Monthly Archives: October 2009

Insists Extraordinary Assistance Cannot Continue, Calls for Extension of GSE and FHA Loan Limits. October 8, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-CT) held an oversight hearing to probe the role that Government-Sponsored Enterprises should play to ensure the future strength of the American housing market.

NEW YORK, NY - October 8, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo and Southern District of New York United States Attorney Preet Bharara today announced the takedown of a mortgage fraud ring that illegally obtained $9 million in loans for phantom home buyers.

PHILADELPHA, PA - October 6, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced Upper Darby and Abington will receive more than $2.9 million to support community development and produce more affordable housing.

Washington, DC - October 8, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Glenn Nye (VA-02) is asking banks and mortgage servicers to provide assistance to homeowners struggling with toxic drywall. On Thursday, Nye announced that he had introduced a Concurrent Resolution (H.Con.Res. 197) in the House of Representatives, calling on mortgage holders to allow homeowners to apply for a temporary forbearance in their mortgage payments.

Washington, DC - October 8, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The House today passed the Service Members Home Ownership Tax Act of 2009, H.R. 3590, which includes a Blumenauer provision that allows members of the armed services, Foreign Service, and intelligence community to take full advantage of the 2009 First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit.

Washington, DC - October 7, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senator Charles Schumer announced today that the Altamont Program, Inc. in Schenectady will receive $46,332 as part of a Department of Veterans Affairs efforts to provide housing and support services to homeless veterans.

Washington, DC - October 7, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Tuesday, Congressman Harry Teague announced that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is awarding $180,750 to the Mesilla Valley Community of Hope.

BECKLEY, W.Va. - October 7, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (W.Va.) announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development agency has approved $175,600 in housing preservation funds for Greenbrier, Fayette, McDowell and Wyoming Counties.

Defendant Used Fraudulent Deed to Obtain More Than $130,000 in Equity from Residence in Bankruptcy Proceeding. SAN JOSE, CA - October 8, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Vallejo, Calif., resident Myra Holmes was indicted by a federal grand jury with concealment of assets and bank fraud, United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced.

October 8, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Learn about fair housing practices and laws at a free three-hour workshop from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, Oct. 15, at the city of Phoenix, Calvin C. Goode Municipal Building, 251 W. Washington St., 7th Floor.

Washington, D.C. - October 8, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Alaskan Congressman Don Young voted yes today on H.R. 3590, the Service Members Home Ownership Tax Act and H.R. 1016, the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act, both of which he cosponsored.

October 7, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Michigan's Automobile and Home Insurance Consumer Advocate Melvin Butch Hollowell today urged the Michigan Supreme Court to affirm the state's right to prohibit auto insurance companies from using occupation, education, and credit scores in setting auto insurance rates.

Eagle Grant is part of $71,226 Awarded to Colorado Rural Communities. October 7, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Michael Bennet, U.S. Senator for Colorado, announced today that local efforts to repair local housing units for elderly residents will get a $26,900 boost from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Albany, NY - October 7, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor David A. Paterson today announced that $10 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding is now available through a competitive statewide solicitation for solar energy projects in New York State.

Inspirational speaker also on agenda; variety of workshops scheduled. AUGUSTA, ME - October 7, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- One of the nation’s top energy officials and an inspirational speaker will join Governor John E. Baldacci in addressing the state’s housing leaders at Maine’s 2009 Affordable Housing Conference October 19 at the Augusta Civic Center.

Inspirational speaker also on agenda; variety of workshops scheduled. AUGUSTA, ME - October 7, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- One of the nation’s top energy officials and an inspirational speaker will join Governor John E. Baldacci in addressing the state’s housing leaders at Maine’s 2009 Affordable Housing Conference October 19 at the Augusta Civic Center.

Inspirational speaker also on agenda; variety of workshops scheduled. AUGUSTA, ME - October 7, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- One of the nation’s top energy officials and an inspirational speaker will join Governor John E. Baldacci in addressing the state’s housing leaders at Maine’s 2009 Affordable Housing Conference October 19 at the Augusta Civic Center.

October 7, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor M. Jodi Rell announced that the state has directed $10.8 million in federal stimulus funds to prevent homeless through a community-based program that provides assistance for rent and utility bills, intervenes during evictions and offers emergency lodging and other services aimed at keeping Connecticut families and individuals from losing their homes.

October 7, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor M. Jodi Rell announced that the state has directed $10.8 million in federal stimulus funds to prevent homeless through a community-based program that provides assistance for rent and utility bills, intervenes during evictions and offers emergency lodging and other services aimed at keeping Connecticut families and individuals from losing their homes.

October 7, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor M. Jodi Rell announced that the state has directed $10.8 million in federal stimulus funds to prevent homeless through a community-based program that provides assistance for rent and utility bills, intervenes during evictions and offers emergency lodging and other services aimed at keeping Connecticut families and individuals from losing their homes.

Aurora, CO - October 7, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07), is pleased to announce the Aurora Comprehensive Community Mental Health Center is the recipient of a $46,706.00 grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to help reduce homelessness among the veterans population in the Aurora community.

SAN JOSE, CA - October 7, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- CALIFORNIA REALTOR® EXPO 2009, the state’s largest real estate trade show, opens today at 5 p.m. at the San Jose Convention Center in San Jose, Calif. Running Oct. 6-8, CALIFORNIA REALTOR® EXPO 2009 features more than 50 cutting-edge seminars, hot new products, and networking opportunities for California REALTORS®. CALIFORNIA REALTOR® EXPO 2009 also offers more than 150 exhibit booths and is expected to attract more than 7,000 attendees. Educational seminars range from hands-on computer training and social networking for business to short sales and home staging.“CALIFORNIA REALTOR® EXPO 2009 provides an invaluable networking and educational opportunity to California REALTORS®,” said C.A.R. President James Liptak. “The event has something for everyone, whether a new REALTOR® curious about how to thrive in California’s ever-changing market, or a seasoned veteran looking for new ways to boost their bottom line.”

SAN JOSE - October 7, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Forty-six percent of California REALTORS® surveyed report they use some type of social networking Web site to stay on top of trends in their business, according to the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®’ (C.A.R.) annual “Use of Technology Survey,” released today at Tech Tuesday. The most popular social networking site among REALTORS® surveyed was LinkedIn (34 percent), followed by YouTube (13 percent) and MySpace (12 percent).

October 7, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the awarding of more than $68 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) weatherization funding to non-profit, local government and community action agencies throughout the state. This funding is federally designated to help low-income families weatherize their homes, which decreases utility bills and saves energy while stimulating local economies. Administered by the State Department of Community Services and Development (CSD), California’s low-income Recovery Act weatherization program was one of the first 15 state plans federally approved by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

October 7, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- State Treasurer Clint Zweifel will be in St. Louis on Thursday, October 8 to launch the revamped Missouri Linked Deposit Program, a low-interest loan program he administers. Treasurer Zweifel will be at LipoSpectrum, a local life science company specializing in state-of-the-art lipid analysis using patented technology developed at Washington University. LipoSpectrum, located in the St. Louis Enterprise Center's Midtown location uses the Missouri Linked Deposit Program. Borrowers using the loan program usually save about 30 percent on their interest costs.

Houston, TX - October 7, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Radisson Denver North, Colorado, Texas has been sold. Lisa Hankamer of CB Richard Ellis' Hotels Group, announced that the sale of the 133-unit, interior corridor property occurred at the end of September 2009. The Hotel, which is a local landmark, has great visibility along I-25, just 10 minutes north of Downtown Denver and was sold free-and-clear of management and franchise affiliation. The new owners, Stone Castle Corporation, has over 20 year's experience operating hotels in the state of Colorado and have a proven track record for repositioning hotels within their respective market arenas. Approximately $6 million will be spent on upgrading the facility and rebranding. The group has a history operating under most of the major brands and has been quite successful in capturing a broader market base through their repositioning.

October 6, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Montgomery County Commission on Common Ownership Communities (CCOC) will hold its annual forum on Thursday, October 22 at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria of the Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe Street, Rockville. Homeowners and residents of common ownership communities in the County are invited to attend, as well as professionals who work with those communities

October 6, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Montgomery County Office of Human Rights will host an educational forum on Thursday, October 22 from 12:30 to 4 p.m., in Building 2 of the University of Maryland, Shady Grove Campus.

TAMPA, FL - October 6, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 4 – 10) is a perfect time for home and business owners to assess their properties to determine how vulnerable they may be to fire coming from both outside and inside - and then take actions to prevent losses, the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) said today.

Washington, DC - October 6, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, Rep. Betty Sutton (D-OH) announced that the City of Akron will receive $4 million in Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to eliminate lead from homes in urban neighborhoods.