Illinois RealEstateRama

Northbrook, IL - May 31, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Boulder Group, a net leased investment brokerage firm, has completed the sale of a single tenant net leased Save-A-Lot property located at 63rd and South Calumet Avenue in Chicago for $2,290,000. The 16,290 square foot building is fully leased to Save-A-Lot on a long term basis.

SPRINGFIELD, IL - May 19, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- April marks the third consecutive month of home sales gains in Illinois as low mortgage interest rates and lower-priced inventories add up to affordability conditions not seen in decades. According to the Illinois Association of REALTORS® latest report, statewide home sales (including single family and condominiums) in April 2011 totaled 8,526 homes sold, up 8.5 percent from 7,856 sales in March 2011; sales were down 21.8 percent from the tax credit-bolstered sales gains of 10,897 homes sold in April 2010

Northbrook, IL - May 19, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Boulder Group, a net leased investment brokerage firm, has completed the sale of a single tenant net leased PNC Bank property located at 5745 Northwest Highway in Crystal Lake for $2,675,700. The 3,216 square foot building is fully leased on a long term basis to the investment grade rated bank.

SPRINGFIELD, IL - May 17, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The REALTOR® Nationwide Open House Weekend is just around the corner on June 4-5, but if you’re an Illinois homeowner with a home to sell this spring, there’s still time to jump on the bandwagon and get your home “open house ready” for this high exposure weekend.

Washington, DC - May 16, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) has unveiled legislation to require Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to continue paying annual dividends back to the US Treasury to ensure the “ringleaders” of the housing crisis keep paying off their debt to American taxpayers.

SPRINGFIELD, IL - May 10, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Illinois home sales in the first quarter of 2011 reflect the variety of housing opportunities available at attractive prices across the state with close to 70 percent of homes sold priced below $200,000. According to the Illinois Association of REALTORS® (IAR) first quarter 2011 report, Illinois home sales (which include single-family homes and condominiums) totaled 18,940 in the first quarter, down 11.2 percent from 21,320 home sales in the same period a year ago while up significantly by 24.0 percent from the same period in 2009 when just 17,194 homes were sold. The first quarter statewide median home sale price was $131,175, down 8.9 percent from $144,000 in the first quarter of 2010. The median is a typical market price where half the homes sold for more, half sold for less.

WASHINGTON, DC - May 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), along with Reps. Tim Walz (MN-1) and Gary Peters (MI-9), introduced legislation to eliminate taxpayer subsidies for yachts. The Ending Taxpayer Subsidies for Yachts Act will amend a tax provision that allows boat owners to write off their mortgage interest payments if they classify their boats as second homes.

CHICAGO, IL - April 29, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- This Saturday, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) will host a Housing Information Fair for constituents to answer questions and assist local families with housing issues including loan modifications, mortgage fraud, and the foreclosure process

Oak Brook, IL - April 29, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Access Media 3, a leading provider of triple-play media services (high-speed internet, satellite TV and voice) to multi-dwelling unit properties, has secured $3 million in new financing from the Hinsdale Bank and Trust Corporation, one of 15 Wintrust Community Bank charters. These funds will support the rapid growth underway at AM3 including the expansion of service in its existing markets in metropolitan Chicago and Minneapolis/St. Paul.

April 28, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- John L. Neal, Jr., 51, pled guilty on April 27, 2011, in United States District Court in East St. Louis, Ill.-, to an Indictment charging four counts of bank robbery, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.

CHICAGO, IL - April 27, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Illinois Department of Insurance is once again reminding homeowners and renters to prepare in advance for the possibility of floods by reviewing policy coverage and making informed decisions about whether flood insurance is needed. “This spring season has brought heavy rains and flooding, with more of both certain to come,” said Michael T. McRaith, Director of the Illinois Department of Insurance. “Flood insurance coverage is not included in standard homeowner or renter policies and do not take effect for 30 days, so our Department encourages consumers to determine the limits and benefits of an insurance policy well before damage may occur.”

CHICAGO, IL - April 26, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Forty units of permanent supportive housing for formerly homeless young parents will be built in Chicago as a result of the financial investment of the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA). IHDA Executive Director Mary R. Kenney today joined Mayor Richard M. Daley and other local officials to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Transformation Project apartments at 5353 W. Chicago Ave. in the Austin neighborhood.

SPRINGFIELD, IL - April 20, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Home sales in Illinois rose for the second consecutive month in March showing some momentum heading into the spring market, while sales remain lower than last year’s heightened totals from the tax credit.

CHICAGO, IL - April 19, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- State officials marked National Fair Housing Month today by launching a week-long, free screening of American Casino, a film on the mortgage loan scheme that caused economic disaster for millions of Americans. Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) Director Rocco Claps was joined by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Banking Director Manuel Flores to discuss the state’s efforts to protect individuals from discrimination in housing, mortgage fraud and predatory lending practices. Governor Pat Quinn proclaimed April as Fair Housing Month in Illinois to create greater awareness of state laws that prohibit discrimination in housing.

CHICAGO, IL - April 15, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Members of the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) Board today appointed Mary R. Kenney as executive director of the state’s housing finance agency. Kenney succeeds Gloria L. Materre, who last month became executive director of the Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC).

SPRINGFIELD, IL - April 13, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- An earthquake can’t be prevented, but the damage it could cause to homes and buildings can be minimized. As part of the state’s observance of Earthquake Preparedness Month, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) today offered several tips for making structures more earthquake resistant.

URBANA, IL - April 8, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- A Chicago-area man, Salvatore DiBenedetto, 52, of Downers Grove, appeared in federal court in Urbana today after his arrest on a 16-count indictment charging him with defrauding an Arcola, Illinois bank of approximately $2.5 million from April 2008 to February 2010. The indictment had remained sealed pending DiBenedetto’s arrest and court appearance. DiBenedetto was ordered detained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending a hearing scheduled on Apr. 12.

MISSION VIEJO, CA - April 4, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Hammerhouse LLC, an expanding national recruiting and strategic growth firm for the financial service industry with mortgage sales and leadership placement at its core, announced today it has expanded its national footprint by opening a new regional office in Chicago, IL. This new office, the company’s third in the U.S., will be managed by John Van Tassel, Vice President Strategic Growth and will work with both national and regional clients to help grow their sales leadership, production teams and branch networks.

Springfield, IL - April 1, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- April marks the 43rd anniversary of the U.S. Fair Housing Act, landmark legislation prohibiting discrimination when it comes to housing. As one of the leading advocates for fair housing in the state, the Illinois Association of REALTORS® devotes the month of April to highlighting fair housing laws.“People have the right to live wherever they can afford to live and their access to a home shouldn’t be denied or restricted because of discrimination.

CHICAGO, IL - March 28, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Illinois Department of Insurance is reminding homeowners and renters to prepare in advance for the possibility of floods by reviewing policy coverage and determining whether flood insurance is needed.

WASHINGTON, DC - March 28, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced a commitment to insure a mortgage loan to Mercy Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. The $66 million loan is made possible through the Federal Housing Administration's (FHA) Section 242 Hospital Mortgage Insurance Program.

SPRINGFIELD, IL - March 21, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- February home sales in Illinois rose from January while year-over-year comparisons still reflect an impact from the homebuyer tax credit incentive. The single family market shows signs of stabilization with steady median price gains statewide in the first two months of the year compared to 2009 and 2010 levels.

SPRINGFIELD, IL - March 17, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- A Springfield, Illinois real estate agent, Darlene M. Adkins, 65, today entered pleas of guilty to concealing assets in a bankruptcy proceeding and making a false statement to a bank, as announced by Jim Lewis, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois. Sentencing is scheduled for July 18, 2011

WASHINGTON, DC - March 17, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, U.S. Representatives Mike Quigley (IL-05) and Elijah Cummings (MD-7) introduced a bill that would increase transparency in property records and save the federal government billions of dollars simply by selling or disposing of unwanted government-owned property.

SPRINGFIELD, IL - March 15, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Illinois Association of REALTORS® (IAR) today released new data that shows mortgage loans above the current conforming limit have not led to an increase in foreclosures in the Chicagoland region as some have previously thought. The data provides evidence to support those advocating for an increase in conventional loan limits in select areas of northern Illinois.

SPRINGFIELD, IL - March 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) today announced the approval of five supportive living facilities (SLFs) selected to participate in an innovative pilot project designed to provide specialized housing and care for persons with dementia. The five sites are in Decatur, Effingham, Rantoul, North Aurora and Chicago.

CHICAGO, IL - March 4, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- With spring around the corner, it’s an ideal time for first-time homebuyers and Veterans to take advantage of a statewide affordable loan program available through the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA). SmartMove loan programs enable residents across the state to benefit from historically low interest rates and home prices. SmartMove features down payment assistance and interest rates as low as 4.5 percent

SPRINGFIELD, IL - February 23, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Buyer market conditions remain in most Illinois housing markets as low mortgage interest rates helped spur some early buying in January despite typical slower sales for the winter month. More than half of Illinois counties reported year-over-year increases or no change in home sales for January

CHICAGO, IL - February 17, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Illinois Department of Insurance is reminding homeowners and renters to prepare for the possibility of a spring flood by checking existing homeowner and renter policy coverage and determining whether to add flood insurance.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after the Obama Administration announced a plan to dramatically reform the nation’s housing markets and to end Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the government controlled financing agencies: