California RealEstateRama

San Francisco, CA - February 9, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Board of Directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco has appointed three new members to its Affordable Housing Advisory Council (AHAC)—Jasmine Borrego of TELACU; Joel Jacinto of Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA); and Dean Matsubayashi of Little Tokyo Service Center Community Development Corporation (LTSC). The Bank’s AHAC is a 15-member group that provides guidance on affordable housing and economic development issues and helps shape the Bank’s community investment grant programs and credit products

February 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- After saturating neighborhoods of predominantly black and Latino residents with high-cost, often predatory lending throughout the subprime boom, banks have failed at preventing foreclosures while returning to high and disparate rates of loan denial for applicants of color, according to a new report by the California Reinvestment Coalition.

DALLAS, TX - February 4, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- First American Valuation and Property Solutions, a member of The First American Corporation (NYSE: FAF) family of companies and a leader in residential property valuations, inspections and preservation services, today announced its new valuation service, the Appraiser-Validated Price Opinion.

Washington, DC - February 4, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- On Saturday, February 6, 2010, Rep. Calvert, in conjunction with the Housing Opportunities Collaborative of the Inland Empire, the Federal Housing Administration, Housing and Urban Development, the City of Corona and Crossroads Christian Church, will host a homeownership preservation workshop

Washington, DC - February 3, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) introduced legislation to give certain preferences to individuals and families committed to rebuilding communities when purchasing government owned residential property. The First Look at Primary Residence Act requires the federal government, and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, to consider purchase offers from only those who plan to use the property as their primary residence for the first 15 days that the properties are listed. After that time period, the seller is allowed to consider any offer.

WASHINGTON, DC - January 27, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Dennis Cardoza said today he had lost confidence in the top housing official in the Obama Administration, U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan.

WASHINGTON, DC - January 18, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congresswoman Laura Richardson is pleased to announce that the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department (HUD) has awarded $22 million to the City of Long Beach and additional millions to the 37th District counseling partner Los Angeles Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. The funds are a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) and are distributed as part of HUD’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program, which requires the funds be used to improve the quality of and access to housing for low- and moderate-income families.

January 15, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced that $318 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) funding has been awarded to entities in California by the Housing and Urban Development Department (HUD). These awards are funded through the federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP2) to help renovate and rehabilitate foreclosed homes, eliminate blight and reinvigorate and stabilize the affected neighborhoods hit hardest by foreclosures.

WASHINGTON, DC - January 12, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- With the dramatic increase in homeless families caused by the current economic downturn affecting California and the nation, Congresswoman Laura Richardson is pleased to announce that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is providing $6,152,772 to the City of Long Beach for preventing and decreasing homelessness.

January 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Long Beach residents are invited to a "Home Ownership and Credit" workshop on Wednesday, January 13, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm at the Neighborhood Resource Center, 425 Atlantic Ave.

Program has benefited more than 3,100 first-time home buyers in California. LOS ANGELES, CA - December 22, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) today announced it is extending its Mortgage Protection Program (MPP) for first-time home buyers through Dec. 31, 2010. To date, C.A.R. has approved benefits for 3,122 first-time home buyers at no cost to the consumer.

Washington, DC - December 18, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) today introduced a measure to spur the development of renewable energy employment and construction, such as wind and solar farms and solar panel factories. The bill would primarily extend and expand a popular Treasury Department grant program that was established in Section 1603 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 in order to help diminish the impact of the economic crisis on the renewable energy sector

Washington, D.C.- December 16, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Faith Schwartz, Executive Director, of the HOPE NOW Alliance, testified today before the State Assembly Select Committee on the Safety and Protection of At-Risk Communities in California. Schwartz testified that through October 2009, more than 279,000 California homeowners received mortgage workout solutions. This compared to about 139,000 foreclosure sales in the state this year shows that workout solutions outpace foreclosures in sales 2 to 1 in California

Fights to Keep American Families in Their Homes. WASHINGTON, DC – The House of Representatives passed an amendment offered by Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D–California) to the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (H.R. 4173) yesterday, which requires mortgage servicers or lenders participating in the Making Home Affordable Program to publicly report their progress in helping responsible homeowners stay in their homes. The amendment was introduced by Congresswoman Matsui with Rep. Betty Sutton (D–Ohio) and Rep. Kathy Castor (D–Florida), and debated on the House floor. Passage of H.R. 4173 is expected today.

WASHINGTON, DC - December 14, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congress took significant action to reform the nation’s financial system today with the passage of The Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Passed with Congressman Cardoza’s support, the bill also includes provisions he requested that take aim at the nation’s continuing foreclosure crisis.

Events in Ukiah and Lakeport Help Consumers Facing Housing Issues. Ukiah, CA - November 27, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (FHLBank San Francisco), working with the Mendocino/Lake Housing Foreclosure Prevention Coalition, hosted community housing workshops last weekend in Mendocino and Lake Counties

LOS ANGELES, CA - November 23, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa today announced the appointment of Douglas Guthrie as the new General Manager of the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD). Mr. Guthrie brings with him a wealth of experience in community development, housing affordability and urban policy.

November 17, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Bank today announced the results of the 2009 election for two nonmember independent director positions and two California member director positions on its Board of Directors.

Southern California Loan Officer, Real Estate Agent Linked to Scheme in Which Unqualified Buyers Obtained Mortgages for Luxury Homes. LOS ANGELES, CA - November 16, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The former director of sales for a Colorado real estate company that built luxury homes throughout the state agreed in court papers filed today to plead guilty to a federal conspiracy charge, admitting that he and other company officials participated in a $16 million “builder bailout” scheme in which buyers of $1 million-plus homes were paid kickbacks if they purchased homes from the company

LOS ANGELES, CA - November 16, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa today announced two foreclosure counseling clinics in South Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley this Saturday, November 14, 2009. The free clinics are designed to educate the public about the foreclosure process, distribute information about foreclosure prevention, and present residents with options to modify loans and keep their homes.

Washington, D.C. - November 16, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Kevin McCarthy joined House colleagues in cosponsoring bipartisan legislation, the Small Business and Military Family Assistance Act (H.R. 4042), that would extend a tax credit for small businesses that pay differential wages to their employees who are Armed Forces servicemembers and have been called up to active duty.

WASHINGTON, DC - November 10, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui (D-Sacramento) announced that $344,621 has been awarded to the Sacramento County Department of Health and Human Services through a federal grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration to support outreach and primary care services for homeless populations in Sacramento. Thanks to this funding, the Mercy Clinic at Loaves and Fishes will continue to provide area homeless with outpatient primary and public health care services--as well as inpatient and other secondary and tertiary health care services--in cooperation with local doctors and hospitals. This competitive award will allow the clinic to continue operating through 2012.

Washington, DC - November 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- This week, the House voted on legislation to extend the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit through April 30, 2010, which is currently set to expire December 1, 2009. The bill also expands eligibility of the credit, raising the income eligibility cap on individuals to $125,000 and $225,000 for married couples, up from $75,000 and $150,000 respectively, and homes sold for more than $800,000 are ineligible.

Washington, DC - November 6, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) voted to stimulate the local economy and provide stability to American families hit hardest by the recession by extending the homebuyer’s tax credit, unemployment benefits, and tax relief for military families and businesses. The Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act will provide immediate assistance, extending relief to millions of workers, families, and businesses nationwide.

WASHINGTON, DC - November 6, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) today praised House passage of Unemployment Insurance Benefits for an additional 20 weeks for workers in California. The Unemployment Compensation Extension Act, H.R. 3548, passed by a bipartisan 403 to 12 vote.

Washington, DC - November 6, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Rep. Watson voted to stimulate the local economy and provide stability to American families hit hardest by the recession by extending unemployment benefits, the homebuyers’ tax credit, and tax relief for military families and businesses. The Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act will provide immediate assistance, extending relief to millions of workers, families, and businesses nationwide.

WASHINGTON, Dc - November 6, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, Congresswoman Laura Richardson acted to make the basic tenets of the American Dream possible for thousands of Californians by voting for the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009 (HR 3548), which will help the unemployed by extending unemployment benefits and will continue to stimulate the housing market by extending and expanding the first time homebuyer credit. The legislation passed the U.S. House of Representatives with a vote of 403 to 12 and now goes to President Barack Obama for his signature.

LOS ANGELES, DC - November 6, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) today commended Congress and the Senate for its swift actions in extending and expanding the provisions of the Federal Tax Credit for First-time Home Buyers. The U.S. House of Representatives earlier today voted 403 to 12 for passage, as did the U.S. Senate late yesterday. The legislation now goes to President Obama for signature.

Washington, DC - November 5, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) voted to stimulate the local economy and provide stability to families hit hardest by the recession by extending unemployment benefits, the homebuyers’ tax credit, and tax relief for military families and businesses.

Los Angeles, CA - October 29, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Concerned about a "new wave" of foreclosures, Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today called on ten major banks and loan servicers to detail their plans to assist homeowners facing dramatic monthly payment increases on Pay Option Adjustable Rate Mortgages.