RISMedia » Government http://rismedia.com Leader in Real Estate Information and News. Real estate industry news, profiles, and articles for agents, brokers, and consumers. National print magazine available. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:19:03 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Obama Moves Forward with Foreclosure Prevention http://rismedia.com/2012-02-06/obama-moves-forward-with-foreclosure-prevention/ http://rismedia.com/2012-02-06/obama-moves-forward-with-foreclosure-prevention/#comments Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:01:20 +0000 susanne http://rismedia.com/?p=66677 Last Wednesday, February 1, President Obama announced the details of a plan to help homeowners refinance their mortgages in hopes of bolstering the housing market.

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, this proposal will allow buyers …

]]> Last Wednesday, February 1, President Obama announced the details of a plan to help homeowners refinance their mortgages in hopes of bolstering the housing market.

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, this proposal will allow buyers …

]]> http://rismedia.com/2012-02-06/obama-moves-forward-with-foreclosure-prevention/feed/ 0 Credit Scores Poised to Get More Personal http://rismedia.com/2011-10-17/credit-scores-poised-to-get-more-personal/ http://rismedia.com/2011-10-17/credit-scores-poised-to-get-more-personal/#comments Mon, 17 Oct 2011 21:02:02 +0000 susanne http://rismedia.com/?p=61913 (MCT)—Many consumers applying for a mortgage are going to start sharing more personal information with lenders next year, like it or not.

FICO scores, the industry standard for determining credit risk in mortgages backed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and …

]]> (MCT)—Many consumers applying for a mortgage are going to start sharing more personal information with lenders next year, like it or not.

FICO scores, the industry standard for determining credit risk in mortgages backed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and …

]]> http://rismedia.com/2011-10-17/credit-scores-poised-to-get-more-personal/feed/ 0 Clock Is Ticking: Programs Critical to REALTORS to Expire on September 30 http://rismedia.com/2011-09-11/clock-is-ticking-programs-critical-to-realtors-to-expire-on-september-30/ http://rismedia.com/2011-09-11/clock-is-ticking-programs-critical-to-realtors-to-expire-on-september-30/#comments Sun, 11 Sep 2011 18:06:29 +0000 susanne http://rismedia.com/?p=60102 There is the possibility that without Congressional action, two programs of vital importance to the real estate business will sunset on September 30, 2011. The end of the current extension of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and the lowering …

]]> There is the possibility that without Congressional action, two programs of vital importance to the real estate business will sunset on September 30, 2011. The end of the current extension of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and the lowering …

]]> http://rismedia.com/2011-09-11/clock-is-ticking-programs-critical-to-realtors-to-expire-on-september-30/feed/ 0 NAR Pulse: This Week’s Top Stories from the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS http://rismedia.com/2011-08-31/nar-pulse-this-week%e2%80%99s-top-stories-from-the-national-association-of-realtors-6/ http://rismedia.com/2011-08-31/nar-pulse-this-week%e2%80%99s-top-stories-from-the-national-association-of-realtors-6/#comments Wed, 31 Aug 2011 05:38:07 +0000 beth http://rismedia.com/?p=59694 This week’s headlines from the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS? include: Facebook case study; send up to five documents a month free with REALTOR Benefits® Program Partner, DocuSign®,;and register for a free safety webinar on social media and cyber safety. For …

]]> This week’s headlines from the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS? include: Facebook case study; send up to five documents a month free with REALTOR Benefits® Program Partner, DocuSign®,;and register for a free safety webinar on social media and cyber safety. For …

]]> http://rismedia.com/2011-08-31/nar-pulse-this-week%e2%80%99s-top-stories-from-the-national-association-of-realtors-6/feed/ 0 Major Legislation in 2011: How Brokers Can Impact the Issues http://rismedia.com/2011-04-11/major-legislation-in-2011-how-brokers-can-impact-the-issues/ http://rismedia.com/2011-04-11/major-legislation-in-2011-how-brokers-can-impact-the-issues/#comments Mon, 11 Apr 2011 21:17:10 +0000 susanne http://rismedia.com/?p=55037 RISMEDIA, April 12, 2011—The Power Broker Roundtable is brought to you by the National Association of REALTORS® and Charlie Oppler, NAR’s Special Liaison for Large Firm Relations. Watch for this column each month, where we address broker issues, concerns and …

]]> RISMEDIA, April 12, 2011—The Power Broker Roundtable is brought to you by the National Association of REALTORS® and Charlie Oppler, NAR’s Special Liaison for Large Firm Relations. Watch for this column each month, where we address broker issues, concerns and …

]]> http://rismedia.com/2011-04-11/major-legislation-in-2011-how-brokers-can-impact-the-issues/feed/ 0 Affordable Housing Providers Dominate Apartment Industry’s Largest Owners, According to Annual Ranking of 50 Largest Firms http://rismedia.com/2011-04-11/affordable-housing-providers-dominate-apartment-industrys-largest-owners-according-to-annual-ranking-of-50-largest-firms/ http://rismedia.com/2011-04-11/affordable-housing-providers-dominate-apartment-industrys-largest-owners-according-to-annual-ranking-of-50-largest-firms/#comments Mon, 11 Apr 2011 21:12:17 +0000 susanne http://rismedia.com/?p=55034 RISMEDIA, April 12, 2011—The apartment industry made a surprising recovery in 2010 from the “Great Recession,” and that recovery is reflected in the 2011 NMHC 50, the National Multi Housing Council’s annual ranking of the 50 largest apartment owners and …

]]> RISMEDIA, April 12, 2011—The apartment industry made a surprising recovery in 2010 from the “Great Recession,” and that recovery is reflected in the 2011 NMHC 50, the National Multi Housing Council’s annual ranking of the 50 largest apartment owners and …

]]> http://rismedia.com/2011-04-11/affordable-housing-providers-dominate-apartment-industrys-largest-owners-according-to-annual-ranking-of-50-largest-firms/feed/ 0 March Housing Scorecard Shows Continued Need to Advance Market Stabilization http://rismedia.com/2011-04-06/march-housing-scorecard-shows-continued-need-to-advance-market-stabilization/ http://rismedia.com/2011-04-06/march-housing-scorecard-shows-continued-need-to-advance-market-stabilization/#comments Wed, 06 Apr 2011 20:06:14 +0000 susanne http://rismedia.com/?p=54865 RISMEDIA, April 7, 2011—The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury have released the March edition of the Obama Administration’s Housing Scorecard. Officials caution that the latest housing figures underscore fragility in …

]]> RISMEDIA, April 7, 2011—The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury have released the March edition of the Obama Administration’s Housing Scorecard. Officials caution that the latest housing figures underscore fragility in …

]]> http://rismedia.com/2011-04-06/march-housing-scorecard-shows-continued-need-to-advance-market-stabilization/feed/ 0 Reaction Overflows to Fed’s New Mortgage Rules http://rismedia.com/2011-04-06/reaction-overflows-to-feds-new-mortgage-rules/ http://rismedia.com/2011-04-06/reaction-overflows-to-feds-new-mortgage-rules/#comments Wed, 06 Apr 2011 20:01:26 +0000 susanne http://rismedia.com/?p=54860 RISMEDIA, April 7, 2011—(MCT)—Federal regulators recently asked for public comment by June 10, 2011 on their proposal to require lenders that package mortgages for the secondary market to assume some of the risk of those loans. The regulators didn’t need …

]]> RISMEDIA, April 7, 2011—(MCT)—Federal regulators recently asked for public comment by June 10, 2011 on their proposal to require lenders that package mortgages for the secondary market to assume some of the risk of those loans. The regulators didn’t need …

]]> http://rismedia.com/2011-04-06/reaction-overflows-to-feds-new-mortgage-rules/feed/ 0 Why Even Qualified Homebuyers Are Standing Still http://rismedia.com/2011-03-20/why-even-qualified-homebuyers-are-standing-still/ http://rismedia.com/2011-03-20/why-even-qualified-homebuyers-are-standing-still/#comments Mon, 21 Mar 2011 04:15:43 +0000 beth http://rismedia.com/?p=54056 RISMEDIA, March 21, 2011—Despite the uptick in sales of homes worth one million dollars or more last year (up 18.6% in 2010 according to DataQuick) the average American homebuyer is still proceeding with a large degree of caution. Below are …

]]> RISMEDIA, March 21, 2011—Despite the uptick in sales of homes worth one million dollars or more last year (up 18.6% in 2010 according to DataQuick) the average American homebuyer is still proceeding with a large degree of caution. Below are …

]]> http://rismedia.com/2011-03-20/why-even-qualified-homebuyers-are-standing-still/feed/ 0 Economic and Housing Outlooks Brighten According to Fannie Mae Analysis Group http://rismedia.com/2010-12-28/economic-and-housing-outlooks-brighten-according-to-fannie-mae-analysis-group/ http://rismedia.com/2010-12-28/economic-and-housing-outlooks-brighten-according-to-fannie-mae-analysis-group/#comments Tue, 28 Dec 2010 15:10:33 +0000 beth http://rismedia.com/?p=52026 RISMEDIA, December 28, 2010—Improvements in consumer spending and consumer confidence, increased demand for goods and services, and falling unemployment claims are all positive factors for a brighter outlook as we move into 2011, according to the December 2010 Economic Outlook …

]]> RISMEDIA, December 28, 2010—Improvements in consumer spending and consumer confidence, increased demand for goods and services, and falling unemployment claims are all positive factors for a brighter outlook as we move into 2011, according to the December 2010 Economic Outlook …

]]> http://rismedia.com/2010-12-28/economic-and-housing-outlooks-brighten-according-to-fannie-mae-analysis-group/feed/ 0 Homeless Veterans to Get Affordable Housing http://rismedia.com/2010-12-28/homeless-veterans-to-get-affordable-housing/ http://rismedia.com/2010-12-28/homeless-veterans-to-get-affordable-housing/#comments Tue, 28 Dec 2010 14:10:23 +0000 beth http://rismedia.com/?p=52009 RISMEDIA, December 28, 2010—The Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston announced that a Manchester initiative will receive more than $2.1 million through its Affordable Housing Program. These funds, awarded in the form of a grant, loan, and interest-rate subsidy, will …

]]> RISMEDIA, December 28, 2010—The Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston announced that a Manchester initiative will receive more than $2.1 million through its Affordable Housing Program. These funds, awarded in the form of a grant, loan, and interest-rate subsidy, will …

]]> http://rismedia.com/2010-12-28/homeless-veterans-to-get-affordable-housing/feed/ 0 Mortgage Bill Could Be Revived http://rismedia.com/2009-08-10/mortgage-bill-could-be-revived/ http://rismedia.com/2009-08-10/mortgage-bill-could-be-revived/#comments Mon, 10 Aug 2009 19:58:24 +0000 susanne http://rismedia.com/?p=39068 RISMEDIA, August 11, 2009-(The Hill)-Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said on Monday of last week that if the financial industry is not able to complete 500,000 mortgage modifications by November he would pursue legislation ratcheting up the pressure on …

]]> RISMEDIA, August 11, 2009-(The Hill)-Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said on Monday of last week that if the financial industry is not able to complete 500,000 mortgage modifications by November he would pursue legislation ratcheting up the pressure on …

]]> http://rismedia.com/2009-08-10/mortgage-bill-could-be-revived/feed/ 0 Fed Plans Consumer-Friendly Changes to Mortgage Rules http://rismedia.com/2009-07-26/fed-plans-consumer-friendly-changes-to-mortgage-rules/ http://rismedia.com/2009-07-26/fed-plans-consumer-friendly-changes-to-mortgage-rules/#comments Sun, 26 Jul 2009 18:08:43 +0000 susanne http://rismedia.com/?p=38676 RISMEDIA, July 27, 2009-(MCT)-Federal Reserve governors unanimously proposed tough new consumer-friendly disclosure rules for mortgages and home equity loans last week, tackling one of the less-appreciated causes of the nation’s deep financial crisis.

After 18 months of study and consumer …

]]> RISMEDIA, July 27, 2009-(MCT)-Federal Reserve governors unanimously proposed tough new consumer-friendly disclosure rules for mortgages and home equity loans last week, tackling one of the less-appreciated causes of the nation’s deep financial crisis.

After 18 months of study and consumer …

]]> http://rismedia.com/2009-07-26/fed-plans-consumer-friendly-changes-to-mortgage-rules/feed/ 0 Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke Predicts Muted Economic Improvement http://rismedia.com/2009-07-22/federal-reserve-chairman-ben-bernanke-predicts-muted-economic-improvement/ http://rismedia.com/2009-07-22/federal-reserve-chairman-ben-bernanke-predicts-muted-economic-improvement/#comments Wed, 22 Jul 2009 20:11:46 +0000 susanne http://rismedia.com/?p=38594 RISMEDIA, July 23, 2009-(MCT)-During his semiannual report to Congress earlier this week, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke expressed concerns about rising unemployment and foreclosures in the coming months and also reiterated that the central bank would keep interest rates …

]]> RISMEDIA, July 23, 2009-(MCT)-During his semiannual report to Congress earlier this week, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke expressed concerns about rising unemployment and foreclosures in the coming months and also reiterated that the central bank would keep interest rates …

]]> http://rismedia.com/2009-07-22/federal-reserve-chairman-ben-bernanke-predicts-muted-economic-improvement/feed/ 0 The Bailouts Continue – Life Insurance Receives Next Lifeline http://rismedia.com/2009-04-12/the-bailouts-continue-life-insurance-receives-next-lifeline/ http://rismedia.com/2009-04-12/the-bailouts-continue-life-insurance-receives-next-lifeline/#comments Sun, 12 Apr 2009 18:05:57 +0000 Paige http://rismedia.com/?p=35273 RISMEDIA, April 13, 2009-(MCT)-The Treasury Department confirmed that life insurers are qualified to join banks and carmakers on the list of industries getting taxpayer bailouts.

In a statement, the agency confirmed that certain life insurers are eligible to receive an …

]]> RISMEDIA, April 13, 2009-(MCT)-The Treasury Department confirmed that life insurers are qualified to join banks and carmakers on the list of industries getting taxpayer bailouts.

In a statement, the agency confirmed that certain life insurers are eligible to receive an …

]]> http://rismedia.com/2009-04-12/the-bailouts-continue-life-insurance-receives-next-lifeline/feed/ 0 Taxpayers Still Have Time to File or Amend 2005 Returns, but Must Act Quickly http://rismedia.com/2009-04-12/taxpayers-still-have-time-to-file-or-amend-2005-returns-but-must-act-quickly/ http://rismedia.com/2009-04-12/taxpayers-still-have-time-to-file-or-amend-2005-returns-but-must-act-quickly/#comments Sun, 12 Apr 2009 18:04:58 +0000 Paige http://rismedia.com/?p=35270 taxes-web2RISMEDIA, April 13, 2009-With just a few days left to file income tax returns for 2008, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service is reminding tax filers of another important tax deadline on April 15: the deadline to file or amend returns for …

]]> taxes-web2RISMEDIA, April 13, 2009-With just a few days left to file income tax returns for 2008, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service is reminding tax filers of another important tax deadline on April 15: the deadline to file or amend returns for …

]]> http://rismedia.com/2009-04-12/taxpayers-still-have-time-to-file-or-amend-2005-returns-but-must-act-quickly/feed/ 0 Americans Optimistic about Economy http://rismedia.com/2009-04-09/americans-optimistic-about-economy/ http://rismedia.com/2009-04-09/americans-optimistic-about-economy/#comments Thu, 09 Apr 2009 19:47:19 +0000 Paige http://rismedia.com/?p=35244 hourglass-webRISMEDIA, April 10, 2009-(MCT)-Slightly more than half of Americans think the U.S. economy has stabilized, and almost three in every four think it will take longer than six months for a massive economic stimulus program to be felt, an Ipsos-McClatchy …

]]> hourglass-webRISMEDIA, April 10, 2009-(MCT)-Slightly more than half of Americans think the U.S. economy has stabilized, and almost three in every four think it will take longer than six months for a massive economic stimulus program to be felt, an Ipsos-McClatchy …

]]> http://rismedia.com/2009-04-09/americans-optimistic-about-economy/feed/ 0 American Taxpayers Planning to Save Rather Than Spend http://rismedia.com/2009-03-30/american-taxpayers-planning-to-save-rather-than-spend/ http://rismedia.com/2009-03-30/american-taxpayers-planning-to-save-rather-than-spend/#comments Mon, 30 Mar 2009 21:03:10 +0000 Paige http://rismedia.com/?p=34781 RISMEDIA, March 31, 2009-As the tax deadline approaches, many Americans have refunds on their mind. While the arrival of a refund once meant a shopping spree to many, this year, Americans are skipping the spring sales to boost their savings …

]]> RISMEDIA, March 31, 2009-As the tax deadline approaches, many Americans have refunds on their mind. While the arrival of a refund once meant a shopping spree to many, this year, Americans are skipping the spring sales to boost their savings …

]]> http://rismedia.com/2009-03-30/american-taxpayers-planning-to-save-rather-than-spend/feed/ 0 Federal Reserve’s Announcement Spurs Refinance Activity in Latest MBA Weekly Survey http://rismedia.com/2009-03-25/federal-reserves-announcement-spurs-refinance-activity-in-latest-mba-weekly-survey/ http://rismedia.com/2009-03-25/federal-reserves-announcement-spurs-refinance-activity-in-latest-mba-weekly-survey/#comments Wed, 25 Mar 2009 21:02:11 +0000 Paige http://rismedia.com/?p=34648 RISMEDIA, March 26, 2009-The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) released its Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending March 20, 2009. The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, was 1159.4, an increase of 32.2% on a …

]]> RISMEDIA, March 26, 2009-The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) released its Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending March 20, 2009. The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, was 1159.4, an increase of 32.2% on a …

]]> http://rismedia.com/2009-03-25/federal-reserves-announcement-spurs-refinance-activity-in-latest-mba-weekly-survey/feed/ 0 Some Experts Unsure Whether Federal Buy-Up of Bank Debt Will Work http://rismedia.com/2009-03-24/some-experts-unsure-whether-federal-buy-up-of-bank-debt-will-work/ http://rismedia.com/2009-03-24/some-experts-unsure-whether-federal-buy-up-of-bank-debt-will-work/#comments Tue, 24 Mar 2009 21:02:39 +0000 Paige http://rismedia.com/?p=34602 RISMEDIA, March 25, 2009-(MCT)-Yesterday’s announcement by Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner that disclosed the details of the long-awaited and highly-anticipated $1 trillion plan to relieve the nation’s banks of the bad debt that has crushed lending and helped put the country …

]]> RISMEDIA, March 25, 2009-(MCT)-Yesterday’s announcement by Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner that disclosed the details of the long-awaited and highly-anticipated $1 trillion plan to relieve the nation’s banks of the bad debt that has crushed lending and helped put the country …

]]> http://rismedia.com/2009-03-24/some-experts-unsure-whether-federal-buy-up-of-bank-debt-will-work/feed/ 0