Archives

August 20, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Department of Natural Resources today announced that Green Lake Boating Access Site, located in Leighton Township in Allegan County, will undergo paving improvements and site redevelopment beginning the week of Sept. 7.

LANSING, MI - August 13, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation (OFIR) has ordered Taylor, Bean & Whitaker Mortgage Corp., a national mortgage company, to immediately cease and desist from operating as a mortgage lender or servicer in Michigan. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) suspended Taylor Bean’s approval to make FHA loans and the company’s status as an approved Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae mortgage servicer was terminated due to questionable business practices and disclosures. Last week, federal investigators raided Taylor Bean’s headquarters in Ocala, F

LANSING, MI - August 13, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Mike Cox today announced that three individuals have been charged in connection to a mortgage fraud ring operating in West Michigan. Grand Rapids resident Damon Clark and Ferndale resident Reginald Tardy, Jr. are in custody after being charged with eight counts of perpetrating mortgage fraud in connection to six Grand Rapids properties. Former Grand Rapids resident Brian VanFarowe was also charged but has fled the country

Funds Made Available Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow, both D-Mich., announced today the availability of $14,391,790 for eight Native American communities across Michigan. The funding, provided through the Indian Community Development Block Grant and Native American Housing Block Grant programs is made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The grants are designed to assist Native American tribes improve and expand their housing supply, promote energy efficiency and create jobs

LANSING, MI - August 10, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Mike Cox today announced that his office, with the assistance of the Michigan State Police, filed charges against former Lansing resident Jeffrey Barry for conducting a mortgage fraud scheme involving five fraudulent mortgages worth nearly a half-million dollars. Barry, of Houston, Texas, is charged with five counts of obtaining mortgage proceeds under false pretenses. He was arrested today in Houston, and will be extradited to Michigan

LANSING, MI - August 7, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) --Sen. Patty Birkholz and Rep. Rick Jones today announced that the city of Grand Ledge will receive a state grant of $325,500 for a rental housing project. “Grand Ledge is a great community,” said Birkholz, R-Saugatuck Township. “I am pleased that the city will receive the grant money to increase housing options for local residents or people looking to move into the area.”

WASHINGTON, DC - August 4, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) announced Michigan’s First District will receive $1,155,000 in funding for facility improvement projects including dam renovations and the construction of facility for adult daycare services. The funding is being awarded to projects in Beaverton, Dickinson County, Allouez Township, Keweenaw Bay, and to Teaching Family Homes of Upper Michigan, Inc.

Directive implements recommendations ofMichigan Climate Action Council. LANSING, MI - July 30, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today issued Executive Directive 2009-4 implementing several recommendations from the Michigan Climate Action Council that will help Michigan reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050

LANSING, MI - July 29, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The governor signed a bipartisan legislative package Tuesday that will strengthen existing requirements for loan officers in Michigan, said Sen. Randy Richardville, the main sponsor of the reform plan.

LANSING, MI - July 28, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Jennifer M. Granholm has announced the restoration of a federal tax credit program along with new programs that will give Michigan residents an unprecedented opportunity to purchase affordable homes through the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA). The funding is provided by the federal Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA)

Washington D.C. - July 24, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The House of Representatives approved the annual appropriations bill for transportation and housing today which included $4.6 billion for Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), an increase of $725 million or 18.7 percent. The bill was approved by a vote of 256 to 168.

LANSING., MI - July 24, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- State Sen. Wayne Kuipers announced today that he is working with credit unions to provide residents with information on how to avoid foreclosure.

WASHINGTON, - July 21, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- the U.S. House of Representatives approved $150,000 in federal funding for the environmental restoration and protection of Homer Lake. The funding was requested by Congressman Mark Schauer (D-Battle Creek) as part of the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (HR 3183), which the U.S. House of Representatives voted to approve today. The Schauer language allows the Corps of Engineers to Select the project for completion

CDBG Grants Will Help Revitalize Neighborhoods and Create Jobs. WASHINGTON, D.C. - July 16, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) and U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced $1,647,759 in funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for Flint and Genesee County. These grants are available through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, which enable state and local governments to undertake a wide range of activities intended to create suitable living environments, provide affordable housing and create economic opportunities. The City of Flint will receive $1,153,340 and Genesee County will receive $494,419

WASHINGTON, DC - July 16, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Nineteen Michigan communities will receive a total of $7,296,509 in community development grants for projects designed to benefit low- and middle-income families, Senators Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin, both D-Mich., announced today. The funds, made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, will be disbursed by the local governments of Battle Creek, Bay City, Clinton Township, Flint, Genesee County, Holland, Kalamazoo, Kent County, Lincoln Park, Midland, Pontiac, Port Huron, Royal Oak, Sterling Heights, Taylor, Warren, Wayne County, Westland and Wyoming