Yearly Archives: 2013

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 20, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Home radon testing encouraged during January Gov. Rick Snyder declared January 2014 Radon Action Month in Michigan, encouraging all Michigan residents to learn more about this environmental hazard and to test their homes during the coming heating season.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 19, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- With NAR’s encouragement, champions of this valuable provision have introduced bi-partisan bills in both the House and Senate (H.R. 2994/S. 1187), to extend the provision for one or two years. Unfortunately, the current prospects of either of these bills being enacted before the end of the year are very slim. NAR is facing four big hurdles

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 19, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- As temperatures drop and winter winds begin to howl, make sure your home heating system is ready for optimal performance to keep you warm all season.

LANSING - December 19, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Disabled veterans across the state got an early Christmas present this week, announced Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency Director Jeff Barnes. The Michigan State Tax Commission determined on Monday that individuals who are eligible for the recently expanded disabled veterans’ property tax exemption can now file for that exemption in July 2014 if they missed the December 2013 deadline in their communities.

LANSING, Mich. - December 13, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Gov. Rick Snyder and other volunteers are working Friday to help make the holidays brighter for some struggling families and call attention to the need to assist the homeless in Lansing and beyond

LANSING, Mich. - December 6, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) Executive Director Scott Woosley today announced three counseling agencies will receive National Mortgage Settlement (NMS) Fund grants to help homeowners avoid or recover from foreclosure

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 5, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- This week, NAR has sent letters to legislators on Capitol Hill highlighting the three major pieces of legislation that need to get finished before the year ends

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 5, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Michigan Department of Treasury is reminding U.S. Military veterans, deemed to be 100% disabled as the result of military service, that they must file an affidavit with their local unit of government confirming eligibility for property tax relief provided under Public Act 161 of 2013, which Gov. Rick Snyder signed into law last month

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 25, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- There are approximately 14,000 children in Michigan’s foster care system in need of a home. This November, in honor of National Adoption Day, November 23, and Month, it is important to raise awareness about the thousands of children in foster care awaiting families and also to celebrate the dedicated individuals who have adopted and who work to make adoptions a reality. Recently, Congressman Dave Camp (R-MI) introduced, voted for and co-sponsored separate pieces of legislation to help children in need of safe, loving, and permanent home

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 21, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Over the last few weeks, the MAR has received calls from members regarding drastic increases in the cost of flood insurance. These increases are making some pending sales unaffordable. The National Association of REALTORS® is working on important legislation to halt these increases

2014 NAR President Steve Brown rolled out the red carpet for Michigan and expressed his gratitude for the support of Michigan’s REALTORS®, recognizing their dedication.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 14, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Construction of a new building for the Department of Natural Resources' Roscommon-based Forest Fire Experiment Station (FFES) is under way. The new building will be better equipped to accommodate large vehicles and incorporate new technology to allow for continued work improving and creating equipment to fight wildfires

LANSING - November 11, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) --Attorney General Bill Schuette today offered a special Veterans Day message in advance of Monday's holiday. In addition to thanking veterans for their service, Schuette also announced the distribution of more than $1 million in grants to struggling military and veteran homeowners impacted by the foreclosure crisis. The funds were distributed through the Michigan Veterans Homeowners Assistance Program Schuette announced with the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency in May 2013. MiVHAP has helped at least 154 homeowners in 43 counties across the state, according to recent numbers provided by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency

WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 7, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today announced two U.S. Forest Service grants for The Greening of Detroit to help restore vacant land and conserve the Detroit and Rouge River Watersheds. The Greening of Detroit, founded in 1989, is a nonprofit environmental organization committed to repurposing land in ways that provide environmental, economic and social benefits to Detroit residents - from tree plantings, green infrastructure to urban agriculture and green workforce development.

LANSING, Mich. - November 6, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) scored two Awards for Program Excellence during the National Council of State Housing Agencies (NCSHA) 2013 Annual Conference in New Orleans, LA, last month.