Archives

WASHINGTON, D.C. - August 13, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Last month, Senate Bill 383, now Public Act 104 of 2013, was signed into law by Governor Snyder. As you may recall, the initial legislative proposal was to shorten Michigan’s 6 month redemption period down to 2 months. With the signing of the new law, homeowners will still have the benefit of the 6-month redemption period in order to pursue short-sales and other transactions that provide for homeowner-to-homeowner transfers.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - August 9, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Nearly 700 properties, in five Lower Michigan counties, three Northern Michigan and four Upper Michigan counties, will be auctioned off during State of Michigan Tax-Foreclosed, Real Property Auctions on August 13th and 14th. Registration for interested bidders will begin at 9:00 a.m., each day, with auctions scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m

WASHINGTON, D.C. - August 7, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mark your calendars now to attend these exciting RPAC events happening during the 2013 MAR Convention and Expo, September 25-27 at Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan

WASHINGTON, D.C. - August 7, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Following the President’s speech today outlining priorities to overhaul the mortgage finance industry, U.S. Representative Gary Peters expressed encouragement that Washington is finally ready to get serious about developing common-sense GSE reform. Peters, who serves on the U.S. House Financial Services Committee, continues to fight for bipartisan GSE reform that both prevents bailouts paid for by taxpayers and protects the 30 year-fixed-rate mortgage. Peters is optimistic about the Administration and Congress working together on a comprehensive, bipartisan solution to fix the housing industry.

LANSING - August 6, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency Director Jeff Barnes announced today that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has completed its annual survey of the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans and released its final report to the agency

WASHINGTON, D.C. - August 6, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin today announced federal job training support for homeless women veterans and veterans with families in Southeast Michigan. Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries is one of 22 recipients across the country that was awarded the competitive grant. Services provided will include job-placement, on-the-job and classroom training, career counseling, life skills and money management mentoring, and help finding housing

LANSING - August 1, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Bill Schuette today marked one-year since the historic Homeowner Protection Fund was signed into law with the announcement of a new victim restitution program designed to help residents across Michigan affected by the foreclosure crisis.

LANSING, MI - July 31, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Scott Woosley, executive director of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), today announced that Alpena County will receive a $200,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).

WASHINGTON, D.C. - July 23, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) --Do you know what time Michigan home hunters are online? According to HomeFinder.com, buyers in the U.S. are online home searching most frequently from 8–9 p.m. However, the majority of Michigan house hunters are finding their next home at a different hour. Find out what time these potential buyers are online, and be available to turn them into new clients!

WASHINGTON, D.C. - July 19, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette today announced the arrest of Eric Lamarr Drake, 37, of Detroit, for allegedly operating a fraudulent mortgage banking business under false pretenses by promising mortgage services, retaining clients' money and never delivering refunds to those clients. The charges follow an investigation by the Attorney General's Corporate Oversight Division.

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

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