Monthly Archives: May 2011

WASHINGTON, DC - May 27, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced the final Fiscal Year 2011 block grant allocations to approximately 1,200 state and local governments under the Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA), and the Emergency Shelter Grant Program (ESG). Read more about how HUD’s block grant programs will be allocated at the state and local level.

IRVINE, CA - May 27, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Award-winning KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture and Planning, is pleased to announce that KTGY’s Principal Ken Ryan has been invited to participate in the Orange County Chapter’s Building Industry Association (BIA) and Urban Infill Committee and Asset Opportunities Group's program, “Creating a Community within a Community: Neighborhood Spotlight: La Floresta Brea," on Thursday, June 2, 2011. The meeting will be held at the Irvine Ranch Water District's Duck Club meeting room located in the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary, 3512 Michelson Drive and Riparian View in Irvine, CA 92612.

WASHINGTON, DC - May 27, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded today nearly $15 million to more than 200 public housing authorities across the U.S. to help public housing residents find jobs that lead them toward economic independence. For information on local funding amounts, visit HUD’s

EUGENE, OR - May 27, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, IDX, Inc. is pleased to welcome Audrey Brodie to the growing network of agents and brokers who have modified their professional real estate websites with a customizable IDX solution. Brodie can now...

NEW YORK, NY - May 27, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Chase this month opens three of the 31 new centers it will add this year to help even more borrowers in hard-hit communities stay in their homes. Chase counselors already have met face to face with 144,000 struggling homeowners in centers since 2009.

EUGENE, OR - May 27, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- IDX, Inc. has integrated the dynamic IDX Broker software onto yet another professional website. This time, Smokey Mountains properties are displayed on the website of Tennessee agent Marty Loveday, creating a thorough and complete database of listings for his clients to conveniently search through. Loveday, a member of both the Greater Smokey Mountains MLS (GSMMLS) and the Knoxville MLS (KAARMLS), can now deliver his home seeking clients with a fruitful, effective and efficient online real estate search, revolutionizing the way potential buyers find homes online.

Washington, DC - May 27, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Pending home sales fell in April with regional variations following increases in February and March, with unusual weather and economic softness adding to ongoing problems that are hobbling a recovery, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

WASHINGTON, DC - May 26, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Justice Department today announced settlements with two lenders under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) to resolve allegations that the lenders wrongfully foreclosed upon active duty servicemembers without first obtaining court orders, in violation of the SCRA. Combined, the settlements provide more than $22 million in monetary relief for the victims

COLUMBUS, OH - May 26, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) is partnering with The Ohio State University (OSU) to launch the Homeownership Investment Program. The program will provide additional support for OHFA homeowners before and after they purchase their home, to increase their mortgage sustainability and overall financial well-being. The new program will enhance the streamlined homebuyer education currently offered by the Agency in conjunction with OHFA's successful affordable mortgage program for first-time homebuyers.

Memphis, Tenn. - May 26, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Memphis Area Association of REALTORS® has teamed up with REALTOR® associations across the country for the Nationwide Open House Weekend from Saturday, June 4 through Sunday, June 5.

May 26, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- With only ten minutes remaining in the Texas House for consideration of non-local Senate Bills, Speaker Straus recognized Representative Bonnen for an important motion

CHICAGO, IL - May 26, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Though not ready to declare the economy is on the upswing, Wells Fargo Securities economist Mark Vitner told attendees at the recent midyear conference of The Counselors of Real Estate® in San Diego that the economic decline—at least in commercial real estate—is over. Members of the invitation-only The Counselors of Real Estate (CRE®) association are top advisors in real estate matters throughout the U.S. and abroad.

Washington, DC - May 26, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (3rd Dist.-Texas) invited constituents to attend a free foreclosure prevention workshop in Dallas. The event takes place on Friday, June 10th from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Dallas at the Texas Agrilife Research and Extension Center located at 17360 Coit Road.

May 26, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver today unveiled legislation to provide real relief for hard working men and women across New York State by capping local property taxes at two percent while at the same time including important safeguards to ensure communities are able to provide critical services for their citizens. The legislation prohibits local governments and school districts from exceeding the two percent threshold on the total tax levy and requires a 60 percent vote to override the levy. "Our message to property owners who have struggled under the burden of soaring taxes is simple," said Speaker Silver (D-Manhattan).

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 26, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Census Bureau announced today that among those who moved between 2009 and 2010, more than four out of 10 (16.4 million or 43.7 percent) did so for housing-related reasons, such as the desire to live in a new or better home or apartment, according to data from Geographical Mobility: 2010. Among other reasons for moving, people cited family concerns (30.3 percent), such as a change in marital status, employment needs (16.4 percent) and other factors (9.5 percent).

NEWARK, NJ - May 26, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Housing and Urban Development Deputy Secretary Ron Sims today awarded $18.4 million to revitalize the Alexander Hamilton development in Paterson, NJ. The high and low-rises formerly on the site will be replaced with 201 townhouse rental and for-sale units, as well as 70 off-site rental units for seniors. Sims made the announcement at the Paterson Housing Authority site, and was joined by Senator Frank Lautenberg, Congressman Bill Pascrell, Paterson Mayor Jeffrey Jones, and Paterson Housing Authority Executive Director Irma Gorham

May 26, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- In response to the recent Tax Foundation study, again demonstrating the regressive burden shouldered by New Jersey property taxpayers, League of Municipalities’ President, Mayor Chuck Chiarello of Buena Vista Township, issued the following statement:

DENVER, CO - May 26, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Despite the worst housing market in recent history, two respected national surveys show RE/MAX agents continue to outperform their competitors, selling more homes, assisting more families, and leading all other national real estate companies in sales performance

NEW YORK, N.Y. - May 26, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mortgage rates dropped again, with the benchmark conforming 30-year fixed mortgage rate falling to 4.77 percent, according to Bankrate.com's weekly national survey. The average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.4 discount and origination points.

ST. LOUIS, MO - May 26, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- While publically available data can provide valuable information on broad housing market conditions in the St. Louis region, these sources do not pinpoint regional, county, or neighborhood house-price trends. Even expensive proprietary data may not be satisfactory.

Washington, DC - May 26, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The National Association of Realtors® supports a secondary mortgage market model with some level of government participation that would protect taxpayers and ensure that creditworthy consumers have access to affordable mortgage capital in all markets at all times.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 26, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) today introduced the Consumer Option for an Alternative System to Allocate Losses (COASTAL) Act to reform the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) by using increased data during the claims process. Wicker’s legislation would provide greater certainty to homeowners and the insurance market, ensuring certain losses from future storms are settled in a timely and equitable manner

May 26, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) today noted that the Michigan Saves Home Energy Loan program will be increasing its loan cap from $12,500 to $20,000, effective June 1. The higher loan cap will eliminate a barrier for consumers who want to invest in deep energy efficiency for their home, and will give a greater boost to those who want to purchase solar photovoltaic systems.

BOISE, ID - May 26, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- John Insinger has been appointed to Idaho Housing and Finance Association’s (IHFA’s) Board of Commissioners. Insinger is currently an “of counsel” attorney to two law firms in Boise, Risch Pisca, LLP, and Goss Gustavel Goss, PLLC. As a partner of Risch Goss Insinger Gustavel, he spent 35 years as a private law practitioner focusing in general and commercial transactions and litigation.

WASHINGTON, DC - May 26, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- A government-supported secondary market is absolutely critical to the apartment industry if it is to continue meeting the nation’s demand for affordable and workforce housing, according to testimony given today by Mark J. Parrell, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Equity Residential.Parrell testified today on behalf of the National Multi Housing Council (NMHC) and the National Apartment Association (NAA) before the Senate Banking Committee’s hearing on housing finance reform.

WASHINGTON, DC - May 26, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today that special disaster assistance may be available to Veterans with VA-guaranteed home loans who have been affected by recent tornados in Missouri.

SACRAMENTO, CA - May 26, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Total housing starts in California, as measured by the number of building permits issued, rose 2 percent in April, the California Building Industry Association announced today.

WASHINGTON, DC - May 26, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced that it is charging the owner of a five-unit apartment building in Lebanon, NH, with violating the Fair Housing Act for allegedly refusing to rent one of the building’s three residential units to families with children. HUD is bringing the charge on behalf of a mother with two children, who alleged that the owner, Robert Gerow, dared her to “turn him in” when she protested that his refusal to rent to children was unlawful.

Torrance, CA - May 26, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Keystone Pacific Property Management has promoted Tonja Gray from architectural coordinator to community manager for the CZ Master Association in Coto de Caza, Calif.

Alpharetta, GA - May 26, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Realtor Mark Spain and his award-winning team of 14 agents and staff have partnered with Keller Williams Realty North Atlanta. They are based out of the Keller Williams located at 5780 Windward Parkway in Alpharetta. The Mark Spain Team had been with RE/MAX International since 1997 and was annually honored as one of the top-producing real estate teams in Georgia and the entire United States. In addition, the team has been the #1 team with the several-thousand-member Atlanta Board of Realtors for the last seven consecutive years