Michigan RealEstateRama

LANSING, MI - April 30, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Sen. Randy Richardville’s monthly cable show, The Richardville Report, will premiere on Monday, May 4 at 7:30 p.m. with tips for residents on how to avoid foreclosure.

LANSING, MI - April 30, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Governor Jennifer M. Granholm together with Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) Executive Director Keith Molin today announced over $7.5 million in grants to be distributed to 15 cities across the state through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP). The grants are the first round of NSP funding in Michigan that could total as much as $22 million over the next six to nine months. This initial funding will support the redevelopment of 116 residential units and the demolition of 276 blighted units throughout the state.

April 29, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Grand Hotel, located on Mackinac Island, has earned Green Lodging Michigan (GLM) Partner certification from the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth (DELEG). Grand Hotel is eligible for Leader certification (the highest possible level) pending a site visit which will be conducted once the hotel opens for the 2009 season.

April 29, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Local Association Executives from across the state will meet in Lansing on May 1 to continue work on Michigan's Foreclosure Prevention and Response Initiative. With the continued economic downturn and mortgage foreclosure crisis expanding nationwide, NAR has allocated funding for state and local programs designed to assist REALTORS® and homeowners navigate the complex foreclosure process.

LANSING, MI - April 27, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Sen. Randy Richardville has been appointed to serve on a joint Senate and House conference committee regarding legislation that would help Michigan homeowners who are facing foreclosure.

LANSING, MI - April 24, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — The Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation (OFIR) today announced that it is holding quarterly free seminars for the state's first and second mortgage licensees and registrants as well as for consumer financial services licensees. The next seminar takes place on May 6, 2009 at Western Michigan University's Grand Rapids Graduate Center.

April 22, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Last year, you may recall the Passage of Public Act 96 of 2008, which enables home sellers to retain 2 principal resident exemptions for property still on the market after the seller has moved elsewhere in the state. To obtain the exemption, home sellers need to submit the “Conditional Rescission of Principal Residence Exemption Form #4640".

April 20, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Briefing: Sen. Van Woerkom will participate in a tree planting ceremony with the Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association as part of the group’s “Plant Michigan Green Initiative.” Held during the week of Earth Day, the ceremony will promote how plants can contribute to keeping Michigan’s environment healthy.

April 14, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Michigan's Energy Future Today, a new cable show designed specifically for Michigan residents, will air on cable stations statewide beginning in April, Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth (DELEG) Communications Director Mario L. Morrow announced today. The new program will cover a wide range of topics including renewable energy, green jobs, advanced energy technologies, and energy efficiency

WARREN - April 08, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Attorney General Mike Cox today announced that the City of Warren will receive a $250,000 grant to help fight the devastating effects of the home foreclosure crisis. The grant comes as a result of a settlement with Countrywide Financial that also provides $6.7 million in direct payments to nearly 3,700 former Michigan Countrywide customers who lost their homes to foreclosure under certain circumstances.

April 07, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — MAR’s seventh annual Broker Summit is only two weeks away, and has an agenda that is addressing challenges for brokers in today’s market. Being held April 22-23, at the Inn at St. John’s in Plymouth, the Broker Summit is an event not to be missed by brokers, managers and leaders in the industry who want to stay up to date on the current industry trends, and how to increase success.

April 07, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) today released a Request for Proposal (RFP) for up to $8.5 million in Michigan energy efficiency grants. The grants are funded by the Low‑Income and Energy Efficiency Fund.

LANSING, MI - April 07, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — The Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation (OFIR) announced today that all new rate filings by homeowners insurance companies that rely on insurance credit scoring as a factor in determining their discounts are being challenged by the agency. The expansion to all home rate filings using insurance credit scoring is based on the fact that insurance credit scoring is unfairly discriminatory and also does not result in reasonably anticipated reductions in losses or expenses and therefore does not meet the requirements Michigan's Insurance Code.

April 07, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Homeowners, neighborhoods and communities are best served when people are able to remain in their homes. Families across our state are struggling to do just that, and I want to make sure they have a fighting chance. That’s why I am working on measures to protect homeowners from property tax increases that are out of step with their home’s actual value

LANSING, MI - April 03, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — The state Senate today approved legislation that would help Michigan homeowners who are facing foreclosure, said Sen. Randy Richardville, who voted for the measures.