New York RealEstateRama

Mayor de Blasio today announced three new solar installations on City buildings as part of the Administration’s green buildings plan, taking another step toward dramatically reducing the City’s contributions to climate change. The three solar installations, completed by the Department of Citywide Administrative Services in collaboration with the Department of Design and Construction and other City agencies, are located at City Hall, the Port Richmond Wastewater Treatment Plant, and Daniel D. Tompkins Elementary School in Staten Island

In celebration of Earth Week, Metropolitan Transportation Authority Chairman Thomas F. Prendergast (left) and New York Power Authority President and CEO Gil C. Quiniones commemorate the completion of a $25 million energy efficiency project in Grand Central Terminal. The energy saving measures will save the landmark facility $2.5 million in annual energy costs and reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions by more than 11,200 tons a year, the equivalent of removing roughly 2,140 cars from the road

U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today urged the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to extend the HOME Investment Partnership Program expenditure period for the City of Buffalo. Schumer and Gillibrand said that the program is set to expire June 30, 2015 but should be extended for eight months, until February 29, 2016, due to the fact that many projects were delayed by unforeseen circumstances. Schumer and Gillibrand explained that the funds to finance numerous community projects were authorized through the HOME Program in FY 2010 and included the construction, purchase, and rehabilitation of several affordable housing projects.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced today that it has engaged Dr. Cheryl Martin, a globally recognized expert in energy technology and innovation, to lead a critical aspect of New York State's comprehensive Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) strategy

The New York State Senate today passed a measure that would help caregivers receive the necessary resources to deliver care to older adults and others with long term health needs in a home setting. The CARE Act (S676A) sponsored by Senator Kemp Hannon (R, Nassau), would reduce future hospitalizations of patients by ensuring that caregivers are involved in and educated about patients’ needs and how to best meet them once they leave the hospital.

With two weeks to go until the special election in the 43rd Assembly District, New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer endorsed Diana Richardson, who is running on the Working Families Party line, from the steps of City Hall

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced, as part of Earth Week, the completion of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s largest-ever energy-efficiency project, which will save $2.5 million in annual energy costs at Grand Central Terminal

This morning (Tuesday) on the steps of City Hall, NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer will endorse Diana Richardson, the candidate on the Working Families Party ballot line, for the open seat in the special election in the 43rd AD

The New York Department of State will hold a public meeting followed immediately by a public hearing on April 30, 2015 at 10:30a.m., regarding the profession of real estate salespersons and brokers.

On the Monday of Earth Week, New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer released a report detailing new market research and growing investor consensus that now is the time to implement a Green Bond program in New York City.

Near the site of a recent “swatting” attack on Park Avenue in Rochester, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced legislation to crack down on an alarming new nationwide crime trend called “swatting” that has recently emerged as a problem in Rochester. Schumer explained that “swatting” is an incident in which a fake phone call is made in an effort to have police SWAT teams respond to an unsuspecting resident’s home. Schumer said these false alerts are not only terrifying residents, but they are also costing law enforcement departments thousands of dollars and putting at risk both first responders and innocent bystanders.

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today issued an open letter urging participants in the New York residential real estate market to take advantage of a recent change to the State’s Real Property Law confirming that real estate agents may rebate a portion of their commissions to clients. Attorney General Schneiderman’s letter explains that this change, which his office helped initiate, has the potential to reinvigorate price competition among real estate brokers in New York. His letter also emphasizes that his office will investigate any allegations of discrimination against brokers engaged in rebating

New York State's weeklong celebration of Earth Day will launch on Monday, April 20 with an announcement of conservation grants to land trusts statewide at an event on Monday with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Land Trust Alliance. Many representatives from land trusts around the state will be in attendance

Highway construction work is resumed on two transportation projects along Route 5 & 20 (Hamilton Street) in the city and town of Geneva, Ontario County this week. The $3.7 million project to rehabilitate the bridge carrying Hamilton Street over Norfolk Southern Railroad began in 2014. Traffic is reduced to a single lane.

USA, the International Real Estate Federation – U.S. Chapter held a luncheon in the private delegates’ dining room at the United Nations facility in New York City on Friday, March 27, 2015, to address the continuing need for cross-border cooperation in international property markets. FIABCI enjoys special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and regularly address real estate issues at UN offices around the world

Gil C. Quiniones, president and CEO of the New York Power Authority (NYPA) will join Syracuse Mayor Stephanie A. Miner and state and local officials on Wednesday, April 22, at 10 a.m. to discuss implementation of the recently unveiled Syracuse Energy Plan, which will reduce overall energy costs and carbon emissions, advance energy sustainability and support clean energy technologies and jobs

Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown will be joined by representatives of the New York Power Authority (NYPA) and state and local officials on Thursday, April 23, at 2 p.m. to formally kick off implementation of the recently unveiled Buffalo Energy Plan, which will reduce overall energy costs and carbon emissions, advance energy sustainability and support clean energy technologies and jobs.

Congressman Charles B. Rangel, who represents the 13th Congressional District of New York that includes Upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx, spoke on the House floor in opposition to H.R. 1105, which would repeal the Estate Tax. Below is the transcript of his remarks

Currently, if an individual’s assets exceed the specified federal exemption amount at his or her death, these assets are taxed at a rate of 40% before they can be passed on to surviving family members. For Central New Yorkers, these “assets” are often a small business or family farm – and a death tax bill only makes a family’s loss even more devastating.

The Department of Financial Services (DFS) Mobile Command Center will be in two sites in Queens to provide foreclosure prevention assistance to financially struggling homeowners and help answer questions related to insurance issues. DFS representatives will be available to meet homeowners at these locations:

New York Mortgage Trust, Inc. (Nasdaq:NYMT) today announced that it priced a public offering of 3,600,000 shares of its 7.875% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the "Series C Preferred Stock"), liquidation preference $25.00 per share, for gross proceeds of $90,000,000, before deducting underwriting discounts and offering expenses.

Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced that his office has issued a cease and desist letter to LeRay 300, LLC, a Virginia-based company owned by Jeffrey S. Lewis, also of Virginia. The business operates as a rental property company near Fort Drum under the name of Woodcliff Community. The letter orders Woodcliff Community to immediately cease charging service members illegal fees in violation of the Servicemember Civil Relief Act and collecting undisclosed, non-refundable "reservation deposits" in violation of New York State law, among other allegations.

U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will provide $12,359 in federal funding for the Franklin County Community Housing Council. This money will be provided through HUD’s Housing Counseling Program to help these organizations improve financial literacy, expand homeownership opportunities, improve access to affordable housing, and preserve homeownership for residents

Mayor Bill de Blasio, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, and Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development Alicia Glen today announced the launch of the Jamaica Now Action Plan, which outlines 21 strategic actions for the revitalization and growth of Jamaica, Queens into a thriving residential and commercial neighborhood.

The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Commissioner Vicki Been, and New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Deputy Commissioner Kerri Jew were joined by the New York State Association for Affordable Housing (NYSAFAH), the Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group, Holland & Knight, and the Minority Business Development Institute (MBDI) to celebrate the completion of the inaugural series of capacity building workshops designed specifically for Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs).