its behalf. The new license granted to Enterprise rounds out the company’s agency platform, which already includes capacity to sell and service loans for Fannie Mae and FHA. Enterprise is among a handful of lenders approved to sell and service targeted affordable housing loans nationwide. These are loans on apartment properties with rents that are affordable to low- and very-low income individuals whose incomes are at or below 80 percent or 60 percent of the area median income, respectively.

Orlando, FL - February 9, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Joseph A. Smith, Jr., North Carolina Commissioner of Banks, will address the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry (NMLS) User Conference & Training today on the future of state mortgage regulation

WASHINGTON, DC - February 9, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The United States has filed six lawsuits in five states to stop tax return preparers from fraudulently claiming the first-time homebuyer tax credit and the earned-income tax credit, the Justice Department announced today. The filings of those civil injunction complaints coincided with the indictment of a Philadelphia man on criminal charges of fraudulently claiming the first-time homebuyer credit. All of these actions are part of the Justice Department’s continuing efforts to halt tax scams involving false claims for tax credits and to prosecute those who fraudulently file tax returns containing those claims.

Providence, RI - February 9, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Lincoln D. Chafee today announced his plans to reactivate the Interagency Council on Homelessness (ICH), which establishes a mechanism for Cabinet- and Director-level staff to come together to discuss better coordination of state activities for housing and homelessness. The ICH also develops strategies to address the problems associated with homelessness, makes recommendations aimed at reducing the number of homeless people in Rhode Island, and promotes and supports development of permanent supportive housing

WASHINGTON, DC - February 9, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International’s Board of Governors recently passed two new policy positions in response to important, emerging issues. Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA) Policy Position: BOMA International supports amending, if not the outright repeal of, FIRPTA to increase the amount of foreign capital invested in the U.S. commercial real estate market

February 9, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- During an awards ceremony held at the International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Florida, the NAHB Research Center recognized twelve of the nation’s leading energy-efficient builders and remodelers with the Energy Value Housing Awards (EVHA). Now in its 16th year, the EVHA challenges builders to elevate standards for energy-efficient construction. Winners are selected from projects in three climate regions (Cold, Moderate, Hot) and five categories (Affordable, Custom/Demonstration, Multifamily, Production, and Existing Homes)

February 9, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- USAA Real Estate Company is pleased to welcome Len O’Donnell as President and Chief Operating Officer, overseeing all operations of the company. O’Donnell comes to USAA Real Estate Company with more than 25 years of extensive real estate experience as President and CEO of Crimson Capital Ltd and Principal of Crimson Real Estate Fund, based in Houston. Prior to Crimson, Len spent 10 years as a leading investment sales broker in Washington, D.C. He is a graduate of the University of Delaware.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 9, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) today released its Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending February 4, 2011. The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, decreased 5.5 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier. On an unadjusted basis, the Index decreased 3.9 percent compared with the previous week.

San Diego, CA - February 9, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) today awarded Catherine Rodewald, Vice President of Prudential Mortgage Capital Company, with the CREF Distinguished Service Award at the Association's 21st Annual Commercial Real Estate Finance (CREF)/Multifamily Housing Convention & Expo held in San Diego, CA. The award was given to Rodewald in recognition of her dedication and prominent service to MBA and the mortgage lending industry.

SACRAMENTO - February 9, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the City of Sacramento announced today that the Sacramento City Unified School District will be one of the first to obtain a Center for Green Schools Fellow.

BEDFORD, N.H. - February 8, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- At its recent meeting, New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority’s Board of Directors approved the commitment of just over $1 million in federal HOME Investment Partnership funds that will be used to add 25 new affordable rental units to the state’s housing supply. In addition, this project will retain or create approximately 60 construction-related jobs during these challenging economic times.

Pierre, SD - February 8, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- South Dakota Housing Development Authority (SDHDA) is now accepting applications for the Emergency Shelter Grants Program. The Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG) Program, which is funded by the U.S. Depar...

PIERRE, S.D. - February 8, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Citizens across South Dakota are invited to review and provide comments on South Dakota Housing Development Authority’s (SDHDA) Neighborhood Stabilization Program Plan (NSP) and its appropriation ...

FALLS CHURCH, VA. - February 8, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Noblis, in collaboration with CTG Energetics and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is pleased to announce the release of the U.S. General Services Administration’s (GSA’s) Sustainable Facilities Tool

ATLANTA, GA - February 8, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Real Estate Mortgage Network, Inc. (REMN), a national mortgage lender based in River Edge, N.J., announced today the appointment of Greg Janicki to the position of southeast regional manager. Janicki will be reporting to Rick Floyd, REMN’s managing director of retail sales and will oversee a team of more than 100 people across REMN’s Georgia and Florida branches

San Diego, CA - February 7, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mortgage bankers originated $110 billion of commercial and multifamily mortgages during 2010 – an increase of 36 percent from 2009, according to preliminary estimates based on the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Quarterly Survey of Commercial/Multifamily Mortgage Bankers Originations.

San Diego, CA - February 7, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Of the $1.4 trillion balance of outstanding commercial/multifamily mortgages held by non-bank investors, only 11 percent of the total ($155 billion) will mature in 2011, and 9 percent ($125 billion) in 2012 according to today’s release of the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) 2010 Commercial Real Estate/Multifamily Survey of Loan Maturity Volumes. The survey found that maturities vary considerably by the type of investor holding the loan

Today’s housing and development coverage looks at congressional oversight of public housing and at local discussion of a new federal housing law.

Two federal stories today deal with the legal and tax side of housing: a court fight over fair housing funding and a new bill that would give renters a tax credit.

Mayor Muriel Bowser, the Department of Employment Services (DOES) and the DC Department of General Services (DGS) have opened the new DC Infrastructure Academy (DCIA) campus at the former Spingarn High School in Ward 5. The ribbon-cutting marks the final stage of the $74 million Spingarn renovation project.

Federal grant funding was in focus today, with House members pressing HUD over delayed housing renewals and a California freeway project winning new transportation money.

At the future site of the Andover station on Friday, October 2, 2026, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) announced $500,000 in clawed-back federal dollars, secured through the Transit Security Grant Program, to improve security and safety at the planned park-and-ride station.

Rep. Dave Min (CA-47) and Rep. Johnny Olszewski (MD-02), Co-Chairs of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) Building Resilient Housing Task Force, today introduced the Community Disaster Protection Act.

Congresswoman Kat Cammack (FL-03) today announced that veterans experiencing homelessness in Ocala and Gainesville will be able to stay in their housing after she worked directly with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to secure a new contract for Volunteers of America. Starting October 1, the VA’s Contract Emergency Residential Services (CERS) program will fund 36 beds at the Ritz Veterans

Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (NH-02) led 50 House members in urging U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner to release the delayed Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) grants and to speed up awarding the funds.

U.S. Representative Derek Tran (CA-45) has signed on as a co-sponsor of H.R. 1314, the Tipped Income Protection and Support Act (TIPS Act), which would let service industry professionals deduct their tips when filing taxes. The bill would raise the maximum adjusted gross income at which service workers can claim the deduction from $25,000 to $112,500 and make the change permanent nationwide

In a letter to Treasury, the congressman asks federal agencies to examine who owns and funds the 80 Willow Road project, citing reported ties to Kremlin officials and organized crime figures

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