NAR

WASHINGTON, DC - May 21, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- HouseLogic.com, the award-winning comprehensive website for homeowners from the National Association of Realtors®, launches its next online sweepstakes Monday, May 21, and site visitors could win a $100 Visa gift card. Readers who comment on a special blog series, the “Drafty House Rehab,” will have a chance to win one of four available gift cards.

WASHINGTON, DC - May 21, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Existing-home sales rose in April and remain above a year ago, while home prices continued to rise, according to the National Association of Realtors®. The improvements in sales and prices were broad based across all regions.

WASHINGTON, DC - May 21, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Realtors® Federal Credit Union members now have access to expanded financial and banking resources as a result of a merger with Northwest Federal Credit Union.

WASHINGTON, DC - May 21, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- The next two decades in housing markets depends largely on the Echo Boomers. That's according to panelists at the "Shifting Demographics and Housing Choice: A Whole New World?" session today during the

WASHINGTON, DC - May 18, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- An estimated 15,000 Realtors® converged on the grounds of the Washington Monument today to make their voices heard on behalf of homeowners, real estate investors, and those who aspire to homeownership.

WASHINGTON, DC - May 18, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- A panel of Realtors® provided keen insight into what it takes to launch successful workforce housing initiatives during the Housing Opportunities Forum – Ideas in Action at the Realtor® Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, DC - May 16, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- The National Association of Realtors® announced today a strategic alliance with Xceligent, Inc., a leading commercial real estate information services provider. Xceligent recently acquired ePropertyData from NAR’s strategic investment fund, Second Century Ventures, to create a competitive national alternative in commercial real estate information.

WASHINGTON, DC - May 16, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- A sustainable housing recovery requires that policymakers move forward with the difficult decisions regarding the future of the mortgage market. That's according to Federal Reserve Board Governor Elizabeth Duke, who spoke to Realtors® at a joint Real Estate Services and Regulatory Issues Forum—Prescriptions for Housing Recovery session today during the

WASHINGTON, DC - May 16, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Housing and the economic recovery will play a large part in deciding the outcome of the 2012 presidential election, according to public policy experts at today's Legislative and Political Forum during the Realtors® 2012 Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo. Former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, leading Democratic strategist Celinda Lake, and National Economic Council Director Gene Sperling provided their unique insights into issues affecting the long-term direction of the country.

WASHINGTON , DC - May 16, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today's real estate market is challenging and competitive, but this year's REALTOR® Magazine "30 Under 30" honorees haven't let that deter them. The 2012 class is following in the strong entrepreneurial tradition of real estate, creating their own pathways to success.

WASHINGTON, DC - May 15, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- The income and business of Realtors® is growing after many years of decline, according to the 2012 National Association of Realtors® Member Profile.

WASHINGTON, DC - May 15, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Housing affordability conditions for all buyers reached a milestone in the first quarter, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

WASHINGTON, DC - May 14, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Realtor® Magazine, an online and print publication of the National Association of Realtors®, has received three awards for Media Innovation from the Association Media & Publishing EXCEL Awards. The EXCEL Awards honor the best and brightest in association media and publishing.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 14, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Second Century Ventures, the strategic investment arm of the National Association of Realtors®, has sold ePropertyData (ePD) to Xceligent to create a competitive national alternative in commercial real estate information.

WASHINGTON, DC - May 4, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Although commercial real estate markets showed signs of recovery in 2011, commercial lending standards have tightened in the past year for small businesses and scuttled a major portion of contracted transactions for smaller properties, according to the National Association of Realtors® annual Commercial Real Estate 2012 Lending Survey.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 2, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- The National Association of Realtors® has awarded grants totaling more than $60,000 to 19 state and local Realtor® associations through the Housing Opportunity Program. The HOP grants program is a national effort designed to promote and expand affordable housing opportunities in communities across the nation.

WASHINGTON, DC - April 27, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Six teams of middle school students participating in the annual School of the Future Design Competition were in Washington, D.C., this week displaying their plans to design environmentally responsive schools that enhance learning and engage the surrounding community. The competition encourages students from all over the world to work in teams to plan and design a school that will improve the learning environment and the facility’s energy efficiency, as well as be sensitive to the environment. This year’s winners were announced last night during an event held at the National Association of Realtors® building.

WASHINGTON, DC - April 26, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Pending home sales increased in March and are well above a year ago, another signal the housing market is recovering, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 25, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Potential home buyers rely on open houses to help them find the home of their dreams. This weekend buyers can have a greater chance of doing just that during Realtor® Nationwide Open House Weekend, which is organized by state and local Realtor® associations across the country. This Saturday and Sunday, April 28-29, Realtors® from coast to coast will host thousands of open houses while engaging consumers on the benefits of homeownership and bringing buyers and sellers together.

WASHINGTON, DC - April 23, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- The National Association of Realtors® is joining forces once again with the U.S. Department of the Treasury to offer aid to homeowners who are struggling to keep their homes and avoid foreclosure and to help Realtors® better assist clients through the short sale process.