New York RealEstateRama

Albany, NY - April 22, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The New York State housing market posted a solid first quarter of 2013 with gains in closed sales, median sales price and pending sales compared to the 2012 first quarter, according to the housing market report released today by the New York State Association of REALTORS. The statewide inventory of homes for sale continued to decline, reaching its lowest point since January 2006

New York, NY - April 18, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that a New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) investigation has produced an additional settlement with a major force-placed insurer, QBE, which requires the company to implement New York’s nation-leading reforms to help better protect homeowners from abuse in this industry.

EUGENE, OR - April 18, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Horizon Property Management Group, LLC Broker Linda Okonzak has partnered with IDX, Inc. to deliver potential buyers a dynamic and simplified real estate resource. Searching for a home has never been easier for New York home seekers, as the New York State Alliance MLS (NYSAM) listings are now seamlessly integrated onto the search page Okonzak hosts, giving buyers thousands of options to consider in their real estate search

Albany, NY - April 17, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today called on Congress and the Administration to reject proposals included in federal budget discussions that would cost New York taxpayers billions of dollars on their annual tax bill.

EUGENE, OR - April 17, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- IDX, Inc. welcomes Linda LaFaro to the ever-expanding networks of agents and brokers dedicated to transforming the online real estate search on their professional websites. As a member of the Empire Access MLS (EAMLS), LaFaro has long had access to thousands of detailed property listings. Now, his clients and other Mamaroneck, New York home seekers can experience the same level of accessibility to the EAMLS. IDX Broker has forever changed the way potential buyers search for homes online

New York, N.Y. - April 16, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Museum of the City of New York, which recently opened Making Room: New Models for Housing New Yorkers, will host a panel of urban planners and experts – including New York City Housing Commissioner Mathew Wambua – on Thursday, April 18, 2013.

New York, NY - April 15, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Museum of the City of New York, which recently opened Making Room: New Models for Housing New Yorkers, will host a panel of urban planners and experts – including New York City Housing Commissioner Mathew Wambua – on Thursday, April 18, 2013. The event will involve a discussion about the future of “micro-apartments” in the city. Recently, Mayor Bloomberg announced the winner of the city’s AdAPT design competition, an innovative structure of 55 micro-units to be built on East 27th Street in Manhattan. The panel will discuss the project, the larger goals of the adAPT initiative, and the strategies for providing small living spaces in New York City

WASHINGTON, DC - April 15, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Rep. Michael G. Grimm (R,C-NY) issued the following statement on the upcoming FDA ruling on allowing generic opioids, such as OxyContin and Opan, to hit the market this Tuesday

EW YORK - April 15, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Disaster assistance to New York survivors of Hurricane Sandy has reached nearly $3.2 billion, including

Albany, NY - April 12, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the New York Power Authority (NYPA) financed and completed 83 energy efficiency projects in 2012 at public facilities throughout New York State. The upgrades, totaling more than $88 million, will provide annual energy savings of $6.4 million to New York taxpayers. The projects will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 34,000 tons a year, equivalent to removing more than 6,400 cars from the road.

Albany - April 12, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Many local REALTOR boards/associations and their members across New York State and the country will be showing homes to the public as part of the REALTOR Nationwide Open House Weekend, April 20-21, 2013. REALTORS from Long Island to Buffalo will assist local sellers in showcasing their homes and interested buyers will have an opportunity to visit houses in their area without having to make an appointment for a showing.

New York, NY - April 11, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) today recognized Binghamton University of the State University of New York with a High Performance Building plaque for exceptionally high energy efficiency at its Engineering and Science Building. The building is rated to perform 44 percent above the energy code, and energy efficiency measures save $370,000 in costs annually.

New York, NY - April 11, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today revealed that there are over 1,100 dams considered “high” and “significant” hazards in Upstate New York, and more than three-quarters do not have an emergency action plan (EAP) to protect local homes, businesses and human life should dam breakage and subsequent flooding occur. Dams are a vital part of our nation’s aging infrastructure and provide enormous benefits to Upstate New Yorkers, including flood protection, drinking water, renewable hydroelectric power, navigation, irrigation, and recreation. Yet many of these hazardous dams are nearly a century old, and with the spring thaw fast-approaching, the risk to the surrounding community is too great to ignore

Albany, NY - April 11, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), at the request of the State of New York, has approved a 17-day extension to the Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program, which allows eligible survivors from Superstorm Sandy who cannot return to their homes to stay in participating hotels or motels

New York, NY - April 11, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- As part of the New York City Housing Authority’s goal to enhance customer service, it has launched an online service tool for Public Housing and Section 8 Voucher applicants. The NYCHA Housing Application Self-Service Portal allows applicants to check the status of a current Public Housing or Section 8 Voucher application (the Section 8 list is currently closed and no new applications are being accepted). Also, New York City residents can now apply for public housing online.

NEW YORK, NY - April 9, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The New York City residential sales market got off to a strong start in 2013 with an increase in activity and a jump in median sales prices citywide, despite the lack of inventory, according to The Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY)’s First Quarter New York City Residential Sales Report.

New York, NY - April 9, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) today announced the sale of a 110,000 square foot parcel of underutilized, City owned property in the Mill Basin neighborhood of Brooklyn to Bical Development, Inc. The developer will construct a 114,000 square foot building and a separate 4,000 square foot building at the site, located next to an existing Toys “R” Us store at 2875 Flatbush Avenue. The new buildings will be used to house Kristal Auto Mall, which includes an automobile dealership, repair center, inventory storage area and related office space. Currently located in Canarsie, Kristal Auto Mall will move their operations to Mill Basin as part of this transaction, creating approximately 80 construction jobs while maintaining and ultimately expanding their current workforce.

Albany, NY - April 9, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that his Administration is demanding that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac change restrictive guidelines which could hit thousands of Superstorm Sandy victims with large spikes in their mortgage payments. Fannie and Freddie’s current policies could result in a typical family being forced to make an immediate balloon mortgage payment of more than $6,000 or see a monthly payment spike of more than $500 or 50 percent.

Washington, DC - April 9, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY-16) announced the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is awarding $108,175 in grant money to the Village of Pelham Manor. The Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) – administered through DHS and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) – is designed to help municipalities boost preparedness in response to fire and related hazards. The Pelham Manor Fire Department will receive the funds to purchase 18 sets of SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus) Units

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 8, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), senior member of the House Financial Services committee and Ranking Member of its Capital Markets Subcommittee, today wrote the Comptroller of the Currency and the Chairman of the Federal Reserve following a recently released GAO report on the Independent Foreclosure Review (IFR) process and the regulators’ disclosure in late March that it would be an additional four to eight weeks before these borrowers receive payments under the IFR settlement with major banks announced in January.

Hauppauge, NY - April 8, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, County Executive Steven Bellone announced that applications for a competitive grant and loan program will be made available on April 5, 2013 for construction-ready municipal and private sewer infrastructure expansion projects within Suffolk County. With less than 25% of Suffolk County currently served by sewage treatment facilities, this program will assist in expanding sewers, protecting the drinking water supply and spurring economic development

ATLANTA - April 4, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- IHG® (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON: IHG, NYSE: IHG (ADRs)] one of the world’s largest hotel companies announces the opening of the new Holiday Inn® NYC - Lower East Side, in the thriving Lower East Side neighborhood close to major businesses, universities and Manhattan attractions.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 5, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today launched a two-pronged plan to help ensure that veterans returning home to Staten Island from Iraq and Afghanistan are receiving critical benefits that will allow them to afford a home and live stable civilian lives. Schumer highlighted data that shows that more than one in three veterans on Staten Island have not applied for the property tax benefit for veterans that is available to them and worth hundreds of dollars a year, and a disconnect in communication between the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and localities that administer federal and state benefits are to blame

BUFFALO, NY - April 3, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that a federal grand jury in Buffalo has returned an indictment charging 12 defendants with conspiracy to traffic 280 grams or more of cocaine base and 500 grams or more of cocaine within the Perry Housing Projects. The defendants are also accused of utilizing three apartments within the Perry Housing Projects and a juvenile to further their drug trafficking activities.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 3, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- New report from NYU's Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy finds New York City home prices rose two percent in the final quarter of 2012, while foreclosure activity increased 53 percent over the final quarter of 2011; The Bronx sees promising signs of renewed building activity