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Monthly Archives: March 2014

A.G. Schneiderman Announces Regional Results Of Homeowner Protection Program For Erie And Niagara Counties

BUFFALO - March 28, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced that his office’s Homeowner Protection Program (HOPP) has served 24,000 New Yorkers statewide in less than a year and half, resulting in 6,660 approved and pending loan modifications. Of those homeowners, 1,519 reside in the counties of Erie and Niagara; and of the loan modifications approved and pending statewide, 797 are located in Erie and Niagara. Since October 2012, HOPP has allocated significant funding to 36 legal services organizations and 56 housing counseling agencies dedicated to providing free foreclosure prevention services to struggling homeowners.

Governor Cuomo Announces Support From More Than 260 Local Elected Officials in Push to...

Albany, NY - March 26, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced support from more than 260 local elected officials for his plan to cut property taxes. The Governor’s proposal to cut property taxes and encourage local governments to reduce costs was detailed by Lieutenant Governor Robert Duffy during an event earlier today at the Chemung County Executive Office in Elmira.

Harsh winter slows February home sales

Albany, NY - March 24, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Housing sales in New York State slowed during February with closed transactions falling by 5.9 percent compared to February 2013, according to the housing market report released today by the New York State Association of REALTORS. The statewide median sales price continued its growth trend, increasing by nearly 7 percent compared to last February.

Governor Cuomo Announces Support from More Than 225 Local Elected Officials in Push to...

New York,NY - March 24, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced support from more than 225 local elected officials for his plan to cut property taxes

Maloney leads bipartisan coalition against reducing conforming loan limits reduction

WASHINGTON - March 24, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12) today responded to the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s request for public input on a proposal to reduce conforming loan limits, the maximum size of a home mortgage that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac can purchase, with a letter signed by a bipartisan coalition of 35 House members who oppose the change. Maloney, the top Democrat on the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets and Government Sponsored Enterprises, has been highly critical of the FHFA proposal that could result in reduced access to mortgages for middle-class families in high-cost real estate markets like New York

Governor Cuomo Announces Support From 175 Local Elected Officials in Push to Cut Property...

Albany, NY - March 20, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced support from 175 local elected officials for his plan to cut property taxes. The Governor also detailed his proposal to cut property taxes and encourage local governments to reduce costs earlier today at Mohawk Valley Community College in Oneida County.

A.G. Schneiderman And Comptroller DiNapoli Announce Guilty Pleas By Former Troy Housing Authority Employees...

TROY - March 20, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman and Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced today that William Meissner and Roger Rosenthal, former Troy Housing Authority employees, pled guilty to defrauding the New York State Retirement System (NYSRS). Rosenthal retired from the Troy Housing Authority in 2005 and began collecting a full pension with the NYSRS, then went back to working as a supposed ‘consultant’ with the Authority, collecting more than $200,000 in a three-year period in addition to the pension. When the validity of Rosenthal’s ‘consulting’ arrangement with the Housing Authority was questioned, Rosenthal and Meissner submitted a falsified, backdated contract in an effort to cover the illegal retirement payments. As part of today’s plea agreement, Meissner and Rosenthal have paid New York State Retirement System $63,517.41 in restitution

Rep. Maloney applauds Johnson-Crapo housing finance reform proposal

NEW YORK - March 20, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12), Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets and Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSE), today released the following statement on the Johnson-Crapo housing finance reform proposal

WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 12, 2014 – (RealEstateRama) — Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18)...

NEW YORK - March 12, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Reserve Bank of New York today released results from its monthly Survey of Consumer Expectations (SCE) which contains insight into Americans’ views on inflation, prices, the labor market and household finance. February results show that consumer inflation expectations rose slightly in February at both the one-year and the three-year ahead horizon. Median earnings growth expectations remained above 2013 levels. The mean perceived chance of finding a job in three months, if one were to lose their current job today, declined slightly to about 46 percent. Household income and spending growth expectations remained essentially unchanged, as did past and future credit access perceptions.

Maloney Supports Bipartisan Compromise to Reverse Last Congress’ Catastrophic Flood Insurance Hikes

WASHINGTON, D.C. - March 12, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18) strongly supported passage of a bipartisan flood insurance reform bill, which reverses the dramatic flood insurance rate hikes for homeowners. Passed by a vote of 306-91, the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act ends the automatic rate increases caused by events such as property sales and restores grandfathered rates for those who played by the rules and built their properties according to code. This bill also provides a refund for those families who have already been hit by unaffordable premium increases.

Crains NY Business Reports: Deal clears way for $225M apt. tower in Jamaica

WASHINGTON, D.C. - March 12, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Greater Jamaica Development Corp. announced Friday that it has reached a deal to sell BRP Companies a development site near Jamaica station in Queens where the buyer will build a $225 million residential tower with retail space in its base

Why We Are Worth It

WASHINGTON, D.C. - March 4, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Are we worth it? There have always been buyers and sellers who want to go it alone. They are sure that they can save money by not paying a commission. In my experience the reality is somewhat different. Whether as buyers or as sellers, consumers are rarely their own best advocates in a negotiation. Buyers usually pay less, and sellers get more, when they have a knowledgeable real estate agent representing them

Tenants & Neighbors Names Katie Goldstein New Executive Director

NEW YORK, NY - March 3, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Board of Directors of Tenants & Neighbors announces the appointment of Katie Goldstein as Executive Director. Katie has been on staff since 2007, most recently as the Director of Organizing. She succeeds Maggie Russell-Ciardi, who completed seven years of service as executive director

Mangano Directs Assessment Officials To Accept Grievances Until March 7th

WASHINGTON, D.C. - March 3, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- With a pending winter storm, Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano today announced he has directed officials at the Assessment Review Commission (ARC) and Department of Assessment (DOA) to accept property tax assessment grievance filings until Friday, March 7