WASHINGTON, DC - May 16, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development makes $85 million available to state housing agencies to provide affordable supportive housing for extremely low-income persons with disabilities.

Washington, DC - May 16, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- First quarter 2012 commercial and multifamily mortgage loan originations were 36 percent higher than during the same period last year and 12 percent lower than the fourth quarter of 2011, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Quarterly Survey of Commercial/Multifamily Mortgage Bankers Originations. The decrease from fourth quarter 2011 reflects the industry’s usual push to finalize deals before the end of the year, and subsequent drop-offs in first quarter numbers.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 16, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- The delinquency rate for mortgage loans on one-to-four-unit residential properties decreased to a seasonally adjusted rate of 7.40 percent of all loans outstanding as of the end of the first quarter of 2012, a decrease of 18 basis points from the fourth quarter of 2011, and a decrease of 92 basis points from one year ago, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) National Delinquency Survey. The non-seasonally adjusted delinquency rate decreased 121 basis points to 6.94 percent this quarter from 8.15 percent last quarter.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 16, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mortgage applications increased 9.2 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending May 11, 2012

WASHINGTON, DC - May 16, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- The National Association of Realtors® announced today a strategic alliance with Xceligent, Inc., a leading commercial real estate information services provider. Xceligent recently acquired ePropertyData from NAR’s strategic investment fund, Second Century Ventures, to create a competitive national alternative in commercial real estate information.

WASHINGTON, DC - May 16, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- A sustainable housing recovery requires that policymakers move forward with the difficult decisions regarding the future of the mortgage market. That's according to Federal Reserve Board Governor Elizabeth Duke, who spoke to Realtors® at a joint Real Estate Services and Regulatory Issues Forum—Prescriptions for Housing Recovery session today during the

WASHINGTON, DC - May 16, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Housing and the economic recovery will play a large part in deciding the outcome of the 2012 presidential election, according to public policy experts at today's Legislative and Political Forum during the Realtors® 2012 Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo. Former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, leading Democratic strategist Celinda Lake, and National Economic Council Director Gene Sperling provided their unique insights into issues affecting the long-term direction of the country.

WASHINGTON , DC - May 16, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today's real estate market is challenging and competitive, but this year's REALTOR® Magazine "30 Under 30" honorees haven't let that deter them. The 2012 class is following in the strong entrepreneurial tradition of real estate, creating their own pathways to success.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 16, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- Nationwide housing production gained 2.6 percent from an upwardly revised pace in March to hit a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 717,000 units in April, according to newly released figures from the U.S. Census Bureau and HUD. This modest gain was seen in both the single- and multifamily sectors, which registered growth of 2.3 percent and 3.2 percent, respectively.

Chicago, IL - May 16, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- HomeFinder.com, a leading real estate search site and provider of digital marketing solutions for real estate agents, today kicks off its 2012 Agent Makeover Sweepstakes. The five winning real estate agents will be chosen at random to receive a comprehensive digital business and personal style makeover, including: an all-expense-paid, two-night trip to Chicago, business coaching, educational training on online marketing, a full style makeover and a professional photo shoot. All licensed real estate agents are eligible to enter the sweepstakes, which will run from May 15, 2012 through August 10, 2012.