WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 4, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Metropolitan housing markets have not yet emerged from the foreclosure crisis, according to a new report from the Urban Institute, National Housing Conference (NHC), and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC). Foreclosure activity has declined in recent years, but metropolitan foreclosure rates are still well above historic norms and there is substantial variation across the country. Among large metro markets, foreclosure rates are falling slowly and steadily in some, but foreclosure activity may not yet have peaked in others.

Washington, D.C. - February 4, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) today issued the following statement in response to the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) reissuance of a proposal that would drastically shorten the timeframe between when a union files a representation petition and an election takes place

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., - February 4, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) has donated $100,000 to Rebuilding Together to help families across the country repair and rebuild their homes.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 4, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- The King County Housing Authority will resume issuing Section 8 vouchers to families on its general waiting list. The waiting list has been frozen for the past 11 months as a result of sequestration, the automatic budget cuts to all federal programs that went into effect March 1, 2013

Reston, Virginia, - February 4, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- MERSCORP Holdings, Inc. today announced the Seventh Circuit of Appeals rendered a favorable decision in the Macon County recording fee case and affirmed the dismissal of the lawsuit by the district court

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 4, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- In nearly every community across the country, the resources exist to end veteran homelessness. However, having every puzzle piece does not mean the full picture has been completed. We must connect the pieces and, where pieces are still missing, push for targeted and immediate action

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 4, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Farm Bill approved by the Senate today and the House last week includes an important provision championed by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) that will enable millions of Americans to maintain access to critical rural housing programs.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 4, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- McGraw Hill Construction, a part of McGraw Hill Financial (NYSE: MHFI), today released findings from a new Green Home Builders and Remodelers Study at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) International Builders' Show in Las Vegas. Green homes comprised 23% of the overall residential construction market in 2013 and are expected to grow to between 26% and 33% of the market by 2016. This equates to a doubling in the value of green home construction over three years, growing from $36 billion in 2013 to $83-$105 billion in 2016, based on the current McGraw Hill Construction forecast for total residential construction

Albuquerque, N.M. - February 4, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Doug O’Brien joined New Mexico State Director Terry Brunner earlier today to honor Deming’s newest homeowners during an open house gathering

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 4, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Department of Justice today announced that JPMorgan Chase (JPMC) will pay $614 million for violating the False Claims Act by knowingly originating and underwriting non-compliant mortgage loans submitted for insurance coverage and guarantees by the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). JPMC is a bank and financial services company headquartered in New York

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 4, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Residential remodeling will continue a gradual climb back up in 2014 from a dramatic fall during the economic downturn, according to experts at a press conference hosted by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Remodelers at the International Builders’ Show (IBS) in Las Vegas. Remodelers from around the country agreed with the forecast, citing increased demand from home owners for upgrades to existing bathrooms and kitchens

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 4, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Led by a resurgence in single-family production, housing will continue its climb toward higher ground in 2014, but builders are still confronting several challenges that could hinder the pace of the ongoing recovery, according to economists speaking at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) International Builders' Show (IBS) in Las Vegas today.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 4, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) General Counsel Maurice Baskin Feb. 4 testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Workforce Protections during a hearing titled, “OSHA’s Regulatory Agenda: Changing Long-Standing Policies Outside the Public Rulemaking Process.” On behalf of ABC and the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), Baskin addressed a Feb. 21, 2013 letter of interpretation (LOI) from OSHA allowing union agents and community organizers for the first time to accompany safety inspectors into nonunion facilities, as long as an unspecified (non-majority) number of employees in the nonunion work place designate one.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 4, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- The National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) hired Lisa Costello as Vice President of Political Affairs and promoted Jim Lapides and Sarah Yaussi to Vice President of Strategic Communications and Vice President of Industry Communications, respectively.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 4, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Builder confidence in the 55+ housing market for the fourth quarter of 2013 is up sharply, according to the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) latest 55+ Housing Market Index (HMI) released today. All segments of the market—single-family homes, condominiums and multifamily rental—registered strong increases compared to the same quarter a year ago. The single-family index increased 20 points to a level of 48, which is the highest fourth-quarter reading since the inception of the index in 2008 and the ninth consecutive quarter of year over year improvements

La Jolla, CA. - January 31, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- The number of California homes that sold for a million dollars or more rose last year to the highest level in six years, the result of rising home prices and an improving economy, among other factors. The strongest sales gains were at the luxury market's high end, with record sales above the $2 million mark, a real estate information service reported

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 31, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- The following is a statement by National Association of Realtors® President Steve Brown:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 31, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- The following is a statement by National Association of Realtors® President Steve Brown: “NAR commends President Obama for highlighting two key policy reforms during his State of the Union address tonight that support the future of homeownership and the business of real estate

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 31, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced today that the city of Hammond, Indiana, and the Hammond Housing Authority (HHA) agreed to pay Maria Becerra, the former executive director of HHA $200,000 to settle allegations the city and HHA terminated her employment because she administered a HUD-funded rental assistance program that helped minority familiesmove into predominantly white neighborhoods In addition, HHA agreed to reopen its Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program waiting list and inform the public about the reopening of the list

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 31, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) today announced that it is granting expanded authority to lenders to accept electronic signatures (e-Signatures) on documents associated with mortgage loans. The new policy allows e-Signatures on origination, servicing, and loss mitigation documents, as well as FHA insurance claims, REO sales contracts and related addenda. Current FHA policy allows for electronic signatures only on third party documents such as sales contracts and other documents not controlled by the lender.

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.

The House passed the fiscal year 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development bill today. WASHINGTON, D.C. - RealEstateRama - Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that she...

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

Selling your home represents one of the most significant financial transactions you'll make in your lifetime. Whether you're upgrading to a larger property, downsizing, or relocating for work, getting the best possible price while minimizing time on market requires careful planning and strategic execution.

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