Monthly Archives: June 2010

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.

Irving, TX - June 16, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Days Inn & Suites DFW North, Irving Texas has been sold. Bert Stevens of CB Richard Ellis’ Hotels Group, announced that the sale of the 134-unit, rooms-and-suites hotel property occurred mid-May of this year. The Hotel, built in 1983, was marketed at a price of $4.3M, or approximately $32,000 per unit. Its proximity to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) as well as the multiple business and corporate demand generators in the area helped to generate interest on a national level from a large investor base. The new owners, Ambe Hotels, will retain the Days Inn & Suites flag and will spend over $750,000 in upgrades and renovations that will provide opportunities for an increased market share

Douglasville,GA/Wedowee, AL - June 16, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Prudential Georgia Realty is pleased to announce it isnow handling the sales and marketing of ChimneyCove on Lake Wedowee. This exclusive community is an ideal place for a second home or for full-time lake living. Thecommunity’s sales director, Cindy Denney, who was named Realtor of the Year bythe West Metro Board of Realtors earlier this year, and on-site agents AmandaParian and Rhonda Barton made it official when they recently joined PrudentialGeorgia Realty’s West Georgia office in Douglasville

June 16, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Tom Price (R-GA) issued the following statement in support of the most recently selected YouCut proposal to sell excess federal property, saving taxpayers approximately $15 billion. This initiative was first introduced by Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) as part of the RSC Sunset Caucus.

IDAHO FALLS, - June 16, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- During a REALTOR® Appreciation Luncheon on Tuesday, June 15, Idaho Housing and Finance Association (IHFA) will honor 75 Idaho Falls area REALTORS® who helped homebuyers utilize its IdaMortgage Home Loan program. These REALTORS® represented 308 buyers who purchased their homes with IdaMortgage home loans in the last two years—for a collective total of more than $39 million in loan reservations.

Seattle, WA - June 16, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Redfin today released new data on the King County real estate market showing that the median price of a single-family home increased 2.5% from April to May, and 2.5% year over year as well. Redfin attributes the increase in median price in part to the federal tax credit, which required buyers to be under contract on a home sale by April 30. Other metrics were weak: sales volume for King County was mixed from April to May and competition among home-buyers declined, even though the number of houses for sale dropped 5.4%

More than 58,000 apartment listings shared on ForRent.com since launch of social media feature. NORFOLK, VA - June 16, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- According to a recent study conducted by Nielsen and Facebook, consumers trust their friends and peers more than anyone else in making a purchase decision. With more than 58,000 apartment listings “shared” through ForRent.com’s social media “share” tool since October 2009, it is evident this research proves useful in the multi-housing industry as well. ForRent.com is a leading resource for searching apartments for rent and a division of Dominion Enterprises.

Washington, DC - June 16, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Business Solutions, an affiliate of the American Bankers Association, and Freddie Mac today announced plans to help community banks compete in the purchase money mortgage market and help fuel the nation's housing recovery by extending their 8-year old alliance

McLean, VA - June 16, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Freddie Mac (NYSE: FRE) today announced that the company has notified the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) of its intent to delist its common stock and the 20 listed classes of its preferred stock. This notice was made pursuant to a directive by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Freddie Mac's conservator, requiring Freddie Mac to delist its common and preferred securities from the NYSE. According to a press release by FHFA, the Acting Director of FHFA issued similar directives to both Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - June 16, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) today released its Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending June 11, 2010. The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, increased 17.7 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier. On an unadjusted basis, the Index increased 29.7 percent compared with the previous week, which was a shortened week due to the Memorial Day holiday

Washington, DC - June 16, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Delinquency rates continued to increase in the first quarter for all commercial/multifamily mortgage investor groups, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Commercial/Multifamily Delinquency Report.

WASHINGTON, DC - June 16, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Business Solutions, an affiliate of the American Bankers Association, and Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE) today announced plans to help community banks compete in the purchase money mortgage market and help fuel the nation’s housing recovery by extending their 8-year-old alliance.The Freddie Mac/ABA alliance provides ABA’s community bank members with access to critical mortgage products, technology, staff training and other services

Washington, DC - June 16, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) will hold the 2nd Annual DC Housing Expo and Foreclosure Clinic on Saturday, June 19, 2010 at the Washington Convention Center. The event will be held from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Individual homelessness down; Family homelessness up for second straight year. WASHINGTON, DC - June 16, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The total number of homeless persons in America dropped slightly between 2008 and 2009 although the number of homeless families increased, almost certainly due to the ongoing effects of the recession. That’s the conclusion of the 2009 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress, a yearly study by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development designed to measure the scope of homelessness across the country.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - June 16, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Nationwide housing starts and issuance of building permits stalled in May following the expiration of a popular home buyer tax credit program, according to data released by the U.S. Commerce Department today. New-home production declined 10 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 593,000 units, the slowest pace since December 2009, while permit issuance slowed 5.9 percent to a rate of 574,000 units, its slowest pace since May 2009.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - June 16, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- A cement plant “eyesore” that was transformed into a pedestrian-friendly golf course community in San Antonio; a transit-oriented Washington, D.C. rental community; and an affordable rental community whose Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., neighbors helped in the design process—are just a few of the exceptional apartment and condo projects announced today as finalists in the NAHB Multifamily 2010 Pillars of the Industry Awards

BURLINGTON, VT - June 16, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- In spite of the softening real estate market, Vermonters earning the median income still could not afford the median priced home, according to a new report released today

Washington, D.C. - June 16, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged the former chairman and majority owner of what was once the nation's largest non-depository mortgage lender with orchestrating a large-scale securities fraud scheme and attempting to scam the U.S. Treasury's Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP).

Atlanta, GA - June 15, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Real estate professional Ken Maloneis the latest to make the switch to PrudentialGeorgia Realty. He is based out of Prudential Georgia Realty’s Midtownoffice, located on Peachtree Street a few blocks from the High Museum

Rocky Hill, CT - June 15, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Connecticut Real Estate Investors Association, or CT REIA, in association with Dave Lindahl, is announcing a free wealth building conference for real estate investors on June 26 and 27, 2010. This event will take place from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Rocky Hill Marriott Hotel on 100 Capital Boulevard in Rocky Hill, CT. This is a free event. Seating is very limited, and interested parties are urged to register well in advance.

Destin, FL - June 15, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Five states are leading the U.S. out of the housing downturn, and into a recovery. Some may surprise you. By any historical gauge California is the odds on favorite to pull the nation out of the downturn, but the others are composed of places that either didn’t suffer as much during the financial crisis or didn’t see their home prices shoot up like a rocket

AUSTIN, TX - June 15, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- HomeAway®, Inc. regrets to announce Andrew Harris, the company’s chief operating officer (COO), passed away at his home in Austin on June 2, 2010, after a long and valiant battle with cancer. The company extends its deepest condolences to Mr. Harris’ family, especially his beloved wife, Lisa.

Los Angeles, CA - June 15, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Continuing his commitment to California’s veterans, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today joined the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CDVA) to celebrate the dedication and grand opening of the California Veterans Home, West Los Angeles (CVH-West Los Angeles), the newest state home which will provide housing and long-term care for many of California’s veterans

LOS ANGELES, CA - June 15, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The board of directors of the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® on June 12 approved a new structure for the statewide MLS that will merge the efforts of calREDD® with the Multi-Regional Multiple Listing Service Inc. (MRMLS)

Tampa, FL - June 15, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- June is National Homeownership Month and the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) offers advice on how to keep the American dream of homeownership from becoming a nightmare

HARTFORD, CT - June 15, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor M. Jodi Rell announced today that a partnership led by the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, a ratepayer fund to promote, develop and invest in clean energy sources, will receive $4.17 million in competitive federal stimulus funds for energy efficiency, conservation and renewable energy programs in Connecticut.

AUGUSTA, ME - June 15, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor John E. Baldacci today signed an Executive Order creating the ATV Stop Work Group. The purpose of the work group is to gather information about the controversial issue of law enforcement stops of ATV riders on private property and develop recommendations and a draft enforcement policy for how to promote safety, protect private property and ensure that any stops of ATV riders are done in accordance with constitutional protections

ANCHORAGE, AK - June 15, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Alaskans with disabilities have ample opportunity to qualify for the special appliance rebate program being funded by a $658,000 grant from the federal Department of Energy and administered statewide by Alaska Housing Finance Corporation

Albany, NY - June 15, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is partnering with Broadway Stages in Brooklyn, one of New York’s premier sound stage facilities, on a solar energy project that will reduce the film stage’s energy costs by more than $70,000 annually.

Washington, DC - June 15, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, President Obama announced a plan to provide $1.5 billion in Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) funds to five state Housing Finance Agencies (HFAs) to help them stem home foreclosures with programs they design to modify negative equity mortgages and provide emergency homeowner loans, among other strategies. The Administration is expected to allocate the funds to Arizona, California, Florida, Michigan, and Nevada, which have been especially hard hit by home price declines and unemployment