Yearly Archives: 2014

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 8, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- As of January 1, four additional state or U.S. territory agencies began using the new National SAFE MLO test, bringing the total number of agencies that use the test to 39.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 8, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Part of the cost of doing business as a real estate agent is spending a considerable amount of time driving from one property to another to assist clients. To help members who are always on the go, the National Association of Realtors® is pleased to announce a two-year extension of its agreement with Chrysler Group LLC, as NAR’s official automobile manufacturer through the REALTOR Benefits® Program.

San Antonio, TX - January 8, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- WestRidge, a new, master-planned office development led by Patrinely Group, is located on La Cantera Parkway. The 128,000-square-foot building is designed for LEED Silver certification with completion slated for fourth quarter 2014. "We will create an exceptionally attractive Class A office campus for businesses desiring to locate in a premier destination in La Cantera," said Dean Patrinely, Managing Principal of Patrinely Group, LLC

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 8, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Energy Department’s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is well known for its efforts to improve the lives of low-income American families through energy efficient home upgrades, but it also focuses on establishing a skilled and certified workforce.

Washington, D.C. - January 8, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Richard Hunt, president and CEO of the Consumer Bankers Association, issued the following statement in advance of several new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) mortgage rules which are set take effect on January 10, 2014

CHICAGO - January 8, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- REach, the strategic accelerator for technology startups created and managed by the National Association of Realtors®’ investment fund, Second Century Ventures, announced the opening of applications to join its 2014 class. The deadline to apply for the 2014 program is March 1. The program runs from April through the Realtors® Conference & Expo in November, where participating companies will be showcased at the industry’s largest gathering.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 8, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- New mortgage lending rules to protect consumers from risky loan products will take effect this Friday, and Realtors® will be on the front lines as homebuyers access safer mortgages that meet strong underwriting standards, said Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Richard Cordray at an event held today by the National Association of Realtors®

LOS ANGELES - January 7, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Westwood Financial Corp. (WFC), one of the largest privately held owner-operators of retail properties in the U.S., is reporting its most successful year in its 42-year history with more than $325 million in acquisitions and dispositions in 32 separate trades in 2013. ”We are extremely pleased with 2013 and are expecting 2014 to be more of the same.” said Joe Dykstra, executive VP of WFC

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 7, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Sales of office space, an essential fixture of the modern real estate company, are not necessarily dropping. However, they are shrinking, as customers are requesting smaller offices for their businesses.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 7, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced that it plans to survey general contractors regarding their recent renovation, repair and painting (RRP) activities in public- and private-sector commercial buildings. EPA has asked for public comment by Feb. 4 on the scope and clarity of the questions included in its draft Information Collection Request (ICR), as well as its underlying assumptions and burden/cost estimates. EPA is taking these steps because it needs more data on whether or not RRP activities in buildings expose the public to lead-based paint (LBP) dust. If EPA determines such activities create LBP “hazards,” the agency will write additional rules that will apply to building contractors.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 7, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Markets in 56 out of the approximately 350 metro areas nationwide returned to or exceeded their last normal levels of economic and housing activity, according to the National Association of Home Builders/First American Leading Markets Index (LMI), released today. This represents a net gain of two from the previous month. The index’s nationwide score of .86 indicates that, based on current permits, prices and employment data, the nationwide average is running at 86 percent of normal economic and housing activity

Dover, NH - January 7, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- As major sections of the United States including New Hampshire experience extreme winter weather conditions, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) met with officials from the New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning and New Hampshire Community Action Programs to highlight the importance of funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). LIHEAP helps seniors and low income households with home heating costs

“Buy American!” That is the powerful message of a resolution sponsored by Assemblywoman Alison Littell McHose that today was approved by the General Assembly.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 7, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) gained new leadership as Mel Watt was sworn in as the new director. Mr. Watt brings deep knowledge of and a fresh set of eyes on some of the most complicated housing policy questions facing our country. I am confident that he will give all issues before him a thorough and objective analysis, backed by his values that are rooted in social and economic justice

Washington, DC - January 6, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Honorable Melvin L. Watt of Charlotte, North Carolina was sworn in today to a five-year term as the first Senate-confirmed Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). The oath was administered by The Honorable Anthony Foxx, U.S. Secretary of Transportation and former mayor of Charlotte, NC. FHFA was created by the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 to oversee Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the 12 Federal Home Loan Banks and is responsible for oversight of the $5.5 trillion mortgage finance market.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 6, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- iHomefinder is pleased to announce that Felecia Fair of EnterAct Realty has selected Optima Express WordPress IDX for her website. The EnterAct Realty team believes that their success is built on determination and real estate know-how. Felecia and her experienced team assist real estate clients in the Frisco Texas area with traditional real estate sales, Short Sales and REOs.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 3, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today issued a final rule adjusting the asset-size threshold for certain creditors to qualify for an exemption from the requirement to establish an escrow account for a higher-priced mortgage loan under Regulation Z, which implements the Truth in Lending Act (TILA).

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 3, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today issued a final rule adjusting the asset-size exemption threshold for banks, savings associations, and credit unions under Regulation C, which implements the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 3, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Total construction spending increased between October and November and for the year amid growing private-sector demand, according to an analysis of new Census Bureau data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted, however, that the spending levels were held back by declining public sector investments for both the month and the year.

Berkeley, CA - January 3, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- iHomefinder is pleased to announce that California realtor Shayn Scott has chosen the Optima Express WordPress IDX solution for his website. Shayn and his team take a non-traditional approach towards serving real estate clients. They develop real estate entry and exit strategies with their clients, and do portfolio analysis with clients. This team represents real estate clients in Southern California. They concentrate on building long term relationships built on trust.