NEW YORK, N.Y. - December 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mortgage rates pulled back slightly this week, with the average rate on the benchmark conforming 30-year fixed mortgage rate receding to 4.96 percent, according to Bankrate.com's weekly national survey. The average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.46 discount and origination points.

McLean, VA - December 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Freddie Mac (OTC: FMCC) today released the results of its (PMMS®), which found that both fixed-rate mortgage rates eased slightly this week. The 5-year hybrid ARM dropped back slightly, but the 1-year ARM rates were up

McLean, VA - December 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Freddie Mac (OTC: FMCC) today issued the company's Monthly Volume Summary for November 2010. The summary, available on the company's Web site at, provides information on Freddie Mac's mortgage-related portfolios, securities issuance, risk management and delinquencies, including data on seriously delinquent mortgage loans in related mortgage Participation Certificate (PC) pools.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Sales of newly built, single-family homes increased 5.5 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 290,000 units in November, according to newly released figures from the U.S. Commerce Department. The gain represents a partial bounce-back from a near-record low, downwardly revised number of new-home sales in October.

MONROE, LA - December 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, Governor Bobby Jindal joined Benchmark Bank Chairman and CEO Mike Barnett, Affiliated Mortgage Co. President Dan Hastings and Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo to announce that Benchmark Bank’s subsidiary, Affiliated Mortgage Company (AMC) of West Monroe, has committed to retain and expand its operations in Northeast Louisiana.

Alexandria, VA - December 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The initial period for federal registration of residential mortgage loan originators under the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 (“SAFE Act”), 12 U.S.C. 5101–5116, is expected to begin on or around January 31, 2011, and end on or around July 29, 2011. The National Credit Union Administration, along with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Federal Reserve Board, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Office of Thrift Supervision, and Farm Credit Administration will publish an announcement on our respective Web sites confirming the start date of this registration period shortly before the period begins, followed by a notice published in the Federal Register

WASHINGTON, DC - December 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan announced that more than 3,800 children are safe from dangerous lead-based paint hazards and other health and safety risks due to grants from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and HUD’s Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control.

WASHINGTON, DC - December 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- In an effort to help families find decent housing and to prevent future foreclosures, the Obama Administration today announced nearly $73 million in housing counseling grants to more than 500 national, regional and local organizations. As a result of the funding announced today, hundreds of thousands of households will have a greater opportunity to find housing or keep the homes they have because of the housing counseling and counseling training grants awarded today by U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) applauds the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) decision to withdraw the interim fall protection guidelines for residential construction that were issued in 1995 and revert to the previous guidelines.“Job site safety is the number one priority for builders,” said NAHB Chairman Bob Jones, a home builder from Bloomfield Hills, Mich. “This action will clarify what actions builders need to take to comply with OSHA regulations while helping to ensure safer work sites.”

WASHINGTON, DC - December 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury today released the December edition of the Obama Administration’s Housing Scorecard. The latest housing figures show continued home affordability in the housing market, with interest rates near record lows, but the market remains fragile, as prices are unsettled. Foreclosure starts and completions dropped significantly in November, as lenders review internal servicing procedures. The housing scorecard is a comprehensive report on the nation’s housing market.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- After quick approval in the U.S. Senate on Friday, ushered through by Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), today the U.S. House of Representatives passed and sent to President Obama to sign Congressman Chris Murphy’s (CT-5) legislation to provide thousands of new affordable housing units for low income, disabled individuals across the country.

December 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Reserve Board on Wednesday approved an interim rule amending Regulation Z, which implements the Truth in Lending Act (TILA). The Board is issuing this interim rule to clarify certain aspects of a September 24, 2010 interim rule, in response to public comments. The September interim rule implements provisions of the Mortgage Disclosure Improvement Act (MDIA) which amended TILA to require mortgage lenders to disclose examples of how a loan's interest rate or monthly payments can change. Those statutory amendments will become effective on January 30, 2011.

WASHINGTON, DC - December 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury today released the December edition of the Obama Administration's Housing Scorecard. The latest housing figures show continued home affordability in the housing market, with interest rates near record lows, but the market remains fragile, as prices are unsettled. Foreclosure starts and completions dropped significantly in November, as lenders review internal servicing procedures. The housing scorecard is a comprehensive report on the nation's housing market.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) today released its Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending December 17, 2010. The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, decreased 18.6 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier. On an unadjusted basis, the Index decreased 20.0 percent compared with the previous week.

WASHINGTON, DC - December 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Metropolitan St. Louis Equal Housing Opportunity Council (EHOC), and First National Bank of St. Louis today announced an agreement that will increase the bank's commitment to minority and low-income communities.? As part of the agreement, the bank will invest more than $2.5 million over four years in St. Louis City, North St. Louis County, and St. Clair County, Illinois.

WASHINGTON, DC - December 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Existing-home sales got back on an upward path in November, resuming a growth trend since bottoming in July, according to the National Association of Realtors®

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.

Tree failures in Seattle rarely occur without warning. Wind exposure, nearby construction, compacted soil, and limited rooting space place stress on trunks, roots, and canopies. Common early warning signs include trunk cracks, exposed roots, heavy extended limbs, pest damage, and internal decay, allowing risks to be addressed before conditions escalate.

Your family room should be the heart of your home—a place where everyone gathers to relax, laugh, and create memories together. But creating that warm, inviting atmosphere doesn't mean you need to spend a fortune on a complete makeover. With some strategic planning and creative thinking, you can transform your space into a cozy haven that feels like a million bucks without the hefty price tag.

Perhaps this dates me, but one of my favorite parts of Sunday morning is reading the newspaper comics (in color!), albeit now on an iPad. Reflecting on Kansas Housing’s theme this year, The Journey Home, I immediately think of Jeffy in Family Circus.

The 2026 Northern Virginia Housing Expo is coming to the city of Fairfax for its 16^th annual event on Saturday, March 7, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Fairfax High School, 3501 Lion Run, Fairfax.. This marks the first time the Northern Virginia Housing Expo will be held in the city of Fairfax, expanding access to one of the region’s most comprehensive housing education events.

At a roundtable launching the Democratic push to lower the cost of housing, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), discussed potential solutions aimed at providing relief to renters and homebuyers. The discussion is part of Senate Democrats’ ongoing efforts to address the affordability crisis, which has been exacerbated by President Trump and Senate Republicans’ disastrous policies. Below are Leader Schumer’s remarks from the event

The House Committee on Financial Services, led by Rep. French Hill (AR-02), today overwhelmingly advanced the bipartisan Housing for the 21st Century Act. The bill, introduced by Chairman Hill, Ranking Member Maxine Waters (CA-43), Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance Chair Mike Flood (NE-01), and Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance Ranking Member Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05)

If you have a mortgage—or are thinking about getting one—this question probably keeps you up at night: Are refinance home loan rates going up or down? It’s a meaningful question, especially if you are considering switching your existing loan to a better package.

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