News
Statement from Senator Gretchen Whitmer on Foreclosure Scams
March 9, 2010 Posted by Michigan RealEstateRama
LANSING, MI - March 9, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — Today Senator Gretchen Whitmer (D-East Lansing) offered the following statement on the need to protect Michigan consumers from foreclosure scams, and her legislation to help do so. Senate Bill 930, Whitmer’s legislation to develop qualifications and regulations on foreclosure consultants, was introduced in October 2009 and is currently awaiting action by the Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee.
Justice Department Files Lawsuit Alleging Racial Discrimination at Ann Arbor, Michigan, Apartment Complex
March 3, 2010 Posted by USDOJ
WASHINGTON, DC - March 3, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — The Justice Department today filed a lawsuit against the owner and property manager of a 48-unit apartment complex in Ann Arbor, Mich., alleging that the defendants discriminated on the basis of race or color in the rental of apartments, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan announced.
OFIR Shuts Down Another Fraudulent Detroit Mortgage Company
February 24, 2010 Posted by Michigan RealEstateRama
LANSING, MI - February 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — The Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation (OFIR) has shut down another operation claiming to be a Detroit-based mortgage company. This time the agency ordered an operation called “Decoster Financial Group” to cease and desist from doing business. OFIR believes that Decoster, through its website, http://www.decosterfinancialgroup.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. Earlier this month, OFIR shut down a similar Detroit operation referred to as “Kenneth and Doyle Financial” and has put an end to a number of these fraudulent financial companies in the last year
City of Monroe Offers Workshop on Historic Preservation Tax Credits for Residential and Commercial Properties
February 17, 2010 Posted by Michigan RealEstateRama
February 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — State Historic Preservation Office architect Bryan Lijewski will meet with Monroe property owners and developers at a free workshop on Thursday, February 18. The event is being presented by the Monroe Historic District Commission.
OFIR Shuts Down Fake Detroit Mortgage Company
February 4, 2010 Posted by Michigan RealEstateRama
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, 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.
MPSC: Home Heating Credits Now Being Processed
February 2, 2010 Posted by Michigan RealEstateRama
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
OFIR Announces Home Mortgage Disclosure Act Data Now Available
January 25, 2010 Posted by Michigan RealEstateRama
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
Michigan Builder Bob Jones Elected Chairman of the Board of NAHB
January 22, 2010 Posted by NAHB
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.
Whitmer Donates to Grand Rapids Foreclosure Program to Highlight Need for Reforms
January 18, 2010 Posted by Michigan RealEstateRama
LANSING, MI - January 18, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — Today, 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.
Granholm Highlights Recovery Act Housing Help for Families
December 16, 2009 Posted by Michigan RealEstateRama
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.
Governor Granholm Highlights Benefits of Home Weatherization Program for Michigan
December 16, 2009 Posted by Michigan RealEstateRama
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.
DELEG Announces Green Lodging Certification for Trout Creek Condominium Resort in Harbor Springs Facility Earns Steward Certification
December 10, 2009 Posted by Michigan RealEstateRama
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).
Cox Takes Aim at Advanced Fee “Foreclosure Rescue” Scams
November 25, 2009 Posted by Michigan RealEstateRama
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.
STATE APPROVES $7.2 MILLION TAX CREDIT FOR DETROIT REDEVELOPMENT
November 23, 2009 Posted by Michigan RealEstateRama
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.
Michigan’s Homeless Coalition and MSHDA Team Up to End Homelessness in Michigan
November 18, 2009 Posted by Michigan RealEstateRama
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.
