LANSING, MI - February 4, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — The Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation (OFIR) shut down an operation claiming to be a Detroit-based mortgage company called “Kenneth and Doyle Financial” by ordering it to cease and desist from doing business. OFIR believes that Kenneth, through its website, http://www.kennethdoylefinancial.com, was posing as a legitimate mortgage company in an attempt to steal consumers’ money and identity. The fraudulent company was encouraging customers to apply for loans by providing personal information including social security and financial account numbers. more »

February 2, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) today noted that the Michigan Department of Treasury is now processing Michigan Home Heating Credits (HHC) for the 2009 tax year. The credit assists low-income customers with winter energy bills. more »

LANSING, MI - January 25, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — The Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation (OFIR) announced today that 2008 data compiled under the Federal Home Mortgage Disclosure Act are available from the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC). The data covers mortgage lending transactions throughout the nation at 8,388 financial institutions covered by the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA). Covered institutions include, but are not limited to, banks, savings associations, credit unions, and independent mortgage companies. more »

January 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — Bob Jones, a home builder and developer from Bloomfield Hills, Mich., yesterday was elected as the 2009 chairman of the Board of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). As president of Robert R. Jones Homes, he specializes in land development and the design and construction of single-family luxury homes throughout metropolitan Detroit. more »

Senator calls for cuts to lawmaker perks, more transparency in Lansing

LANSING, MI - January 18, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — State Senator Gretchen Whitmer (D-East Lansing), originally of Cascade, announced that her entire December legislative expense account was donated to a Grand Rapids foreclosure assistance program to highlight the need for government reform and more transparency in state spending. more »

People across the state will get help to stay in homes, find new housing

LANSING, MI - December 16, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today met in Kalamazoo with residents struggling to stay in their homes who are finding help through a federal program designed to keep families from becoming homeless and to help the newly-homeless find stable housing. more »

LANSING, MI - December 16, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today highlighted benefits of the state’s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) in helping to reduce energy costs and improve energy efficiency in the homes of low-income families throughout the state. Michigan received more than $243 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act), which will fund weatherization projects in more than 30,000 homes over the next three years. more »

December 10, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Trout Creek Condominium Resort, located in Harbor Springs, has earned Green Lodging Michigan (GLM) Steward certification from the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth (DELEG). more »

LANSING, MI - December 4, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Attorney General Mike Cox today announced the early morning arrest of a Grosse Ile woman accused of defrauding dozens of people in a massive real-estate Ponzi scheme. Rita Gosselin, 58, is charged with racketeering and multiple counts of obtaining money under false pretenses for orchestrating numerous fraudulent real estate investments and stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from Michigan families. more »

LANSING, MI - November 25, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Attorney General Mike Cox today announced the filing of three criminal complaints and a total of 10 charges against illegal advanced fee “foreclosure rescue” operations accused of defrauding Michigan families of thousands of dollars. more »

LANSING, MI - November 23, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — The Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) Board this week approved a $7.2 million tax credit for the NSO Bell project expected to invest $50 million in Detroit, State Senator Martha G. Scott (D-Highland Park) announced. more »

Homeless Awareness Week November 15-21

Lansing, MI - November 18, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Homelessness ends with a place to live. That is the message the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness (MCAH) in partnership with the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) wants to drive home this week during Homeless Awareness Week in Michigan. Governor Jennifer M. Granholm has issued a proclamation designating November 15-21 as the official week for this year’s homeless awareness activities. more »

Washington, D.C. - November 18, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Today, U.S. Representatives including Rep. Dave Camp, R-MI, introduced bipartisan legislation to boost solar panel manufacturing in the United States. more »

LANSING, MI - November 16, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Attorney General Mike Cox today announced the sentencing of two west Michigan loan officers convicted of operating a widespread mortgage fraud ring, duping members of the Grand Rapids Hispanic community into purchasing distressed properties at inflated prices, falsifying records and pocketing thousands of dollars. The targeted buyers often spoke or wrote little English and had a limited understanding of the mortgage process. more »

November 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Home Federal Savings Bank, Detroit, Michigan, was closed today by the Office of Thrift Supervision, which appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver. To protect the depositors, the FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with Liberty Bank and Trust Company, New Orleans, Louisiana, to assume all of the deposits of Home Federal Savings Bank. more »