Monthly Archives: May 2010

Washington, D.C - May 28, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today NeighborWorks America, the administrator of the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling (NFMC) Program, announced that 58 percent of homeowners who received foreclosure counseling through the NFMC Program reported the primary reason they were facing foreclosure was reduced or lost income. The news is found in NeighborWorks’ fifth Congressional report, which outlines NFMC Program activity through January 31, 2010.

Meriden, CT - May 27, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Connecticut Real Estate Investors Association, or CTREIA, in association with the Apartment Owners Association of Connecticut, or AOACT, is announcing the June 2010 AOACT meeting with Joanne Hebert from Lowes, Gloria Godoy from the Godoy Insurance Agency, and Sherwin Williams. This event will take place on Tuesday, June 8 from 6:45 to 9:00 pm, at the Comfort Inn in Meriden, CT. This event is free for AOACT and CTREIA members, and $30 for guests.

Las Vegas, NV - May 27, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Coldwell Banker Wardley Las Vegas Real Estate, specializing in Las Vegas Short Sales, is negotiating a deal with a lender to accept a “short” amount on Las Vegas Real Estate, saving the sellers from being another Las Vegas Foreclosure statistic

Las Vegas, NV - May 27, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Coldwell Banker Wardley Las Vegas Real Estate, specializing in Las Vegas Short Sales, is negotiating a deal with a lender to accept a “short” amount on Las Vegas Real Estate, saving the sellers from being another Las Vegas Foreclosure statistic

Las Vegas, NV - May 27, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Homeowners who are facing Las Vegas foreclosure can request that Richard Ballen, A successful Las Vegas Short Sale Agent, Henderson Short Sale Agent, and North Las Vegas Short Sale Specialist consult with them about their needs. In addition, Ballen has created a custom hardship package allowing the homeowner to complete the documents required by the bank to ease the process. Although Richard Ballen, a Coldwell Banker Wardley Realtor, never encourages a Las Vegas Short Sale, many homeowners in Las Vegas and surrounding areas are facing true hardships that force them to attempt a Short Sale rather than face Las Vegas Foreclosure.

Combination of transparency, approved offer range and price reductions saves agents time and effort. BETHEL, CT - May 27, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Countdown To Buy, a next generation online real estate marketplace that offers fair and effective solutions to buy and sell properties, announced today that real estate agents are seeing measurable benefits from the Company’s innovative online marketplace that enables a buyer and seller of a REO property to agree to their best terms in less time.

Combination of transparency, approved offer range and price reductions saves agents time and effort. BETHEL, CT - May 27, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Countdown To Buy, a next generation online real estate marketplace that offers fair and effective solutions to buy and sell properties, announced today that real estate agents are seeing measurable benefits from the Company’s innovative online marketplace that enables a buyer and seller of a REO property to agree to their best terms in less time.

Atlanta, GA - May 27, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Prudential Georgia Realty, with its 23 offices and 1,200+ sales associates, continues to be one of the nation’s sales leaders. In the April issue of RISMedia’s Real Estate Magazine, Prudential Georgia Realty placed 48th in the nation for total sales volume. In 2009, Prudential Georgia Realty had more than $1.5 billion in gross sales and 6,800 transactions.

BOISE, ID - May 27, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Housing Company (THC), brought to you by Idaho Housing and Finance Association, recently received a Charles L. Edson Tax Credit Excellence Award for the Whitman in Pocatello. The Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition, which celebrates the best in affordable rental housing development, awarded the Whitman an honorable mention in the rural housing category. The project was selected as a winner from among 40 applicants from 22 states for six separate categories

Washington, DC - May 26, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Rep. Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15) was informed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that Secretary Tom Vilsack has authorized the issuance of Conditional Commitments for USDA’s Section 502 Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program beginning immediately and continuing until $2.5 billion in loan limit is exhausted.

May 27, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Monthly permit numbers declined slightly in April while year over year permit numbers continued a modest increase for the fourth consecutive month according to statistics compiled by the Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City (HBA). A seasonally adjusted total of 194 single-family homes were permitted in April, down from a revised total of 207 homes in March

FORT WAYNE, IN - May 27, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller was in Fort Wayne today to file a complaint against Foreclosure Assistance USA, Inc. (FA USA), an Ohio-based foreclosure consultant company. According to the lawsuit, nearly 600 Hoosier homeowners signed contracts with FA USA believing the company would help prevent foreclosure based on claims made on websites, radio and direct mail advertisements and telephone solicitations.

HOUSTON, TX - May 26, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Hines, the international real estate firm, announced today the structural completion of the 46-story, 972,000-square-foot office tower, MainPlace, located at 811 Main Street in downtown Houston.

BRONX, NY - May 27, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Staff members of "nyhomes," New York State's affordable housing lender, are rolling up their sleeves today and helping Habitat for Humanity - New York City build the Prospect-Macy Co-op Apartments in the Longwood section of the South Bronx.

LANSING, MI - May 27, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) Executive Director Keith Molin proudly announced today that members of the Michigan Individual Development Account Partnership (MIDAP) have been awarded $514,822 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families. MIDAP is a collaborative managed by the Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency (OLHSA) with major funding support from MSHDA. The grants, awarded annually to organizations nationwide, totaled $1.8 million and MIDAP received five of the nine grants awarded in the most recent round

Washington, D.C. - May 27, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- John A. Courson, President & CEO of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), today announced that Bill Killmer has been named Senior Vice President of Legislative and Political Affairs, effective July 5, 2010.

CHARLOTTE, NC - May 27, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Bank of America today released the first-year results of its 10-year, $1.5 trillion community development goal to lend and invest in underserved communities. Initiated in 2009 as the largest community development goal ever established by a U.S. financial institution, Bank of America provided $168.2 billion in community development lending and investments primarily benefitting low- and moderate-income (LMI) communities and minority customers in the first year. This result exceeded annual expectations despite adverse economic conditions, and translates, on average, to nearly $667 million every business day throughout the past year.

McLean, VA - May 27, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE) today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®) in which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.78 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending May 27, 2010, down from last week when it averaged 4.84 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.91 percent. The 30-year FRM has not been lower since the week ending December 3, 2009, when it averaged 4.71 percent.

EUGENE, OR - May 27, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Residents and potential buyers in the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania suburb of Carlisle can now find the perfect property with the click of a mouse. IDX, Inc.'s revolutionary software pairs with the Central Penn Multi-List (CPMLS) to bring Realtor Joan Wolfe's clients the most extensive home search around. Through these tools, Wolfe can spend less time searching through thousands of CPMLS listings and more time creating personal and professional relationships with potential home buyers

EUGENE, OR - May 27, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- IDX, Inc. is pleased to welcome Realtor Verl Workman of Sandy, Utah to the growing group of agents and brokers who are choosing to update their real estate websites with the customizable IDX Broker software. As a member of the Wasatch Front Regional MLS (WFRMLS), Workman has long been able to search through thousands of listings to find properties for his clients. Now, however, home seekers will also have the ability to conduct their own home search with the WFRMLS listings on Workman's website. Raw listing data is taken and automatically updated on Workman's page, thanks to the technology afforded to the online home search through an integrated IDX solution. IDX Broker software has changed the way thousands of real estate professionals, like Workman, manage their online listings and clients

LĪHU'E, HI - May 27, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The County Housing Agency recently issued a notice to proceed to Shioi Construction, Inc. for the construction of three affordable three-bdrm., two baths, single family homes on the Westside.

STATEHOUSE, IN - May 27, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- State Sen. John Waterman (R-Shelburn) today urged Hoosiers facing foreclosures to attend a free one-hour workshop scheduled next week

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 27, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Representative Ann Kirkpatrick has been working hard to ensure Native American Veterans are not disadvantaged because of their service, and she is pushing to address another way that they are being treated unfairly by the federal government. In a letter to Interior Department Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs Larry EchoHawk, she called on the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to fix a serious flaw with the Housing Improvement Program (HIP) that allows disabled Native Veterans and survivor families to be denied support

May 27, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- At a press conference today, Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon kicked off his summer storm tour aimed at raising awareness for hurricane and flood preparedness. Experts are predicting an “above average” 2010 Atlantic hurricane season and Commissioner Donelon is imploring consumers to protect themselves and their property against Louisiana’s most frequent and unpredictable natural disasters – hurricanes and floods

Barstow Village will provide 66 affordable apartments for senior citizens. BOSTON, MA - May 27, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- MassHousing announced $2.4 million in loan commitments today for the development of Barstow Village in Hanover, which will provide 66 affordable apartments for senior citizens.

WASHINGTON, DC - May 27, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International announces eight great reasons why the 2010 BOMA International Conference and The Every Building Show®, June 27-29 in Long Beach, Calif., is the premier conference for commercial real estate professionals looking to succeed in challenging market. This year’s conference is a critical opportunity for property professionals to expand their professional networks, get the latest education and bring home innovative solutions that will prepare their businesses for recovery.“The last eighteen months have been among the most volatile periods in the history of commercial real estate. Property professionals are looking for answers about recovery and seeking strategies for succeeding in this new landscape,” commented BOMA International Chair James A. Peck, RPA, FMA, senior director of asset services, CB Richard Ellis. “We have designed this year’s program to address the needs of property and asset managers, engineers and executives. From networking opportunities to best-in-class speakers to unrivaled education, this conference will provide value on every level.”

McLean, VA - May 27, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Freddie Mac (NYSE: FRE) announced today that it priced its new 1.125% $6 billion two-year Reference Notes® security due on July 27, 2012. The issue, CUSIP number 3137EACK3, was priced at 99.918 to yield 1.163%, or 29 basis points more than two-year U.S. Treasury Notes. The issue will settle on Friday May 28, 2010

McLean, VA - May 27, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Freddie Mac (NYSE: FRE) announced today that its Conventional Mortgage Home Price Index (CMHPI) Purchase-Only Series for the United States registered a 1.1 percent decline from the first quarter of 2009 to the first quarter of 2010. In the first quarter of 2010, the U.S. Index was down 2.1 percent (-8.0 percent annualized) relative to the fourth quarter, on a not-seasonally adjusted basis

Washington, DC - May 27, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has sent to the Federal Register a proposed rule to establish a framework for affordable housing goals for the 12 Federal Home Loan Banks (Banks). The proposed rule implements provisions of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 that require FHFA to establish housing goals for the Banks’ purchases of mortgages consistent with the housing goals established for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, taking into account the unique mission and ownership structure of the Banks.

Washington, DC - May 27, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Housing Finance Agency today reported that the average interest rate on conventional 30-year, fixed-rate, mortgage loans of $417,000 or less increased 3 basis points to 5.12 percent in April. The average interest rate on 15-year, fixed-rate loans of $417,000 decreased 5 basis points to 4.52 percent in April. These rates are calculated from the FHFA’s Monthly Interest Rate Survey (MIRS) of purchase-money mortgages. These results reflect loans closed during the April 26-30 period. Typically, the interest rate is determined 30 to 45 days before the loan is closed. Thus, the reported rates depict market conditions prevailing in mid- to late-March.