Texas RealEstateRama

The “Red River Private Property Protection Act,” H.R. 2130, introduced by U.S. Congressman Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon), today passed the House of Representatives. The bill, which passed by a vote of 253-177, would provide legal certainty to landowners by ending any questions about the federal government's ownership of disputed land along the Red River.

Rep. John R. Carter voted to protect Texans’ private property rights by supporting the Red River Private Property Protection Act. This bill protects the private property of landowners along the Red River from federal ownership and management claims and requires the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to renounce their claim to the land and conduct a survey to determine ownership of the contested land

the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2130, the “Red River Private Property Protection Act” by a vote of 253-177. The Committee passed the legislation in September. Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) commented upon passage

The House today passed S.J. Res 23 and S.J. Res 24, two bills that would block harmful Obama Administration regulations on energy producers. Specifically, the bills utilize the Congressional Review Act to prohibit the administration from issuing the same or substantively similar regulations without legislation from Congress.

Texas real estate made a strong showing in all segments of the housing market in 2015 due to continued growth in the state’s economy, jobs, and population, according to the 2015 Texas Annual Housing Report released today by the Texas Association of REALTORS

The PTC Elimination Act this week received its 50th cosponsor. The bill, authored by U.S. Congressmen Kenny Marchant (TX-24) and Mike Pompeo (KS-04), would make the tax code simpler, fairer and more competitive through a phase-out and repeal of the renewable energy Production Tax Credit, or PTC.

Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28) and the city of Laredo welcomed Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL-25) for a tour of the World Trade Bridge as well as the Laredo airport and other parts of the city.

“The purpose of this loan is to provide bridge financing so the borrower can refinance the maturing existing loan, and then complete a property renovation to achieve operational upside before obtaining a new permanent loan,” explained Vic Clark, Managing Director at Hunt Mortgage Group.”

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, announces a grant of over $12 million in federal funds to improve an existing storm water detention basin and provide for the construction of a new storm water detention basin. The project when completed will lower flood water surface elevations and reduce structure flooding.

The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) today announced the availability of $8.5 million in grant funding to assist nonprofit groups and local governmental agencies through the Texans Feeding Texans: Home-Delivered Meal Grant Program. More than 18 percent of our state’s elderly population is facing the threat of hunger. With that in mind, the 84^th Texas Legislature increased funding for this vital grant program.

Home sharing has become popular as homeowners in areas near seasonal festivals and events discover a ready source of additional income in short-term rentals. Before renting out your home, it is important to find out if your homeowners insurance policy will cover such arrangements.

The New Hope Center of Paris received a total of $20,000 in Partnership Grant Program (PGP) awards today from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas), and its member institutions, First Federal Community Bank and Liberty National Bank. The funds will be used to cover operational expenses and for finish-out of the Center's new thrift store, slated to open in late 2015 or early 2016.

The Texas Association of REALTORS® installed its 2016 officers this month during the Texas REALTORS® Conference in Fort Worth. Set to take office on Jan. 1, 2016, these officers have more than a century of combined leadership experience, serving in the Texas real estate industry and their local communities. Incoming officers include Chairman Leslie Rouda Smith of Collin County, Chairman-Elect Vicki Fullerton of The Woodlands, Secretary/Treasurer Kaki Lybbert of Denton, and Immediate Past Chairman Scott Kesner of El Paso.

Hunt Mortgage Group, a commercial real estate lender, announced today it has closed its first loan in the healthcare sector through its Proprietary Loan Group, the firm’s new balance sheet lending platform launched earlier this year

One unfortunate trait shared by many rural Texas communities is a shortage of safe, decent rental housing. Because of this short supply, it can be extremely difficult – not to mention expensive – to secure such housing

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) and member institution, Amegy Bank, have awarded a $500,000 Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grant to The Men's Center Inc. The grant will help the Houston-based nonprofit build a $12.2 million, 56-unit housing complex for men and women ages 18 and older who are recovering from substance abuse and other crisis situations.

Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today welcomed Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Chairman Dr. Bryan Shaw, who testified before a Subcommittee on Environment hearing to examine the impacts of the Environmental Protection Agency’s power plan regulation. The plan would require Texas to shoulder the burden of at least 18 percent of the total national emissions reduction.

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller today applauded a federal court’s decision to block the expansion of the Clean Water Act by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The new Clean Water Act requirements took effect today. The injunction out of North Dakota impacts the 13 states that were part of the lawsuit filed in North Dakota in June 2015.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and Mexican Secretary of Finance and Public Credit Luis Videgaray Caso, Secretary of Communications and Transport Gerardo Ruiz Esparza, Secretary of Foreign Affairs José Antonio Meade Kuribreña, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske inaugurated the West Rail Bypass International Bridge in Brownsville, Texas. The bridge is the first new international rail crossing between the U.S. and Mexico in 105 years, connecting Brownsville, Texas and Matamoros, Tamaulipas.

Passco Companies, LLC has acquired Lone Oak Apartments, a recently completed 304-unit, Class-A garden-style multifamily community located in Round Rock, Texas, a suburb of Austin, according to Gary Goodman, Senior Vice President Acquisitions of Passco Companies.