WASHINGTON, DC - December 9, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today that it is launching multiple investigations into the practices of certain mortgage lenders to determine if their home loan policies illegally deny qualified African American and Latino borrowers access to credit.

WASHINGTON, DC - December 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- PrimeLending, a national mortgage lender with 168 offices in 32 states at the end of 2009, has agreed to pay $2 million to resolve allegations that it engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination against African-American borrowers between 2006 and 2009.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- NAHB’s National Sales and Marketing Council (NSMC) has announced the finalists for The National Sales and Marketing Awards – “The NationalsSM.” Finalists are known as Silver Award Winners, with The Nationals Gold Award winner emerging from the field of Silver Finalists.Gold Awards in each category will be presented at The Nationals Gala, held in Orlando, Fla., next month as part of the NAHB International Builders’ Show (IBS). The awards ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 12th at The Peabody Orlando, and is expected to draw more than 500 attendees.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) announced the year's best in multifamily housing today. Among the winners of the 2010 Multifamily Pillars of the Industry were a luxury high-rise in Dallas surrounded by shopping, dining and entertainment; an urban mixed-use condo loft community in L.A. combining living and working spaces for the telecommuting professional; and an adaptive reuse project that transformed a 13-story 1960's concrete superstructure into a sustainable luxury apartment tower overlooking the Washington, D.C., skyline.

Nashville, TN - December 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Morris Property Management, an Associa company, recently completed a year-long event, the NASCAR Chase for Charity, to help raise nearly $600 for Associa Cares.

BIRMINGHAM, AL - December 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- A federal judge today sentenced the leader of a mortgage fraud ring in Jefferson County to 6 ½ years in prison, announced U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance, FBI Special Agent in Charge Patrick Maley and Department of Housing and Urban Development Acting Inspector General Michael Stephens.

WASHINGTON, DC - December 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- HOPE NOW, the private sector alliance of mortgage servicers, investors, mortgage insurers and non-profit counselors, released its October 2010 survey data today which estimates the industry completed more than 1.54 million permanent loan modifications for at-risk homeowners from January through October 2010.

LAKE CHARLES, LA - December 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) and First Federal Bank of Louisiana are pleased to announce they have awarded Habitat for Humanity of Calcasieu Area (HFH of Calcasieu) in Lake Charles, Louisiana, a $70,000 Affordable Housing Program (AHP). The grant will assist seven very low-income homeowners in Calcasieu and Beauregard parishes with down payment and closing cost assistance.

Chicago, IL - December 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- In Chicago Agent’s newly released Chicagoland’s Best Offices 2010 issue, a survey of the magazine’s readers reveals that there are a number of reasons that agents choose one office over another

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) today released its Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending December 3, 2010. The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, decreased 0.9 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier. On an unadjusted basis, the Index increased 22.8 percent compared with the previous week, which included the Thanksgiving Holiday.

NEW YORK, NY - December 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered nearly $339,000 in back wages for 27 workers employed as electrical mechanics by Sant-Tec Electric Inc., a company incorporated in both New York and New Jersey.

WASHINGTON, DC - December 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- More than 400 participants from across the country are expected to take part in a two-day national forum on ending homelessness among Veterans by strengthening preventative measures and collaboration among government and private-sector organizations.

DENVER, CO - December 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Karen Brinckerhoff, a top-producing real estate professional and fourth generation Denver native, has joined Kentwood Real Estate as a Broker Associate in the company’s Denver Tech Center office. Known for her exceptional marketing and negotiation skills, Brinckerhoff was among her former company’s top 10 real estate agents in Colorado in 2004 and 2007. Brinckerhoff brings more than 17 years of experience and achievements to Kentwood Real Estate, including numerous awards recognizing superior sales production. She is a member of the Denver Board of Realtors and holds several special designations recognizing the successful completion of stringent continuing education courses in real estate.

DENVER, CO - December 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Kentwood Real Estate, Colorado’s Premier Real Estate Company, has surpassed $1 billion in total sales volume for 2010. The landmark milestone, recorded in mid-November, was the leading real estate firm’s tenth such accomplishment and firmly establishes Kentwood Real Estate as a national leader in marketing expertise and customer service. Kentwood’s total sales volume through mid-November was $1,050,247,563 representing a total of 2,404 real estate transactions. After nine consecutive years of posting more than $1 billion in sales, Kentwood Real Estate recorded more than $900 million in total sales volume in 2009, which still ranked 95th in the United States with only 157 real estate agents

Denver, CO The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) congratulates the National League of Cities (NLC) and its membership for its leadership in endorsing a national green building policy agenda that calls on the federal government to support critical green building efforts that are working to help cities save money, save energy and create jobs

SHERMAN, TX - December 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Representatives of American Bank of Texas and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) presented a $14,000 Partnership Grant Program (PGP) award to Four Rivers Outreach on Friday, December 3, 2010. The grant will assist with operational costs associated with the Four Rivers Outreach men’s transitional living center. The staff and Board of Directors of Four Rivers Outreach were accompanied by Bill Magers, Mayor of the City of Sherman, and Robin McCoy, regional coordinator for State Senator Craig Estes.

Washington, D.C. - December 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Over the last several years there has been increasing demand for housing options within close proximity to public transit, employment centers, retail and entertainment options, and access to open space for recreation. Houses with porches that allow for more neighborhood connection, durable and low-maintenance products for home exteriors, sustainable features and solar reflective roofs also remain popular.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- On Monday, December 6, 2010, The Mortgage Bankers Association, (MBA) submitted the attached comment letter to the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) on the proposed guidance for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Federal Housing Administration Single Family Insurance process: Eligibility, Indemnification, and Termination. The proposed rule, which would affect lenders who participate in the Lender Insurance (LI) process, would provide more stringent indemnification requirements regarding mortgagee indemnification to HUD

WASHINGTON, DC - December 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The San Francisco Housing Authority (SFHA) will reinstate a Native American family’s rental assistance under a voluntary agreement with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that settles allegations that?SFHA employees said they did not work with Indian tribes and refused to accept the family’s tribal documents.

McLean, VA - December 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Freddie Mac (OTC: FMCC) announced today that it expects to begin providing on a monthly basis pool-level delinquency disclosures on its single-family Mortgage Participation Certificate (PC) and Giant PC securities

In the competitive world of real estate, first impressions can make all the difference. Most potential buyers begin their property search online, scrolling through countless listings before deciding which ones are worth a closer look.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF), local residents, and other conservation organizations will be working together to create watershed management plans that will improve water quality in Lancaster and Centre counties.

Congressman Chris Deluzio announced that a $594,500 federal grant has been awarded to the Women’s Center of Beaver County to support their efforts to provide safe, transitional housing for people experiencing domestic violence.

Outdated electric wiring can pose serious safety risks to your home and family. If you live in an older home, it's essential to confirm your wiring is up to code and safe. Upgrading your electric wiring can not only enhance shelter but also improve your home’s energy efficiency and global functionality.

Moving across the country is a significant undertaking that presents unique challenges depending on the season. Each time of year comes with its own set of considerations, from weather conditions to availability of moving services. Understanding what to expect during each season can help you prepare effectively for a smooth cross-country relocation. Here’s a breakdown of the key aspects to consider when moving in different seasons.

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