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1 in 3 KC-Area Homes Test Positive for Dangerous Levels of Radon
The dangers of radon exposure often go overlooked, perhaps due to the fact that radon is an invisible gas that has no odor or taste. However, according the American Lung Association and U.S. Surgeon General, radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, resulting in an estimated 15,000-22,000 deaths each year. Locally, in Kansas City, an average of one of every three homes test positive for levels above the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) recommended safe level
Presidential Candidates Address Affordable Housing at New Hampshire Housing Summit
The need for affordable housing is often absent as a discussion topic in presidential debates and typically does not play a major role in the candidates’ policy platforms. However, this campaign season, the J. Ronald Terwilliger Foundation for Housing America’s Families sought to raise housing’s profile by hosting the New Hampshire Housing Summit on October 16 and inviting presidential candidates to address an audience comprised of representatives of national housing organizations and those involved in the New Hampshire affordable housing industry
Minnesota Fallen Firefighters Memorial Wins National Steel Building Award
The Minnesota Fallen Firefighters Memorial in St. Paul, Minn., has earned national recognition in the 2015 Innovative Design in Engineering and Architecture with Structural Steel awards program (IDEAS2). In honor of this achievement, members of the project team will be presented with awards from the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) during a ceremony at the structure on Tuesday, October 27 at 4 p.m.
SEIA Applauds Florida Supreme Court Ruling
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) applauded the Florida Supreme Court for “being on the right side of history” today in ruling in favor of the Floridians for Solar Choice Amendment. The Supreme Court decision clears the legal hurdle for the amendment to be placed on the 2016 ballot, pending the collection and verification of the required 683,149 signatures by Feb. 1.
Mike Drews of Aurora Installed as President of the Illinois Association of REALTORS®
REALTOR® Mike Drews, GRI, of Aurora has been installed as the 2016 President of the Illinois Association of REALTORS®. He is a Broker-Associate with Charles B. Doss & Co. in Aurora. Active in the real estate industry since 1979, Drews has donated his time and expertise to the REALTOR® organization at the local, state and national level. A past president of the Mainstreet Organization of REALTORS®, he also has served as chairman of various local committees.
Existing-Home Sales Regain Momentum in September
Existing–home sales rebounded strongly in September following August's decline and have now increased year–over–year for 12 consecutive months, according to the National Association of Realtors®. All four major regions experienced sales gains in September.
New supportive housing residence opens in the South Bronx for at-risk youth aging out...
Occupancy draws near to 100% this month at the newly opened Wales Avenue Residence in the South Bronx. The new building, with stepped massing echoing the two populations housed within, is a seven story masonry bearing wall construction featuring a sophisticated gray brick facade accented with lively blue glazed brick, metal panels and large windows in each unit. A landscaped yard accommodates each population in defined areas
150 Volunteers Join Forces to Bring More Play to Paterson, NJ
More than 150 volunteers from Alexandra’s Playground, PS#29, the New Jersey Community Development Corporation and Paterson residents will join forces on Saturday, October 24th to build a new playground for PS#29 elementary school students in Paterson, NJ. The new playground will feature state-of-the-art playground equipment developed by Kompan that will motivate active and imaginative play including climbing, balancing and spinning activities. Volunteers will also enhance the school yard with benches and a community garden.
Home Builders Support House Bill that Streamlines HUD Programs
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) today urged Congress to pass legislation that would help streamline programs to help low-income home buyers and renters. “The Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2015 (H.R. 3700) includes many NAHB-supported bipartisan fixes to HUD programs, specifically regarding Section 8, FHA and rural housing,” NAHB Immediate Past Chairman Kevin Kelly testified at a hearing before the House Financial Services Committee’s Housing and Insurance Subcommittee.
Remodeling Market Index Posts Tenth Straight Quarter in Positive Territory
The National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) Remodeling Market Index (RMI) posted a reading of 57 in the third quarter of 2015, two points below the previous quarter. However, this is the tenth straight quarter it has been above the key break-even point of 50
Housing Recovery to Pick Up Steam in 2016, but Challenges Remain
Steady employment and economic growth, pent-up demand, affordable home prices and attractive mortgage rates will keep the housing market on a gradual upward trend in 2016. However, persistent headwinds related to shortages and availability of lots and labor, along with rising materials prices are impeding a more robust recovery, according to economists who participated in yesterday’s National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Fall Construction Forecast Webinar
MBA Report: Multifamily Lending Jumped 13 Percent in 2014
In 2014, 2,876 different multifamily lenders provided a total of $195.1 billion in new mortgages for apartment buildings with five or more units, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) 2014 Report on Multifamily Lending. The 2014 dollar volume represents a 13 percent increase from 2013 levels. Sixty-five percent of the active lenders made five or fewer multifamily loans over the course of the year
Miami Positioned for Continued Commercial Growth, Experts say at RCA MIAMI Super
Miami has evolved into one of the world’s top places for commercial real estate investment, and the area’s population boom, tourist growth, and infrastructure improvements should only lead to more expansion, a prestigious panel of speakers said at the 15th annual Commercial Super Conference hosted by the Realtors Commercial Alliance
Pollack Shores Real Estate Group in Atlanta Named 2015 Development Firm of the Year...
Pollack Shores Real Estate Group, based in Atlanta, was named Multifamily Development Firm of the Year by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) as part of the association’s Multifamily Pillars of the Industry Awards.
Homes Sales and Prices up in September; Strongest Third Quarter in 8 Years
Homes sales and sale prices continue their steady upward trend in Iowa in September. This is the strongest third quarter Iowa has seen in 8 years. The median sale price rose 5.9 percent from September of last year. The median price was $131,750 in September 2014 compared to $139,500 this year.
Lawsuit Forces Potomac River Plant to Halt Water Pollution Violations and Pay for Millions...
The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) voted today to sign a consent decree settling a lawsuit filed by environmental organizations over millions of pounds of pollution being dumped into the Potomac River from its water filtration plant in Potomac, Maryland
Government Applications Drive Increase in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
Mortgage applications increased 11.8 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association's (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending October 16, 2015. This week's results include an adjustment to account for the Columbus Day holiday.
NAR President Testifies before House Subcommittee in Support of FHA Reforms
At a hearing today before the U.S. House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, National Association of Realtors® President Chris Polychron offered support for H.R. 3700, the "Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2015."
Vermont Land Trust Will Purchase Bluffside Farm
Newport’s Bluffside Farm will be the focus of a new farmland conservation and public access project, the Vermont Land Trust (VLT) announced today.Based on a show of interest and support from the residents of the City of Newport at a public meeting on September 14, 2015, VLT has negotiated a Purchase and Sales contract for the 129-acre property ahead of the scheduled October 23 foreclosure auction.
California housing affordability continues to decline
The percentage of home buyers who can afford to purchase a median-priced home in California is declining. The sharp increase in housing demand has led to skyrocketing home prices, shutting out a large percentage of the potential home buyers. The latest California Association of REALTORS® housing affordability report indicates every region in the state, except Kings County, posted lower affordability in the second quarter compared to the previous quarter