Michigan RealEstateRama
House Votes to Add 20 Weeks for Michigan Unemployment Insurance
Washington D.C. - November 6, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The House of Representatives today passed legislation which extends unemployment insurance up to 20 weeks for jobless workers who have exhausted their previous extensions. Additionally, the legislation extends and expands the availability of the homebuyer tax credit and provides tax relief for businesses hard hit by the recession. The Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act passed by a vote of 403 to 12. The President is expected to sign the measure into law.
Schauer votes to extend unemployment insurance benefits, homebuyers’ tax credit
WASHINGTON, DC - November 5, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today Congressman Mark Schauer (D-MI) voted to stimulate the local economy and provide stability to Michigan families hit hardest by the recession by extending unemployment benefits, the homebuyers’ tax credit, and tax relief for military families and businesses. The Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act (HR 3548) will provide immediate assistance, extending relief to the 62,753 Michigan workers whose benefits would otherwise run out by the end of the year.
Mortgage Fraud Results in Charges for West Michigan Woman
LANSING, MI - November 5, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Mike Cox today announced that his office has filed charges against a Wyoming, MI woman accused of defrauding the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) by fraudulently obtaining a mortgage, defaulting on that mortgage and leaving taxpayers to pick up the tab.
$2.7 Billion Released for Home Energy Assistance
Washington D.C.) - October 26, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Department of Health and Human Services announced the release of $2.7 billion in grant funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) . The funding, which is for the remaining months of the year, will be used to help eligible families pay the costs of heating and insulating their homes this winter
$2.7 Billion Released for Home Energy Assistance
Washington D.C.) - October 26, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Department of Health and Human Services announced the release of $2.7 billion in grant funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) . The funding, which is for the remaining months of the year, will be used to help eligible families pay the costs of heating and insulating their homes this winter
CONGRESSMAN PETERS CALLS FOR EXTENSION OF FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT
$8,000 Credit, Which Is Helping Home Sales Rebound, Is Set to Expire at the End of Next Month. Washington, D.C. - October 22, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Gary Peters today urged House leadership to extend the first-time homebuyer tax credit, a measure enacted in February that saves new homebuyers thousands of dollars and has helped the U.S. housing market rebound in recent months. The credit is set to expire November 30th. Congressman Peters, along with a bipartisan group of colleagues, today sent a letter (text below) to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader John Boehner expressing their desire to extend the credit’s deadline.
OFIR Announces Participation in Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System
LANSING, MI - October 21, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation today announced that, starting January 4, 2010, Michigan mortgage broker, lender, and servicer licensees and registrants will begin participation in the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS). The new electronic system was developed by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) and the American Association of Residential Mortgage Regulators (AARMR).
OFIR Announces Participation in Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System
LANSING, MI - October 21, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation today announced that, starting January 4, 2010, Michigan mortgage broker, lender, and servicer licensees and registrants will begin participation in the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS). The new electronic system was developed by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) and the American Association of Residential Mortgage Regulators (AARMR).
OFIR Announces Participation in Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System
LANSING, MI - October 21, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation today announced that, starting January 4, 2010, Michigan mortgage broker, lender, and servicer licensees and registrants will begin participation in the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS). The new electronic system was developed by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) and the American Association of Residential Mortgage Regulators (AARMR).
BARAGA COUNTY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL TO RECEIVE $28.3 MILLION IN HUD FINANCING
WASHINGTON, DC - October 19, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has committed to insure a $28,310,000 loan to Baraga County Memorial Hospital (BCMH) in L’Anse U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak announced Friday. The loan is being provided through the Federal Housing Administration’s Section 242 Hospital Mortgage Insurance Program and will be used to construct a new facility approximately 3 miles from the existing site.
Senate Democrats Unveil New Tools to Fight Foreclosure
Plan reins in consultant “rescue” scams and requires more transparency for homeowners. LANSING, MI - October 19, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- As new numbers reveal that home foreclosures continue to plague Michigan and the nation, Senate Democrats are preparing to unveil a new legislative package attacking “foreclosure consultant” scams and giving homeowners more transparency in the loan modification process. Despite efforts from both federal and state government agencies, the number of foreclosure filings nationwide hit a record high in the third quarter of 2009, according to a report issued yesterday.
Community Action Agency to Receive Grant for Housing Counseling Assistance Program
WASHINGTON, DC - October 15, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today Congressman Mark Schauer announced that the Community Action Agency has been awarded a U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Housing Counseling Assistance Program grant. The grant is for comprehensive housing counseling ($42,724) and loan documentation review ($5,000) to support housing counseling activities in Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale counties
Stupak Announces $127,430 for Housing Repair and Rehabilitation
WASHINGTON, DC - October 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) announced four counties in Northern Michigan have received grants totaling $127,430 to repair and rehabilitate low income housing. The grants were awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as part of the Housing Preservation Grant (HPG) program. Cheboygan, Ogemaw, Emmett and Presque Isle Counties received grants
Schauer votes to extend homebuyer incentives and provide more stable health care funding for...
WASHINGTON, DC - October 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Mark Schauer voted to pass two key measures for our American veterans. The Service Members Home Ownership Tax Act (H.R. 3590), which passed with bipartisan support today, will extend the deadline for taking advantage of the first-time homebuyer tax credit under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for qualified service members by one year.
Michigan Automobile and Home Insurance Consumer Advocate Urges Michigan Supreme Court to Ban Use...
October 7, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Michigan's Automobile and Home Insurance Consumer Advocate Melvin Butch Hollowell today urged the Michigan Supreme Court to affirm the state's right to prohibit auto insurance companies from using occupation, education, and credit scores in setting auto insurance rates.
DELEG Warns Consumers of Furnace Cleaning Scams Offers Do’s and Don’ts of Winterizing Your...
October 2, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- This is the time of year to get your furnace cleaned and ready for winter. Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth (DELEG) Director Stanley "Skip" Pruss offers some sensible tips so you do not get taken to the cleaners
WORKSHOPS FOCUS ON INSURANCE, MORTGAGES, INVESTMENTS
LANSING, Michigan - September 30, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- State Senator Martha G. Scott (D-Highland Park), along with the Office of Financial & Insurance Regulation (OFIR), is offering three free financial workshops in October where consumers can learn about auto and home insurance, mortgage and consumer finance, and investor protection
Eastpointe Wins Energy Efficiency Grant
$500,000 will allow Housing Commission to renovate senior center. Washington D.C. - September 25, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced that the Eastpointe Housing Commission will receive a $492,000 Recovery Act grant to improve energy efficiency at Berry Manor, an apartment complex for low-income seniors administered by the Commission.“This Recovery Act funding will not only give Eastpointe the resources they need to jump start renovation at Berry Manor, it will also reduce long-term energy costs and stimulate the local economy," said Rep. Levin
Sens. Levin, Stabenow Announce $777,000 in Public Housing Grants for the Upper Peninsula
Funds Made Available Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. WASHINGTON, DC - September 25, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Sens. Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow, both D-Mich., today announced three recovery grants designed to improve public housing for seniors and disabled individuals in three communities in the Upper Peninsula. The funds, allocated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, were made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Facilities in Ironwood, Laurium and Sault Sainte Marie will receive the grants.
Macomb, Oakland Receive Community Development Grants from Recovery Act
Washington D.C. - September 24, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced that all Recovery Act funding for Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) have been released and are now in the hands of the state and local communities. The Recovery Act included $1 billion for CDBG of which $2.9 million was allocated for Macomb and Oakland Counties and communities.“More CDBG funding, through the Recovery Act, comes at an important time for our communities who are grappling with difficult budgets and the ongoing economic downturn,” said Rep. Levin. “Communities can decide what programs best meet the needs of their communities and residents, and get the money out to stimulate the local economy.”
Stabenow, Levin Announce Over $5 Million in Recovery Package Funding to Green Public Housing
WASHINGTON, DC - September 24, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Carl Levin (D-MI) announced today that Michigan has been awarded $5,535,975 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The funding is from the Public Housing Capital Funds and will be used to upgrade public housing by increasing energy efficiency and create jobs
Kildee Announces Nearly $1.7 in HUD Grants for Saginaw
Grants Will Help Revitalize Neighborhoods, Create Jobs and Combat Homelessness
WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 23, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) today announced that $1,690,524 in stimulus funding has been awarded to Saginaw through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). This legislation passed the House of Representatives on February 13, 2009 with Congressman Kildee’s strong support and became law on February 17, 2009. Of this funding, $1,022,177 is being made available through the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing (HPRP) Program, and $668,347 of this funding is through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program.
Stabenow, Levin: Senate Approves More Than $18 Million in Transportation and Housing Funding for...
WASHINGTON, DC - September 17, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) --U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Carl Levin (D-MI) today announced the inclusion of $18,350,000 for 14 Michigan projects in the FY 2010 Appropriations bill for the Departments of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies. The funding was approved today by the full Senate
Victims of Foreclosure Rescue Fraud to Receive Refunds
LANSING, MI - September 17, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) --Attorney General Mike Cox today announced that Michigan residents victimized by foreclosure fraud schemes can receive refunds as a result of charges filed against SaveMyHome USA, Payment Doctors and the Michigan Economic Reinstatement Program. The companies were held accountable after an undercover investigation by the Attorney General's office discovered that the companies' representatives made misleading statements and charged borrowers upfront fees in violation of the Michigan Credit Services Protection Act
OFIR Revokes Grand Blanc Mortgage Company’s License
LANSING, MI - September 17, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation (OFIR) has revoked the mortgage license of Grand Blanc-based Freedom Financial Mortgage Lending, LLC for violating the state’s Mortgage Brokers, Lenders and Servicers Licensing Act. Freedom Financial failed to comply with OFIR’s license renewal process and failed to cooperate with the agency while OFIR staff attempted to conduct an examination.
Kahn works to make appealing property taxes more ‘user friendly
LANSING, MI - September 14, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- With property values across the state and country falling while taxes for some homeowners are increasing, Sen. Roger Kahn introduced four measures in the Michigan Senate to make the appeals process more fair and smooth for property owners
Granholm Hails Plans to Transform Former Wixom Assembly Plant into Renewale Energy Park, Creating...
LANSING, MI - September 11, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today hailed plans to transform the former Ford Wixom Assembly plant into a $725 million renewable energy park anchored by Xtreme Power and Clairvoyant Solar. The project, which still requires approval of federal and state incentives, will provide up to 4,000 jobs on site