Foreclosures

Washington, DC - April 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Michael Bennet, U.S. Senator for Colorado, today sent a letter encouraging the U.S. Treasury Department to make common-sense improvements to its mortgage loan modification program that would help Coloradans from losing their homes to foreclosure. The Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) provides assistance to allow families facing foreclosures to stay in their homes, and the changes Bennet is pushing for would further improve the program's ability to help struggling homeowners.

LOS ANGELES, CA - April 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- California homeowners sued Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) on Tuesday claiming the lending giant is intentionally withholding government funds intended to save homeowners from foreclosure, announces Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro

Providence, RI - April 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- For the growing number of Rhode Island homeowners who face the possibility of foreclosure, a new public education campaign is providing vital information to guard against loan modification scams, find trusted help and report illegal activity to authorities.

April 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Potential homebuyers may qualify for $15,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance to help buy a foreclosed single-family home, townhouse or condominium in the city of Phoenix

WASHINGTON, DC - April 5, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced HUD will speed federal disaster assistance to 12 counties in New Jersey and provide support to homeowners and low-income renters forced from their homes following last month’s severe storms and flooding.

Albany, NY - April 2, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) today announced six awards totaling $3.5 Million that will help at least 10,000 New York homeowners to avoid foreclosure and potential homelessness.

TALLAHASSEE, FL - April 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Florida Realtors® has announced the findings of its unique Face of Foreclosure research project, designed to study the impact of foreclosures on both the Florida housing market and on individual Florida homeowners facing foreclosure. The project’s goal was to develop in-depth information on the causes of foreclosures in Florida, which in turn will help lawmakers as they work on crafting legislation on this complex issue.

NEWARK, NY - March 30, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- A Brooklyn man pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with a mortgage fraud scheme that falsely promised to help homeowners facing foreclosure keep their homes and repair their damaged credit, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

WASHINGTON, DC - April 1, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced HUD will speed federal disaster assistance to seven counties in Massachusetts and provide support to homeowners and low-income renters forced from their homes following the ongoing severe storm and flooding this month.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - March 29, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today announced that Ohio will receive $172 million to help communities address the foreclosure crisis. The funds will come from the Help for the Hardest-Hit Housing Markets (4HM) program.

Washington, D.C. - March 29, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Treasury Department announced Monday that Oregon will be eligible for $88 million to help families living in areas that have been hit hardest by the housing crisis to stay in their homes.

Washington, D.C. - March 29, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, Rep. Betty Sutton (D-OH) announced that Ohio will receive $172 million for housing assistance through the second round of federal Housing Finance Agency Hardest Hit Funds from the U.S. Treasury.

WASHINGTON, DC - March 29, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today U.S. Rep. John Spratt (D-SC) announced that South Carolina will be eligible to receive as much as $138 million in targeted federal assistance for states that are disproportionately affected by the economic downturn and a decline in housing values.

WASHINGTON, DC - March 29, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- At the request of U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), the Obama Administration today announced they are expanding their “Hardest Hit” federal housing aid program to Rhode Island, providing an additional $43 million in foreclosure prevention funding throughout the state.

Jefferson City, MO - March 29, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Chris Koster said today his office has obtained judgments against two foreclosure rescue companies who allegedly took money from distraught homeowners and failed to provide promised services.

New York, NY - March 29, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, New York City Chief Service Officer Diahann Billings-Burford, Corporation Counsel Michael A. Cardozo and Commissioner of Department of Consumer Affairs Jonathan Mintz today launched a new NYC Service initiative to provide free legal support for New Yorkers at risk of losing their homes to foreclosure.

COLUMBUS, OH - March 26, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- In response to the Obama administration’s announcement to provide additional aid to homeowners facing foreclosure through government-backed refinancing and temporary payment reductions for eligible borrowers, Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray issues the following statement:“

LANSING, MI - March 26, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Michigan Senate Democrats continued to combat the negative impact of home foreclosure on Michigan families today with their effort to lower property taxes for homeowners in communities hit hard by foreclosure. The amendment to Senate Bill 395 would have required tax collectors to consider foreclosed homes in a neighborhood when determining property values and taxes. The amendment was defeated by the Republican Majority on a party line vote.

WASHINGTON, DC - March 26, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) issued the following statement today after the Obama Administration announced a new plan, paid for out of TARP funding, to confront home foreclosures:

Washington, D.C. - March 26, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Nevada Senator Harry Reid today applauded the administration’s announcement of a new initiative that will provide much-needed relief to responsible Nevada homeowners who are underwater and struggling to make payments on their mortgage.

March 26, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The co-chairs of the General Assembly’s Banks Committee—state Senator Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) and Representative Ryan Barry (D-Manchester)—today praised action by the legislature’s Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee yesterday that will restore an exemption to the state’s real estate conveyance tax on foreclosures by sale, short sales and transfers in lieu of foreclosure.

WARWICK, RI -- March 26, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Jim Langevin, in conjunction with Rhode Island Housing, will host a Foreclosure Counseling Workshop at the Community College of Rhode Island Liston Campus on Saturday, March 27.

Albany, NY - March 2, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- DHCR participated recently in the Consumer Protection Board's (CPB) Annual Consumer Action Day at the Empire State Plaza in Albany.

WASHINTON D.C. - March 25, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Charlie Melancon (LA-03) voted this week in support of a series of bills to provide more opportunity to U.S. veterans, particularly those who are looking for jobs or are homeless. The measures would increase on-the-job training opportunities for returning veterans, prevent mortgage lenders from foreclosing on a veteran’s home after their service, and make sure payments for disabled veterans keep pace with the cost of living. Also included in the series was legislation to strengthen the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ work to fight and end homelessness. An estimated 131,000 U.S. veterans are homeless nationwide

WASHINTON D.C. - March 25, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Charlie Melancon (LA-03) voted this week in support of a series of bills to provide more opportunity to U.S. veterans, particularly those who are looking for jobs or are homeless. The measures would increase on-the-job training opportunities for returning veterans, prevent mortgage lenders from foreclosing on a veteran’s home after their service, and make sure payments for disabled veterans keep pace with the cost of living. Also included in the series was legislation to strengthen the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ work to fight and end homelessness. An estimated 131,000 U.S. veterans are homeless nationwide

Washington, D.C. - March 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva today called on the White House to more fully address the nation’s ongoing foreclosure crisis. Grijalva signed a letter along with 26 other House Democrats urging Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner to consider a range of options – including the creation of a new government entity to buy up distressed mortgages – and to make the issue a higher priority in the coming days

Jefferson City, MO - March 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Chris Koster today announced that the operators of a foreclosure-relief business will no longer be allowed to do business in Missouri or other states, thanks to a court settlement with Missouri, California and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). US Foreclosure Relief Corp., George Escalante, Cesar Lopez and Adrian Pomery are permanently banned from selling mortgage loan modification or foreclosure relief services.

TAVARES, FL - March 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Lake County Department of Community Services and its partner Homes in Partnership are advertising several homes for sale online that were purchased through the federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP)

March 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Chief Justice Leigh I. Saufley announced that on March 25, 2010, the Foreclosure Diversion Program will hold its first informational session at the Penobscot Judicial Center. After this session, each judicial region across the State will have held at least one informational session. Chief Justice Saufley reported that previous sessions in other parts of the State have been received well by those who have participated. “Homeowner attendance has been high at these sessions, which indicates that homeowners are working to prepare for mediation. Ensuring that both parties are prepared for mediation will be key to successful resolutions,” she said.

Santa Ana, CA - March 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today shut down two fraudulent foreclosure-assistance companies and secured a court judgment that prohibits three individuals from working in the real estate industry and provides more than $1 million in restitution for victims left with "false hope" after paying upfront fees for nonexistent loan-modification services.