Yearly Archives: 2011

LANSING, MI - December 23, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Gov. Rick Snyder today signed a series of bills that clarify and improve the pre-foreclosure and foreclosure process and will help keep Michigan residents in their homes. This bipartisan legislative package passed both chambers unanimously.

December 12, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Kay Jean Axel, 56, of Erie, Michigan, pleaded guilty today to stealing more than $32,000 from the Luna Pier Housing Commission (LPHC) while she was employed as its Executive Director, announced United State Attorney Barbara L. McQuade. Ms. McQuade was joined in this announcement by Breck J. Nowlin, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Office of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General and Andrew G. Arena, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

LANSING, MI - December 7, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) today announced that nearly 700 units of affordable rental housing will be built or renovated for low to moderate-income Michigan families, the elderly, people with disabilities and those at risk of homelessness as a result of $9.6 million in federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) approved by MSHDA. The tax credits also will help bolster the state's economy by creating approximately 1,600 jobs in construction and related trades.

ANN ARBOR, MI - December 2, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Dan Stewart, CCIM, formally partner and co-owner of Michigan Commercial Realty, LLC, and Sperry Van Ness International, a large and fast-growing franchisor providing training, systems management and marketing support for its network of commercial real estate brokerage firms, today announced the launch of Sperry Van Ness/Stewart Commercial Group, LLC, an independently owned and operated franchise of Sperry Van Ness International. This affiliation marks Sperry Van Ness International’s tenth franchise signing this year.

December 1, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today’s hearing is intended to examine several bills that are now being characterized as small business “jobs” or “capital access” bills. Each of these bills is designed to address a perceived challenge facing small or private businesses, but all of them would eliminate or diminish aspects of the federal securities laws. I thank the Chairman for holding today’s hearing, which I hope will explore many of the issues raised by these bills.

LANSING, MI - November 30, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Executive Director Gary Heidel of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) today announced funding for Barry County United Way in the amount of $38,913 through its Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program. The funds are being awarded to communities and local recipient organizations as part of an estimated $2.8 million in federal grants and $5 million in MSHDA reserves to be allocated this fiscal year across the state.

EUGENE, OR - November 23, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- IDX, Inc. welcomes Gerald Maliszewski, to the ever-expanding group of agents and brokers who have chosen to integrate an IDX solution onto their website. Maliszewski displays thousands of Pontiac, Michigan area listings with ease and efficiency on his website. Now, potential buyers can effortlessly find the bay area home of their dreams online, without ever having to leave the search page Maliszewski hosts.

WASHINGTON, DC - November 23, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Federal grants will help four regions across Michigan develop sustainable and affordable housing and development policies, Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., announced this week.

Washington, D.C. - November 16, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today Rep. Gary Peters announced a loan of over $10 million from Section 202 development funds to provide affordable housing for low income seniors in Pontiac. This loan will be made to CSI Support and Development Services to build a new 77 unit apartment facility in Pontiac. These funds come as part of a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program and include a three-year subsidy to help seniors pay for their rent.

November 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation (OFIR) has shut down an operation claiming to be a Detroit mortgage company called “United Commercial Credit” by ordering it to cease and desist from doing business. OFIR believes that the bogus company, through its website, http://www.unitedcommercialcredit.com was posing as a legitimate mortgage and lending company in an attempt to steal consumers’ money and identities. The fraudulent company was encouraging customers to apply for loans by providing personal information including social security and financial account numbers.

November 2, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Legislation providing tougher penalties to those who knowingly engage in mortgage fraud has been passed through the legislature and recently signed into law by Governor Snyder. These new Public Acts seek to address the increased amounts of mortgage fraud in Michigan.

EUGENE, OR - October 28, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Real estate professionals Scot Kellogg with 616 Realty have adopted the premier IDX software from IDX Broker, to increase the functionality of their Kellogg, Grand Rapids, Michigan online real estate search page. Kellogg now host a dynamic property search online, thanks to their membership in the Southwestern Michigan MLS (SWMRIC) and their integration of an IDX solution, allowing them to display thousands of current available properties conveniently on the search page they host. Finding a home in and around Grand Rapids has never been so easy!

MT. PLEASANT, MI - September 30, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development (USDA-RD) and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced the nation's first launch of a pilot program that will reduce regulatory burdens on affordable housing developers and owners, as well as help state and federal agencies' staff to better serve low-income families who rent their homes.

EUGENE, OR - September 28, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- IDX, Inc. is pleased to announce Cathy Champion, of Bolton-Johnston Associates, has become the latest real estate professional to enable IDX Broker software onto her website. With the dynamic Internet Data Exchange (IDX) technology her site now hosts, Champion can implement a thorough and comprehensive online property search feature for her page. MIRealSource MLS listings are now seamlessly integrated into her search capabilities, giving Champion clients the ability to quickly access and scan listing information for thousands of properties. The Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan online real estate search has never been so easy or simple.

September 21, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Whatever your heating needs this fall, going into winter -- from furnace cleaning -- to repair or replacement, make sure you hire a certified professional from a reputable company to do the job. Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) Director Steven H. Hilfinger offers some sensible tips to help consumers avoid paying for needless heating repairs and equipment.