Yearly Archives: 2013

WASHINGTON, DC - July 12, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, the Deparment of Veterans Affairs announced a new grant initiative to help end veteran’s homelessness. Congressman Kerry Bentivolio released the following statement on the initiative

WASHINGTON, D.C. - July 3, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals provided an answer last month to a lingering tax question impacting Michigan REALTORS® and their clients: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are federal agencies exempt from state and county real estate transfer taxes. This 6th Circuit ruling overturned a lower court that said two Michigan counties could collect such taxes

WASHINGTON, D.C. - June 28, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- MSU Extension is offering the popular Make Macomb Your Home -- Home Ownership series this July. Home Ownership will focus on consumer protection during the home buying process. Attendees will learn how to

EUGENE, OR - June 27, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The premier IDX technology, IDX Broker software, has seamlessly integrated thousands of New Buffalo, Michigan properties onto the professional website of Broker Judith Farley. Southwestern Michigan MLS (SWMRIC) listings are easily accessible to home seekers with multiple search tools that makes the search page Farley hosts efficient and effective. Farley has truly revolutionized the online property search experience for her clients, potential buyers, and even herself

WASHINGTON, D.C. - June 26, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Michigan’s housing market continued its upward swing in May, according to the MLS reports compiled by the Michigan Association of REALTORS®. Over 88% of reporting units reported an increase in average selling price from May 2013 compared to May 2012; with 13 locals reporting an increase at/near 20+%. Statewide the average selling price increased by 11.28% at $125,880 in May 2013 compared to $113,116 in May 2012. May 2013 also reported an increase in single family home sales of 3.57% with 12,383 sales compared to May 2012 sales of 11,956. In the past five years the number of home sales reached over 12,300 just once back in August 2012

LANSING, MI - June 26, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Gov. Rick Snyder today signed three bills that help homeowners by eliminating the need for a permit to install advanced home monitoring systems, such as temperature control, fire and intruder alarm systems

WASHINGTON, D.C. - June 21, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, the Michigan legislature passed legislation keeping the six-month foreclosure redemption period intact. Senate Bill 383 provides lending institutions with the flexibility to perform an inspection on the property after the property goes to Sheriff Sale.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - June 19, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Dean Heller (R-NV) today introduced the Mortgage Forgiveness Tax Relief Act to ensure that underwater homeowners, those who owe more on their mortgages than their homes are now worth, would not be hit with additional income tax if a portion of their mortgage is forgiven. Without the Stabenow-Heller legislation, homeowners will be required to pay these additional taxes when they refinance or sell their homes in what are commonly called "short sales."

WASHINGTON, D.C. - June 14, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Twenty-nine Michigan counties will receive a total of more than $4.1 million from the Interior Department as part of the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program, Sens. Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow announced today. The federal government provides PILT payments to local governments to offset losses in property taxes due to nontaxable federal lands within their boundaries.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - June 11, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Macomb County Department of Planning and Economic Development has been awarded a $1 million grant by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to create a Revolving Loan Fund (RLF). The RLF will make low-interest loans available to help finance redevelopment projects for eligible Brownfield sites in the County.

LANSING - June 10, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette today announced checks will go out this week to Michigan borrowers who submitted a valid foreclosure payment claim through the National Mortgage Settlement. Eligible borrowers will receive checks for approximately $1,480. Approximately 72,000 Michigan borrowers affected by the National Mortgage Settlement will receive a share of approximately $107.2 million in restitution for mortgage servicing abuses related to the national foreclosure crisis.

LANSING - June 3, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Several members of the Michigan Senate Democratic Caucus issued the following statements on the announcement yesterday by PulteGroup that they are moving its headquarters from Bloomfield Hills to Atlanta, Georgia in 2014. PulteGroup is one of the nation's largest home building companies. They have been based in the Detroit area since 1950 and currently have about 380 employees there

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 29, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- MSU Extension is offering the popular Make Macomb Your Home -- Home Ownership series this June. Home Ownership will focus on consumer protection during the home buying process. Attendees will learn how to

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 28, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Across Michigan, REALTORS® are actively participating in placemaking initiatives designed to improve their neighborhoods and communities and provide the groundwork for continually improving Michigan's housing market. REALTORS® have been creating and selling place for decades; and therefore are natural leaders in placemaking. But what are the best strategies for putting placemaking to work in your community?

LANSING, MI - May 21, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Gov. Rick Snyder today issued Executive Order 2013-8, which transfers the Michigan Land Bank Fast Track Authority (MLB) from the Michigan Strategic Fund to the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA). Both Entities are currently housed in Michigan Strategic Fund.