Government Affairs Headlines from REALTOR.org

HUD: Home Buyer Tax Credit Loans Still on Track

Fri, 22 May 2009 14:42:35 -0400

Detailed guidance on the federal government's plan to provide short-term loans to borrowers using the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit is expected to be out shortly.

Legacy CBMS Eligible Collateral Under TALF

Fri, 22 May 2009 14:41:35 -0400

Federal Reserve Board announced that, starting in July, certain high-quality legacy CMBS will become eligible collateral under the TALF program.

Realtors® Help Buyers, Sellers Navigate Short Sales

Fri, 15 May 2009 14:55:44 -0400

Attendees at the Housing Opportunity Forum at Midyear gain insight on short sales.

Uniform Short Sales Process To Help Struggling Home Owners

Thu, 14 May 2009 14:54:54 -0400

Help is on the way for many home owners who are facing foreclosure, thanks to new details under the Making Home Affordable Program.

NAR Real Estate Summit Draws Media Coverage

Tue, 12 May 2009 14:56:52 -0400

View clips of the media coverage generated by NAR's Real Estate Summit held at the Midyear Meetings in Washington, D.C. on May 12, 2009.

Realtors® Support More HUD Funding

Thu, 7 May 2009 14:52:44 -0400

NAR is pleased that President Obama’s 2010 budget includes increased funding for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and many of its important programs.

NAR Applauds New FHA Head

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 11:20:00 -0400

NAR is pleased that David Stevens, an experienced, successful real estate and mortgage professional, has been nominated to lead the Federal Housing Administration.

NAR Recommends Responsible Lending Principles

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 13:35:14 -0400

President Charles McMillan expressed Realtors® commitment to protecting consumers from unfair lending practices before a congressional subcommittee.

REALTORS® Pledge Assistance for Obama Guidelines on Foreclosure Fixes

Wed, 4 Mar 2009 13:33:42 -0400

Guidelines announced today will be implemented immediately to help struggling homeowners as well as millions of eligible homeowners who have stayed current in their mortgage payments.

NAR Opposes Mortgage Interest Deduction Change

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 14:10:50 -0500

According to NAR, this small section of President Obama's proposed budget could impede the recovery of the real estate markets.

REALTORS® Endorse Recovery Plan

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 09:09:12 -0500

NAR expressed support for President Obama’s economic recovery plan that stresses housing stability, as well lending and foreclosure prevention.
Listen to NAR President's Statement

Realtors® Support Aid to Troubled Homeowners

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:35:15 -0500

NAR commends the Obama administration’s Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan to help homeowners at risk of losing their homes.
About the plan.

President Signs Stimulus Bill

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 16:58:22 -0500

President Obama has signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 into law.

Stimulus Bill Passes House, Senate; President Expected to Sign Soon

Sat, 14 Feb 2009 16:57:06 -0500

The bill is a $780 billion package, with roughly 35% of the package devoted to tax cuts (mostly for 2009) and the rest to spending intended to occur in 2009 and 2010.

Senate Stimulus Bill, Treasury Plan Good Start

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 10:16:57 -0500

NAR hails the Senate for passing its stimulus bill, which now heads to conference committee to reconcile differences between the Senate and House versions.
Compare House and Senate Bills>

Tell Congress to Act on Stimulus

Mon, 9 Feb 2009 09:50:28 -0500

Encourage Congress to make affordable mortgages available and stem foreclosures by supporting new provisions to the Stimulus plan.

More Liquidity Needed in Commercial Real Estate

Fri, 6 Feb 2009 09:44:26 -0500

A severe lack of credit threatens commercial real estate and poses significant risks to the whole economy, according to an NAR work group

Realtors® Urge Congress to Help 'HOPE For Homeowners'

Tue, 3 Feb 2009 09:54:12 -0500

NAR announced its support for legislation designed to ease loan modifications and improve refinancing options for troubled homeowners by revamping the HOPE for Homeowners program.
Read NAR's letter>

Senators Emphasize Housing Stabilization

Tue, 3 Feb 2009 09:56:14 -0500

Five senators ask colleagues to focus on housing in the stimulus package.
Unlock America's Economy>
Hear NAR President's podcast>

Keep Big Banks Out of Real Estate

Mon, 2 Feb 2009 14:24:44 -0500

Congress introduces legislation to prevent big banks from entering real estate.

Stimulus Plan Passes in House

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 14:22:29 -0500

NAR is pleased that the U.S. House of Representatives has passed The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

REALTORS® Welcome President Obama

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 11:56:11 -0500

"On behalf of NAR’s 1.2 million Realtors®, we welcome the new president and pledge to work with him to stabilize the U.S. housing market," NAR President Charles McMillan says.

NAR Continues Push for Comprehensive Strategy

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 11:53:57 -0500

NAR has expressed support for the TARP Reform and Accountability Act (H.R. 384), and will continue to advocate its positions to the new administration and regulatory agencies.

Many Home Buyers Need Higher Loan Limits

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 11:53:15 -0500

The drop in mortgage loan limits is hurting home sales and trade-up activity in higher price ranges.

Effective Implementation Critical to Tax Credit

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 11:52:33 -0500

If all home buyers become eligible for a tax credit without a repayment feature, it could result in an additional 555,000 home sales, according to NAR.

NAR Reiterates Keys to Housing Recovery

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 17:54:23 -0500

In testimony before Congress, NAR President Charles McMillan stressed the importance of restoring confidence in the housing market.

REALTORS® Support Donovan as HUD Head

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 12:32:46 -0500

NAR believes Donovan will bring the strong leadership required at this critical time in the economy and housing market.

Bill to Stabilize Housing Introduced

Fri, 9 Jan 2009 09:54:41 -0500

"The bill proposed by Chairman Frank is an important first step toward launching a real estate recovery," says NAR President Charles McMillan.

NAR to Congress: Increase FHA Funding

Fri, 9 Jan 2009 15:21:16 -0500

In testimony submitted today, NAR President Charles McMillan urged Congress to provide more funding to support FHA programs.

Advisory: Downpayment Clarification

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 14:58:13 -0500

NAR sets the record straight regarding the required size for a mortgage downpayment with four key facts.

NAR: Make Mortgages More Attainable

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 14:58:12 -0500

NAR applauds recent actions making mortgage interest rates more affordable; however, further action is needed.

Fed Action Creates Best Rates in 50 Years

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:58:11 -0500

Interest rates announced by the Federal Reserve Board today will significantly impact housing sales, home valuations, and the nation's overall economy.

NAR Pushes For Interest Rate Buy-Down

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 11:39:47 -0500

NAR seeks a 4.5 percent mortgage interest rate buy-down program financed through the U.S. Treasury Department’s Troubled Asset Relief Program.

REALTORS® Support Donovan Nomination

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 10:36:49 -0500

The National Association of Realtors® applauds President-elect Barack Obama’s selection of Shaun Donovan as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Rate Drop Good, But Government Support Needed

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 13:35:41 -0500

After a recent decrease, NAR urges the federal government to continue to drive down mortgage interest rates and move ahead with housing stimulus action.

NAR to Congress: Housing Key to Recovery

Tue, 9 Dec 2008 16:16:28 -0500

NAR letter urges Congress to pass an economic stimulus package to help stabilize the housing market.

NAR Statement on Possible Treasury Action

Thu, 4 Dec 2008 14:18:17 -0500

NAR is pleased that the Treasury Department is seriously considering actions to lower interest rates, says NAR President Charles McMillan.

Updated Credit Crisis Information and Resources Available

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 11:39:30 -0500

NAR closely monitors Federal Government response to continuing credit crisis.

NAR Supports Fed's Debt Purchase Plan

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:00:54 -0600

In a four-point plan submitted to Congress last month, NAR called for the Treasury Department to purchase mortgage-backed securities (MBS) from banks.

New Weekly Washington Report Released

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 10:33:00 -0500

This week's The Washington Report explores current issues, including the newly published RESPA regulations.

NAR Calls Separation of Banking and Commerce Critical

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:11:43 -0500

In a letter to Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke, NAR expressed concern over GMAC's application for bank holding company status.

Realtors® Tell Congress Increased Housing Demand Will Stabilize the Market

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:04:13 -0500

National Association of Realtors® recommends a four-point plan to stimulate home sales and stabilize housing valuations.

Deadline Nears to Appeal New FHA Loan Limits

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:14:12 -0500

In a letter announcing the new loan limits, FHA also explained how to contest the new limits. Appeals must be made by December 6, 2008.

HUD Issues Final RESPA Rule

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:05:21 -0500

HUD publishes the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) final rule.

Eye on the Hill: NAR Urges Congress to Consider New Housing Stimulus Package

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 11:17:41 -0500

NAR presses Congress to act on a new stimulus package to help stabilize the housing market and give a boost to the sagging economy.

President Signs $700 Billion Rescue Bill

Fri, 3 Oct 2008 11:58:46 -0500

NAR applauds quick action to stop the economic turmoil many Americans face.

House Passes Economic Stability Act

Fri, 3 Oct 2008 09:00:14 -0500

In a recent statement, National Association of Realtors® President Richard F. Gaylord urges swift action by President Bush on the Economic Stability Act.

NAR Salutes Housing Provisions as a Victory for Veterans

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 12:56:47 -0500

Legislation's provisions are critical to helping veterans during the current housing turmoil.

NAR Comments on Actions to Stabilize The Secondary Mortgage Market

Mon, 8 Sep 2008 13:03:56 -0500

National Association of Realtors® President Richard F. Gaylord issues a statement on Treasury and Federal Housing Authority actions designed to calm the market.