Homeowners

In-State Tuition, Foreclosure Protection Among Bills Signed by Governor

May 26, 2009 -- WATERLOO – A day after Americans observed Memorial Day, Iowa Governor Chet Culver visited the Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum to sign four bills into law to benefit veterans and service members.

The legislation signed by Governor Culver includes enabling veterans to pay in-state college tuition in Iowa and strengthening foreclosure protections for families of Iowans on active duty.    » read more »

(May 21, 2009 - Newark, NJ) - Summer is nearly here, which will likely mean higher electric bills as people turn on fans and air conditioners to help keep cool. Demand for electricity can also increase if you have house guests or children home for the summer. The following tips can help you plan ahead and control energy costs:

• Use ceiling fans in the counter-clockwise direction to create a wind-chill effect, making you feel cooler. In addition, whole-house fans that bring in cooler night-time air can pre-cool a house and reduce energy use in the daytime if heat is kept out by closing windows and shades.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- Carbon monoxide (CO) is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the U.S. Currently only 22 U.S. states have state-wide statutes requiring carbon monoxide alarms in residences. UTC Fire & Security’s Kidde Residential & Commercial (Kidde R&C) business is calling for CO safety legislation in all 50 states.

Known as the “silent killer,” carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas that is produced by fossil fuel-burning appliances, heating sources and car exhaust fumes. At high concentration levels CO can be fatal in minutes.

Statistics from the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) show that carbon monoxide poisoning kills at least 500 people each year in the U.S. and sends more than 20,000 to hospital emergency rooms for treatment.    » read more »

Landrieu participates in Commerce Committee hearing on imported drywall; releases updated "Help Guide."

05/21/2009 -- WASHINGTON -- At the request of United States Senators Mary Landrieu, D-La., and Bill Nelson, D-Fla., the Senate Commerce Committee today held a public hearing to learn more about problems caused by tainted Chinese drywall and federal agencies' proposed response to protect consumers. Because thousands of Louisiana homes may contain the defective product, the Commerce Committee allowed Sen. Landrieu to attend and discuss the impact on Louisiana homeowners.    » read more »

May 20, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – Today, President Obama will sign the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act and the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act into law.

"These landmark pieces of legislation will protect hardworking Americans, crack down on those who seek to take advantage of them, and ensure that the problems that led us into this crisis never happen again," said President Obama.    » read more »

May 19, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - Federal environmental officials have found that Chinese-made drywall - suspected of causing serious corrosion in homes throughout Florida, Louisiana and other states - contains three materials not found in samples of U.S.-manufactured wallboard, according to U.S. Senator Bill Nelson’s office.

Tests on drywall samples were done at the request of Sens. Nelson and Mary Landrieu, who have initiated an investigation into complaints from homeowners in their respective states, Florida and Louisiana, that drywall in newer or rebuilt homes smells like rotten eggs and is causing corrosion of copper wiring and household appliances. In addition, homeowners are complaining of health problems such as asthma, coughing, headaches and insomnia.    » read more »

Seeks to Add Homebuyer Tax Credit to Supplemental

May 20, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today introduced an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Appropriations bill that seeks to stimulate the nation’s declining housing market by expanding the current $8,000 homebuyer tax credit to include all individuals who purchase a home in the next year.    » read more »

Homeowners, lenders will have extra time to work out new deal

May 21, 2009 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm has signed legislation that helps protect homeowners from foreclosure by providing an extra 90 days for them to work with their lender on modifying their mortgage loan.

"We are committed to protecting Michigan families and helping them keep their homes," said Granholm, who called for similar legislation in her 2009 State of the State address. "This new law delivers on that commitment by providing homeowners extra time and assistance to save their home and preserve their American Dream."

The new law takes effect in 45 days and:    » read more »

Bill Now Goes to President Obama for His Signature

May 19, 2009 -- Washington, DC – Today, the House and Senate gave final approval to a broad housing bill that would help homeowners refinance to stay in their homes, increase funding for foreclosure prevention efforts and establish new protections for renters who face eviction because they are living in foreclosed properties.

The House voted 367-54 for the bill, which included two key amendments sponsored by U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA). The first provision requires that homeowners be alerted within 30 days if their lender sells or transfers their home mortgage loan. The measure would help homeowners whose efforts to avoid foreclosure have been complicated because they can’t find out who owns their mortgage.    » read more »

‘PA Sunshine’ Program Enables Consumers To Cut Energy Costs

May 18, 2009 --
PHILADELPHIA – Thousands of Pennsylvania homeowners and small business owners eager to slash or even eliminate their electricity bills will be able to install new solar technologies at a discount of up to 45 percent, thanks to a new program Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell opened today.

The PA Sunshine Solar Program will provide $100 million in rebates to help fund solar electric and hot water projects, reimbursing eligible consumers up to 35 percent of the purchase and installation costs of solar energy technology.

In combination with federal tax credits, consumers could reduce system costs by 45 percent.    » read more »

May 19, 2009 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm issued the following statement on foreclosure legislation passed today by the Michigan Senate:

"I'm pleased the Legislature has given final approval to legislation that will protect Michigan homeowners by helping them stay in their homes. Nothing symbolizes the American Dream more than the family home, but for thousands of Michigan homeowners, that dream is being jeopardized by the looming threat of foreclosure.    » read more »

Some pay down debt, save more since last year

San Francisco — May 19, 2009 -- A Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) quarterly survey found that nearly one in four homeowners (24 percent) do not have any savings to cover their living expenses should they lose their income. At the same time, anxiety over job stability increased significantly (from 21 percent to 29 percent indicating jobs as their top concern) since fourth quarter 2008, the last time the survey was done.    » read more »

Governor in her radio address says legislation will offer extra time, resources to help Michigan families avoid foreclosure

May 16, 2009 -- LANSING - In her weekly radio address, Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today hailed a conference committee agreement between the Michigan Senate and House of Representatives on legislation that will freeze foreclosure proceedings for 90 days for homeowners who commit to work with their lender on modifying their mortgage loan.    » read more »

May 14, 2009 -- SAN DIEGO, CA - Standing at the USS Ronald Reagan in San Diego today, with U.S. sailors and their families, Vice President Joe Biden today announced the Defense Department's plan to temporarily expand its Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP), with $555 million in Recovery Act funds dedicated to helping military families and DoD civilians who recently sold their homes at a loss.    » read more »

May 4, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter today signed into law a measure that will encourage construction of "solar ready homes" as part of a long-term strategy to make the New Energy Economy more accessible to more people and to create new jobs all across the state.

House Bill 1149, sponsored by Rep. Mike Merrifield and Sen. Morgan Carroll, requires that homebuilders offer prospective homeowners the option of having their home pre-wired for solar and provide homeowners with a list of contractors.    » read more »