YOUNGSTOWN, OH - January 27, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, with nearly a quarter of Mahoning Valley mortgages underwater, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) called for immediate Congressional action to reverse a tax increase imposed on struggling homeowners that began January 1. Before the New Year, Senate Republicans refused to take up and pass legislation that would have relieved, for one year, the requirement for homeowners to pay taxes on mortgage debt forgiveness resulting from mortgage modifications, or short sales. Unless the plan Brown supports is passed, principal reductions that homeowners receive on their loans through mortgage modifications or short sales will be treated as income by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)—sticking already struggling homeowners with tax bills that they may be unable to afford

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 27, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- In an effort to strengthen our economy and increase the supply of affordable rental housing across the country, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and 32 of his colleagues sent a letter to Mel Watt, the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), urging him to end the suspension of contributions to the National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF) and the Capital Magnet Fund (CMF) within all applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 24, 2014 - (RealEstateRama) -- A Newark brownfield is ready for redevelopment at the former Newark Processing property, 1367 E. Main St., thanks to the partnership of Ohio EPA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (U.S. ACE) and the city of Newark. Together, they helped protect the Licking River, prevent exposure to solid waste and prepare the site for reuse

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 17, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- New federal resources will provide for the construction of 43 units of affordable rental housing in Brown County. U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced today that Ashley Grove Senior Residence in Brown County will receive an $837,000 loan from the USDA Rural Development branch’s Rural Rental Housing Guaranteed Loan program.

COLUMBUS - January 17, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) Board recognized the departure of a long-standing member yesterday. Henry Warren, Jr. retired after serving on the OHFA Board since 2008. During his tenure, Mr. Warren served on several committees including finance and single-family. The OHFA Board recognized Mr. Warren's service with a commemorative plaque.

JACKSON, Ohio - January 15, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today announced a lawsuit against Johnny Poe, a Wellston home improvement contractor accused of performing shoddy and incomplete work.

TOLEDO, OH - January 10, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, with more than 33 percent of Lucas County mortgages underwater, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) called for immediate Congressional action to reverse a tax increase imposed on struggling homeowners that began January 1. Before the New Year, Senate Republicans refused to take up and pass legislation that would have relieved, for one year, the requirement for homeowners to pay taxes on mortgage debt forgiveness resulting from mortgage modifications, or short sales.

COLUMBUS - January 9, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Reports are surfacing across the state that many homeowners experienced ruptured water pipes due to the recent severe cold weather, resulting in damage to their property. Lieutenant Governor and Insurance Director Mary Taylor is offering insurance tips to assist homeowner’s with the claim filings process.

CLEVELAND, OH - January 7, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, with more than one-quarter of Cuyahoga County mortgages underwater, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) called for immediate Congressional action to reverse a tax increase imposed on struggling homeowners that began January 1. Before the New Year, Senate Republicans refused to take up and pass legislation that would have relieved, for one year, the requirement for homeowners to pay taxes on mortgage debt forgiveness resulting from mortgage modifications, or short sales. Unless the plan Brown supports is passed, principal reductions that homeowners receive on their loans through mortgage modifications or short sales will be treated as income by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)—sticking already struggling homeowners with tax bills that they may be unable to afford.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - December 23, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today warned independent sales consultants and at-home sellers to beware of scam artists posing as hearing-impaired customers in a twist to the counterfeit check scam.

COLUMBUS - December 20, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- A study funded by the Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) examined Cornerstone Corporation for Shared Equity's unique property management system that incentivizes renters to fulfill their rental commitments while building financial assets, engaging in community improvement, and maintaining their place of residence in Cincinnati, Ohio

COLUMBUS - December 20, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) Board approved $2.4 million through the Housing Development Assistance Program (HDAP) to provide flexible, low-interest financing for affordable housing developments across the state. Funding for HDAP comes from the federal HOME program and the Ohio Housing Trust Fund (OHTF)

COLUMBUS, Ohio - December 20, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today announced that Ohio is part of the $2.1 billion multi-state settlement with the nation’s fourth largest mortgage servicer, Ocwen Financial Corporation of Atlanta, Georgia, and its subsidiary, Ocwen Loan Servicing. The settlement was agreed to by 49 states, the District of Columbia, and the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (CFPB)

COLUMBUS, Ohio - December 20, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today joined Attorneys General from 41 States and Territories in urging Congress to once again pass legislation extending tax relief for distressed homeowners who receive relief from the National Mortgage Settlement. The request was made in a letter sent to House Speaker John Boehner, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and other leaders of the House and Senate.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 11, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) recognizes the state of Ohio and the Ohio School Facilities Commission (OSFC) on the LEED® certification of the 100th public school building in the state. Ohio leads the country with more LEED-certified public schools than any other state, with hundreds more in the LEED pipeline

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 10, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- An Ironton brownfield is ready for redevelopment after undergoing an investigation and remediation through Ohio EPA’s Voluntary Action Program (VAP), thanks to the voluntary efforts of the city of Ironton, the current owner.

Torrance, CA - December 10, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Partner Engineering and Science, Inc. (Partner), a national engineering, environmental and energy consulting firm with offices in Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio, has been rated the number one service provider of Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) in Ohio and nationally for the third-quarter of 2013 by Environmental Data Resources, Inc. (EDR) ScoreKeeper – the nationwide market monitor for the environmental due diligence industry.

CLEVELAND, OH - December 3, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- With winter months closing in, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), a senior member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, outlined a plan today that would further support the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) goal of ending veteran homelessness by 2015. While significant progress is being made, many hurdles still exist for chronically homeless veterans wanting to find housing

COLUMBUS - November 21, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Ohio Housing Finance Agency Board of Directors today approved $5,000,000 through the Housing Development Loan program to provide flexible, low-interest financing for affordable housing development across the state. The HDL program provides financial assistance for the development and rehabilitation of affordable housing and is funded through unclaimed funds from the Ohio Department of Commerce

ELYRIA, OH - November 14, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today announced lawsuits against two Northeast Ohio home improvement contractors. The lawsuits accuse Mark Walker of Avon, and his business, All American Restoration, and Wayne Given of Silver Lake, doing business as Basement Waterproofing Solutions, of failure to deliver and performing shoddy work.