Monthly Archives: April 2011

Chicago, IL - April 15, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The metropolitan Chicago real estate market saw more homes sold and at higher prices in March than in February of this year, according to an analysis by RE/MAX of sales data compiled by Midwest Real Estate Date, LLC. Overall, however, the 2011 housing market still lags behind the brisk pace set during the first six months of 2010 when a federal tax credit helped stimulate sales

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 15, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Henry V. Cunningham Jr., CMB, Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) board member and chairman of the MBA Residential Board of Governors, testified today on behalf of MBA before the House Financial Services Committee Subcommittee on Capital Markets and Government Sponsored Enterprises at a hearing on, "Understanding the Implications and Consequences of the Proposed Rule on Risk Retention," providing the perspectives of both the commercial and residential real estate finance markets.

COLUMBIA, S.C. - April 15, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- South Carolina REALTORS® (SCR) today released its March 2011 Market Reports. On the housing supply front, the largest gain occurred in the $100,000 and Below rage, with an increase of 8.8 percent to 12,420 units; while Pending Sales in the state were down 7.4 percent from the same period one year prior.

Silicon Valley, CA - April 15, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Intero Foundation (www.interofoundation.org), a non-profit organization, founded by Intero Real Estate Services founders in 2002 to benefit children in need, announced that it has donated over $170,000 to 22 charities throughout the San Francisco Bay Area in 2010 as part of its mission to positively impact the growth and well being of children in our communities. The Intero Foundation is funded, promoted and governed by Intero agents – each of whom are vested in the health of the communities in which they work and live. An executive committee, led by Intero President and CEO Gino Blefari, provides strategic guidance. All members of the Intero community – executives, staff and agents – donate their time to further the Foundation?s mission.

CLEVELAND, OH - April 15, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- County Prosecutor Bill Mason and the Cuyahoga County Mortgage Fraud Task Force operating under authorization of Ohio Attorney General and Ohio's Organized Crime Investigations Commission announced indictments against Takara Madkins, and her company, D. & T. Investments, Inc. Others indicted were Jerrall Collier and Darrick Ceasor, and his company, Dee Cee Supply. All the homes fell into either tax or mortgage foreclosure, leaving a current tax delinquency amount of $30,349.15 owed to the county

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 15, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- An administrator working for the Federal Trade Commission has mailed 1,410 refund checks to consumers allegedly defrauded by Home Assure LLC, a so-called mortgage foreclosure rescue service. The FTC alleged that the company charged consumers an up-front fee and falsely claimed its special relationships with lenders would enable it to get favorable loan modifications or stop foreclosure

CALABASAS, CA - April 15, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Jay Rubin and Marc Spellman, principals at Lee & Associates-LA North/Ventura, Inc., transacted a 12,200-square-foot lease that will bring a new Intensive Modulated Radiation Therapy facility to Warner Center, CA. Rubin and Spellman represented the landlord, L. Aronoff & Sons, in the 10 year lease at 21300 Erwin St. Total consideration for the deal was in excess of $2.7 million. “The building was well suited to this tenant because it is free-standing and because the transaction allows for extensive improvements to install the IMRT equipment,” said Rubin.

NEW YORK, NY - April 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- New York City¡¦s only comprehensive residential sales report released today found that home prices increased in the first quarter of 2011 over the same time last year, showing a continuing trend of rising home values. The number of transactions in the quarter, however, was relatively flat rising just two percent compared to fourth quarter 2010. The report was published by ResidentialNYC.com, the public real estate listings Web site of the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY).

April 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Loudoun County Treasurer H. Roger Zurn Jr. reminds taxpayers that the deadline for payment of the first half personal property tax is Thursday, May 5, 2011.

Seattle, WA - April 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- King County Executive Dow Constantine and Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn today announced a long-term agreement in principle for use of the King County Jail as the primary provider of bed space for the City's misdemeanor inmates over the next two decades."With the County jail next door to the City's courts, it just makes sense for us to provide space for City inmates awaiting trial," said Executive Constantine.

PITTSBURGH, PA - April 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- A resident of New Kensington, Pa., has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, filing a false tax return, and failing to file income tax returns, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - April 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Some of the nation’s leading housing professionals will offer insight into basic federal housing programs that are used today to assist low and moderate income persons during a three-day co...

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- In the wake of a settlement between 14 U.S. mortgage servicers and foreclosed homeowners, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) introduced landmark legislation to prevent future servicer fraud and errors, improve foreclosure counseling and prevention, and reform oversight of mortgage-based investing.

April 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Contractors’ financial position grew more precarious in March as prices for key materials escalated while prices construction firms charge for completed projects stayed flat, according to an analysis of producer price index figures released today by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). Association officials said contractors’ inability to pass costs along imperils the industry’s comeback and urged federal officials to act on a series of recovery measures the group outlined last month.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The House and Senate are set to vote today on a budget deal that cuts nearly $40 billion from non-defense discretionary programs. Members of the Campaign for Housing and Community Development Funding (CHCDF), a coalition of 72 national affordable housing and community development groups, believe those cuts should not come at the expense of low income households who cannot afford housing or from communities that desperately need assistance. In reality, lawmakers have proposed exactly that by cutting HUD’s budget 6.4% below the FY10 funding levels.

April 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) reminds homeowners and businesses to call 811 before undertaking outdoor projects that require digging. MPSC Chairman Orjiakor Isiogu joined legislators and representatives of utilities and MISS DIG, Inc. at an event at the Capitol today to highlight the importance of following safe digging practices.

BOSTON, MA - April 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- MassHousing announced $7.3 million in loan closings today for the acquisition and renovation of the Cheriton Grove Apartments, a 60-unit affordable housing community for senior citizens and disabled residents in West Roxbury.

Upper Marlboro, MD - April 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Now more than ever, homebuyers are looking for homes that are comfortable year-round with no hot and cold spots, healthy indoor air quality, and lower operating and maintenance costs. A home built to the National Green Building Standard and third-party certified by the NAHB Research Center delivers all the benefits homebuyers are looking for in a new home in a cost-effective way.

Washington, DC - April 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- This week, Congressman Al Green (TX-09) introduced two amendments which focus on housing counseling and the Housing and Urban Development Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program to the Department of Defense and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 (H.R. 1473).

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The following statement was issued by the Center for Responsible Lending, the Community Mortgage Banking Project, the Mortgage Bankers Association, the Mortgage Insurance Companies of America, the National Association of Home Builders and the National Association of Realtors in advance of the April 14th House Subcommittee on Capital Markets and Government Sponsored Enterprises hearing on the Qualified Residential Mortgage:“In the midst of a very fragile housing recovery, the government is throwing a devastating, unnecessary and very expensive wrench into the American dream. First time homebuyers will have to choose between higher rates today or a 9-14 year delay while they save up the necessary down payment. And 25 million current homeowners would be locked out of lower refinancing rates because they lack the required 25 percent equity in their homes.”

LOS ANGELES, CA - April 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Improvement in the overall economy and favorable market conditions led to increases in both the median price and home sales in March, according to data from the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.).

Washington, DC - April 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- To create jobs by encouraging private, rather than public, investment in the troubled housing market, Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO) and Congressman Mike Coffman (R-CO) today introduced the Investme...

PELLA, IA - April 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Sun., April 17, episode of ABC television network’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (EMHE) will include energy-efficient Pella windows and doors donated by Pella Windows & Doors. The episode will air at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on ABC-TV.

Incline Village, NV - April 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- With a firm footing in both the Lake Tahoe and the Reno real estate markets, Chase International realtor Sandi Solomonson was the perfect choice to discuss current housing trends on a regionally televised talk show. As a guest on Lawyers, Guns and Money, Solomonson’s television debut will be aired on Reno’s KRNV on April 24, 4:30 p.m., channel 4 and Tuesday, April 26, 10:30 p.m., channel 3.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Bob Nielsen, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder from Reno, Nev., issued the following statement regarding President Obama’s speech today at George Washington University on deficit reduction:“President Obama today reiterated the importance of tax policy in promoting homeownership but endorsed limiting itemized deductions, including the mortgage interest deduction. Home owners cannot afford higher taxes at a time when the housing market is struggling to recover and contribute to economic growth.

Washington, D.C. - April 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and its Committee on the Environment (COTE) have selected the top ten examples of sustainable architecture and green design solutions that protect and enhance the environment. The projects will be honored at the AIA 2011 National Convention and Design Exposition in New Orleans.

San Diego, CA - April 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- C.W. Driver, a premier builder serving the Western U.S. since 1919, is pleased to announce the addition of Andy Kirby as senior project manager servicing each of the firm’s Southern California regions. With his new position in the firm’s San Diego office, Kirby will focus on securing future construction projects in the federal sector.

SPARTA, N.J. - April 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Commercial real estate services firm Cushman & Wakefield, Inc.’s Metropolitan Area Capital Markets Group has been selected to market a 3.76-acre redevelopment/repositioning investment opportunity in Sparta. The site, located at 60 Sparta Ave., currently is improved with a 33,690-square-foot, stand-alone grocery store owned and occupied by Stop & Shop.

April 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- In his speech today on deficit reduction, President Barack Obama described his vision of the American Dream, saying, “Each one of us deserves a basic measure of security and dignity.” Noting that the mounting national debt could not be reduced solely through cuts to the 12% of the budget that accounts for non-security discretionary spending, the President offered reforms to spending on health care, security, and discretionary programs, and to the tax code.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) issued the statement below, following the announcement of agreements between the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Reserve and the Office of Thrift Supervision and 14 large residential mortgage servicers.