WASHINGTON - November 22, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Johnson (D-SD) held a hearing titled “Housing Finance Reform: Developing a Plan for a Smooth Transition.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 22, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Commercial real estate leasing patterns are showing steady but modest growth, according to the National Association of Realtors® quarterly commercial real estate forecast.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 22, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan announced today that nine communities across the U.S. will receive Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grants. The $4.37 million awarded today provides these communities the resources they need to craft comprehensive, community-driven plans to revitalize and transform public or other HUD-assisted housing and distressed neighborhoods. Read more about these local planning efforts.

Arlington, Va. - November 22, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) today expressed concern over a controversial change in U.S. Senate rules and procedures that will allow the majority party to skirt a filibuster to confirm certain presidential appointments. Traditionally, 60 votes have been needed to confirm nominees and pass legislation, but by invoking this unprecedented rule change along partisan lines, the majority has lowered that threshold to a simple majority of 51 votes.

Torrance, CA - November 22, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Driver SPG – C.W. Driver’s Anaheim, Calif.-based construction affiliate that focuses on renovation, modernization and smaller new construction projects – has been awarded the expansion project for the addition of the “Discovery Pavilion” to the Discovery Science Center (DSC) in Santa Ana, Calif

Arlington, Va. - November 22, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) today announced a collaboration with Synergis Engineering Design Solutions, a Platinum provider of Autodesk products, to bring Building Information Modeling (BIM) training to ABC contractor members to make them more productive, efficient and profitable. The training is part of a larger effort known as Project Virtual

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 22, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Johnson (D-SD) held a hearing titled “Housing Finance Reform: Powers and Structure of a Strong Regulator.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 22, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The top amenities for apartment residents include high speed internet access, a patio or balcony and in-unit washer/dryers, according to a new landmark survey by the National Multi Housing Council (NMHC) and Kingsley Associates

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 22, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced that a new national report shows a 24 percent reduction in homelessness among Veterans since 2010.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 22, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today the Senate changed its rules to eliminate filibusters on presidential nominees (apart from Supreme Court Justices). The so-called nuclear option invoked by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) paves the way for nominees to be confirmed by simple majority votes, which means that Senate Democrats can prevail without Republican votes if they remain united.

WASHINGTON - November 22, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today released its latest national estimate of homelessness in the U.S., noting reductions in every major category or subpopulation since 2010, the year the federal government established "Opening Doors," a strategic plan to end homelessness. HUD's 2013 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress finds significant and measureable progress to reduce the scale of long-term or 'chronic' homelessness as well as homelessness experienced by Veterans and families.

IRVINE, CA - November 21, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Award-winning national firm KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture and Planning, is pleased to announce that Craig T. Chinn, Associate Principal and head of KTGY's Retail and Commercial Studio, has been invited to participate as a roundtable facilitator at the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) 2013 CenterBuild Conference held from December 4-6, at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, AZ. Chinn will present "Top 10 Mall Renovations that Pay You Back," on Thursday, December 5, at 8:00 a.m., as part of the roundtable program. The CenterBuild Conference is the industry's premier retail design and construction conference.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 21, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- HBI has once again been named one of The Washingtonian’s 50 Great Places to Work in the Washington, D.C. area. The recognition marks HBI’s fifth consecutive award since 2005. Upon hearing the news of the recognition, HBI’s President & CEO, John Courson, stated “achieving the honor of being named a Great Place to Work only happens because of HBI’s great team of dedicated and committed employees. The collegial work environment created by the HBI team enhances our mission of Building Careers, Building Individuals and Building Homes.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 21, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Bank of America Corporation announced today that it has issued a “green bond” consisting of a three-year, fixed-rate bond that is $500 million in aggregate principal amount. This issuance of bonds is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to advance renewable energy initiatives and promote energy efficiency

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 21, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The dream of having a place of one’s own has long been part of our American way of life. For many people today, even after all the heartache we have experienced in the past five years since the financial crisis and the collapse of the housing market, owning a home still means something special. It means a solid and certain foundation of stability and even a kind of permanence. It means the prospect and the tangible opportunity to climb the economic ladder. It means putting a stake down on a better life. As T.S. Eliot said, “Home is where one starts from.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 21, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- A unique software application created by the Energy Department’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) could improve the efficiency of commercial buildings by allowing occupants to interact with buildings more directly

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 21, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- For Delegated Underwriting and Servicing (DUS^®) mortgage-backed securities (MBS) with issue dates beginning on or after January 1, 2014, Fannie Mae will provide enhanced transparency related to affordable housing programs associated with the underlying properties. Fannie Mae will also begin providing additional data elements related to Other Debt, when applicable

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 21, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Rob Couch, a member of the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) Housing Commission, will testify before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs at a hearing tomorrow on housing finance reform.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 21, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Associated Builders and Contractors’ (ABC) 2014 economic forecast for the U.S. commercial and industrial construction industry is consistent with ongoing recovery in nonresidential construction spending next year. However, the recovery remains constrained by a lack of conviction regarding overall macroeconomic and budgetary prospects in the United States

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 21, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The following is a statement by National Association of Realtors® President Steve Brown

Industry leaders and officials from across Ohio announced their support for the Republican reconciliation law and the benefits it will have for workers, families, farmers, and small businesses across Ohio and its economy.

The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) closed on the financing for the Northwest Bronx Scattered Sites, a $593.7 million Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) project that will bring comprehensive renovations for more than 3,000 residents living in 14 residential buildings across eight developments in the Bronx.

Dubai, a city renowned for its iconic skyline and ultramodern architecture, is a hotspot for property development. However, behind the impressive structures are a series of challenges that developers face in this vibrant real estate market. Navigating the complexities of evolving regulations, market fluctuations, and construction issues requires strategic planning and innovation.

Congratulations to MHI CEO Dr. Lesli Gooch, named one of HousingWire’s 2025 Women of Influence! Under her leadership, MHI has made significant strides in advancing legislative priorities, including efforts to update federal housing regulations and construction codes to better reflect modern industry innovations.

Improvements to the Opportunity Zone (OZ) program, which encourages greater investment in distressed communities, will result in more investments targeted to parts of rural America and greater transparency in the successes of the program.

Six months after the devastating Los Angeles fires, including the Eaton Fire, which claimed 18 lives, scorched over 14,000 acres, destroyed more than 9,500 structures including homes, businesses, churches, and nonprofit centers, and displaced 20,000 residents—Rep. Judy Chu released the following statement

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