Monthly Archives: March 2010

SEATTLE, WA - March 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- - Mayor Mike McGinn has named Rick Hooper as the new interim director of the city's Office of Housing, citing Hooper's 30 years of experience with the city and his success implementing the Seattle Housing Levy.

ORLANDO, FL - March 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Florida’s existing home sales rose in January, marking 17 months that sales activity has increased in the year-to-year comparison, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®.Existing home sales increased 24 percent last month with a total of 10,465 homes sold statewide compared to 8,444 homes sold in January 2009, according to Florida Realtors. January’s statewide sales of existing condos rose 81 percent compared to the previous year’s sales figure

PRE-CLOSINGS BEGIN AND IMMEDIATE OCCUPANCY AVAILABLE AT BEACON TOWERS IN HARLEM. With Only 15 Units Remaining, Beacon Towers is Over 70% Sold. NEW YORK, NY - March 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Beacon Towers today announced that pre-closings have begun at the new cooperative building in Central Harlem and immediate occupancy is available.

Jim Quinn, Branch Manager with UFirst Financial, is presenting a special Seminar to find out how you can save 1000's of dollars on your mortgage(s) with the UFirst Money Merge Account. Seating is limited to 25-30 so be sure to RSVP. This meeting is for UFirst Agents and anyone who wants to find out how to pay down your mortgages in 9 to 11 years.

COLUMBIA, MD - March 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Enterprise commends the United States Senate for passing the Tax Extenders Act (H.R. 4213) on March 10. The bill, which will now return to the House for a final vote, includes legislation critical to the affordable housing industry

LOS ANGELES, CA - March 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Real Estate Business Services Inc. (REBS®) today announced that more than 106,000 members of CARETS now can utilize the Clarus MarketMetrics® database on either an individual subscription or member benefit basis. CARETS provides an all-inclusive database of properties for sale covering six counties in Southern California. Current participating CARETS MLSs include: CRISnet, i-Tech MLS, MRMLS, SoCALMLS, and The MLS®/CLAW. VCRDS and California Desert data are coming on board soon.

March 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) today announced $250 million in bonds are available for affordable home loans, which includes a set aside of 10 % (up to $25 million) for new construction home purchases.

FORSYTH, GA - March 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- As spring arrives, backyard gardeners and landscapers begin the yearly task of beautifying their outdoor environments. The Georgia Wildlife Resources Division recommends that amateur and professional gardeners, regardless of their yard’s size, consider building a place for wildlife while planning for spring gardens.

Jackson, MS - March 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- EastGroup Properties (NYSE-EGP) announced today that it will hold its First Quarter Conference Call and Web Cast on Thursday, April 29, 2010 at 11:00 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time. On the call, David Hoster, President and CEO, and Keith McKey, CFO, will review the first quarter results and discuss EastGroup's current operations

Jefferson City, MO - March 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Chris Koster today announced that the operators of a foreclosure-relief business will no longer be allowed to do business in Missouri or other states, thanks to a court settlement with Missouri, California and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). US Foreclosure Relief Corp., George Escalante, Cesar Lopez and Adrian Pomery are permanently banned from selling mortgage loan modification or foreclosure relief services.

AUSTIN, TX - March 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Gov. Rick Perry today announced that the Texas Emerging Technology Fund (TETF) is investing $1.5 million in SolarBridge Technologies Inc. for the development and commercialization of their technology for the widespread use of solar energy.

MORRIS PLAINS, N.J. - March 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions an individual can make. So it is understandable that one considering a home purchase may take their time to avoid rushing into such a large financial commitment.

NEW YORK, NY - March 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Chase announced today that it will provide additional help to struggling homeowners by joining the second-lien program of the federal government's Home Affordable Modification Program.

Philadelphia, PA - March 19, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Philadelphia Housing Authority received an overwhelming 54,000 applications over a two-week period for the agency’s Housing Choice Voucher Program, 61% coming on-line through the PHA website.

BOSTON, MA - March 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- A survey of home improvement contractors (HIC) conducted by the Patrick-Murray Administration's Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation found that 85 percent of the contractors checked did not follow state laws requiring the listing of registration numbers on displays and other advertising.Since taking over the HIC program last July, the Office of Consumer Affairs has focused on ensuring contractors know the law regarding registration numbers and understand the importance of displaying the numbers. For consumers, being able to easily find and check a registration number is important as homeowners go through the process of considering a contractor. Hiring a registered contractor affords some protections and possible compensation from the state’s Guaranty Fund that would not be available if a consumer uses an unregistered contractor

TAVARES, FL - March 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Lake County Department of Community Services and its partner Homes in Partnership are advertising several homes for sale online that were purchased through the federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP)

ANSTED, WV - March 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Four southern West Virginia communities will receive $500,000 in federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) funds to buy blighted residential properties and demolish or redevelop them into new homes for sale as part of Fayette County’s program to broaden affordable housing opportunities

BOISE, ID - March 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Fair housing can be complex for housing professionals, service providers, and local communities. The Idaho Fair Housing Forum, in partnership with the Idaho Affordable Housing Management Association, will host a conference focusing on rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act. “Fair Housing 2010 – More than a Black and White Issue,” will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 19 at the Doubletree Hotel Boise Riverside. Registration is required and begins at 8 a.m. A $10 registration fee includes lunch and conference materials.

- March 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Free Teleseminar with Linda and Nyrick Huuskonen Monday, March 22. 8:00 - 8:45pm Register at: http://www.ctreia.com/events.php#event_249. Be sure to check your email after registering. We'll email you the phone number and pin access code for this Webinar.

March 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Chief Justice Leigh I. Saufley announced that on March 25, 2010, the Foreclosure Diversion Program will hold its first informational session at the Penobscot Judicial Center. After this session, each judicial region across the State will have held at least one informational session. Chief Justice Saufley reported that previous sessions in other parts of the State have been received well by those who have participated. “Homeowner attendance has been high at these sessions, which indicates that homeowners are working to prepare for mediation. Ensuring that both parties are prepared for mediation will be key to successful resolutions,” she said.

JEFFERSON CITY, MO - March 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Thirty-two pieces of prime real estate throughout the state will go on the auction block April 26-30 when the Missouri Department of Transportation holds its second Realty to Roads property blitz.

EITC is a useful resource for low to moderate income working individuals and families Houston, TX - March 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, Congressman Al Green (TX-09) sponsored and organized two town hall meetings to inform tax filers about the Earned Income Tax Credit, also known as EITC. Attendees met with Internal Revenue Service (IRS) representatives and tax preparation specialists who assisted them with filing their 2009 tax returns.

SPRINGFIELD, IL - March 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Illinois housing market posted its sixth consecutive month of year-over-year home sales increases in February as tax credit and buyer market conditions continue to move the market toward stability. According to the Illinois Association of REALTORS® latest report, statewide total home sales (which include single-family and condominiums) in February 2010 were up 15.7 percent, totaling 6,068 homes sold compared to February 2009 sales of 5,243 homes. The median price in February 2010 was $135,000, down 3.6 percent from $140,000 in February 2009. The median is a typical market price where half the homes sold for more, half sold for less

Santa Ana, CA - March 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today shut down two fraudulent foreclosure-assistance companies and secured a court judgment that prohibits three individuals from working in the real estate industry and provides more than $1 million in restitution for victims left with "false hope" after paying upfront fees for nonexistent loan-modification services.

Washington, DC - March 19, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that Community Development Corporation of Long Island, Inc. (CDC), a member of the national NeighborWorks network, has been awarded $383,400 in funding from NeighborWorks America.

Albany, NY - March 19, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor David A. Paterson has signed into law legislation authorizing the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) to restructure the ownership of 21 public housing developments as part of a comprehensive rehabilitations plan.

March 19, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General McCollum today sent letters to the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate President regarding the impact commercial real estate foreclosures could have on Florida's economy and encouraging the legislature to be proactive in addressing the pending crisis

March 19, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- CCM is Connecticut's statewide association of towns and cities and the voice of local government - your partners in governing Connecticut. Our members represent over 93% of Connecticut's population. We appreciate this opportunity to provide testimony to you on issues of concern to towns and cities.

March 19, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Working to bring affordable housing options and needed jobs to Kankakee, Rep. Debbie Halvorson (IL-11) joined State Senator Toi Hutchinson, State Representative Lisa Dugan, Mayor Samuel Payton, and other local officials and community members at the ground breaking of Sandstone Hills, a single-family rent-to-own community of 29 homes made possible by federal Recovery Act funding."A critical part of the American Dream is the opportunity to have a home our families can call their own," said Halvorson. "The funding provided by the Recovery Act I voted for will offer an opportunity for families to purchase homes they can afford, at a time when they need help the most."

March 19, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- In Arkansas, the term "energy-efficiency" carries more and more meaning for us in our homes and our bank accounts with each passing day. Because of the federal stimulus program, Arkansas has $2.7 million for families who replace home appliances with new, ENERGY STAR models. ENERGY STAR is an international rating system developed by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. It lets consumers identify products that conserve energy use and save money on utility bills.