Monthly Archives: May 2010

BALTIMORE, MD - May 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler announced today that the Securities Division has issued a Summary Order to Cease and Desist against Diversified Marketing Consultants, Inc., d/b/a DMC and ShopD2Z, Lamondes D. Williams, and related entities Digital Zone Electronics Warehouse and Mainline Properties LLC, all operating in the metro-Baltimore area. They have been ordered to cease and desist violating Maryland’s securities laws by operating a fraudulent investment scheme that offered “employment” in a venture to recruit others, with the promise of profit and the use of an apartment for a year

WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- As the International Monetary Fund (IMF) moves closer to approving a substantial loan to the Commonwealth of Antigua and Barbuda, U.S. Senators Roger Wicker and Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today called on the government of Antigua to release several hundred million dollars that it seized from fraudulent financier Allen Stanford.

New York, NY - May 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- BRP Companies and Halstead Property Development Marketing today announced that 61% of units are under contract at The Douglass, a new high-end condominium development located in South Harlem at 2110 Frederick Douglass Boulevard and the corner of 114th Street.

May 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- It was an historic moment set in a 17th century opera house in Trento, Italy. What started last fall as an idea during World Green Building Day, culminated with representatives from both the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and Green Building Council Italia (GBC Italia) signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) designed as a collaborative partnership between the two organizations, furthering green building and promoting carbon emissions reductions in Italy and worldwide

Washington, DC - May 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- With the real estate market improving, three-quarters of Realtors® are very certain they will remain active in the market for two more years, according to the 2010 National Association of Realtors® Member Profile. Only 8 percent were uncertain about their future.

McLean, VA - May 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE) today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®) in which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 5.00 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending May 6, 2010, down from last week when it averaged 5.06 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.84 percent.

ATLANTA, GA - May 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding small businesses in Indiana that June 4 is the filing deadline for Economic Injury Disaster Loans available in Jasper, LaPorte, Lake, Porter and Starke counties. The SBA declared a disaster because of severe storms and tornadoes that occurred on August 19, 2009

Atlanta, GA - May 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Prudential Georgia Realtyis proud to announce Julia Russo is the latest experienced real estateprofessional to join its sales team. She is based out of PrudentialGeorgia Realty’s new Buckhead office, located at 3221 Peachtree Road, just south of the Peachtree and Piedmont Road intersection.

Cromwell, CT - May 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- CT REIA and Patrick Precourt presents: How To Be Competitive in the Short Sale Market. Investors across the nation. Patrick opened North Shore Enterprises, a professional real estate investment company specializing in pre-foreclosure and short sales, in the beginning of 2000. Since then his team has completed well over 680 short sales and will pass the 700 mark by summer 10’. Patrick runs an extremely successful mentorship program with over 500 elite students across the country. He also owns one of the top Online Real Estate Management Systems and CRM’s (Customer Relationship Management Systems) in the country. He’s also a contributing author to the best selling series “Wake up… live the life you love: The power of team”.

May 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The state Senate today took final action on legislation to extend the state’s highly successful foreclosure mediation program for an additional two years, a move shepherded by Banks Committee co-chair Senator Bob Duff (D-Norwalk)

Tampa, FL - May 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) today announced the availability of new guidelines to protect property from the ravages of wildfire. The information pertains to homes and businesses, including farms and ranches, and is available in electronically and as hard copy printed brochures suitable for mailing or distributing at events. The printed series comprises three property-specific brochures

May 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division is considering changes relating to the marketing of recreational opportunities on lands owned and managed by the Department. These changes may include: charging fees at DNR-managed properties and facilities, classification of DNR-managed properties, and diversifying recreational opportunities on DNR-managed properties. The Department has scheduled four (4) public meetings across the state to provide the public an opportunity to offer input on these changes for consideration. Those interested are encouraged to bring these meetings to the attention of others that also may be interested in participating

BOSTON, MA - May 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- MassHousing announced a $26.9 million construction loan commitment today for Phase One of the Old Colony public housing redevelopment in South Boston. Beacon Communities of Boston is developing the first phase of the Old Colony project, which will replace seven distressed and blighted apartment buildings with 116 new apartments for low-income families in one mid-rise building and four clusters of town homes. Phase One also includes the construction of a new 10,000-square-foot community center, which will be operated by the Boston Housing Authority (BHA)

WOBURN, MA - May 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- A Marblehead attorney has been indicted by a statewide Grand Jury for allegedly attempting to retrieve over $1.3 million dollars in mortgage funds in connection with a sophisticated mortgage fraud scheme. Leon Gelfgatt, age 49, allegedly used false documents to create the appearance that mortgages on several Massachusetts properties which were scheduled for impending sale had been transferred to a fake company created by Gelfgatt. Gelfgatt allegedly did this in order to obtain the payoff funds sent by real estate closing attorneys when the properties were sold.

WASHINGTON, DC - May 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Fannie Mae (FNM/NYSE) today announced a new partnership that will accelerate response time and provide financial counseling to distressed Florida homeowners whose mortgages are owned by Fannie Mae and serviced by SunTrust.

Washington, DC - May 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) has received a donation of $5 million for the purpose of advancing the Coalition’s mission to achieve socially just public policy that assures people with the lowest incomes in the United States have affordable and decent homes. The donors wish to remain anonymous. NLIHC has established a new endowment with this gift.

NEW YORK, NY - May 5, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Building on its success in helping Florida homeowners, Chase today announced that it will host multi-day Homeowner Assistance Events exclusively for struggling Chase homeowners in eight major U.S. markets this year.

Washington, DC - May 5, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Despite today’s tight economy, many areas of the country have not seen a significant drop in their high cost of living. To help meet this critical need for more affordable housing for low- to moderate-income working families, the National Association of Realtors® has awarded more than $3.4 million through the Ira Gribin Workforce Housing Grants program.

Thousand Oaks, CA - May 5, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- In 2007, Investors Hospitality Management (“IHM”) introduced the hospitality industry’s first sustainable 3rd party management and ownership services company, whose mantra “stewardship with sustainability”, was adopted by many industry media and green hoteliers. From IHM’s initial emphasis on sustainability, however, John Glen DiGuiseppe, IHM Founder/CEO, recognizes it’s time for an industry about-face as he states: “Stewardship in the 2010 US economy as “the essential condition for profitability”

ATLANTA, GA - May 5, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- To make the home shopping process even easier for buyers, Tina Fountain Realtors has introduced a premier property search tool in the Atlanta area for use on mobile devices. Any web-enabled cell phone can access the free mobile search feature, helping buyers locate properties based upon city, address, MLS, and other options.

May 5, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- A 49-year-old Fridley man has pleaded guilty in federal court in Minneapolis to defrauding eight mortgage lenders of $1.9 million. Appearing before United States District Court Judge David S. Doty earlier today, Taleb Mohamed Wazwaz pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mortgage fraud through the use of interstate wires. Wazwaz was charged via an Information on April 19, 2010.

May 5, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Quicken Loans, the nation’s largest online retail mortgage lender, and Junior Achievement of Arizona recently partnered in a job shadowing day with Metro Tech High School of Phoenix. Quicken Loans team members from the company’s Scottsdale office hosted 23 students, during a day designed to give students a unique and up-close look at the workplace

WASHINGTON, DC - May 5, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service today announced a $4 million competition to fund at least 12 Incarcerated Veterans Transition Program grants designed to assist eligible veterans who are currently incarcerated and/or transitioning out of the justice system who are at risk of homelessness. VETS is collaborating with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to better assist our nation's incarcerated veterans and help prevent their recidivism

HOUSTON, TX - May 5, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Last month, Rebuilding Together - Houston, a leader in preserving affordable housing for low-income homeowners, announced that it will be receiving a $400,000 grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), specifically designated for Rebuilding Together – Houston’s Veterans Housing program

Houston, TX - May 5, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Compucom, an IT outsourcing company that provides infrastructure management services, application services, systems integration and consulting services, as well as the procurement and management of hardware and software, has leased 16,168 square feet of office space at Southwest Corporate Center.

Glendale, AZ - May 5, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Even as Arizona continues to struggle with significant economical challenges, real estate investing and property management company HomeLovers today announced it has doubled its office space in Glendale in response to surging client demand for their property management and real estate investing services. The company grew 165% to more than 500 rental homes in the last twelve months. In addition to the 100% growth in space, HomeLovers has also grown its staff by 40 percent, including the addition of staff in sales, customer service and accounting.

EUGENE, OR - May 5, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- IDX, Inc. eagerly announces today that they have added yet another real estate professional to their expanding list of fulfilled customers; Peter Weigher with RE/MAX Realty Associates in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, has purchased the one-of-a-kind IDX Broker services, as a time-saving way to instantly link potential home buyers browsing his website, with thousands of property listings within his local Multiple Listing Service (MLS), the Central Penn Multi-List MLS (CPMLS). Home seekers are being granted access to valuable real estate information, that previously was solely available to real estate agents and brokers, providing them with a truly unique and user-friendly way to execute their online real estate search.

EUGENE, OR - May 5, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- IDX, Inc. is pleased to announce they are teaming up with Albert Baeza of Cape Concierge Realty Inc., to give Cape Coral, Florida residents and potential home buyers the greatest online home search experience. As a member of the Cape Coral MLS (CapeCoral), Baeza has long had access to thousands of properties listed in the area. But now, thanks to IDX Broker software, Baeza's website integrates the CapeCoral listings directly with his page, giving his clients and those exploring the market the most extensive property listings online

EUGENE, OR - May 5, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Property Economics and AJ Leekha have chosen IDX, Inc. and the IDX Broker software to update their real estate website. With the help of the Midwest Real Estate Data MLS (MRED), thousands of listings can now be displayed on Leekha's website. This convenient technology allows potential home buyers to view every listing in the Chicago, Illinois area, without having to leave Leekha's website. MRED data syncs with Leekha's listings, to present home seekers with the largest and most complete set of property listings around.

West Hartford, CT - May 5, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Connecticut Real Estate Investors Association, or CT REIA, in association with Than Merrill, is announcing a free webinar with Than Merrill of A&E’s “Flip This House”. This event will take place on Tuesday, May 11th, from 8:00pm to 9:00pm Eastern Standard Time. This event is free for CT REIA members and all guests