RealEstateRama
Secretary of labor to chair homelessness council, HHS secretary vice chair
WASHINGTON, DC - December 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today was elected by the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness to lead federal efforts to end homelessness. As chair of USICH, Secretary Solis joins the newly elected vice chair, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, in implementing Opening Doors, the first federal strategic plan to prevent and end homelessness. Solis succeeds Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan, who has been chair since 2009
Bankrate: Mortgage Rates Hit 5%
NEW YORK, N.Y. - December 16, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mortgage rates soared again this week, with the average rate on the benchmark conforming 30-year fixed mortgage rate rising to 5 percent, according to Bankrate.com's weekly national survey. The average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.40 discount and origination points.
Provider Groups Sought for Applications, Training
WASHINGTON, DC - December 16, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- A homeless-prevention program by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which seeks to help Veterans and families who are on the verge of becoming homeless, has moved closer to implementation. The program marks the first time that VA will fund services for the spouses and children of Veterans at risk of becoming homeless.
Mortgage Fraud Suspicious Activity Reports Rise 7 Percent Increase in the First Half of...
VIENNA, VA - December 14, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) today released two mortgage fraud reports entitled Mortgage Loan Fraud SAR Filings, which together cover the first six months of 2010; one report covers January through March 2010, and the other covers April through June 2010.
Research Shows High Levels of Consumer Satisfaction With Reverse Mortgages
December 14, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- NRMLA, last week, published independent research showing high levels of satisfaction among seniors with reverse mortgages and equally positive numbers indicating borrowers understood the transaction they were getting into and felt no pressure getting a loan.
HAMP On Track to Prevent Far Fewer Foreclosures Than Expected, but Treasury Can Still...
WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 14, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Congressional Oversight Panel today released its December oversight report, "A Review of Treasury's Foreclosure Prevention Programs." In the eight months since the Panel's last report on the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP), Treasury has made minor tweaks to the program, but the changes have not resolved the Panel's core concerns. The Panel now estimates that, if current trends hold, HAMP will prevent only 700,000 foreclosures -- far fewer than the three to four million foreclosures that Treasury initially aimed to stop, and vastly fewer than the eight to 13 million foreclosures expected by 2012
Peterson Companies and The Bozzuto Group Announce Partnership to Bring First Apartment Development to...
WASHINGTON, Dec. 13, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The Peterson Companies and The Bozzuto Group, two D.C. area-based and family-owned development companies, announced today a joint venture that will bring the first apartment community to National Harbor
Clear Capital™Reports Third Straight Month of U.S. Home Price Declines
TRUCKEE, CA - December 13, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Clear Capital www.clearcapital.comreleased its monthly Home Data Index™ (HDI) Market Report, providing the most current (through November 2010) and granular analysis of how local markets performed compared to the national downward trend in home prices
Go for it! at THE PRO EXPO Presented by Pella(SM) event
PELLA, IA - December 10, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- As builders, remodelers, contractors, architects and students prepare for a new year – predicted to be challenging for the housing industry – Pella Corporation wants to help them "Go for it!"
DOJ Lending Case Highlights Abuses on FHA Mortgages
WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 10, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Department of Justice $2 million settlement with PrimeLending spotlights serious problems on loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). The case found inconsistent and abusive pricing on loans to African-American borrowers, revealing that it’s far too easy for lenders making government-backed loans to overcharge home buyers.
Homeownership Aspiration Remains Strong Among Americans
WASHINGTON, DC - December 9, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- A new study released today by Fannie Mae finds that most Americans — both those who currently own their homes and those who rent — strongly aspire to own a home and to maintain homeownership, despite ongoing turmoil in the housing market. However, demographic trends such as fewer married couples and less families with children resulting in shrinking households — combined with financial caution among consumers — are contributing to an increased willingness to rent.
Justice Department Reaches Settlement with National Mortgage Lender to Resolve Allegations of Lending Discrimination
WASHINGTON, DC - December 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- PrimeLending, a national mortgage lender with 168 offices in 32 states at the end of 2009, has agreed to pay $2 million to resolve allegations that it engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination against African-American borrowers between 2006 and 2009.
HOPE NOW: Mortgage Industry has Completed More Than 1.5 Million Loan Modifications for Homeowners...
WASHINGTON, DC - December 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- HOPE NOW, the private sector alliance of mortgage servicers, investors, mortgage insurers and non-profit counselors, released its October 2010 survey data today which estimates the industry completed more than 1.54 million permanent loan modifications for at-risk homeowners from January through October 2010.
Affordable Housing Grant to Assist Seven Calcasieu and Beauregard Parish Families with Down Payments
LAKE CHARLES, LA - December 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) and First Federal Bank of Louisiana are pleased to announce they have awarded Habitat for Humanity of Calcasieu Area (HFH of Calcasieu) in Lake Charles, Louisiana, a $70,000 Affordable Housing Program (AHP). The grant will assist seven very low-income homeowners in Calcasieu and Beauregard parishes with down payment and closing cost assistance.
US Labor Department recovers nearly $339,000 in back wages and debars electrical subcontractor for...
NEW YORK, NY - December 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered nearly $339,000 in back wages for 27 workers employed as electrical mechanics by Sant-Tec Electric Inc., a company incorporated in both New York and New Jersey.
Federal Government Holds Forum on Homeless Veterans
WASHINGTON, DC - December 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- More than 400 participants from across the country are expected to take part in a two-day national forum on ending homelessness among Veterans by strengthening preventative measures and collaboration among government and private-sector organizations.
American Bank of Texas and FHLB Dallas Award PGP Grant to Four Rivers Outreach
SHERMAN, TX - December 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Representatives of American Bank of Texas and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) presented a $14,000 Partnership Grant Program (PGP) award to Four Rivers Outreach on Friday, December 3, 2010. The grant will assist with operational costs associated with the Four Rivers Outreach men’s transitional living center. The staff and Board of Directors of Four Rivers Outreach were accompanied by Bill Magers, Mayor of the City of Sherman, and Robin McCoy, regional coordinator for State Senator Craig Estes.
State Fire Marshal Asks Residents to Prepare Home for Cold Weather
NASHVILLE, TN - December 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Tennessee Fire Marshal Leslie A. Newman wants to remind Tennesseans to keep safe and warm, as winter sets in across the state. But she urges residents to be cautious in the use of alternative heat sources
Winterize your home to avoid unnecessary damage
Des Plaines, IL - December 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Homes react to weather changes, too, and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry has tips that can help homeowners protect their homes this winter and prevent minor trouble spots from becoming major repairs
Family Promise of Ouachita Awarded $24,000 in Partnership Grants from Six Local Banks
MONROE, LA - December 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Ouachita Independent Bank (OIB), Community Trust Bank, Progressive Bank, Richland State Bank, Cross Keys Bank, BancorpSouth Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) are pleased to announce they have awarded $24,000 in Partnership Grant Program (PGP) awards to Family Promise of Ouachita (Family Promise). The checks were presented during a media event at OIB on Wednesday, December
Statement of Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, on Senate Passage of H.R....
WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- I am extremely pleased that the United States Senate has joined the House in passing legislation to name the Operations Building at Social Security headquarters in Baltimore as the “Robert M. Ball Federal Building.” Bob Ball was the longest-serving Commissioner of Social Security, and his dedication to the agency and its programs lasted until his death in 2008
FinCEN Proposes AML Plan for Non-Bank Mortgage Lenders Mortgage Brokers and More Mortgage Bankers...
VIENNA, VA - December 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) today proposed a requirement that non-bank residential mortgage lenders and originators, like other types of financial institutions, establish anti-money laundering (AML) programs and comply with suspicious activity report (SAR) regulations
Families Get Help Keeping and Getting Home for the Holidays
Los Angeles, CA - December 3, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Los Angeles County NeighborWorks® Center for Foreclosure Solutions (CFS) coalition has been helping families facing foreclosure since the beginning of the mortgage crisis. As families head into the holidays, the significance of having a home is more important than other times in the year. As foreclosure activity and joblessness remain historically high, helping families to stay in their home or prepare to purchase a home is critical this holiday season
Colliers International Recruits Industrial Leasing Team to its Torrance, Calif. Office
Torrance, CA - December 3, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Colliers International, the second largest real estate services organization globally, has recruited Jeff Smart, Josh May, Blake Tippett and Kyle Degener to its Torrance, Calif. office. Specializing in the representation of industrial landlords and tenants throughout the South Bay and Mid-Counties markets, the team will add additional strengths to Colliers’ industrial platform in Greater Los Angeles
Residential Homebuilder Settles Clean Water Act Violations in 21 States
WASHINGTON, DC - December 2, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Beazer Homes USA Inc., a national residential homebuilder, has agreed today to pay a $925,000 civil penalty to resolve alleged Clean Water Act violations at its construction sites in 21 states, the Justice Department and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced.
“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” to feature Pella® products
PELLA, IA - December 2, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Sun., Dec. 5, episode of ABC television network's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" (EMHE) will include energy-efficient Pella windows and doors windows donated by Pella Corporation. The episode will air at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on ABC-TV
Home for the Holidays… But Don’t Stay Too Long: New HomeAway Survey Finds There’s...
AUSTIN, TX - December 2, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Spending time with a cranky uncle or an overbearing mother-in-law during the holidays has long been a source of discomfort for hosts and guests alike, but a new survey from HomeAway®, Inc. – the world’s leading online vacation rental marketplace – finds some relatives can overstay their welcome in less than a day.
Hartford National Title Launches Free Good Faith Estimate and HUD-1 Calculator
MILFORD, CT - November 30, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Hartford National Title, Inc., a leading provider of title insurance and real estate closing services, announced today the launch of OneSourceQuote, its new Good Faith Estimate (GFE) and HUD-1 title calculator. This free online application is the byproduct of many months’ worth of developmental efforts and testing by programmers, staff, and beta clients.
DISB Issues Bulletin Offering Guidance on Saving District Homes Against Foreclosure
Washington, DC - November 30, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The DC Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB) recently issued a bulletin* to inform licensed residential mortgage lenders and mortgage borrowers of the enactment of a new emergency law requiring mortgage lenders to go through six months of mediation with a homeowner before proceeding with a foreclosure.
San Diego Firm Joins Sotheby’s International Realty Network
PARSIPPANY, N.J. - November 26, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC today announced that Pacific Sotheby's International Realty in San Diego is the newest member of its luxury real estate network. The firm, owned by Brian Arrington, serves San Diego County