WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 13, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) --: Commercial real estate investments are expected to produce generally solid returns in 2014, according to the authors of Expectations & Market Realities in Real Estate 2014—The Future Unfolds, an annual forecast report released by Real Estate Research Corporation (RERC), Deloitte, and the National Association of Realtors®(NAR)

Washington, DC - February 13, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- The sixth NMLS Annual Conference and Training will be held February 18-21 in Miami, Florida. At this year’s conference, state regulators will give a progress report on NMLS (or the System) enhancements over the past year, discuss the System’s expanding industry coverage, and train users on new functionality

WASHINGTON, DC - February 13, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Rebuilding Together, a national nonprofit, is working with Choice Hotels International to renovate the garden and outdoor space at the Civitan Foundation, Inc., an organization that offers a year-round camp, life skills training and employment opportunities for individuals with developmental and physical disabilities

ARLINGTON, Texas - February 11, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Lee & Associates, the largest broker owned commercial real estate firm in the country, has negotiated the sale of a 227,120-square-foot industrial property at 1701 Timberlake Dr. in Arlington, Texas.

Washington, D.C. - February 12, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) - Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), as part of the Construction Industry Safety Coalition (CISC), today requested the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) withdraw its proposed rule to drastically lower the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of crystalline silica for the construction industry.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 12, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Construction Industry Safety Coalition, which represents twenty-five different construction trade associations, issued the following statement today as it filed comments regarding the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) proposed Crystalline Silica Rulemaking:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 12, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- The board of the Lakewood Industrial Commission (LIC) elected its 2014 officers at the annual reorganization meeting of the LIC. Robert Kirschner, Owner of Robert Kirschner Real Estate, Lakewood, was re-elected chairman. Other officers are Justin Flancbaum, Executive Director of the Lakewood Township Municipal Utilities Authority, Vice Chair; and Gregory Stafford-Smith, Owner of AG&G Service Co. Sprinkler System Services, Secretary

WASHINGTON - February 10, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- The lion’s share of metropolitan areas continued to experience strong year-over-year price growth in the fourth quarter, according to the latest quarterly report by the National Association of Realtors®. A companion metro area annual affordability report shows less favorable conditions, particularly in the West.

Washington, D.C. - February 10, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Feb. 10 joined construction industry leaders from more than 100 companies in support of their pledge to employ 150,000 veterans in the next five years—a commitment that was made during the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Veterans’ Employment in Construction National Symposium

WASHINGTON, - February 10, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Housing Professionals at this year’s National Healthy Homes Conference, co-hosted by Rebuilding Together and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), can get green building answers and home improvement advice from HGTV and DIY Network stars Chris Lambton, Matt Muenster, and Tiffany Brooks. Held in in Nashville from May 28-30, 2014, the Conference, titled Leading the Nation to Healthy Homes, Families and Communities, will bring together housing and health professionals from the public and private sectors to share new research and emerging trends, as well as to inform housing policy to help prevent and remediate unsafe housing conditions for families.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 10, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is taking steps to improve information reported about the residential mortgage market to help better understand borrowers’ access to credit. As a first step in the rulemaking process, the CFPB is convening a panel of small businesses to provide feedback on potential changes to mortgage information reported under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA). Today the Bureau is also unveiling a new online tool that makes it easier to navigate the publicly available HMDA data

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 10, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Thank you for joining us. Today we are taking important steps to improve information about the residential mortgage market. As Congress required in the Dodd-Frank Act, we are considering proposing rules that would make changes in how financial institutions report their mortgage activity. One of the main purposes of this effort is to gain greater insight into issues about access to credit. We are also releasing an important new tool today so the public can better use the mortgage loan data that is already available.

Rhode Island - February 10, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mott & Chace Sotheby’s International Realty is pleased to announce its participation in four record breaking sales for 2013, according to MLS data. The company opened its doors in May 2013, and within its first six months of being in business, held the record for the highest transactions in four individual towns: Jamestown ($5,320,000), Portsmouth ($3,800,000), Little Compton ($3,250,000), and Charlestown ($3,250,000). Each of the waterfront homes were magnificent in their own right, with many amenities such as beautifully landscaped grounds, luxurious living spaces, and quality, custom architecture

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 10, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Department of Veterans Affairs has launched an online GI Bill® Comparison Tool to make it easier for veterans, servicemembers and dependents to calculate their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits and learn more about VA’s approvedcolleges, universities and other education and training programs across the country

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 10, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Construction employment jumped by the largest monthly amount in nearly seven years in January, bringing industry employment to the highest level since July 2009, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that, at the current rate of growth, it would not take long before many firms begin having difficulty finding enough skilled workers to meet demand

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 10, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury today released the January edition of the Obama Administration's Housing Scorecard – a comprehensive report on the nation’s housing market. The latest data show progress among key indicators. In 2013, home sales had their strongest performance in several years, foreclosure starts were at their lowest annual level since 2005 and homeowners’ equity is up $3.4 trillion since the beginning of 2012. While this scorecard notes positive trends in the housing market, officials caution that the economy is still healing from the Great Recession

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 10, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), as conservator of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, today announced it has reached a settlement with Morgan Stanley, related companies and specifically named individuals for $1.25 billion. The settlement resolves claims in the lawsuit FHFA v. Morgan Stanley, et al. in the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of New York. The settlement addresses claims alleging violations of federal and state securities laws and common law fraud in connection with private-label mortgage-backed securities (PLS) purchased by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac between 2005 and 2007.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 6, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- The year’s most outstanding work in residential real estate sales, marketing and design was honored by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) yesterday at The National Sales and Marketing Awards gala (known as “The NationalsSM”), one of the building industry’s most prestigious events. The event, hosted by the NAHB National Sales and Marketing Council, took place during the 2014 International Builders’ Show (IBS) in Las Vegas

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 6, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Johnson (D-SD) and Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-ID) issued the following statement regarding their bipartisan effort to draft comprehensive housing finance reform.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 6, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Three longtime members of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) were honored this morning for their professionalism, political engagement, volunteer activities and service to the industry.

We are here today as a government built for the people. Today, you are holding this hearing on the pretense of what happens when tax-exempt dollars funnel from or to groups that you disagree with. But much more pressing, what happens when decisions are no longer being made for the people, but in service to the President’s greed?

The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the bipartisan Housing for the 21st Century Act, a landmark housing reform package to increase housing supply, lower costs for families, and modernize federal housing programs to better serve rural, suburban, and urban communities across America.

Transforming your bathroom into a smart space doesn't mean turning it into a sci-fi movie set. Today's intelligent bathroom features blend seamlessly into your daily routine while adding genuine convenience, comfort, and value to your home.

Purchasing a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make in your life, and securing the right mortgage is essential to make that dream a reality.

Residential siding plays a critical role in protecting a home while also defining its overall appearance. Beyond curb appeal, the right siding choice can improve energy efficiency, reduce maintenance demands, and help safeguard the structure from weather-related damage.

The Committee on Financial Services is working to tackle the high cost of living. Last week, the Committee held a hearing with Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner.

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that she secured over $10 million in Community Project Funding (CPF) for D.C. in the fiscal year 2026 (FY 26) Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) appropriations bill passed by the House today

Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) announced today that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is awarding $520,000 to support water system improvements in the Town of Garden City.

Peters Secured Funding to Strengthen Michigan’s Transportation Infrastructure, Improve Roadway and Airport Safety, and Expand Access to Affordable Housing

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