New York RealEstateRama

Driven by a very strong second quarter, home sales were up by 15.4 percent though the first six months of 2016 compared to the first half of 2015, according to the housing market report released today by the New York State Association of REALTORS. The statewide median sales price increased by 2.2 percent compared to a year ago at the end of the June

Rochester’s Cornerstone Group, Ltd., New York State Homes and Community Renewal, PathStone Corporation, Community Preservation Corporation, and partners today announced the opening of Long Pond Senior Housing, the first phase of a 120-unit housing development in the Town of Greece that provides 54 one and two-bedroom apartments with support services to help income-eligible and frail seniors remain independent.

The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), in partnership with the Department of Housing and Preservation (HPD), is releasing a request for expressions of interest (RFEI) for the long-term lease and redevelopment of an approximately 158,000 square foot site along the Harlem River in the South Bronx. The site is currently vacant and represents a unique opportunity to create an iconic gateway for the southwest Bronx, connect residents to the Harlem River waterfront, and support the growth of the Lower Concourse neighborhood. 

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today awarded $5.4 million to help New York families living in public housing and those participating in HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher Program connect with services to further their education, find good jobs, and to set them on a path to self-sufficiency. The award is part of a larger $75 million announcement nationwide. Read more about the local impact of the grants announced today.

RoAnn M. Destito, New York State Office of General Services Commissioner today announced bidding for nine construction contracts listed below by county

RoAnn M. Destito, New York State Office of General Services Commissioner today announced that new construction bids have been awarded in the below counties. The awards are described in the listing below. The contracts are expected to be awarded to the apparent low bidders following review and approval by the State Comptroller's Office.

The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Vicki Been and New York City Housing Development Corporation President Gary Rodney today announced the opening of the Housing Connect lottery for 151 affordable apartments in the 3160 Park Avenue development. The new building is currently being constructed on once vacant land in the Melrose section of the Bronx at the intersection of Park Avenue and st 161

Ulster County Executive Mike Hein signed into law legislation that he previously proposed to enhance real property tax exemptions available to Ulster County Veterans. Based upon new exemption levels recently adopted by the New York State Legislature, this legislation ensures that Ulster County continues to grant its Veterans the most up-to-date exemptions allowable under New York State Real Property Tax Law.

The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Vicki Been and New York City Housing Development Corporation President Gary Rodney today announced the opening of the Housing Connect lottery for 259 affordable apartments in the Gateway Elton development. The homes are located at 1062 Elton Street and 475 Locke Street in the Spring Creek section of East New York in Brooklyn

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced new plans to address tenant harassment and other housing issues facing New Yorkers. In a move to strengthen legal enforcement efforts, the Attorney General created a new team to enhance and streamline his office’s resources to combat tenant harassment, deceptive lending practices, deed theft, bank fraud, and other housing issues facing constituents.

The Urban Land Institute (ULI), a global research and education institute dedicated to responsible land use and building thriving communities, has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the New York Community Trust to raise awareness and encourage the use of resilient building practices in New York City, and to foster a greater understanding among the public and private sector nationwide regarding the many benefits of building for resilience.

New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Commissioner Vicki Been reminds property owners and managing agents of multifamily residential buildings and certain one- and two- family homes of their obligation to annually register their properties with HPD. City agencies rely on the contact information supplied in the registration for all official notifications, including notices of violation, as well as emergency notices in the event of an emergency at the property or a citywide emergency.

Congressman Eliot Engel, a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, called on Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julián Castro to issue regulations swiftly to allow co-op owners to take part in HUD’s Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) program

Mayor Bill de Blasio; U.S. Senator Chuck E. Schumer; Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito; Council Members Daniel Garodnick, Daneek Miller and Donovan Richards; a number of not-for-profit organizations; and Goldman Sachs as financing partner, today announced the purchase of 24 distressed mortgages for one- to four-family homes – with a total of 41 residential units – in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and on Staten Island.

HPD today joined Dunn Development Corp., State officials, elected representatives, and community leaders to announce the opening of Bergen Saratoga Apartments at 331 Saratoga Avenue, an 80-unit new construction affordable and supportive housing project in the Brownsville neighborhood in Brooklyn.

MERSCORP Holdings, Inc. today announced the Appellate Division of the Fourth Judicial Department in New York unanimously overturned the trial court’s order and found that a mortgage for which MERS was the original mortgagee was valid, and granted J.P. Morgan Chase Bank’s (the “Bank”) motion for summary judgment in its’ foreclosure action.

The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance is alerting new homeowners—and those who recently purchased their homes—to a change in the School Tax Relief (STAR) program. These homeowners—including all who purchased their primary residence after August 1, 2015—must register for STAR with New York State instead of applying with their assessor. Property owners who bought their home before May 1, 2014, will continue to receive the STAR exemption and don’t need to take any action

In a victory for communities across New York State that are still struggling to recover from the foreclosure crisis, both houses of the Legislature passed two pieces of legislation that, combined, will have a tangible impact on upstate and Long Island communities still struggling to recover from neighborhood blight caused by the recession and the foreclosure crisis. Today, Governor Cuomo signed these two important pieces of legislation into law

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced today that his office reached settlement agreements with two real estate brokerage firms for engaging in discrimination against prospective New York City tenants using rental assistance vouchers. An investigation into Lori & Associates LI Realty Inc. (Lori & Associates) and Rapid Realty Bedford Stuyvesant (RBS) found that both companies discriminated against potential New York City applicants with Living In Communities (“LINC”) III rental assistance vouchers.

Upon the completion of the 2016 Legislative Session, Empire Justice Center was excited to see significant strides in addressing wage theft, and two huge victories that will impact the ongoing effects of the forclosure crisis on homeowners and communities.  At the same time, the organization also expressed incredible disappointment that, for the third year in a row, essential protections for crime and domestic violence victims were not enacted by the New York State Senate.

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced new consumer tips released by his office aimed at helping New York homeowners become more savvy about home solar electric-generating systems. The consumer tips – entitled “Going Solar: Tips and Considerations for Homeowners” – provides information for New York homeowners on the different types of solar contracts available – such as solar purchases, solar leases, and power purchase agreements (PPA’s), and information for how to evaluate solar companies and their proposals. The tips also provide an overview of important parts of solar contracts and the steps required before solar can be installed on a home.

With a nearly 10-percent increase in home sales compared to May 2015, the New York State housing market posted its 16th consecutive month of growth compared to the same month in the prior year, according to the housing market report released today by the New York State Association of REALTORS. The statewide median sales price grew by 3.2 percent compared to a year ago.

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano announces that a Veterans Stand Down will be held on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at American Legion, 160 Marvin Avenue in Hempstead. The Stand Down, from 10am – 2pm, is hosted by the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency (VSA) with assistance from volunteers representing all service organizations

Senator Says Residents Have Tried for Years to Get CSX to Help Fix Pooling Water In & Around CSX Tracks; Now Pooling is A Mosquito-Breeding Haven

Speaker Carl Heastie, Judiciary Committee Chair Helene Weinstein, Banks Committee Chair Annette Robinson and Assemblymember Michelle Schimel today announced the passage of legislation that is part of a three-way agreement to combat the rising problem of abandoned residential properties by creating new obligations for mortgage owners and lenders to maintain property which has been rendered vacant and abandoned