HUD CHARGES ALABAMA LANDLORD AND MANAGER WITH HOUSING DISCRIMINATION

WASHINGTON, DC - December 22, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced that it is charging a Marshall County, Alabama, trailer owner and rental manager with discriminating against a white family by disconnecting water service and forcing them to leave because the manager objected to interracial dating. According to the complaint, Phillip Maze, rental agent for his mother Opal Maze, told a HUD investigator, “I do not have any blacks on my property and I am aware that we have a biracial president, but no federal law will make me rent to anyone I do not want to.”

Governor Riley Awards Additional $30.6 Million in Economic Stimulus Funding to Weatherize Homes

MONTGOMERY - July 23, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Bob Riley has awarded an additional $30.6 million in economic stimulus funds to help thousands of low-income residents across Alabama reduce their home energy costs. The grants also are intended to stimulate employment opportunities for the construction industry.

Secretary Donovan announces Recovery Act Funds to support community development in Alabama

First award made under the Recovery CDBG program will revitalize neighborhoods and create jobs. WASHINGTON - July 7, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — In an effort to stimulate community development and job growth, U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced $1.8 million in funding to Birmingham, Alabama through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). The announcement came at the HUD field office in Birmingham, where the Secretary was joined by Congressman Artur Davis.

Shelby Co-Sponsors Disaster State Housing Recover Act

June 23, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Today, U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, joined Senator Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) in introducing the Disaster State Housing Recovery Act. This bill ensures that states with GO Zone or Heartland Act credits, such as Alabama, are treated as Congress intended when it provided the special allocations of credits to aid in their recovery from recent natural disasters

Grand Opening of Jordan’s Gate Creates 48 Affordable, Single-Family Homes for Families in Opelika,...

OPELIKA, AL - June 3, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Local families showcased their new homes as part of the grand opening celebration for Jordan’s Gate, a 26-acre, newly built community of 48 single-family homes for low-income residents in Opelika, Ala. Located in the Jeter neighborhood, the $9.3 million development is the result of a partnership between Enterprise Community Partners, Enterprise Community Investment, Inc. (Enterprise), The Bennett Group LLC, the Greater Peace Baptist Church and the Greater Peace Community Development Corporation (GPCDC). In addition to the homes, the site includes a clubhouse, playgrounds, and fitness and computer centers for residential use.

Top Ways to Add Value to Your Home

May 26, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Americans spent over $216 billion on home remodeling in 2008, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

Summer Board Meeting Registration Open

May 20, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — HBAA members can register online for the 2009 Summer Board Meeting, taking place July 23-25 at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Destin, Florida. All members and their families are invited to attend

HUNTSVILLE TEAM WINS FOUNDATION CLASSIC

May 18, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — A team representing the Huntsville/Madison County Builders Association captured the Foundation Cup in the Fifteenth Annual Alabama Home Builders Foundation/US Gypsum/Davis Plumbing Co. Golf Classic. The tournament was held on May 14, 2009 at the Robert Trent Jones-Capitol Hill Course in Prattville.

Online Registration for Golf Classic Closed; On-Site Registration Available

May 14, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Registration continues for the 15th Annual Alabama Home Builders Foundation/US Gypsum/Davis Plumbing Co. Golf Classic. The tournament will take place this Thursday, May 14 at the Robert Trent Jones-Capitol Hill Course in Prattville.

Sign Up Now for Thursday’s Foundation Golf Classic

May 12, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — There's still time to register for the 15th Annual Alabama Home Builders Foundation/US Gypsum/Davis Plumbing Co. Golf Classic. The tournament will take place this Thursday, May 14 at the Robert Trent Jones-Capitol Hill Course in Prattville.

After the Storm: Getting Help with Your Repairs and Remodeling Work

May 12, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Stormy weather is a frequent event in Alabama this time of year, and tornadoes, strong winds, and flooding can cause major damage to your home. Whether you have minor repairs or major remodeling work to be done, follow these guidelines for hiring a professional to help your home recover from storm damage.

Golf Classic Two Weeks Away

April 30, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — There's just two weeks left until the 15th Annual Alabama Home Builders Foundation/US Gypsum/Davis Plumbing Co. Golf Classic. The tournament will take place on Thursday, May 14 at the Robert Trent Jones-Capitol Hill Course in Prattville.

ALABAMA HOME BUILDERS FOUNDATION AWARDS 85 SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDENTS THROUGHOUT ALABAMA

April 23, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — The Alabama Home Builders Foundation, the charitable arm of the Home Builders Association of Alabama, recently awarded scholarships to 85 students in Alabama. The scholarships were given to students who desire to study the building trades or construction-related curricula at two-year, four-year and technical colleges throughout the state.

Foot Traffic Up as Home Buying Becomes More Affordable

April 16, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Thanks to record low mortgage rates and declining home prices, 55 million families — or half of all U.S. households — can afford today's $200,000 median-priced new home, according to figures released by NAHB

Planning for Aging-in-Place Remodeling on the Rise

April 15, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — More remodeling clients are planning ahead and opting to alter their homes for aging-in-place, according to recent data gathered by the National Association of Home Builders' Remodelers. Seventy percent of remodelers surveyed reported making universal design home modifications, a significant bump from 60 percent in 2006.

The Web Can Make Your New Home Search Much Easier

April 10, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — If you're thinking about buying a new home but are unsure where to start, the solution could be as close as your personal computer. If you have Internet access, a wealth of information to help you in the home buying process is right at your fingertips.

It’s Air-Conditioner Check-Up Time

April 08, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — It seems like spring brings so many little house chores. Once we're able to throw the windows open, we get the spring cleaning bug. It starts with cleaning out the closets and goes through to moving the furniture to dust and vacuum places you haven't seen in a year. Some people even continue outside with a fresh coat of paint, minor house maintenance and finally spring planting and yard work.

Tax Credit Spurs First-Time Home Buyers, Survey Finds

April 06, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Of the households participating in a Move, Inc. telephone survey in March who said they plan to buy a home this year, 18.1% indicated that they would be doing so in order to take advantage of the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit in the stimulus package enacted in February.

Alabama Home Buyers’ Initiative Bill Passes House, Goes to Governor

April 01, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — The Alabama House of Representatives passed the Home Buyers Initiative Act (SB 367) on Tuesday. On a vote of 101 to 0, the measure has cleared its last legislative hurdle and now heads to Governor Riley for signature.

Alabama Remodeling Excellence Awards Presented

March 23, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Remodelers from around the state have been honored with the 2009 Alabama Remodeling Excellence Awards (AREA). The awards were presented at the 2009 AREA banquet on Saturday, March 21 at the Marriott Legends at Capitol Hill in Prattville.