Monthly Archives: December 2010

Torrance, CA - December 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The opportunities for business in Egypt are too large to ignore. Ambassador Elnakib will speak about business opportunities for Real Estate, architecture, infrastructure construction and how the local laws and regulations affect US companies

BETHEL, VT - December 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Jim Douglas today announced that $857,000 in Vermont Community Development Program grants are being awarded to four communities – Bethel, Randolph, Vergennes and Rochester. He made the announcement at a ceremony at the Bethel Town Hall, highlighting an affordable housing project in specially targeted for seniors and the disabled.

WASHINGTON, DC - December 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- A Harris County, Texas, commissioner and a Houston-based real estate developer have been charged with bribery conspiracy in an indictment returned yesterday by a federal grand jury in the Southern District of Texas, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division.

New York, NY - December 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) today announced a major milestone for seniors and individuals with disabilities across the country, as two pieces of legislation he sponsored passed Congress and were sent to the President for his signature. One of the bills, S. 118, is designed to streamline the Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly program, which funds affordable housing for low-income seniors and protects their right to “age in place” through the provision of supportive, community-based services

WASHINGTON, DC - December 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Charles B. Rangel joined a bipartisan majority Tuesday in passing legislation that will improve a federal housing program for those with disabilities.

WASHINGTON, DC - December 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Charles B. Rangel applauded Congressional leaders Tuesday for passing a proposal that preserves and improves the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program.

WASHINGTON, DC - December 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously approved bipartisan legislation that will expand affordable housing options for Americans with disabilities. The Frank Melville Supportive Housing Investment Act, sponsored by Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Mike Johanns (R-NE) in the Senate and Representatives Christopher Murphy (D-CT) and Judy Biggert (R-IL) in the House, will likely quadruple the number of new affordable rental units built each year for people with disabilities by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's main program to provide affordable housing for people with disabilities.

GREENVILLE, NC - December 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The United States Attorney Office announced that in federal court yesterday three defendants were sentenced in a mortgage fraud conspiracy. The fourth man involved in the conspiracy, BRIAN KEITH CAUSEY, was sentenced today. Senior United States District Judge Malcolm J. Howard sentenced CAUSEY, 37, of Wilmington, North Carolina to 18 months' imprisonment followed by three years' supervised release

BOSTON, MA - December 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- MassHousing announced a $2.2 million loan closing today for the acquisition and preservation of affordability of the 125-unit Lincoln Woods in Lincoln.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - December 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- State officials are warning that, as the cold weather continues, so do the increased dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. These dangers are most commonly associated with alternative heating sources, such as small gasoline engines, stoves, generators, lanterns, gas ranges or by burning charcoal and wood.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - December 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- As the economic downturn has emboldened fraudsters, scam artists and identity thieves to try to defraud Hoosiers, Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller has ratcheted up his efforts to protect consumers, homeowners and taxpayers and hold accountable those who victimize the public. With Indiana's criminal justice system facing declining revenues, Zoeller in 2010 also focused on resource challenges posed by drug-trafficking organizations and urged policymakers to continue a dialogue on the escalating costs of the death penalty.

WASHINGTON, DC - December 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury today released the December edition of the Obama Administration’s Housing Scorecard. The latest housing figures show continued home affordability in the housing market, with interest rates near record lows, but the market remains fragile, as prices are unsettled. Foreclosure starts and completions dropped significantly in November, as lenders review internal servicing procedures. The housing scorecard is a comprehensive report on the nation’s housing market.

SPRINGFIELD, IL - December 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Economic and seasonal factors and a residual tax credit effect impacted home sales in November while prices held steady for three consecutive months with half of Illinois counties reporting posting a median price increase or no change from a year ago. According to the Illinois Association of REALTORS® latest report, statewide total home sales (single family and condominiums) were down 3.5 percent year-to-date January through November 2010 with 95,973 home sales posted compared to 99,494 home sales for the same period in 2009. For the month of November home sales totaled 6,884, down 34.5 percent from 10,505 home sales in November 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- After quick approval in the U.S. Senate on Friday, ushered through by Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), today the U.S. House of Representatives passed and sent to President Obama to sign Congressman Chris Murphy’s (CT-5) legislation to provide thousands of new affordable housing units for low income, disabled individuals across the country.

December 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Reserve Board on Wednesday approved an interim rule amending Regulation Z, which implements the Truth in Lending Act (TILA). The Board is issuing this interim rule to clarify certain aspects of a September 24, 2010 interim rule, in response to public comments. The September interim rule implements provisions of the Mortgage Disclosure Improvement Act (MDIA) which amended TILA to require mortgage lenders to disclose examples of how a loan's interest rate or monthly payments can change. Those statutory amendments will become effective on January 30, 2011.

LOS ANGELES, CA - December 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mayor Villaraigosa joined a news conference call with fellow US Conference of Mayor (USCM) counterparts to discuss the issues of hunger and homelessness in the United States. These issues remain major challenges in U.S. cities according to a USCM report on the status of Hunger and Homelessness in 27 cities in America (listed below) that was released today by the U.S. Conference of Mayors

LOS ANGELES, CA - December 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- California home sales rose in November, but were down from the previous year, according to data from the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.). The statewide median price declined from both the previous month and previous year

WASHINGTON, DC - December 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury today released the December edition of the Obama Administration's Housing Scorecard. The latest housing figures show continued home affordability in the housing market, with interest rates near record lows, but the market remains fragile, as prices are unsettled. Foreclosure starts and completions dropped significantly in November, as lenders review internal servicing procedures. The housing scorecard is a comprehensive report on the nation's housing market.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - December 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- United Properties’ Applewood Pointe is ending 2010 with two events of note: it received Minneapolis City Council final approval Dec. 20 for a 106-unit senior cooperative on the site of the former Northrop Elementary School in Minneapolis, and it broke ground Dec. 15 on 48-unit Applewood Pointe Roseville at Langton Lake in Roseville, Minn.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) today released its Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending December 17, 2010. The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, decreased 18.6 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier. On an unadjusted basis, the Index decreased 20.0 percent compared with the previous week.

WASHINGTON, DC - December 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Metropolitan St. Louis Equal Housing Opportunity Council (EHOC), and First National Bank of St. Louis today announced an agreement that will increase the bank's commitment to minority and low-income communities.? As part of the agreement, the bank will invest more than $2.5 million over four years in St. Louis City, North St. Louis County, and St. Clair County, Illinois.

Chicago, IL - December 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- This wasn’t an easy year to be a real estate agent, even if 2010 turned out to be a better year than 2009. However, according to a new survey by Chicago Agent magazine, things might be looking up for 2011. In the magazine’s most recent issue, readers responded positively to a survey designed to gauge industry predications for 2011

WASHINGTON, DC - December 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Existing-home sales got back on an upward path in November, resuming a growth trend since bottoming in July, according to the National Association of Realtors®

Scottsdale, AZ - December 21, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Arizona luxury home builder Cullum Homes today announced its selection of exclusive partners for the unique luxury home community, The Village at Paradise Reserve. In preparation for the highly anticipated March opening of its model homes, these partners have been crafting a stunning integration of new trends with beloved traditional detailing. Exclusive partners involved in the construction and finishing of The Village at Paradise Reserve homes include Robb & Stucky interior design and furnishings, Rysso-Peters luxury cabinetry, Viking kitchen appliances, Kohler fixtures, Trane heating/cooling, Sierra Pacific windows and doors, and Cyber Sound smart home/security systems.

Aliso Viejo, CA - December 21, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- MERIT Property Management, a leading provider of professional community association and rental management services, hired Jeremy Pipp, CCAM, as district manager for their Orange County region. Pipp brings over seven years of experience in the homeowner association industry managing portfolios of single family homes, condos and commercial properties.

THE COLONY, TX - December 21, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Matthews Southwest, one of the region’s most progressive developers, today announces a projected more than 100% year-over-year increase in residential lot sales at The Tribute Resort Community on the shores of Lewisville Lake.

WASHINGTON, DC - December 21, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI), chairman of the Special Committee on Aging, announced the passage of S.118 by the U.S. House of Representatives. S.118, passed under unanimous consent by the U.S. Senate this past weekend, will improve the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program. The Section 202 program provides capital grants to non-profit community organizations for the development of supportive housing and provision of rental assistance exclusively for low-income seniors. Through such housing and supportive services, the program allows low-income seniors to remain safely in their homes.

WASHINGTON, DC - December 21, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Senate today cleared the way for an additional $10.8 million for home heating assistance for about 27,000 Vermont households, Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) announced.

ST. LOUIS, MO - December 21, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- State Treasurer Clint Zweifel (ZWY-ful) announced today he has returned $139,000 and $122,000 in Unclaimed Property, respectively, to two individuals in the St. Louis area. As always, when done directly with Treasurer Zweifel, the Unclaimed Property return was made free of charge.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 21, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- After quick approval in the U.S. Senate on Friday, ushered through by Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), today the U.S. House of Representatives passed and sent to President Obama to sign Congressman Chris Murphy's (CT-5) legislation to provide thousands of new affordable housing units for low income, disabled individuals across the country.