Public

Tom Woods, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder from Blue Springs, Mo., issued the following statement after the Federal Housing Administration released its annual actuarial report to Congress

Patricia R. “Trish” Healy, founding principal of Hyde Street Holdings, LLC in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been named Chairman of the Americas for the Urban Land Institute (ULI), a non-profit research and education institute with more than 36,000 members dedicated to leadership in real estate and land use and creating thriving communities worldwide. Healy, a longtime ULI member, ULI Foundation Governor, and former ULI Trustee, will serve in this position through June 30, 2018.

The Federal Housing Administration today released its 2015 Actuarial Review, a financial assessment of the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund, and the review shows that the fund has strongly rebounded, achieved greater overall health, and seen increased access to safe mortgage financing as cuts to FHA's annual mortgage insurance premium have taken hold.

The New York State Association of REALTORS (NYSAR) is pleased to announce that Liz Celeone, Esq. of Schaghticoke, NY has joined the association as associate counsel. Celeone will assist NYSAR’s general counsel in providing services to members, conduct legal research and author articles for association publications

With the Governor’s recent call for California to use more renewable energy, the City of Sacramento is making it easier to install small residential solar energy systems by offering an expedited building permit process. ThroughSacramento Streamline, homeowners and contractors are able to apply for a residential solar installation permit and receive approval in three days or less, with most being approved within one day.

Join MEREDA for breakfast on December 10th from 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM at the Portland Regency Hotel for a thought provoking conversation and learn about trends in Maine lake health, new cross-sector initiatives to protect our lakes, and how a program called LakeSmart can help communities safeguard their freshwater resources

On Veterans Day, Matt, John, and Ultima Morgan of Morgan & Morgan visited Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida to deliver $50,000 in support of the organization’s Veteran Services Program -- and to announce that the Central Florida community had successfully matched their gift

On November 12, HUD announced a proposed rule that would prohibit smoking in public housing nationwide due to the dangers of second-hand smoke. The proposal could impact about one million households. Importantly, the ban would extend to outdoor areas, including up to 25 feet of common areas and administrative office buildings. Critics charge that the ban is yet another challenge for the already burdened public housing agencies.

The Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced today the 2015 recipients of its school district scholarship program. The five selected school districts will receive ongoing support from the Center for Green Schools over the course of the next year and will benefit from connections with a broad network of school sustainability leaders.

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced today its 2016 Board of Directors and Advisory Council members. The new governance structure of two leadership bodies will officially be implemented in 2016

The Sierra Club released polling today showing significant support for the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Power Plan among registered voters in key states. The new polls come on the eve of votes expected next week in the US Senate on Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolutions intended to derail the policy and its historic public health protections against carbon pollution

A key mortgage lending reform – which would be rolled back by a bill coming up for a vote in the House of Representatives next week – commands the support of an overwhelming majority of voters, according to a poll conducted this summer by Lake Research on behalf of Americans for Financial Reform and the Center for Responsible Lending

Following the housing market’s best year since the recession, existing-home sales are expected to increase in 2016 at a moderate pace; although affordability pressures from inventory shortages and rising mortgage rates could slow the potential for even stronger sales momentum, according to an economic forecast forum here at the 2015 REALTORS® Conference & Expo.

While commercial real estate has been steadily recovering in recent years, industry experts expressed concern that prices may have reached a peak during the Commercial Economic Issues and Trends Forum at the 2015

Throughout 2015, the National Association of Realtors® has enhanced and expanded upon its more than a decade old Realtor® Safety program, developing new materials, creating additional resources and providing members with everything they need to feel empowered and confident in their personal safety.

The Federal Aviation Administration continues its work to integrate unmanned aerial systems, also known as drones, into the National Airspace System, and Realtors® stand ready to take advantage of their many benefits.

Delivering meaningful information to consumers quickly and in a conversational way will help Realtors® position themselves as credible real estate experts and ultimately lead to more business, according to a digital technology and lead generation forum here at

 Realtors® shared strategies for assessing and conveying the value green features bring to homes during the Real Property Valuation Forum today at the 2015 

“According to third quarter statistics for Palm Beach County homes, median days on market dropped to an astonishing 36 days, a 33.3 percent decline year-over-year. Buyers had to make fast, educated decisions in order to secure their dream homes due to our declining inventory levels. Purchasing a property, especially in our current market conditions, can be a complicated and stressful process. If you are looking to buy or sell, let a local REALTOR® offer you the guidance you need to feel confident in your decision.

Florida’s housing market reported more closed sales, higher median prices, a tighter inventory and fewer days on the market during the third quarter of 2015, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®. Closed sales of single-family homes statewide totaled 74,141 in 3Q 2015, up 14.7 percent over the 3Q 2014 figure.