WASHINGTON, DC – May 23, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Congressman Paul Tonko spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives today, urging House leadership to protect the environment as well as private property owners along the route of a proposed extension to the Keystone oil pipeline. Tonko submitted two amendments to H.R. 3, the Northern Route Approval Act, which would provide these critical safeguards. The amendments offered by Tonko were not made in order and therefore not allowed a vote to be included into the final legislation. more »

Initiatives Included in the Foreclosure Fraud Prevention Act of 2013 Would Bring Greater Accountability to Lenders

New York, NY – May 23, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Judiciary Committee Chair Helene Weinstein today announced the passage of two important legislative measures aimed at increasing integrity and efficiency in the mortgage foreclosure process. more »

Bills Will Help Prevent New York Homeowners From Getting Trapped In The Growing “Shadow Docket” Of Frozen Foreclosure Cases
Schneiderman: These Bills Will Help Protect Homeowners From Wrongful Foreclosures And Keep More New Yorkers In Their Homes

NEW YORK, NY – May 23, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today praised the New York State Assembly for passing two important pieces of legislation aimed at protecting homeowners in New York. The “Certificate of Merit” bill (A. 5582)would help more New York families avoid foreclosure by enacting common sense reforms to bring greater integrity to the foreclosure process and expedite homeowners’ participation in court-supervised mediation sessions where they can negotiate workable alternatives to foreclosure with their lender. This joint program bill was proposed by the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of Court Administration. more »

Trained Staff to Help Sandy Victims with Applications for Federal Housing and Business Recovery Aid Wednesday and Thursday in Nassau County Insurance Assistance Available Friday and Saturday on Staten Island

Albany, NY – May 22, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Governor Andrew M. Cuomo will deploy representatives of the Department of Financial Services (DFS) to help Nassau County homeowners and business owners apply for federal recovery aid for Superstorm Sandy losses on Wednesday and Thursday. DFS will also offer insurance-related help to Staten Islanders on Friday and Saturday. more »

Albany, NY – May 22, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — The New York State housing market continued to build on its early 2013 momentum with April gains in closed sales, median price and pending sales, according to the housing market report released today by the New York State Association of REALTORS. April 2013 closed sales for existing single-family homes, townhomes and condos were up 8.5 percent compared to April 2012, while the median price and pending sales rose 10 percent and 19 percent, respectively. Year-to-date closed sales are 5.4 percent ahead of the first four months of 2012. more »

New York, NY – May 22, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — The Federal Emergency Management Agency urges property owners to take steps now to minimize damage in future storms. To better protect your family and yourself in the event of an emergency, ensure that your home is a safe structure. more »

New York, NY – May 21, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — The New York State Senate today passed legislation to encourage the building of more “green” homes by creating a property tax exemption. The bill (S1710), sponsored by Senator Mark Grisanti (R-I, North Buffalo), would help increase demand for environmentally friendly housing by allowing local municipalities to offer a real property tax exemption of 35 percent for a maximum of 20 years. more »

NEW YORK, NY – May 20, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — People whose property was damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Sandy can get rebuilding advice from a Federal Emergency Management Agency hazard mitigation specialist. The specialists are knowledgeable about building safer and smarter to avoid future losses. more »

Agreement Gives Oneida Nation Exclusive Gaming Rights, Includes Revenue Sharing with State and Local Governments, Ends Unfair Cigarette Pricing

Albany, NY – May 17, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced a comprehensive agreement settling multiple, long-standing disputes between the State of New York, the Oneida Nation of Indians, Oneida County and Madison County. more »

While the property tax cap controls spending growth, taxpayers should be diligent to ensure their assessments are accurate

New York, NY – May 17, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — New York State Taxpayer Rights Advocate Camille Siano Enders today encouraged homeowners, businesses and others who own property to review their assessments before the deadline, which is May 28 in most communities. more »

“A” Train on Rockaway Line Back in Service May 30
New Dedicated MTA Division Will Manage Projects to Fix and Fortify System

Albany, NY – May 16, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced several Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) initiatives to permanently repair damage from Superstorm Sandy, flood-proof major sections of the New York City subway system and begin the planning process to fortify the region’s mass transit network. more »

New York, NY – May 16, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — The New York City District Council of Carpenters announced today that it has reached an agreement with its largest employer association–the Association of Wall, Ceiling & Carpentry Industries of New York (Wall & Ceiling Association)–to implement the new collective bargaining agreement on Wednesday, May 22, 2013. more »

NYSERDA Support for Energy Efficiency Project Helps U.S. Courthouse Reduce Annual Costs by $289,000

New York, NY – May 15, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has awarded the U.S. Courthouse in Buffalo a high performance energy-efficiency plaque for energy-efficiency projects that will cut energy costs by $289,000 annually. more »

Report Finds Two-Thirds of NYC Seniors 70+ Pay Unaffordable Rents, Presents Policy Prescriptions to Help Them Stay Independent Longer

NEW YORK, N.Y. – May 14, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — City Comptroller John C. Liu today warned that New York faces a looming crisis as the elderly population rises and rents skyrocket, and offered a comprehensive strategy to alleviate the shortage of affordable housing options. more »

Tax Plan Will Help Long Island Homeowners & Prevent Property Tax Shift from Sandy Damaged Homes to Non-Damaged Homes
Schumer Secured Federal Funding in the Sandy Relief Bill; Funds Will Replace Lost Revenue for Long Island and Hold Down Looming Property Tax Hikes Triggered by Sandy Devastation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 14, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced his support for a plan on Long Island that uses Sandy Supplemental federal funding to stabilize property taxes in order to prevent a heavy burden from falling onto the shoulders of non-Sandy effected homeowners. The plan will also provide tax breaks to homeowners hit hard by Sandy. Schumer fought hard to secure this Sandy relief funding and today praised the plan for using these federal funds to help local taxpayers on Long Island. more »