WASHINGTON, D.C. - June 13, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The NRMLA/RiskSpan Reverse Mortgage Market Index (RMMI) rose by 1.5% in the first quarter of 2013 to 155.0, its highest level since Q1 2009. The RMMI, which analyzes trends in the home values, home equity and mortgage debt of homeowners 62 and older, is updated quarterly and tracks back to the start of 2000

Chicago, IL - June 13, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The American Institute of Architects (AIA) today announced a strategic partnership with Make It Right, St. Bernard Project and Architecture for Humanity to launch “Designing Recovery,” an ideas competition created to aid in the rebuild of sustainable and resilient communities. The competition, which is designed to help survivors of three recent natural disasters, was announced as a Commitment to Action at CGI America, an annual event of the Clinton Global Initiative focused on finding solutions that promote economic recovery in the United States

WASHINGTON, DC - June 13, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Wednesday the House Committee on Financial Services held a full committee hearing titled, “Beyond the GSEs: Examples of Successful Housing Finance Models without Explicit Government Guarantees.” ...

Washington, D.C. - June 13, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The House Judiciary Committee today approved legislation by voice vote that prohibits state and local governments that receive federal economic development funds from using eminent domain to transfer private property from one private owner to another for the purpose of economic development, the Private Property Rights Protection Act (H.R. 1944). This legislation is in response to the 2005 Supreme Court decision in the case of Kelo v. City of New London, which gives local governments broad authority to seize private property under the guise of economic development just to generate tax revenue. The Private Property Rights Protection Act passed the House of Representatives in the 109th and 112th Congresses

WASHINGTON, DC - June 13, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today awarded $563 million to 353 American Indian and Alaskan Native entities that represent 539 tribes across the U.S. Provided through HUD’s ...

Orlando, FL - June 13, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- In separate transactions, CBRE has closed on the sale of Lakeside Village Center, a Publix-anchored shopping center in Windermere, Florida, plus the separate sales of adjoining McDonald's and 7-Eleven o...

Torrance, CA - June 13, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Auction.com (www.auction.com), the nation’s leading online real estate marketplace, successfully auctioned 49 commercial properties across 24 states for more than $133 million on May 30th, the compan...

Washington, DC - June 12, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- House Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) delivered the following opening statement at today’s full committee hearing titled ““Beyond GSEs: Examples of Successful Housing Finance Models without Explicit Government Guarantees.”

SAN DIEGO, CA - June 12, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Following a 2012 California law that authorized landlords to prohibit smoking at their rental properties, the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) has adopted a smoke-free policy for all SDHC-owned apa...

ALBANY, NY - June 12, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- On Tuesday, the New York Senate passed legislation to protect homeowners from insurance scams by establishing a strict firewall between public adjusters and contractors. The legislation (S.3771A) was wri...

WASHINGTON, D.C. - June 12, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- A bill sponsored by Congressman Denny Heck (D-WA) to enact commonsense reforms to fix the federal reverse mortgage program will be considered by the U.S. House tomorrow. The bill is co-sponsored by...

FREEHOLD, NJ - June 12, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Commissioner Richard E. Constable, III today met with Sandy-impacted residents at the reNew Jersey Stronger Housing Recovery Center serving Monmouth Cou...

WALTHAM, MA - June 12, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® (MAR) reported today that more homes were put under agreement in the month of May than in any month since January 2004 when MAR began tracking this data. Cond...

Washington, D.C. - June 12, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today released its March 2013 Refinance Report, which shows that refinance volumes remained high as mortgage rates rose slightly but stayed near historic low levels. Nearly 462,000 refinances took place in March, with nearly 100,000 completed through the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP). This brings the number of total HARP refinances to more than 2.4 million since the program’s inception in April 2009

OKLAHOMA CITY - June 12, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Homeowners, renters and business owners in Canadian County who sustained damage as a result of recent back-to-back storms may now apply for state and federal disaster assistance. The federal disaster declaration now covers damage incurred by severe storms, flooding and tornadoes May 18 through June 2.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - June 12, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Approximately 9,000 homeless veterans living on the streets and in the nation’s shelter system will soon find a permanent place to call home. U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Eric K. Shinseki announced that HUD will provide $60 million to local public housing agencies across the country to offer permanent supportive housing to homeless veterans, many of whom are living with chronic disabling conditions

WASHINGTON, D.C. - June 12, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Blatant acts of housing discrimination faced by minority homeseekers continue to decline in the U.S., yet more subtle forms of housing denial stubbornly persist, according to a new summary study released today by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Urban Institute. Housing Discrimination Against Racial and Ethnic Minorities 2012 finds African-Americans, Hispanics and Asians learn about fewer housing options than equally qualified whites.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - June 12, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The former president and chief executive officer of U.S. Mortgage, a loan servicing company in Nevada, pleaded guilty today for his role in a scheme to defraud Wells Fargo Bank out of more than $8 million.

TRENTON, N.J. - June 12, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Disaster assistance to New Jersey survivors of Superstorm Sandy by the numbers as of June 10

EUGENE, OR - June 12, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, IDX, Inc. announces John Sekely as the latest real estate professional to join the growing network of agents and brokers who have chosen to update their websites with IDX Broker software. Sekely, ...

Modern homeowners are discovering that the most stunning landscapes aren't always the most complex ones. Sustainable landscaping with native plants offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, environmental responsibility, and practical benefits that make it an ideal choice for today's eco-conscious families.

A new follow-up study conducted by economists from MetroSight – sponsored by the National Apartment Association (NAA) and the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) – shows that some housing regulations increase the cost of rent, particularly for lower-income renters and those renting from small multifamily properties.

U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) led 12 Democratic senators in reintroducing the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act, legislation that aims to support middle-class Americans purchasing their first home. The bill would establish a refundable tax credit worth up to 10 percent of a home’s purchase price – up to a maximum of $15,000 – for first-time homebuyers.

The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) today issued a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) to solicit interest from partners with development projects on private land, exploring the expansion of public development opportunities that could serve low-income New Yorkers.

Community members interested in an opportunity to give back can now volunteer as a driver for meal delivery service to homebound seniors throughout New Hanover County. Weekdays, the Senior Resource Center’s Nutrition Program serves more than 700 seniors daily as part of its Home Delivered Meals Program.

The Equal Rights Center (ERC), the premier fair housing organization representing the greater Washington, D.C. region, today filed a lawsuit in D.C. Superior Court against JAG Management Company (JAG) and Jefferson Apartment Group, the companies behind several luxury residential properties across the District.

Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02) joined the Urban League of Greater Philadelphia yesterday to spotlight $750,000 in federal funding he secured for the organization to develop a new permanent satellite office serving North Philadelphia.

Safety is the foundation of successful residential treatment centers and therapeutic schools. For adolescents and young adults facing emotional, behavioral, or psychological issues, healing depends on feeling safe physically and emotionally. When students trust their safety is met, they are more likely to engage in therapy, build relationships, and develop coping skills.

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