Monthly Archives: November 2010

November 2, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) today announced the launch of functionality that enables an individual to authorize a credit report through the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry (NMLS). Beginning today, all licensed residential mortgage loan originators participating in NMLS will be required to complete the credit authorization process, regardless of any prior state requirements

BISMARCK, ND - November 2, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA) is seeking nominations for its 2010 Champion of Affordable Housing Leadership and Housing Production Awards.

OLYMPIA, WA - November 2, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Attorney General’s Office today settled a lawsuit against the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBA-K&S) for violating the state’s campaign finance disclosure law.

November 2, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Three of 10 defendants charged in a mortgage fraud case were sentenced yesterday in Boise by U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced. Michael J. Hymas, 59, formerly of Boise, Idaho, was sentenced to 21 months in prison, three years of supervised release, 80 hours of community service, and $544,647 in restitution for wire fraud. Hymas pled guilty to the charge in March 2010. Shauntee K. Ferguson, 33, of Boise, Idaho, was sentenced to five years of supervised release, 80 hours of community service, and $365,829.69 in restitution for making a false atatement to a financial institution.

West Hartford, CT - November 2, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Connecticut Real Estate Investors Association, or CT REIA, in association with Larry Goins, is announcing the CT REIA November 2010 monthly real estate investors meeting. This event will take place on Monday, November 15, from 5:30pm to 9:00pm, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on 100 Berlin Road in Cromwell, CT. This event is free for CT REIA members, and $30 for not-yet-members

Jackson, WY - November 2, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Partners of Jackson Hole Real Estate Associates are proud to announce that Julie Bryan, founder of the Windermere real estate franchise in both Jackson and Teton Valley, and her agents have become affiliated with Jackson Hole Real Estate Associates. “Julie Bryan has built an incredible organization and we are thrilled to work with them and the outstanding professionals that have comprised the Windermere offices,” stated Bob Graham, a Principal of JHRE Associates.

Washington, D.C. - November 2, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Local and state building code officials last week approved a package of revisions to the commercial section of the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) that represent the largest single-step efficiency increase in the history of the national, model energy code. The changes mean that new and renovated buildings constructed in jurisdictions that follow the 2012 IECC will use 30 percent less energy than those built to current standards.

CHICAGO, IL - November 2, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) today celebrated the dedication of 77 affordable apartments for seniors and families in Chicago. IHDA Executive Director Gloria L. Materre joined developer Hispanic Housing Development Corp. during a ceremony for the North & Talman Apartments, 1600 N. Talman Ave., Chicago. IHDA provided $2.5 million in federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and Illinois Affordable Housing Trust Fund financing. IHDA’s investment generated nearly $17 million in private equity for the two developments.

NEW BERLIN, WI - November 2, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Since a presidential disaster declaration was issued Sept. 18, more than 30,000 residents of Grant and Milwaukee counties have applied for federal disaster aid, and nearly 28,500 of their homes already have been inspected, according to Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

FORT WORTH, TX - November 2, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- OmniAmerican Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) have awarded a $20,000 Partnership Grant Program award to Southeast Fort Worth, Inc., a Fort Worth-based economic development organization, to support efforts to revitalize Southeast Fort Worth neighborhoods. The check was presented during an event on Friday, October 29, at OmniAmerican Bank’s headquarters at 1320 S. University Drive in Fort Worth, Texas.

Anaheim, CA - November 2, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Jamboree Housing Corporation, a leading developer of affordable housing in California, announced today the grand opening of Greenleaf Family Apartments in Anaheim, CA on Tuesday, November 8, 2010 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Program participants include Mayor Curt Pringle and City Councilmembers, Jamboree executives, partnership representatives and the Anaheim After-School Players, a group of students from Jamboree’s two other Anaheim properties, who will give a special welcome to their newest neighbors. Interview and photo opportunities are available

Marietta, GA - November 2, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- 2010—Realtor Judy Dougherty is the latest to make the switch to Prudential Georgia Realty. She joins Prudential Georgia Realty’s Northwest office, located at 2414 Dallas Highway in the West Cobb area of Marietta

WASHINGTON, DC - November 2, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- HOPE NOW, the private sector alliance of mortgage servicers, investors, mortgage insurers and non-profit counselors released its September 2010 survey data today, which estimates the industry completed close to 150,000 permanent loan modifications for the month.

EUGENE, OR - November 2, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- IDX, Inc. and Heidi Rickerd-Rizzo have joined forces to deliver potential buyers around Northern California a unique and dynamic real estate website. IDX Broker software now enables home seekers in Napa, California to engage in an efficient online property search. Bay Area Real Estate Info Services (BAREIS) listings are now displayed directly on the website Rickerd-Rizzo hosts, giving her clients the unique ability to search through thousands of properties without ever leaving her website.

Henderson, NV - November 2, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Greater Las Vegas Association of REALTORS® (GLVAR) presented Leslie Carver of Team Carver (http://www.TeamCarver.com) with Prudential Americana, the award of Realtor® of the month. This award is given in recognition of faithful commitment to the Code of Ethics, education work and professional achievements.

EUGENE, OR - November 2, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Los Gatos, California real estate agent Stephen Guzzetti has adopted the innovative IDX Broker software from IDX, Inc., giving his professional website a leg-up on the competition. Through his search page, home seekers can now quickly experience a thorough and effective online property search, from the convenience of the website Guzzetti manages. MLSListings are seamlessly integrated onto his search page to give the clients Guzzetti represents a comprehensive list of homes to explore throughout the online search process. By adopting a custom IDX solution for his website, Guzzetti has revolutionized the way home seekers experience the property search on his search page

HERNDON, VA - November 2, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, has named its 2011 leadership, led by S. Alex Klatskin, partner with Forsgate Industrial Partners, a private industrial real estate development and investment firm based in Teterboro, New Jersey. Klatskin will serve as chairman for the leading organization for developers, owners and related professionals in office, industrial, retail and mixed-use real estate.

Torrance, CA - November 1, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Creekside Executive Center, a newly constructed 128,000-square-foot business park, has been acquired by businessman, philanthropist and real estate investor, Fred Kavli, founder of Sunbelt Enterprises, said Mike Tingus, president of Lee & Associates-LA North/Ventura, Inc., who transacted the sale on behalf of the buyer and seller. Lee’s Associate Vice President David Kim and Principals Grant Harris and John Ochoa SIOR also represented the seller, Bank of America.

Tucson, AZ - November 1, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- My Big Fat Greek Restaurant will have its grand opening on Wednesday, November 3, at 119th and Blackbob, according to Terry Dahlstrom of Volk Company Commercial Real Estate, who handled the purchase transaction. My Big Fat Greek Restaurant has been under construction for the last several months in the 6,700 square foot former Johnny Carino’s restaurant in the Olathe Pointe Shopping Center.

November 1, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano today announced that with the passage of his 2011 No Property Tax Increase Budget, Nassau County’s finances have begun to be repaired after years of mismanagement, a poor economy and overspending. Mangano praised Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt and the Republican Legislative Majority for joining him in holding the line on property taxes while adopting reforms to close a $343 million deficit – the largest in our County’s history

Palm Desert, CA - November 1, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage is pleased to announce Laura Arellano has joined the Palm Desert office. An industry veteran who enjoys working with first-time buyers, Arellano guides her clients through every step of the real estate process, providing information with enthusiasm and superior service.

BUFFALO, NY - November 1, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that a federal judge has ordered the forfeiture of two parcels of real property in Buffalo’s Elmwood Village which were purchased with drug proceeds from an international drug organization. The properties, a commercial building located at 427 Elmwood Avenue, and a single-family residence at 262 Bryant Street, were forfeited as part of a five-year Boston, Massachusetts-based Organized Crime Drug Task Force investigation and prosecution. Buffalo-based DEA and ICE agents and forfeiture specialists in the Buffalo U.S. Attorney’s Office assisted in the investigation and prosecution

November 1, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- If New Jersey expects towns to hold the line on property taxes, it should end an outdated salary-arbitration process for police and firefighters. Gov. Christie has offered a reasonable plan to do that and help municipalities live with an austere 2 percent annual property-tax hike cap. It would set the same 2 percent limit for all public-employee economic compensation packages, including benefits such as health insurance.

Trenton, NJ - November 1, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Christie Administration today announced it is moving forward with a comprehensive plan to enact fiscal discipline and promote the prudent use of scarce property tax dollars by capping salaries for superintendents. The regulations, announced in July, will result in a salary reduction for more than 360 school superintendents who serve school districts with low numbers of students.

November 1, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- With Assemblyman Paul Moriarty saying that legislation to prevent lobbyists from benefiting from taxpayer-paid pensions and health benefits “is a no brainer,” Assemblyman Domenick DiCicco today said the Assembly Democrat should explain why it’s taken Moriarty, who has served in the Assembly for four years, to finally introduce the bill.

VIENNA, VA - November 1, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), today released its 2009 Mortgage Loan Fraud (MLF) study which found the number of mortgage fraud suspicious activity reports (SARs) filed in 2009 grew 4 percent compared with the number of mortgage fraud SARs filed in 2008. FinCEN also reported today that just looking at the fourth quarter of 2009, mortgage fraud SAR filings increased 6 percent over the same period in 2008.

WASHINGTON, DC – The apartment market continued its improvement over the last three months, according to NMHC's latest Quarterly Survey of Apartment Market Conditions.

WASHINGTON, DC - November 1, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- With mortgage rates at historic lows, Veterans and military personnel continue to use the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) home loan program in record numbers to purchase a home or refinance their existing loans

November 1, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mayor Thomas M. Menino has announced the newest initiative in moving forward his plan to make Boston one of the greenest cities in America. The City has released a comprehensive Solar Permitting Guide and Mayor Menino has filed a new ordinance that will reduce building permit fees for building owners implementing solar rooftop technologies. The announcement was made at A View from the Top: Sustainable Roofs in Boston, an event hosted by the Mayor’s Office of Environmental and Energy Services and the Boston Redevelopment Authority.

November 1, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mayor Thomas M. Menino today joined the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation (JPNDC), New Atlantic Development Corporation (NADC), Harvard University officials, and community members in celebrating the new Doña Betsaida Gutiérrez Housing Cooperative, located at the corner of Centre and Creighton Streets. The mixed-use building, named for a long time Jamaica Plain activist, is the latest completed phase of affordable housing development at the $50 million Blessed Sacrament parish site