Monthly Archives: February 2011

Columbus, OH - February 4, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Open burning can cause health problems, safety issues and general nuisance conditions, even in rural areas. Ohio allows certain types of open burning in rural areas; however, some restrictions still apply. When these regulations are violated, Ohio EPA takes action to stop the problem, which may include civil penalties against those responsible.

New Yor, NY - February 4, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Good morning, and thank you to our witnesses for appearing today at this hearing of the Congressional Oversight Panel on commercial real estate lending. The Panel first explored issues around commercial real estate at our field hearings in New York City in 2009 and Atlanta in January of last year

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 4, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine), Dianne Feinstein (D-California) and Jeff Bingaman (D-New Mexico) applauded President Obama’s support for provisions in S. 1637, the Expanding Build...

SEATTLE, WA - February 4, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) --A power outage this morning in Ballard affected nearly 5,400 homes and businesses. The outage started about 10 a.m. when a wire fell during maintenance work near Ione Place and Tallman Avenue. Crews expected to have most customers back in service by 10:45 a.m. and estimated full restoration of service would happen about 1 p.m.

PITTSBURGH, PA - February 4, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- United States Attorney David J. Hickton and key officials from federal, state and local law enforcement and regulatory agencies recognized today the three‑year anniversary of the Feb. 4, 2008, formation of the Western Pennsylvania Mortgage Fraud Task Force, and the filing of charges against 14 individuals associated with seven different mortgage fraud schemes. The individuals charged include a wide spectrum of roles associated with mortgage fraud, including a closing attorney, mortgage brokers, real estate investors, and a bank employee. The seven schemes involved approximately 320 properties and $75 million in fraudulent loans.

North Reading, MA - February 4, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Yesterday Congressman John Tierney met with North Reading Housing Authority staff and residents for an update on the more than $160,000 in federal Recovery Act funds currently supporting an ongoing project to replace the heating system at its Peabody Court complex. According to the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development, energy efficiency improvements such as the one taking place at Peabody Court are estimated to reduce heating costs by anywhere between 15 and 25 percent.

Philadelphia, PA - February 4, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Chaka Fattah (PA-2) announced today that sponsors of affordable housing developments across the City of Philadelphia will receive a total of $1.49 million in grant money to help them complete their projects.

Tucson, AZ - February 4, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The federal Small Business Administration (SBA) today announced that it will offer loans of up to $2 million to businesses and non-profit organizations to replace or repair property and equipment damaged in recent winter storms. The agency will also offer loans of up to $200,000 to homeowners to repair damaged real estate and up to $40,000 to homeowners and renters to repair or replace personal property.

Chicago, IL - February 4, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Susan, a seasoned Real Estate agent, spent hours on her Facebook Fan page trying to attract home buyers and prospects but had poor results. Today her social network is steadily growing as a source of business and she spends less than 5 minutes a week working on it.

Torrance, CA - February 4, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Keystone Pacific Property Management is excited to announce that it is now using the latest social media tools to communicate with its clients. Keystone Pacific is using several social networking sites, including LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to provide current company news and the latest news and trends affecting the community association industry.

Las Vegas, NV - February 4, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Many Nevada homeowners have tried loan modification; however, loan modifications just don’t work. Remember that until you have equity in your house, all you are doing is renting. That's correct! You are renting from the bank! There is no reason to pay off $300,000 in debt when the home you bought is now worth $150,000 or less. Most experts predict that it will take 10-20 years or more for the Las Vegas housing market to rebound. It makes rational sense to walk away and get a fresh start. Surrendering a home worth half of what you owe is not a failure, it's a business decision.

MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. - February 4, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Point at Sutton Hill, the newest phase of the Sutton Hill rental community in the Orange County town of Middletown, is quickly taking shape with a flurry of development and leasing activity being reported.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 4, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- On Friday, February 4, 2011, the Mortgage Bankers Association, (MBA) submitted the attached comment letter to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) in response to FinCEN’s proposal to expand its anti-money laundering programs to help reduce mortgage fraud against lenders through a Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) reporting requirement (Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 1506-AB02).

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 4, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Jamie Woodwell, Vice President of Commercial/Multifamily Research for the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), testified today before the Congressional Oversight Panel at a hearing titled, " Commercial Real Estate's Impact on Bank Stability."

February 4, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Finding Ways to Encourage Private Sector Energy Upgrades Will Do More to Cut Emissions and Create New Jobs than any “Cap & Trade” Scheme, Top Construction Official Notes

WASHINGTON, DC – The apartment industry continues its broad-based recovery, according to the National Multi Housing Council's (NMHC) latest Quarterly Survey of Apartment Market Conditions.

EUGENE, OR - February 4, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED) listings are now easier than ever to search for, thanks to the innovative IDX Broker software IDX, Inc. has incorporated onto the website of Constance Antoniou. As a Chicago, Illinois real estate broker, Antoniou has continuously made the right decisions for the growth of her business and the satisfaction of her clients, and her adoption of a customized IDX solution is no different. As an MRED affiliate, Antoniou has long had access to thousands of Chicago area properties, and with her addition of IDX Broker software to her website. the same convenience and accessibility that was once restricted to only agents and brokers is now readily available to all her clients. Finding a home in Illinois and Wisconsin has never been easier, with the IDX-enabled website of Antoniou.

JERSEY CITY, N.J. - February 4, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- A group of real estate professionals and experts from the Urban Land Institute-Northern New Jersey (ULI-NNJ) were treated to a “behind the scenes” tour of Crystal Point, winner of the organization’s 2010 “Project of the Year” award, when it hosted its first networking session/advisory board meeting at the Jersey City condominium hi-rise

EUGENE, ORE. – The network of real estate professionals who have chosen to employ the innovative IDX Broker software has grown yet again today, with the addition of Mark Hansbarger to the IDX, Inc. team. Northeast Indiana MLS (NEIMLS) listings are seamlessly integrated onto the website of Hansbarger, giving home seekers the ability to search through thousands of Angola, Indiana properties. Never before has it been so easy for a real estate agent to manage an online realty solution, than it now is with the incredible IDX Broker software.

Washington, DC - February 4, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The National Association of Realtors® applauds the Federal Housing Finance Agency for moving ahead with a proposed rule to restrict government-sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the 12 Federal Home Loan Banks from investing in mortgages encumbered by private transfer fee covenants

February 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mayor Chris Beutler today said cities are willing to do their part to help the State solve its budget crisis. But he called on the State Legislature to reconsider proposals that could force cities to raise pro...

February 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Loudoun County’s Public Employee Homeownership Grant Program offers a grant of a secured loan to income-eligible employees of the Loudoun County Government and Loudoun County Public Schools. The program assists low-to moderate-income public employees in purchasing a home in Loudoun County.

GREENSBORO, NC - February 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Local, state and national energy and sustainability experts will discuss energy-efficient homes in safe neighborhoods at the 2011 Greensboro Housing Summit. The event is set for Wednesday, February 16, from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm at the Emerald Event Center, 2000 E. Wendover Ave

CLINTON, N.J. - February 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- A veteran real estate advertising and marketing executive has joined Max Spann Real Estate & Auction Co. as a regional director of business development

Washington, DC - February 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The recession contributed to an increase in overall homelessness from 2008 to 2009, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, and family households experienced the largest percentage increase.

Cranston, RI - February 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- With forecasters predicting another significant winter weather event for Saturday, RI Emergency Management officials are warning that roof collapse incidents may increase

Washington, DC - February 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Eliot Engel announced a victory for co-op owners when the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) reversed itself on a plan to ban private transfer fees on real estate sales, an action which would have penalized co-op owners

LOS ANGELES, CA - February 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today announced a $6.5 million settlement of a predatory lending case against Angelo Mozilo and David Sambol, former officers of Countrywide Financial Corporation. Attorney General Harris announced the settlement money will be used to establish an innovative statewide California Foreclosure Crisis Relief Fund to combat the effects of California's high rates of foreclosure and mortgage delinquency

February 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Siouxland Coalition to End Homelessness (SCEH), in coordination with the City of Sioux City, conducted the annual Point in Time count on Wednesday, January 26. The Point in Time (PIT) count is a snapshot count of sheltered and unsheltered homeless persons on a single night, typically at the end of January. Cities across the country participate in this event as a requirement to receive funding for homeless activities from the Office of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

February 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Property Owners Continue to Utilize Tax Exemption to Construct New Homes/Make Improvements to Existing Homes. In October of 2007, the City of Sioux City began the City-Wide Tax Exemption / Urban Revitalization Program. The purpose of the program is to provide partial tax exemption for up to 10 years on the increased value of property resulting from improvements. Improvements can include substantial remodeling, additions, or new construction of single-family residential or multi-family residential structures