Washington, DC - January 18, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has directed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to work on a joint initiative, in coordination with FHFA and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), to consider alternatives for future mortgage servicing structures and servicing compensation for their single-family mortgage loans.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 18, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes held unchanged at a relatively low level of 16 for a third consecutive month in January, according to the latest National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), released today."As we emerge from the traditionally slow holiday season, builders continue to look for signs of improvement in the economy, home buyer demand and builder and consumer credit conditions," said 2011 NAHB Chairman Bob Nielsen, a home builder from Reno, Nev. "Unfortunately, a severe lack of construction financing, and widespread difficulties in obtaining accurate appraisal values, continue to limit builders' ability to prepare for anticipated improvements in buyer demand in 2011."

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 17, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Three National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) members, home builders and remodelers who are certifying their projects to the federal Department of Energy’s Builders Challenge program say that affordability, not cutting-edge technology, is key to their ability to seal the deal with home buyers.The builders spoke at press conference during the NAHB International Builders’ Show, which observed its fourth annual Green Day on Jan. 13.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 17, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The 2011 edition of The New American Home (TNAH) features leading-edge green building technology woven seamlessly into the elegant architecture of the well-crafted house. The home has achieved “Emerald” status under the National Green Building Standard certification program.Featuring American Empire design with Greek Revival elements, the home combines an inviting layout with graceful style, eccentric interiors and easy classicism. Built in a quiet Orlando neighborhood, it offers lake views with the Orlando skyline beyond.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 17, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Housing will see gradual improvements in activity this year as the nation’s economy and job market continue to move to higher ground, establishing momentum that will produce more considerable gains in 2012, according to economists who appeared at the NAHB International Builders’ Show in Orlando on Jan.

Destin, FL - January 17, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The best and worst housing market forecasts for 2011 have been issued by Housing Predictor, which selects the 25 best and 25 worst markets annually. Markets selected have the highest probability of reaching their forecasts, and are updated over the entire year as housing market conditions change

Denver, CO - January 17, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- RE/MAX, LLC will be sponsoring an 18-city concert tour to benefit Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, an organization that RE/MAX and its agents worldwide have raised more than $100 million to support since 1992. The concert features 9-year-old child prodigy, musician, composer and actor Ethan Bortnick who is rapidly becoming an international sensation.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- On January 12th, an affiliate of USAA Real Estate Company executed a Joint Venture Agreement with Gables Residential to develop Class-A multi-family properties at select urban infill sites as well as purchase an interest in several of Gables’ best-in-class stabilized properties. The development and acquisitions amount to over $400 million of Class-A multi-family assets

Dallas, TX - January 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc. (CBRE) has appointed Michael Caffey as Senior Managing Director and Dallas/Fort Worth market leader. In that role Mr. Caffey will be responsible for overseeing all business lines for CB Richard Ellis in the North Texas market area as well as the Company’s Oklahoma affiliate operations. Mr. Caffey is currently a Managing Director in CBRE’s Dallas office. He succeeds Mark Fewin, who was named last November as Global Leader for Project Management Services

NEW YORK, N.Y. - January 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mortgage rates were mostly lower this week, except for the benchmark conforming 30-year fixed mortgage rate, which held at 4.94 percent according to Bankrate.com's weekly national survey. The average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.38 discount and origination points.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Green-built homes will take an increasingly large percentage of the market in direct proportion to their price – because home buyers’ prime motivation today is cost effectiveness, according to representatives from four suppliers and product manufactures who spoke today at the National Association of Home Builders International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Fla.“The key is value for every stakeholder in the process,” from the manufacturer to the builder and the home buyer, said Richard Davenport, director of sustainable construction for BASF.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- New job creation amid a slowly recovering economy is creating increased demand by new renters seeking to move into apartments. However, the lack of credit needed to finance the development of apartments is already causing rents to increase and is likely to lead to a shortage of available apartments in the next few years.“Although we are forecasting construction of 133,000 new multifamily residences in 2011,” said the National Association of Home Builders’ chief economist, David Crowe, “that is far short of the 250,000 to 300,000 units that would be required to keep supply and demand in balance

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- A joint study by the 50+ Housing Council of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the MetLife Mature Market Institute shows the recession has made 55+ buyers more practical when selecting a new home. Design considerations have become less important, and financial concerns have become more prominent.Previous studies from these two organizations found that most 55+ buyers depended on home sale proceeds to finance a new purchase. The most recent data shows that option diminished during the economic downturn.

WASHINGTON, DC - January 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development today awarded nearly $127 million in grants to 48 local projects to conduct a wide range of activities intended to protect children and families from potentially dangerous lead-based paint and other home health and safety hazards (see chart below)

Orlando, FL - January 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- With the current state of the national economy, consumers are looking for ways to reduce costs wherever they can – operation of their homes is certainly no exception. In direct response to their customers' needs, and their own desire to "do the right thing," many home builders and remodelers have taken strides to incorporate features that make homes more energy efficient, comfortable, cost-effective to operate and maintain, and generally more friendly to the natural environment. Tuesday night, at a dinner celebration just prior to the start of the 2011 International Builders' Show, an elite group of these conscientious residential professionals received EnergyValue Housing Awards (EVHA) for new and existing homes

DENVER, CO - January 13, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Kentwood City Properties, one of three strategically-located offices that comprise Kentwood Real Estate, has recorded its highest historic residential real estate sales volume since the office was formed in 1999. The office and its leading real estate professionals posted total sales volume of nearly $340 million for 2010, approximately $35 million more that its previous high sales volume.

Cincinnati, OH - January 13, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- With the help of a brand new network of empowered real estate brokers and agents, home buyers can now receive a sizeable part of the real estate broker commission similar to the side deals relocation companies have been receiving for years. Real estate brokers have long shared commissions with relo companies and out-of-state brokers that refer home buyers to their office. Now, select brokers in the EmpoweredBuyer.com network are extending the commission-sharing to a new breed of knowledgeable home buyers.

CHICAGO, IL - January 13, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® (LeadingRE), the world's largest network of leading independent real estate brokers, continued to expand in 2010, with over 50 new offices and 2,300 sales associates added during the year. A strong pipeline of new member candidates ensures additional growth in early 2011.

CHICAGO, IL - January 13, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® has selected reOneSpot™ as a preferred partner to provide its network of 600 brokerage firms worldwide a low-cost, intelligent, web-based enterprise solution that securely enables collaboration and sharing of activities, documents, feedback and communications between brokers, agents and their clients in one easy-to-use integrated location. This all-in-one solution platform helps real estate brokers and associates improve efficiency and productivity with tools that enhance and streamline the regular, day-to-day activities involved in today’s business of real estate.

McLean, VA - January 13, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Freddie Mac (OTC: FMCC) today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®). The survey results showed lower mortgage rates for both long- and short-term rates, with the 30-year reaching a four-week low

Solemn Recognition Coincides with $5 Million Campaign to Raise Awareness of the Statewide 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The state Office of Mental Health today announced that bridges and landmarks across New York will be lit in purple and teal tonight, Wednesday, Sept. 18, to mark Suicide Prevention Month.

The cost of rocks to do a landscape project may be high, but obtaining inexpensive rocks can greatly affect one's budget. Rocks have several uses in landscaping; they may act as walks, borders, or specimens in a garden. Nevertheless, it might often be quite difficult to look for cost-friendly rock suppliers.

Congressman Andy Biggs (R-AZ) introduced the Keeping Aid for Municipalities and Localities Accountable Act, or the KAMALA Act. The KAMALA Act will ensure that the federal government is not bankrolling states and localities that provide illegal aliens with housing assistance.

“We see the dramatic impact of climate change on our national parks every day. That’s why we need a transition to renewable energy that makes sure solar development is sited quickly and where it makes the most sense, minimizing harm to national parks and the communities they support."–Matt Kirby, NPCA's Senior Energy and Landscape Conservation Director

Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) has acquired two senior affordable housing properties in very desirable Massachusetts communities that are vulnerable to increasing housing costs: Northside Village in Dennis and Westport Village in Westport.

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