WASHINGTON, December 21, 2007 - A record number of local homeless programs across America will receive an unprecedented $1.5 billion in Continuum of Care grants announced today by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This historic-level funding will offer transitional and permanent supportive housing to more than 168,000 homeless individuals and families.

WASHINGTON, December 20, 2007 - “On behalf of the many individuals and families who would have been burdened by a tax after losing their home, the National Association of Realtors® thanks President George W. Bush for signing the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act into law.

Arlington, Va., Dec. 20, 2007 – The Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) vigorously opposes Freddie Mac’s recent announcement that, as of March 1, 2008, it will be charging an additional “delivery fee” to lenders to purchase manufactured home mortgages of 50 basis points (or 0.5 percent of the loan balance). This delivery fee will be added to the current penalty of 0.5 percent of the loan balance that they already charge for manufactured home mortgages.

Foreclosure rates for November 2007 were 68 percent higher compared to the same month a year ago, mostly due to subprime borrowers with adjustable-rate mortgages being unable to cope with the higher payment rates, mortgage research company RealtyTrac said Wednesday.

President Bush signed a bill Thursday that would temporarily change the tax code so that when lenders adjust the terms of a mortgage loan, the forgiven debt will not be treated as taxable income.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Increasing rates of homeownership is good for everybody -- boosting neighborhood investment, building assets, and strengthening community ties. At a time when working families across the country are losing their homes at an astounding pace, homeowners and prospective buyers need help to navigate this increasingly complicated process.

Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said Tuesday that fast-tracking struggling mortgage holders into mortgage modifications is one of the actions the Treasury is facilitating to reduce foreclosures.

COLLEGE STATION, Tex. – Dec. 18, 2007 – The five-year freeze on mortgage interest rates recently announced by the federal government may be intended to help responsible homeowners avoid foreclosure, but a noted economist with the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University says there may be a better solution to the mortgage crisis.

IRVINE, Calif. – Dec. 19, 2007 – RealtyTrac® (realtytrac.com), the leading online marketplace for foreclosure properties, today released its November 2007 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, which shows a total of 201,950 foreclosure filings — default notices, auction sale notices and bank repossessions — were reported during the month, down 10 percent from the previous month but still up nearly 68 percent from November 2006.

WASHINGTON, December 19, 2007 - The fundamentals in commercial real estate remain healthy with only slight increases in vacancy rates expected for the office and industrial sectors during 2008, although credit restrictions have recently slowed overall investment activity, according to the latest COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE OUTLOOK of the National Association of Realtors

WASHINGTON, December 18, 2007 - Many families and individuals are one step closer to seeing tax relief, thanks to the passage of the Mortgage Cancellation Tax Relief Act by the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, according to the National Association of Realtors

The Federal Reserve Board (FRB) is uniquely positioned to restore confidence in the housing market because it is the one federal agency with the authority to set standards for all home loan originators. Unfortunately, the proposed rules issued by the FRB today represent yet another missed opportunity for the agency to rein in practices that have hurt millions of American families.

PITTSBURGH, PA - December 18, 2007 - The Board of Directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLBank Pittsburgh) has approved more than $8.9 million in grants under its Affordable Housing Program (AHP). The grants will help finance 30 housing projects across Delaware, Kentucky, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and West Virginia, creating 987 units of housing with total development costs of more than $157 million.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 14, 2007 - Today, the U.S. Senate passed S.2338, legislation aimed at resetting interest rates to refinance without the usual burdens associated with a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan, by a vote of 93 to 1. Much of the bill language was taken from the Expanding American Homeownership Act of 2007 – legislation introduced by U.S. Senator George V. Voinovich (R-OH) last month in order to spur action by the Senate to help ease the foreclosure crisis and increase homeownership opportunities for millions of American first-time home buyers

Dec. 14, 2007 - The Federal Reserve Board should bar prepayment penalties for subprime loans and limit the size and duration of any remaining prepayment penalties, 19 Democratic House Financial Services Committee members said in a letter yesterday to Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke.

Dec. 14, 2007 - A Senate counterpart to the House-passed H.R. 3915 was introduced late Wednesday by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., on behalf of Senate Banking Chairman Chris Dodd, D-Conn., and a dozen more panel members.

Online real estate firm Redfin offers seven recommendations for selling a home faster and for more money.

WASHINGTON, December 14, 2007 - The FHA Modernization Act of 2007, passed today by the U.S. Senate, would help protect the interest of America’s current and future homeowners by giving borrowers a safer alternative to riskier mortgage products while also helping many homeowners who may be facing foreclosure, according to the National Association of Realtors

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hitwise, a leading online competitive intelligence service, ranked REALTOR.com as the number one search term used in the real estate industry category during the month of November (1). REALTOR.com accounted for 1.56% of all searches on the Internet in the real estate category, far exceeding the next closest ranking term that captured .91% of all searches in November.

While gambles on up-and-coming neighborhoods and new developments paid off for many real estate investors during the boom, housing markets across the country are now awash with unsold condos and suffering from sluggish sales.

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.

Waterproofing membranes are essential components in the construction and maintenance of buildings, ensuring protection against water infiltration. Whether it’s a foundation, roof, or wet area, applying waterproofing membranes prevents damage that can lead to structural degradation, mold growth, and costly repairs.

Maintaining a clean and organized home is essential for physical and mental well-being. A tidy living space looks appealing and creates a healthier environment for you and your family. In this article, we'll explore a foolproof cleaning routine that will help you keep your home spotless with minimal effort.

Federal consumer regulatory agencies today released data and resources that reflect findings in a?paper?released last week by the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) that show the nation’s leading residential solar energy financing lenders currently use many of the predatory methods employed in the subprime mortgage lending market of 2007-2010

An attorney who has provided civil legal services to people experiencing homelessness shares her perspective on the latest episode of LSC's “Talk Justice” podcast, released today. LSC President Ron Flagg hosts the episode featuring Carolyn Perez, program counsel at LSC and previously an attorney at The Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless.

Renovating your bathroom can breathe new life into your home and increase its value. Whether you want to update an outdated space or create a luxurious retreat, a well-planned bathroom remodel can significantly impact you. This article explores 10 innovative ideas to inspire your next bathroom renovation project.

Mortgage note investing is a relatively lesser-known but highly effective strategy for generating passive income. Unlike traditional real estate investing, where you deal with tenants, property management, and maintenance, mortgage note investing allows you to step into the shoes of a lender.

The national media is raising awareness of the threat to African American real estate professionals posed by changes to the structuring of commissions paid to agents working on behalf of buyers in home sale transactions. The changes, negotiated in a proposed settlement of a Missouri lawsuit, are upsetting the industry and creating an unsettling environment for Black agents and minority home buyers.

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