Maryland RealEstateRama

Pedestal Gardens is one of 17 to receive first of HUD Choice Neighborhood Grants BALTIMORE, MD - March 18, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today joined U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Regional Administrator Jane C.W. Vincent, Assistant Secretary Sandra Henriquez andDeputy Assistant Secretary Carol Galante along withU.S. Congressman Elijah Cummings (MD-7) to announce that Baltimore will receive a $213,000 Planning Grant from HUD to transform Pedestal Gardens into a new viable and sustainable mixed-income neighborhood.

WASHINGTON, DC - March 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD)and other Senators from across the country today stood with advocates for homeless veterans to oppose a provision in Republicans’ reckless spending proposal that would cut 10,000 housing vouchers that would keep homeless veterans off the streets next year.

WASHINGTON, DC - March 8, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) has introduced legislation that would prohibit banks and other lenders from charging interest payments through the end of the month on loans that have been paid off earlier. Currently, Federal Housing Administration (FHA) regulations allow lenders to collect interest from homeowners through the end of the month, even if the homeowner has paid off the loan earlier in the month.

WASHINGTON, DC - March 8, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Noah Black, 42, of Hyattsville, Md., pled guilty today to federal charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection with a mortgage fraud scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr., James W. McJunkin, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, and David Beach, Special Agent in Charge, Washington Field Office, U.S. Secret Service.

BALTIMORE, MD - February 17, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler announced today that Kelly Anne Snow, 45, of 2914 Sparrows Point Road in Sparrows Point, pled guilty in the Circuit Court for Harford County to discharging a pollutant into waters of the State of Maryland. The offense is a misdemeanor in violation of the State's Water Pollution Control laws. Judge Angela M. Eaves granted Snow probation before judgment, placed her on one year probation, and ordered a fine of $3,000 with all but $1,000 suspended.

Greenbelt, MD - February 10, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Bozzuto Homes, a subsidiary of The Bozzuto Group of companies, today announced that the company has commenced construction on Towson Green, a new traditional neighborhood development consisting of 121 for-sale townhomes on nine acres in the heart of Towson, MD in Baltimore County.

February 2, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett joined this morning in Downtown Silver Spring with Senator Ben Cardin, Representatives Chris Van Hollen and Donna Edwards, GSA Commissioner Bob Peck and other senior GSA officials, Montgomery County Planning Director Rollin Stanley, Montgomery County Department of Economic Development Director Steve Silverman, and local government and commercial real estate professionals to host a forum on the federal sector's upcoming construction and leasing activity in Montgomery County

ANNAPOLIS, MD - January 31, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Martin O’Malley issued this statement today following an announcement by U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan awarding more than $44 million to 208 local homeless assistance programs in Maryland through HUD’s Continuum of Care program:

January 25, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has streamlined its RainScapes Rewards Rebate Program application by creating a new, online interactive format that is more user-friendly and provides a faster rebate turn-around time. The Rainscapes Program is designed to reduce the effects of stormwater pollution on the County’s streams and waterways

November 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Montgomery County Office of Human Rights and Civil Justice, Inc. are co-sponsoring a free home loan forum on Monday, December 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Council Office Building, First Floor Auditorium, 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville

November 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today joined U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development State Director Jack Tarburton and U.S. Congressman Roscoe Bartlett (MD-6) to announce that USDA Rural Development is providing grants for 13 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in Maryland under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). The announcement was made at Sunnyside Farms, Inc., a major chicken-egg production facility in Carroll County. Sunnyside will receive a $220,500 grant from USDA for a solar system project.

Washington, DC - October 21, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (Both D-MD) today announced that the Maryland-National Park and Planning Commission, in partnership with the Prince George’s County Department of Public Works and Transportation and Economic Development Corporation, has been awarded $800,000 under the HUD Community Challenge Planning Grant Program. Funds will be used to plan for the expansion of the corridor around Prince George’s County’s four southern Metro Green Line stations. The goal is to attract new federal and spin-off office tenants and mixed-income housing, facilitated by an efficient and effective multimodal transportation system.

BALTIMORE, MD - October 19, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Martin O’Malley issued this statement today following the vote of the Standing Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure to recommend that the Court of Appeals adopt an emergency rule change to foreclosure actions:

BALTIMORE, MD - October 13, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler and Commissioner of Financial Regulation Mark A. Kaufman today announced that they will join with 48 other state Attorneys General and financial regulatory agencies in 30 states to review improper foreclosure practices, including the “robo-signing” of affidavits and other required documents

Joppa, MD - October 12, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) is calling for an immediate stop to foreclosures in Maryland. Congressman Ruppersberger joined Maryland leaders in a letter to the Maryland Court of Appeals asking for a 60-day moratorium on foreclosures. The financial institutions are accused of filing faulty paperwork and not properly reviewing documents for accuracy. Click here to read the letter.“The allegations against several big banks are troubling. A temporary halt to foreclosures in Maryland will allow the process to be properly reviewed to ensure that Maryland families are not being unfairly evicted from their homes,” said Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD).

ANNAPOLIS, MD - October 12, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Martin O’Malley joined Maryland’s Congressional delegation today in a letter to Chief Judge Robert Bell, Maryland Court of Appeals, requesting that courts take appropriate action to halt all foreclosures in Maryland temporarily, until Maryland homeowners can be assured they are being treated fairly. In recent days, several lenders have acknowledged that they have failed to follow proper procedures by filing affidavits in foreclosure cases without adequate personal knowledge of the underlying cases. Yesterday, Bank of America announced a halt in all foreclosure proceedings nationwide while it reviewed its internal processes.

WASHINGTON, DC - October 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced that the Garrett County Community Action Committee, Inc. (GCCAC) has been awarded a $40,189 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development grant to assist very-low and low-income homeowners. The $40,189 Housing Preservation Grant will be used to finance low interest or deferred loans to help low-income homeowners in Garrett County repair their homes and remove substandard conditions.

WASHINGTON, DC - October 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s Emergency Homeowners Loan Program (EHLP) will provide nearly $40 million to Maryland to help homeowners make payments.

ANNAPOLIS, MD - October 5, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Martin O’Malley issued this statement today in support of Congressman Cummings’ request for a halt on foreclosures in Maryland. In addition, Governor O’Malley has signed a joint letter with Congressman Cummings and Attorney General Gansler calling on Maryland mortgage servicers to halt current and future foreclosure proceedings until Maryland homeowners can be assured they’re being treated fairly:

ANNAPOLIS, MD - October 5, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Martin O’Malley praised an announcement today by David Stevens, Assistant Secretary for Housing and Commissioner of the Federal Housing Administration with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Affairs, that Maryland will receive $40 million to assist homeowners in becoming current with back mortgage payments. The federal government’s announcement along with the rollout of new initiatives with the Maryland Mortgage Program and the distribution of Commitment to Excellence Awards were highlights at today’s Governor's Conference on Housing and Sustainable Communities. The event at the Baltimore Convention Center was sponsored by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, the Home Builders Association of Maryland, and the Maryland Affordable Housing Association.

Washington, DC - September 29, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Judiciary Crime and Drugs Subcommittee, today chaired a hearing exploring hate crimes committed against America’s homeless. The hearing, “Crimes Against America’s Homeless: Is the Violence Growing?” included policy experts, law enforcement professionals and the sister of a Florida homeless man beat to death in 2006. The goal of the session was to help define who the homeless are in the U.S. today, why they may be targets of bias-related crime, explore the lack of statistics related to crimes against the homeless, and discuss the potential impact of the Hate Crimes Against the Homeless Statistics Act, S. 1765. This was the first time the United States Senate has ever held a hearing on the topic of violence against the homeless population.

Washington, D.C. - September 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards (D-MD) announced today that Maryland will receive $1,615,600 in emergency funds from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), in addition to the $6,387,721 the state received in January. Earlier this year, Congresswoman Edwards joined her colleagues in a letter urging President Obama to release the emergency funding. LIHEAP helps eligible families pay for home heating, cooling, and other energy costs, as well as helping with weatherization costs

Towson, MD - September 20, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) will kick off a foreclosure prevention workshop at the Towson National Guard Armory on Saturday, September 18, 2010. Home foreclosures are still a major problem in Maryland.“This struggling economy has been tough on Maryland families. If you are in danger of losing your home, we can help. Please join me as I kick off this Foreclosure Prevention Workshop where you will have the chance to sit down, one-on-one, with housing counselors, mortgage lenders and other experts to discuss your options to keep you in your home,” said Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD)

September 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, Rep. Frank Kratovil voted for legislation to create good paying American jobs in the clean energy industry while strengthening rural economies and reducing home energy costs. The Rural Energy Savings Act, or “Rural Star,” will provide loans to American families and farmers to improve their energy efficiency and lower their utility bills, creating American manufacturing and installation jobs in the process. This program will help rural electric cooperatives, like Choptank Electric Cooperative, save money and lower energy costs.

September 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Legislation to name the Operations Building at Social Security headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland as the “Robert M. Ball Federal Building” cleared a significant hurdle with passage in the House of H.R. 5773 by unanimous consent. It is fitting to name this building after Bob Ball who served as Commissioner of Social Security under three Presidents and who continued to write and speak about Social Security until his death in 2008.

Greenbelt, MD - September 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Finding a home can be a stressful and difficult process, and many potential home buyers, sellers and renters are not aware of the various real estate options available to them. The Real Estate Symposium is a free monthly advisory event designed to answer questions and provide resources to potential buyers, sellers and renters about mortgage options, affordable renting, titles, home inspections, and much more. The Symposium will be held from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on September 18, October 23 and November 20 at 7815 Bellepoint Dr. Greenbelt, Maryland 20770. Potential buyers and sellers will meet one-on-one with experienced real estate professionals

September 16, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Calling it a “milestone in the development of South Silver Spring,” Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett today joined Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Raymond Skinner and County Council Vice President Valerie Ervin to cut the ribbon on the newly opened Argent Apartments, a 96-unit, affordable, rental housing building at the corner of Blair Mill Road and East-West Highway in Silver Spring. Leggett was joined by Housing Opportunities Commission Vice Chair Roberto Piñero; as well as Stan Herskovitz, principal, Paradigm Financial Consulting; Kim Griffith, director of Affordable Multifamily Housing for Freddie Mac; and Bill Couper, Mid-Atlantic president for Bank of America.“One of my top priorities is increasing the amount of affordable housing in Montgomery County,” said Leggett. “These units will provide much-needed safe and affordable housing to 96 individuals and families and give yet another boost to South Silver Spring.”

September 13, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Montgomery County Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA) and its dedicated community partners will host the 10th Annual Montgomery County Housing Fair and Financial Fitness Day on Saturday, October 2, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bohrer Park Activity Center, Summit Hall Farm (next to Gaithersburg High School), 506 S. Frederick Avenue, Gaithersburg.

BALTIMORE, MD - August 30, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler announced today that his Consumer Protection Division has issued a final order requiring D.A. McDaniels t/a McDaniels Homes and its principal to pay more than $448,830 to consumers and pay penalties of $87,000. The Division found that Derek A. McDaniels and his company, D.A. McDaniels t/a McDaniels Homes, violated Maryland’s Custom Home Protection Act and New Home Deposit Act by failing to place or maintain money paid by consumers into an escrow account or having a sufficient surety bond to cover the deposits and payments made. The Division also found that McDaniels and his company violated the Home Builder Registration Act, Consumer Protection Act and New Home Warranty Act by failing to build and enroll homes in a new home warranty security plan as promised

EUGENE, OR - August 25, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Bethesda, Maryland real estate professional James Abadian and IDX, Inc. have teamed up to bring home seekers around Washington D.C. the most comprehensive property search available online. JBA Realty and its newly updated website automatically syncs Metropolitan Regional Information Systems (MRIS) listings directly with properties Abadian represents and the search page of his website. These tools make finding the perfect home all the more simple, thanks to the time saving-technology of the efficient and easy-to-use IDX Broker software on the website Abadian supports.