Monthly Archives: June 2010

SACRAMENTO, CA - June 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The pace of home sales at California new-home communities continued to be notably lower than levels seen a year ago, the California Building Industry Association reported today.

CHICAGO, IL - June 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Demonstrating the State of Illinois’ commitment to sustainable homeownership, Governor Pat Quinn today proclaimed June to be Homeownership Month in Illinois.

NEW BEDFORD, MA - June 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- A vacant industrial site along the Acushnet River contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (“PCBs”) and solvents will be cleaned up and prepared for redevelopment under an agreement Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) reached with AVX Corporation (“AVX”).

WASHINGTON, DC - June 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Sens. Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow, both D-Mich., announced $6,641,523 in funding for four Michigan projects supporting advanced energy-efficient building technologies. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding was awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy. The projects will be executed in Midland, West Olive and Benton Harbor

Washington, DC - June 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today John Taylor, CEO and President of the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, urged the conference committee to withstand pressure to remove independent appraisal requirements on mortgages in the financial reform bill and expressed disappointment with its failure to resolve the troubling conflict of interest between credit rating agencies and Wall Street. Taylor also urged inclusion of an Office of the Homeowner Advocate in HAMP to conduct loan modification appeals brought by homeowners and serve as a policy voice for homeowners.

Washington, D.C. - June 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- George Miller, FAIA, President of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and Taro Ashihara, President of the Japan Institute of Architects (JIA), sign an Accord on Professionalism in Architecture renewing the relationship between the two organizations. The event, taking place during the 2010 AIA annual convention and exposition in Miami, marks the third accord of a relationship that was formed more than twenty years ago.

Agreement Provides Keller Williams with Specialized, Global Channel of Vacation Home Buyers and Sellers. AUSTIN, TX - June 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- HomeAway® Real Estate, the only online marketplace dedicated to buying and selling vacation homes with rental potential, today announced a marketing agreement with Keller Williams® Realty, Inc. The partnership provides the third-largest real estate franchise operation in the United States with access to a global audience of vacation home buyers and sellers.

WASHINGTON, DC - June 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International has announced that its Multi-Unit Residential Buildings: Standard Methods of Measurement (ANSI/BOMA Z65.4-2010) has been accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Three other titles in BOMA’s suite of measurement standards were also recently accredited by ANSI, including Office Buildings: Standard Methods of Measurement (ANSI/BOMA Z65.1-2010), Industrial Buildings: Standard Methods of Measurement (ANSI/BOMA Z65.2–2009) and Gross Areas of a Building: Standard Methods of Measurement (ANSI/BOMA Z65.3-2009).Thenew measurement standard provides a uniform methodology for computing, communicating and comparing the measurement of multi-unit residential buildings. The Standard was developed through the collaborative efforts of four leading industry associations: BOMA International, the Institute of Real Estate Management, the National Association of Home Builders and the National Multi Housing Council.

McLean, VA - June 17, 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 4.75 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending June 17, 2010, up from last week when it averaged 4.72 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 5.38 percent.

WASHINGTON, DC - June 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today awarded more than $2.3 billion to 3,131 public housing authorities across the U.S, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The funds will allow these agencies to make major capital improvements to their public housing units. To view the full list of grantees

WASHINGTON, Dc - June 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- In an effort to better serve the American people, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has embraced social media and streamlined its Web site contact tools to facilitate open communication and total transparency.

VIENNA, VA - June 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) today released its first analysis of suspicious activity reports (SARs) containing information about potential foreclosure rescue scams. The report, Loan Modification and Foreclosure Rescue Scams – Evolving Trends and Patterns in Bank Secrecy Act Reporting , involved an analysis of more than 3,500 SARs filed from 2004 through 2009, of which the great majority, 3,000, were filed last year. Additionally, FinCEN today also provided updated guidance to the financial industry concerning new scam techniques that financial professionals should watch for and report.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - June 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Reserve Board on Thursday announced the discussion topics for its upcoming public hearings on potential revisions to Regulation C, which implements the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA). Members of the Board's Consumer Advisory Council (CAC), who represent consumer and community organizations, the financial services industry, academic institutions, and state agencies, will join Board officials in presiding at the hearings.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - June 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- As part of the agency’s continuing crackdown on scams that prey on financially distressed homeowners, the Federal Trade Commission announced legal actions against more than a dozen marketers accused of pitching bogus mortgage modification or foreclosure relief services.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - June 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- As part of the agency’s continuing crackdown on scams that prey on financially distressed homeowners, the Federal Trade Commission announced legal actions against more than a dozen marketers accused of pitching bogus mortgage modification or foreclosure relief services.

Oklahoma City, OK - June 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) applauds the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) and its membership for embracing a green building policy agenda, including the adoption of five resolutions that benefit our built environment and are critical to USGBC’s mission of transforming the design, construction and operations of our buildings and communities.

COLUMBUS, OH - June 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) is celebrating National Homeownership Month by honoring programs and initiatives across the affordable housing industry that demonstrate excellence and innovation.

HARRISBURG, PA - June 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- June is National Homeownership Month, making it the perfect time to remind Pennsylvanians about the terrific resources available from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency if they are considering a home purchase.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - June 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN-9) today announced the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded the Memphis Housing Authority (MHA) more than $10 million for capital and management activities that include modernization and development of public housing.

Washington, DC - June 16, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — This recession has been particularly brutal on American cities. Nearly one in five Americans are unemployed — or can’t find enough work — housing prices have fallen 17% since 2007, our $13 trillion debt is out of control, and experts are now preparing for the possibility [...]

Washington, DC - June 16, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — According to the Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) released today by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, levels of homelessness in the United States stayed essentially the same between 2008 and 2009. The AHAR – which is based on data collected in [...]

Salem, OR - June 16, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today Governor Ted Kulongoski and Senator Ron Wyden broke ground at ZeaChem, a new cellulosic biofuels facility, and toured Shepherds Flat Windmill Farm, which broke ground late last month on the first of three phases.

COLUMBUS, OH - June 15, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) offers a number of diverse programs that promote sustainable homeownership.

Omaha, NE - June 15, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson cosponsored legislation enabling substantial wind power development in Nebraska that could create jobs and provide Nebraskans with more electricity generated from renewable energy.

TRENTON, NJ - June 16, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Paula T. Dow and Criminal Justice Director Stephen J. Taylor today announced charges against a Kearny woman who allegedly orchestrated a scheme to steal millions of dollars by obtaining mortgage loans using false identities and counterfeit documents.

Washington, DC - June 16, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Nevada Senator Harry Reid today received another update on the progress Bank of America has made on CEO Brian Moynihan’s commitment to improve the bank’s service to Nevada homeowners.

COLUMBIA, MD - June 16, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Enterprise Community Partners, Inc. (Enterprise) and the Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC) have partnered to create the Washington Green Communities Retrofit Loan Fund, a $2 million financing pool available to owners of multifamily affordable housing properties in the state of Washington.

EUGENE, OR - June 16, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mark Weber of White Sands Realty in Naples, Florida has chosen to update his real estate website with a customized IDX solution. IDX Broker provides software that cuts down on search time for agents, brokers and potential buyers alike. The innovative technology of IDX Broker software allows the Sunshine MLS (SSMLS) listings to be seamlessly integrated with listings of Mark Weber, giving his clients the most comprehensive database of property listings available.

EUGENE, OR - June 16, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mark Weber of White Sands Realty in Naples, Florida has chosen to update his real estate website with a customized IDX solution. IDX Broker provides software that cuts down on search time for agents, brokers and potential buyers alike. The innovative technology of IDX Broker software allows the Sunshine MLS (SSMLS) listings to be seamlessly integrated with listings of Mark Weber, giving his clients the most comprehensive database of property listings available.

EUGENE, OR - June 16, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mark Weber of White Sands Realty in Naples, Florida has chosen to update his real estate website with a customized IDX solution. IDX Broker provides software that cuts down on search time for agents, brokers and potential buyers alike. The innovative technology of IDX Broker software allows the Sunshine MLS (SSMLS) listings to be seamlessly integrated with listings of Mark Weber, giving his clients the most comprehensive database of property listings available.