Congresswoman Waters Applauds FTC For Issuing Final Rule To Protect Homeowners From Foreclosure Rescue...
Washington, DC - November 26, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity, released the following statement in response to the announcement today by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issuing a final rule to protect distressed homeowners from mortgage relief scams.
New Homes Can Be Energy-Efficient and Affordable, Reveals Study by Building Codes Assistance Project
Washington, D.C. - November 26, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The average incremental cost of constructing a new home to meet the current energy efficiency building code – the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) – comes to a mere $818.72, according to a recent study by the Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP), a nonprofit advocacy organization that supports code adoption and implementation
Arizona Community Foundation and partners celebrate surpassing million-dollar milestones for Affordable Housing Fund
PHOENIX, AZ - November 26, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Arizona Community Foundation and its partner, the Phoenix office of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, today hosted a celebration of two important milestones for the ACF Affordable Housing Fund: more than $1 million raised for the fund, and more than $1 million granted to support the development of affordable housing in Arizona.
Mayor Daley names Andrew Mooney as interim head of the new Department of Housing...
WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 26, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mayor Richard M. Daley today appointed Andrew J. Mooney as interim head of the City’s new Department of Housing and Economic Development, which will be formed through the consolidation of the City’s Department of Community Development and the Department of Zoning and Land Use Planning as of January 1, 2011.
Real Estate Commission Revokes License and Issues $215,000 Fine for 43 Violations of Law
Las Vegas, NV - November 25, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- In mid-November, the Real Estate Division brought four cases against broker-salesperson Kathleen Tinaglia to hearing before the Real Estate Commission. The cases involved a total of eight transactions in which Tinaglia represented the buyers in the purchase of Nevada real estate. The transactions occurred during the time when Tinaglia was a licensee under broker Eve E. Mazzarella of Distinctive Real Estate & Investments, Inc.
Attorney General Janet T. Mills Announces Reprieve for Homeowners
November 25, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Mills announced progress in her negotiations with GMAC Mortgage LLC and Bank of America regarding their foreclosure practices in Maine. GMAC has agreed that it will temporarily halt sales on homes that have been foreclosed on, pending further talks to resolve the Attorney General’s concerns about the company’s foreclosure procedures
Mayor Daley Dedicates Model Green Bungalow, Tours 2010 Bungalow Block in South Shore Community...
Chicago, IL - November 25, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mayor Richard M. Daley today joined officials from the Historic Chicago Bungalow Association (HCBA), development partners and residents of the South Shore community in dedicating a fully rehabbed green bungalow that showcases innovative ways to make these iconic Chicago homes more energy efficient and adaptable for today’s families.
REALTORS® Give Thanks to American Troops and their Families this Holiday Season
Washington, DC - November 25, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- As the holiday season approaches, the National Association of REALTORS® is giving thanks to American troops. NAR will provide care packages and housing assistance to support soldiers and their families here in the U.S. and abroad. Two national charities will receive support from NAR – Operation American Soldier and USA Cares.
Rent Jungle: First Rental Housing Search Engine
Pittsburgh, PA - November 25, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Rent Jungle (www.rentjungle.com) unveiled an industry-first web site, allowing apartment and rental-house hunters to search the contents of listings from thousands of other web sites – using spidering and indexing technologies similar to that of a search engine, but dedicated exclusively to the rental housing industry.
Ohio Housing Trust Fund’s $20+ Million Assists Ohio’s Most Vulnerable
November 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The announcement that more than $20 million in Ohio Housing Trust Fund grant awards will soon be headed to 76 homeless services agencies in 34 counties came as very good news to Bill Faith, executive director of the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio (COHHIO). “Many of our shelter member organizations are reporting record-level volume – especially among families,” he said. “These funds come at a time when communities need them most. It shows what a valuable resource the Ohio Housing Trust Fund is to Ohio.”
New Navy Park housing development offers low income residents of Orange reason to give...
AUSTIN, TX - November 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The spirit of Thanksgiving was definitely in the air today as state and local elected officials gathered in Orange to join the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) in celebrating the grand opening of a new housing development in the historic Navy Park district financed with $3.4 million in federal hurricane disaster recovery funds from TDHCA.The grand opening of Orange Navy Homes II gives 36 low income families much to be thankful for this holiday season: A decent, high-quality home environment that fits the household budget.
Vermont Senators Seek Home Heating Assistance
BURLINGTON, VT - November 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today called for full funding of the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
Helping Families Get and Keep Their Home for the Holidays
Los Angeles, CA - November 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Los Angeles County NeighborWorks® Center for Foreclosure Solutions (CFS) coalition has been helping families facing foreclosure since the beginning of the mortgage crisis. As families head into the holidays, the significance of having a home in which to share holiday dinners with family is more important than other times in the year. As joblessness in Los Angeles remains historically high helping families to stay in their home is critical this holiday season
Former Park Bank Employee Sentenced for Conspiracy to Obstruct Mortgage Fraud Investigation
MADISON, WI - November 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- John W. Vaudreuil, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Amy B. Strait was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to three months in federal prison in a prosecution stemming from a federal investigation of bank fraud and tax fraud. The prison sentence will be followed by a two-year term of supervised release
Governor Douglas Announces $662,000 in Community Development Grants
Montpelier, VT. - November 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Jim Douglas today announced nearly $600,000 to help repair the fire-damaged building that houses Montpelier’s senior center, as well as to help develop 14 senior apartments on the site. That was one of several Vermont Community Development Program grants announced, which also included funds for two affordable housing groups to merge their operations
30 Home Heating Oil Tanks Being Replaced to Protect the Well of the Patten...
AUGUSTA, ME - November 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), working closely with the Town of Patten and the Maine Rural Water Association, is overseeing the replacement of approximately 30 home heating oil tanks in the wellhead protection area of the Patten Water Department.
County Hosts Fair Housing/Home Loan Seminar
November 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Montgomery County Office of Human Rights and Civil Justice, Inc. are co-sponsoring a free home loan forum on Monday, December 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Council Office Building, First Floor Auditorium, 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville
Bank of America Pledges Support to Prevent & End Homelessness
WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- With Thanksgiving approaching, and millions of homeless and poor Americans struggling with hunger and the cold, the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty today announced it has received a $75,000 from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation. This support comes at a critical time, as the Law Center works to help implement the first-ever Federal Plan to End Homelessness.
Dreier Set to Participate in LA Mission’s Annual Thanksgiving for the Homeless
SAN DIMAS, CA - November 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman David Dreier (R-CA) will participate as a volunteer server at the Los Angeles Mission’s Annual Thanksgiving for the Homeless tomorrow, November 24, 2010. Dreier, a member of the Mission’s Board of Directors, has participated in the event for many years. He said the annual event is an opportunity to help those dealing with these challenging times
Boustany Applauds FEMA’s Efforts to Assist Hurricane Rita Survivors with Long-Term Housing
Washington, D.C. - November 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Representative Charles W. Boustany, Jr., (R-Southwest Louisiana), today commended the Federal Emergency Management Agency for their efforts to assist Hurricane Rita survivors’ transition into long-term housing. FEMA announced today they are initiating a plan to help relocate the remaining residents still in temporary housing from the 2005 storms through federal, state, local and voluntary agency efforts
FEMA Extends Temporary Disaster Housing Program
PHILADELPHIA, PA - November 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today the approval of a request from the state of West Virginia to extend FEMA’s temporary disaster housing program from November 1...
Mortgage Rates Stable This Week
McLean, VA - November 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Freddie Mac (OTC: FMCC) today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®), which found that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) and the 15-year (FRM) edged up slightly this week. The 5-year ARM also rose, while the 1-year ARM fell a bit from the previous week.
U.S. RETAIL AVAILABILITY EXPECTED TO DROP TO 12.7% BY YEAR-END 2011
Boston, MA - November 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) --The U.S. retail real estate sector’s availability1 rate is expected to drop to 12.7% by the end of 2011, according to new analysis from CBRE Econometric Advisors (CBRE-EA). CBRE-EA forecasts that the ongoing pick-up in retail sales combined with limited supply will slowly decrease the national availability rate for neighborhood and community centers
Sherman Oaks Woman Faces Charges in Mortgage Fraud Case for Inflating Income in ‘Liar...
LOS ANGELES, CA - November 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- A federal grand jury has indicted a Sherman Oaks woman for her role in a $2 million mortgage fraud scheme in which she allegedly filed fraudulent loan applications that in some cases falsely claimed she and her husband earned nearly $50,000 per month.
Fannie Mae’s Most Recent National Housing Survey Indicates Americans Uncertain Housing Market has Bottomed
WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Fannie Mae's (FNMA/OTC) most recent nationwide housing survey finds that Americans are less certain that the housing market has bottomed, and continue to be wary of buying a home. The Third Quarter 2010 Fannie Mae National Housing Survey polled homeowners and renters between July 2010 and September 2010. Findings were compared to similar surveys conducted in June 2010, January 2010, and December 2003.
Mortgage Purchase Applications Increase in Latest MBA Weekly Survey
WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) today released its Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending November 19, 2010. The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, increased 2.1 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier. On an unadjusted basis, the Index increased 1.1 percent compared with the previous week.
Online marketing making home search easier for potential buyers around the Northwest with IDX...
EUGENE, OR - November 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- IDX, Inc. announces today that Seattle, Washington real estate agent Megan Thomas, has joined the growing network of dedicated real estate professionals by adopting a custom IDX solution. Her revolutionary website now seamlessly integrates Northwest MLS (NWMLS) listings onto her search page to make finding a home around Seattle simpler. Thomas is a leader in helping match buyers with properties, and now her website reflects that. By adopting IDX Broker software Thomas has solidified her real estate business and its online presence.
United Properties’ Ford Center signs lease with HGA and begins renovations
MINNEAPOLIS, MI - November 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- United Properties announces that the Ford Center* has signed a lease with HGA Architects and Engineers for 80,000 sq. ft. in its historic office building in the Minneapolis Warehouse District. To ready the Ford Center for 2011 renovations, United Properties also recently received historic renovation design approval from the National Park Service and the Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission, and approval for a building addition from the City of Minneapolis Planning Commission.
Simple IDX solution enabled on Nashville real estate website, speeding up online search process
EUGENE, OR - November 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- IDX, Inc. is pleased to announce Mickie Andrews as the latest real estate agent to claim an IDX solution for her real estate website. Searching for a Nashville, Tennessee home online has never been easier or faster, than now on the search page Andrews hosts. RealTracs MLS (RTMLS) property listings were once only available for real estate agents and brokers to manually search through. But, thanks to IDX Broker software, RTMLS listings are seamlessly integrated onto the website of Andrews, allowing potential buyers to search through thousands of detailed listings at a time
CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYMENT EXPANDS IN 29 STATES BETWEEN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER AS INDUSTRY’S EMPLOYMENT SITUATION...
WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Construction employment expanded in 29 states between September and October, while fewer people are working in construction compared to last year in 39 states, the Associated General Contractors of America reported in an analysis of state employment data released today by the Labor Department. The new figures continue a nearly year-long trend of ups and downs in construction employment as the industry performs stimulus-funded work yet grapples with broad market uncertaint
