Illinois RealEstateRama

SPRINGFIELD, IL - February 10, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Chicagoland region ended 2010 nearly even with home sales in 2009 while statewide the Illinois housing market continued to ride out the turbulent economic times boosted by sales from the homebuyer tax credits. For the year, statewide total home sales (single family homes and condominiums) were down 3.8 percent in 2010 with 103,710 homes sold compared to 107,782 sales in 2009; in the nine-county Chicagoland PMSA, home sales reached 69,010, off just -0.5 percent from 69,367 home sales in 2009

Chicago, IL - February 8, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mayor Richard M. Daley today joined Ald. Danny Solis (25th) and members of the Pilsen community to celebrate the grand opening of the Casa Maravilla affordable senior housing facility and satellite center located at 2021 S. Morgan St

SPRINGFIELD, IL - January 31, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Lynn Madison of Lake Zurich was named the 2011 Illinois REALTOR® of the Year. Madison is a real estate broker and is owner of Lynn Madison Seminars, Inc. A REALTOR® of the Year banquet will be held honoring Madison on April 6th at the Hilton Hotel in Springfield.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 28, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) wrote to Illinois Governor Pat Quinn today, pledging to work together to protect Illinois servicemembers from excessive mortgage fees and foreclosure. Recent news reports have raised concerns that servicemembers are being overcharged for the mortgages and foreclosed upon in violation of their legal rights. Durbin asked Quinn to do all that he can to ensure servicemembers are aware of their rights and the resources available to them.

CHICAGO, IL - January 27, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) announced federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds have enabled the start of construction and rehabilitation of nearly 5,500 affordable rental homes, creating an estimated 4,855 jobs statewide

SPRINGFIELD, IL - January 20, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Illinois winds down 2010 with a significant boost in December home sales compared to the prior two months while post-recession price and sales declines have moderated in Illinois yet remain constrained from tighter lending, slow economic recovery and distressed properties. According to the Illinois Association of REALTORS® latest report, statewide total home sales (single family and condominiums) in December totaled 7,682 sales, up 11.1 percent from 6,915 sales in the previous month of November; year-over-year sales were down 7.3 percent from 8,288 sales in December 2009.

SPRINGFIELD, IL - January 19, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- First-time buyers continued to be a driving force in the Illinois housing market as they took advantage of the first-time homebuyer tax credit and the most affordable housing market in years, according to the 2010 Profile of Illinois Home Buyers and Sellers. The survey results released by the Illinois Association of REALTORS® (IAR) found 53% of buyers were first-time buyers, compared to 50% nationwide (a figure which has averaged closer to 40% nationwide since 2001).

SPRINGFIELD, IL - January 6, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- While it may be impossible to prevent natural hazards, such as floods, droughts and wind storms, there are actions communities and their citizens can take to reduce or eliminate loss of life and property. Throughout January, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) will focus on hazard mitigation as part of its 2011 Preparedness Campaign

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

December 20, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mayor Richard M. Daley today officially opened the new Branch of Hope Apartments, which will provide 100 units of affordable, supportive housing in the City’s Englewood community. “Branch of Hope is another new development that demonstrates the city’s strong commitment to providing affordable and supportive housing for our residents who need it,” Daley said in a ceremony at the apartments, 5628-30 S. Halsted St.

CHICAGO, IL - December 15, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- In an effort to clean up the foreclosure process in Illinois, Brent E. Adams, Secretary of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR), today released a 9-point “affidavit preparation expectations” plan

ZION, IL - December 9, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Twenty units of permanent supportive housing in Lake County for victims of domestic abuse will be built as a result of the financial investment of the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA). An estimated 82 jobs will be created with the construction of the new A Safe Place development

CHICAGO, IL - November 29, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Pat Quinn today joined local schoolchildren to light the state of Illinois’ annual holiday tree and launch the Illinois Heroes holiday card drive. Governor Quinn encouraged schoolchildren from across the state to take part in the annual drive by making holiday cards for servicemembers at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC) in Germany. Governor Quinn will personally deliver the cards during a visit to troops at LRMC later this year.

Chicago, IL - November 25, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mayor Richard M. Daley today joined officials from the Historic Chicago Bungalow Association (HCBA), development partners and residents of the South Shore community in dedicating a fully rehabbed green bungalow that showcases innovative ways to make these iconic Chicago homes more energy efficient and adaptable for today’s families.

SPRINGFIELD, IL - November 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- October continued the trend of median price growth in the majority of Illinois counties, sales were lower due to seasonal and residual tax credit factors; year-to-date sales remain positive even as the economy and foreclosures slow the recovery. According to the Illinois Association of REALTORS® latest report, year-to-date total home sales (which include single-family and condominiums) statewide are up 0.1 percent January through October 2010 with 89,050 home sales compared to 88,989 home sales for the same period in 2009; year-to-date sales are up 4.6 percent in the Chicagoland Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area (PMSA). For the month of October, statewide home sales totaled 7,325, down 34.2 percent from 11,129 home sales in October 2009.

MOLINE, IL - November 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) officials today celebrated the groundbreaking of 69 affordable rental homes financed through the State of Illinois to help Moline families live near the workplace. An estimated 51 jobs will be created with the construction of Moline Enterprise Work-Live Lofts

SPRINGFIELD, IL - November 10, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- More than half of Illinois counties reported gains in the median home sale price during the third quarter of 2010 compared to a year ago despite the post-tax credit slowdown in sales activity. According to the Illinois Association of REALTORS® (IAR) third quarter 2010 report, Illinois home sales (which include single-family homes and condominiums) totaled 24,628 in the third quarter, down 24.9 percent from 32,776 home sales in the same period a year ago. The third quarter statewide median home sale price was $154,000, down 6.1 percent from $164,000 in the third quarter of 2009. The median is a typical market price where half the homes sold for more, half sold for less.

CHICAGO, IL - November 4, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The office of Congressman Bobby L. Rush (D-IL) released the following statement regarding today's Sun-Times article on an alleged lawsuit filed by New City Bank. This amended statement, though given to the reporter after being reached for comment after 8 PM Wednesday, read in part

EUGENE, OR - November 4, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- IDX, Inc. welcomes Stephen Johnson, the newest addition to the network of real estate professionals changing the way potential buyers search for homes online. Johnson has adopted his own customized IDX solution for his professional website, giving him the ability to link his search page directly to the Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED) database of property listings. Thousands of homes now appear on his website, making finding the perfect home online in Chicago, Illinois monumentally easier.

CHICAGO, IL - November 2, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) today celebrated the dedication of 77 affordable apartments for seniors and families in Chicago. IHDA Executive Director Gloria L. Materre joined developer Hispanic Housing Development Corp. during a ceremony for the North & Talman Apartments, 1600 N. Talman Ave., Chicago. IHDA provided $2.5 million in federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and Illinois Affordable Housing Trust Fund financing. IHDA’s investment generated nearly $17 million in private equity for the two developments.

CHICAGO, IL - October 26, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Pat Quinn today commended Illinois’ housing leaders at the 2010 Governor’s Conference on Affordable Housing for their efforts in charting a course to further Illinois’ economic recovery. Governor Quinn highlighted the state’s dedication to affordable housing, including community stabilization, supportive housing to end homelessness, affordable homeownership programs and green building.

SPRINGFIELD, IL - October 25, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Record low mortgage interest rates and more affordable home prices benefited buyers in September, although the Illinois housing market remains subdued after the tax credit without stronger signals from the economy in the areas of jobs and improved consumer confidence. According to the Illinois Association of REALTORS® latest report, statewide total home sales (which include single-family and condominiums) in September 2010 totaled 8,024, down 4.7 percent from August’s 8,419 home sales; year-over-year home sales are down 23.4 percent compared to September 2009 sales of 10,470 homes. Year-to-date sales remain positive, up 4.9 percent January through September 2010 with 81,669 home sales compared to 77,860 home sales for the same period in 2009

CHICAGO, IL - October 21, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- For most people, home furnaces have sat idle during the summer. As temperatures go down, it’s important to understand the possible dangers that lurk when restarting a dormant furnace, warns the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM).

CHICAGO, LONDON, SINGAPORE - October 21, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- New research from Jones Lang LaSalle reveals that preliminary global direct commercial real estate investment volumes totalled US$69 billion in the third quarter of 2010. This level is similar to the second quarter of 2010 and indicates that the recovery in investment activity seen in the previous four quarters has levelled off. Direct commercial real estate investment volumes in the first three quarters of this year have reached US$202 billion compared to the US$139 billion transacted over the same period of 2009. Jones Lang LaSalle expects volumes for the full year to reach US$280 to 290 billion

CHICAGO, IL - October 21, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- U. S. Rep. Bobby L. Rush today expressed his support and admiration for the ongoing humanitarian relief efforts for the survivors of the January 12 earthquake in Haiti. Last week, in a powerful expression of support for those who are still struggling to rebuild their lives, Senegal President Abdoulaye Wade welcomed 163 Haitian students to new homes and a fresh start in life in this west African nation. The Haitian students have remained homeless in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that struck 10 miles southwest of Haiti's capital, in Port-au-Prince, leaving in its wake 230,000 dead and tens of thousands of families homeless.

NORMAL, IL - October 21, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) officials today joined Bluestem Housing Partners NFP and local dignitaries to celebrate the groundbreaking of an independent living facility for seniors in Normal. The construction project is estimated to create more than 60 jobs for local residents and will produce 50 affordable rental homes for low-income seniors. The State of Illinois invested $5.3 million to build Cottage Apartments, including $1.5 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds and $3.8 million in loans and tax credits from other state resources.

SPRINGFIELD, IL - October 20, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Nearly 1,200 radon-related lung cancer deaths occur each year in Illinois, yet many people have never tested their homes to find out if dangerous levels of this radioactive gas are present. During Radon Action Week Oct. 17-23, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) is encouraging people throughout Illinois to test their homes.

CHICAGO, IL - October 18, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Pat Quinn today announced a $4 million state investment to help build a housing development that will provide quality, affordable apartments and supportive services for 80 Veterans who are homeless. Approximately 75 jobs will be created during the construction of Hope Manor Apartments in Chicago

SPRINGFIELD, IL - October 13, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Pat Quinn today announced 26 projects as 2010 Governor’s Home Town Award recipients. The awards recognize the contributions of thousands of Illinois’ volunteers for their hard work and dedication towards improving their communities

EUGENE, OR - October 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Chicago, Illinois real estate broker Greg Kohlhagen and IDX, Inc. have teamed up to deliver thousands of Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED) listings to home seekers, on the professional website Kohlhagen hosts. With the addition of his own customizable IDX Broker software, Kohlhagen has revolutionized the way potential buyers scan the MRED listings and begin their property search processes online. Home seekers can now look at every single listing in Chicago without ever leaving the convenience of the real estate website Kohlhagen supports with an IDX solution