WASHINGTON, DC - December 21, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI), chairman of the Special Committee on Aging, announced the passage of S.118 by the U.S. House of Representatives. S.118, passed under unanimous consent by the U.S. Senate this past weekend, will improve the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program. The Section 202 program provides capital grants to non-profit community organizations for the development of supportive housing and provision of rental assistance exclusively for low-income seniors. Through such housing and supportive services, the program allows low-income seniors to remain safely in their homes.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 21, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) today released its Commercial Real Estate/Multifamily Finance Quarterly Data Book for the third quarter of 2010. The analysis shows that the real estate cycle is beginning to once again exert itself in commercial and multifamily property markets. During the third quarter, the economy began to show (modest) growth and absorption picked up in the face of little new space coming on line. The result has been marginal declines in vacancy rates and a firming of asking rents. Property sales and originations volumes picked up, but volumes were not high enough to keep up with the mortgage debt that investors saw paying off and paying down. The weak economy continued to exert pressure on the performance of properties and the mortgages they back. Mortgage delinquencies were mixed in the quarter, with CMBS and banks/thrifts experiencing continued growth in delinquency rates (albeit at slower rates of growth) and delinquencies at life companies, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac remaining at low levels

Washington, DC - December 21, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Refinancings through the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) increased 26 percent in the third quarter of 2010. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loan modifications through the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) increased 16 percent in the quarter, although the overall volume of loan modifications and the pace of HAMP modifications declined from previous periods. The data were released in FHFA’s Third Quarter 2010 Foreclosure Prevention & Refinance Report, which includes data on all of the Enterprises’ foreclosure prevention efforts

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 21, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Small home builders are the mainstay of the nation’s housing industry, including a sizable number of self-employed mom-and-pop operations, according to a new study by economists at the National Association of Home Builders.“Small businesses have always been the predominant force in housing and they lend this industry its economic vitality,” said Bob Jones, NAHB chairman and a builder from Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

CLEVELAND, OH - December 20, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason and the Cuyahoga County Mortgage Fraud Task Force operating under authorization of Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray and Ohio’s Organized Crime Investigations Commission announced that Susan Alt was sentenced to nine years in prison and ordered 2 million dollars in forfeiture

WASHINGTON, DC - December 20, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Improvements in consumer spending and consumer confidence, increased demand for goods and services, and falling unemployment claims are all positive factors for a brighter outlook as we move into 2011, according to the December 2010 Economic Outlook released today by Fannie Mae's (FNMA/OTC) Economics & Mortgage Market Analysis Group. Downside risks still exist, however, including a weaker than expected employment report, the ongoing economic turmoil in Europe, and potential inflation problems in China

NEW YORK, N.Y. - December 20, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mortgage rates increased again this week, with the average conforming 30-year fixed mortgage rate now 4.62 percent, according to Bankrate.com's weekly national survey. The average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.37 discount and origination points.

McLean, VA - December 20, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Freddie Mac (OTC: FMCC) today instructed its servicers to delay initiating foreclosure for at least nine months for financially troubled service members who are released from active duty through the end of 2011 and have Freddie Mac-owned mortgages. Freddie Mac is one of the nation’s largest investors in conforming, conventional mortgages

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 20, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Thousands who own homes and businesses in locations recently designated as high-risk flood areas will soon have a new way to save on flood insurance protection. Beginning January 1, 2011, the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is offering a new insurance rating option that will allow many property owners to take advantage of lower-cost flood insurance for two years before they are required to pay standard rates. The program will make Preferred Risk Policies (PRPs), which start at just $129 a year and are typically only available for properties in moderate-to-low risk areas, available for properties that have been newly mapped into high-risk areas due to a flood map revision on or after October 1, 2008.

Washington, DC - December 20, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Peter Nickles issued an enforcement statement* recently to clarify that the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) will not be challenging the validity of completed foreclosure sales based on failures to comply with the recordation obligations imposed by District law.

Washington, D.C. - December 20, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today NeighborWorks America, the Congressionally appointed administrator of the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling (NFMC) Program, announced that, based on a new report that analyzed the NFMC program through December 2009, the odds of curing a foreclosure, and potentially avoiding losing a home, is 1.7 times larger for a homeowner who works with an NFMC counselor than for a homeowner who doesn’t receive such counseling

JACKSONVILLE, FL—U.S. Attorney Robert E. O'Neill announces that a federal jury today found David Wesley Vickers (age 48, of Jacksonville) guilty of nineteen counts arising out of a mortgage fraud scheme, including conspiracy to commit mail, wire, and bank fraud. Vickers faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison for the conspiracy count and 20 years for each of the other counts. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

Pittsburgh, PA - December 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Board of Directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLBank) has approved $2.69 million in grants under its Affordable Housing Program (AHP). The grants will help finance 15 housing projects – one in Delaware, eight in Pennsylvania and six in West Virginia – creating 395 units of housing for very-low, low- and moderate-income individuals and families as well as those with special needs

Washington, D.C. - December 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Board of Directors (BOD) voted today for Berkebile Nelson Immenschuh McDowell Architects (BNIM) to receive the 2011 AIA Architecture Firm Award. The Kansas City, Mo.-based firm celebrated for advancing the design of sustainable architecture from nearly its inception to today when it has become a preeminent force fundamentally re-shaping the built environment.

Washington, D.C. - December 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- In the midst of a struggling national economy, The U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) will release results of its 2010 Hunger and Homelessness Report on Tuesday, December 21 at 11:00 a.m. during a CONFERENCE CALL featuring several mayors from around the country. In light of cash strapped local budgets and travel bans, the USCM is hosting a conference call instead of having mayors travel to Washington, D.C

Washington, D.C. - December 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The AIA Board of Directors elected Chester (Chet) A. Widom, FAIA, as the 2011 recipient of the Edward C. Kemper Award. Named in honor of the AIA’s first executive director, the award recognizes individuals who contribute significantly to the profession of architecture through service to the Institute. Widom will be honored at the 2011 AIA National Convention in New Orleans

DALLAS, TX - December 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- MRG Document Technologies (MRG), a provider of mortgage document preparation software and compliance technology to banks, credit unions and other lenders nationwide, has developed the forms needed for compliance with upcoming 2011 regulations that mandate changes to both the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) and risk-based pricing disclosures. Both updates are meant to provide consumer clarification in regards to loan decisioning and final terms.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- On Thursday, December 16, 2010, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) sent the attached letter to Ben Bernanke, Chairman, and Saundra Bernstein, Director, Consumer and Community Affairs Division, of the Federal Reserve, requesting written guidance to help the industry implement the Board’s final rule on loan originator compensation and steering published on September 24, 2010.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- At its December 16th, 2010 meeting, the CHFA Board of Directors approved the Resolution Authorizing for Public Comment Purposes Amendments to the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Procedures

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Trade Commission staff has submitted comments to the Federal Reserve Board recommending ways the Board could strengthen the rules under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, which requires some mortgage lenders to collect and report loan data that the government uses to analyze whether they are complying with fair lending laws

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