National News
NC, 4 Other States Get Millions in Housing Aid
The Treasury Department said Wednesday that mortgage-assistance proposals submitted by North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island and South Carolina received approval. The states estimate their efforts could help up to 50,000 homeowners.
http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/08/04/613803/govt-oks-600m-in-housing-aid-for.html
Pending Home Sales Ease Nationally; Rise in the South
Pending home sales edged down in June, according to recently released data from the National Association of REALTORS®. Pending home sales in the South rose 3.7 percent to an index of 85.8 but was still 13.3 percent below year-ago levels.
http://www.realtor.org/press_room/news_releases/2010/08/pending_ease
‘Home Sales Tax’ in National Health Care Bill Clarified
Recent blog posts and chain emails have popped up concerning a possible “home sales tax” that was included in the Health Care & Education Reform Act of 2010. While no such tax actually exists, there is a provision in the legislation that would levy a 3.8 percent tax on any profits derived from the sale of real estate. However, it would only apply to 3 percent of U.S. residents.
http://www.ncrealtors.org/news_display.cfm?nid=1373
Statement by HUD Secretary on Passage of Livable Communities Act
On Aug.3, the Senate Banking Committee voted to approve the Livable Communities Act, a proposal to create the next generation of smarter, sustainable and energy-efficient communities. Follow the link below for more information, including a statement by HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan.
http://www.ncrealtors.org/news_display.cfm?nid=1379