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.

Washington, DC - December 3, 2007 - Kieran P. Quinn, CMB, Chairman of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) applauded a proposal unveiled today by Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson to expand tax-exempt qualified mortgage bond programs to refinance existing loans. Under current law, these tax exempt bond programs can only be used to support purchase loans.

Americas Watchdog along with its Homeowner Consumer Center have just come up with a free and easy to understand guide, designed to help every homeowner with the mortgage process

Now that Alex Rodriguez has agreed to a new $275 million contract with the New York Yankees, the word in Manhattan real estate circles is that a $39 million East 80th Street townhouse may be in his future.

WASHINGTON - December 3, 2007 - In response to the Bush Administration's plan to help families avoid foreclosure, tens of thousands of homeowners are refinancing their exotic subprime loans with HUD's new government-backed mortgage product. HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson today announced that more than 33,000 borrowers have already refinanced their subprime home loans with FHASecure, a government-insured foreclosure avoidance initiative created in September.

WASHINGTON, December 03, 2007 - Many buyers judge a house by its exterior, or so it seems from the results of the 2007 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report. Three of the four projects with the highest national percentage of costs recouped this year were exterior upgrades.

Washington, DC - Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today sent the following letter to Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson calling for needed steps to end the foreclosure crisis.

Washington, DC- December 3, 2007 -Thank you, John. The Office of Thrift Supervision plays an important role in our financial system, and I appreciate your leadership at this agency. Thanks, also, for hosting this second national housing forum and providing a timely opportunity for me to give an update on the U.S. economy and mortgage markets. I mention timeliness because housing issues are affecting citizens all across the country, and because Congress returns to Washington today. In the final days of this congressional session, there is much that Congress can do to help America's homeowners

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is a flexible program that provides communities with resources to address a wide range of unique community development needs. Beginning in 1974, the CDBG program is one of the longest continuously run programs at HUD. The CDBG program provides annual grants on a formula basis to 1180 general units of local government and States.

If you’ve got a Web site, you’ve likely spent time and money trying to drive more traffic to your site. Maybe you’ve tried different strategies for search engine optimization, which typically focus on clever use of keywords to increase the chances your site will place high in search results.

On November 26, 2007, Global Property Showcase (GPS) will kick off a new exposition dedicated to bridging the gap between worldwide developers and consumers looking to purchase quality and amenity-rich real estate. This multi-city program will educate investors, 2nd-home buyers and property seekers to the various locales being represented with each global project, and of course, showcase each development in depth. Significant discounts will be given to those in attendance. The showcase is designed to engage (an expected 1,000 attendees in total) and provide guests with valuable insights and opportunities that serve to enhance their property portfolios.

The House of Representatives on Thursday approved a bill that would help protect insurance markets in disaster-prone states from suffering devastating losses in the event of a catastrophic natural disaster.

Using the multi-level marketing techniques made popular by Amway, Nouveau Riche University is selling real estate investment classes and a host of related products and services to would-be tycoons.

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