Monthly Archives: April 2010

April 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Among households with the lowest incomes, there are twice as many households as there are affordable rental units in Colorado. According to a report released today by the Department of Local Affairs' Division of Housing, there are 49 rental units affordable to every 100 households that earn $20,000 or less per year. The report assumes that households earning $20,000 can afford a monthly rent payment of $500, or 30 percent of monthly income.

Harlem Community Development Corporation (HCDC) and Citibank are hosting "Doing Business Uptown,"a Small Business Conference aimed at introducing entrepreneurs to small business resource providers with a proven track record of developing firms in Upper Manhattan.

Al is a national speaker specializing in Wealth Protection teaching dynamic strategies on tax reduction, IRS audit-proofing, entity structuring and asset protection targeted for real estate investors and business owners. He has been a real estate investor for over 30 years. He first got his real estate license and went on to broker millions of dollars of real estate. He then got his CPA by passing the first time, not an easy accomplishment. Subsequently, he got his Masters in Taxation graduating with the highest honors in this rigorous program. He was immediately hired as adjunct professor where he taught

San Francisco, CA - April 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco has allocated $14.6 million to its 2010 Workforce Initiative Subsidy for Homeownership (WISH) and Individual Development and Empowerment Account (IDEA) first-time homebuyer programs. In this award cycle, 30 of the Bank’s member financial institutions reserved $10.25 million in WISH funds and $4.35 million in IDEA funds to help lower-income families and individuals become homeowners in Arizona, California, Nevada, and other states where Bank members do business. Nine institutions are participating in these programs for the first time.

Boise, ID - April 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Idaho Department of Finance announced the issuance of a cease and desist order today against California-based “Relief Law Center,” stemming from alleged unlawful mortgage modification solicitations targeted to Idaho homeowners.

BOSTON, MA - April 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- A former local attorney pled guilty in Suffolk Superior Court for his role in a complex scheme in which fraudulent documents were used to defraud homeowners and mortgage lenders in real estate transactions involving 26 distressed properties in the Greater Boston area. Bruce Namenson, age 47, of Walpole, pled guilty yesterday to charges of Larceny over $250 (18 Counts), Making or Publishing False or Exaggerated Statements (9 Counts), and False Written Reports by Public Officer or Employee (4 Counts). After the plea was entered, Superior Court Judge Carol Ball sentenced Namenson to serve 2 years in the House of Correction, one year to serve, with the balance suspended for 3 years.

LANSING, MI - April 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Recently, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm signed into law a bill establishing a new per occupant fee as part of the licensing and inspection process for migrant labor housing in Michigan. The $5 per occupancy fee is paid by growers at the time of their application to help offset general fund budget reductions to the Michigan Department of Agriculture's (MDA) Migrant Labor Housing Inspection Program

Dunwoody, GA - April 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Real estate professional Gloria Jean Hecking was presented with Member of the Year honors for the Atlanta chapter of the Women’s Council of Realtors during its January luncheon at the Capitol City Grill in Buckhead

Washington, DC - April 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Michael Bennet, U.S. Senator for Colorado, today sent a letter encouraging the U.S. Treasury Department to make common-sense improvements to its mortgage loan modification program that would help Coloradans from losing their homes to foreclosure. The Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) provides assistance to allow families facing foreclosures to stay in their homes, and the changes Bennet is pushing for would further improve the program's ability to help struggling homeowners.

Washington, DC - April 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Michael Bennet, U.S. Senator for Colorado, today sent a letter encouraging the U.S. Treasury Department to make common-sense improvements to its mortgage loan modification program that would help Coloradans from losing their homes to foreclosure. The Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) provides assistance to allow families facing foreclosures to stay in their homes, and the changes Bennet is pushing for would further improve the program's ability to help struggling homeowners.

TALLAHASSEE, FL - April 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Florida CFO Alex Sink’s Bureau of Unclaimed Property today announced that last month over $22.4 million in unclaimed property was returned to owners – the biggest return in state history. In February, the Bureau returned a record-setting $22 million, which has now been surpassed by the March record

ANDOVER, MA - April 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mold in a damaged home can create serious health problems for residents following the severe storms and flooding in March, warn Commonwealth/ FEMA officials overseeing the Massachusetts recovery effort.

LOS ANGELES, CA - April 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- California homeowners sued Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) on Tuesday claiming the lending giant is intentionally withholding government funds intended to save homeowners from foreclosure, announces Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro

Atlanta, GA - April 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Prudential Georgia Realty, a metro Atlanta real estate firm with more than 20 locations in several counties, including a thriving office in Midtown, has recently signed a lease to open a new Buckhead office. The 5,000+ square foot space is located at 3221 Peachtree Road, a block south of the Piedmont Road and Peachtree Road intersection, in the heart of Buckhead.

Providence, RI - April 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- For the growing number of Rhode Island homeowners who face the possibility of foreclosure, a new public education campaign is providing vital information to guard against loan modification scams, find trusted help and report illegal activity to authorities.

LINCOLN, NEB. - April 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Nebraska Department of Economic Development has awarded $1,967,114 in HOME funding to five local/regional housing authorities and non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations to build rental housing for residents ages 55 and older in their respective communities.

NEW YORK, NY - April 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- LCOR has announced the grand opening of North Williamsburg's newest rental development, 34 Berry Street — a 142-unit apartment building located at the corner of North 12th and Berry Streets in Brooklyn.

Albany, NY - April 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) received the 2010 ENERGY STAR Leadership in Housing Award from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its work to promote energy-efficient construction and environmental protection through its New York ENERGY STAR Homes Program.

New York, NY - April 5, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) today announced $445,400 in NeighborWorks® America grants for Neighborhood Housing Services of New York City, Inc. (NHS). NHS is a member of the national NeighborWorks® network that supports affordable housing and community development activities throughout the five boroughs of New York City.

Marietta, GA - April 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Real estate professional Sandi Bonner, who has been an agent 31 years, received three, separate real estate industry honors in recent weeks. A long-time Realtor with Prudential Georgia Realty, she is based out of its Northwest office on Dallas Hwy. in West Cobb

DES MOINES, IA - April 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Chet Culver announced today that six affordable housing initiatives will receive a total of more than $2.2 million to preserve and construct affordable housing. The awards are made through the Affordable Housing Program, a part of the Culver/Judge Administration’s I-JOBS initiative. The Iowa Finance Authority administers the program.

April 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- To symbolically plant the seeds of volunteerism and real seeds that will produce vegetables, Delaware First Lady Carla Markell planted a new garden today at Woodburn, the official Governor’s residence in Dover. The garden will produce a variety of vegetables that will be donated to area homeless shelters.

Des Moines, IA - April 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) Board of Directors recently approved a grant of $25,000 to the Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation (NEICAC) to help advance affordable homeownership in Oelwein. The funding is made available through the State Housing Trust Fund’s Project-Based program. The program provides financing for the development of affordable single-family and multifamily housing units

April 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Potential homebuyers may qualify for $15,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance to help buy a foreclosed single-family home, townhouse or condominium in the city of Phoenix

San Mateo, CA - April 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) --The San Mateo County Association of REALTORS (SAMCAR) has announced that the association is participating in the REALTOR® Nationwide Open House event Saturday, April 10 and Sunday, April 11. The nationwide effort is to increase consumer awareness of the benefits of buying a home and give sellers an opportunity to increase the exposure for their home for sale. Most importantly, the open house event is a collective effort on behalf of SAMCAR and its participating members to continue to spread the word about the expanded first-time homebuyer and long-term homebuyer tax credits, which end April 30. Qualified buyers wishing to take advantage of the credits, which provide up to $8,000 for first-time homebuyers and up to $6,500 forexisting homeowners, must enter into a contract by April 30 and close no later thanJune 30.

WASHINGTON, DC - April 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congresswoman Laura Richardson is reminding families in the market for a new home to act soon so they can benefit from the First Time Homebuyer (FTHB) tax credit, which has been extended an additional 30 days to a deadline of May 1, 2010.

Judgment part of statewide investigation into reports of discriminatory Internet advertising. BOSTON, MA - April 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office obtained a judgment against Linheart Smith, a Hyde Park landlord, resolving allegations that he made discriminatory statements in rental advertisements posted on the popular classified advertising website Craigslist.org (“Craigslist”). The judgment, signed by Suffolk Superior Court Judge John C. Cratsley, on April 2, 2010, provides a broad range of relief and preventive measures to ensure Smith’s future compliance with state and federal fair housing laws. This judgment is the result of a continuing statewide investigation by the Attorney General’s Office into reports of widespread discriminatory Internet advertising.“Our office’s lawsuit alleged that this landlord had discriminated against low-income individuals seeking housing. Landlords and real estate professionals must recognize that the rental market is a regulated industry and compliance with our anti-discrimination laws is an important obligation,” said Attorney General Coakley. “While we hope that this enforcement initiative will have a deterrent effect, our office will continue to monitor Craigslist and take action against landlords and real estate professionals who violate the law.”

April 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights joins the Local Human Rights Commissions of Kentucky and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to highlight efforts to fight housing discrimination and promote inclusive, diverse communities.

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - April 5, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — The Utah Division of Housing and Community Development announced today that Utah will extend the Home Energy Assistance Target Program (HEAT) application deadline until May 31, 2010 or until all funds are expended.

WASHINGTON, DC - April 5, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced HUD will speed federal disaster assistance to 12 counties in New Jersey and provide support to homeowners and low-income renters forced from their homes following last month’s severe storms and flooding.