Foreclosures

Plan reins in consultant “rescue” scams and requires more transparency for homeowners. LANSING, MI - October 19, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- As new numbers reveal that home foreclosures continue to plague Michigan and the nation, Senate Democrats are preparing to unveil a new legislative package attacking “foreclosure consultant” scams and giving homeowners more transparency in the loan modification process. Despite efforts from both federal and state government agencies, the number of foreclosure filings nationwide hit a record high in the third quarter of 2009, according to a report issued yesterday.

HELENA, MT - October 14, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Montana families facing foreclosure, seeking affordable rental housing, or hoping to buy their first home will have a greater opportunity to find housing, or keep the homes they have, because of $214,769 in housing counseling grants announced today by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Sacramento, CA - October 15, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued a consumer alert warning California homeowners to avoid individuals and businesses that charge up up-front fees for foreclosure relief services in light of a just-enacted state law that makes this "abusive practice" subject to prosecution.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - October 14, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Nevada families facing foreclosure, seeking affordable rental housing, or hoping to buy their first home will have a greater opportunity to find housing, or keep the homes they have, because of $144,676 in housing counseling grants announced today by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - October 14, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Nevada families facing foreclosure, seeking affordable rental housing, or hoping to buy their first home will have a greater opportunity to find housing, or keep the homes they have, because of $144,676 in housing counseling grants announced today by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - October 14, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Nevada families facing foreclosure, seeking affordable rental housing, or hoping to buy their first home will have a greater opportunity to find housing, or keep the homes they have, because of $144,676 in housing counseling grants announced today by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Medford, OR - October 13, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Oregonians concerned about losing their home to foreclosure can receive help Saturday, Oct. 17, at an event in Medford organized by several government agencies, nonprofits, and real estate organizations.

Jamestown, NY - October 12, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- With the backdrop of a foreclosed house acquired by CHRIC in Jamestown’s PRIDE neighborhood, Congressman Brian Higgins announced today that Chautauqua Home Rehabilitation and Improvement Corporation is receiving $26,640 to support the agency’s foreclosure prevention counseling efforts.

TRENTON, NJ - October 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- More than 2,600 New Jersey homeowners have received counseling assistance through the State's Foreclosure Mediation Program, Governor Jon S. Corzine said today.

Houston, TX - October 3, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, Houston residents attended a housing foreclosure prevention workshop hosted by U.S. Congressman Al Green (TX-09) and learned about strategies they could use to avoid losing their home, such as loan modification, refinancing services and assistance from the federal government.

Washington, DC - October 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Vern Buchanan (FL-13) will hold a foreclosure assistance workshop on Saturday, October 10, 2009. Lenders, federal agencies, and local housing and counseling agencies will help assist residents of Florida’s 13th District from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the student union at State College of Florida, 5840 26th St. West, Bradenton, Florida

NEW YORK, NY - October 2, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Senator Jeff Klein (D-34th Senate District) and Senator Thomas Morahan (R-38th Senate District) presented new data today showing the impact of neglected foreclosed properties in Rockland County.

October 5, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The newly enacted Foreclosure Diversion Program seeks applicants who are interested in being trained as foreclosure mediators in preparation for the program’s state-wide launch in 2010. Professionals trained in the areas of law, accounting, banking, or mediation as well individuals with work experience that includes foreclosures, credit and collections work, or work done on behalf of creditors or debtors in actions to collect on mortgages, notes, or debts are encouraged to apply

Salem, OR - October 2, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Oregon Housing and Community Services has been awarded $457,390 to support foreclosure prevention counseling throughout the state.

October 2, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) announced today that two Connecticut housing counseling organizations will receive $203,950 to assist families facing foreclosure of their homes. The Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) will receive $85,150 and Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven, Inc. will receive $118,800 from the [...]

WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 30, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- A growing number of lenders are refusing to take possession of homes after they have been foreclosed, leading to vandalism and neighborhood decline in Cleveland and cities across Ohio.

Raleigh, NC - October 1, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- North Carolinians who face the loss of their homes through foreclosure or harassment from unfair debt collectors now have new protections under the law, Attorney General Roy Cooper said Thursday.

Homeowner Education Project Helps Employees Live Near Work. McLean, VA - October 1, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Home prices have dropped, but many working families are still struggling to find affordable homes near their workplace and funds for down payments. Three Prince George's County, Md., employers are assisting employees in becoming homeowners near their offices and helping neighborhoods impacted by foreclosures. There are 3,100 foreclosed properties in Prince George's County

Over 150 receive advice and assistance to prevent and protect against home foreclosures. September 30, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Over the weekend Rep. Frank Kratovil hosted a successful foreclosure prevention seminar at Maces Lane Middle School in Cambridge, MD. The seminar featured presentations and counseling sessions sponsored by housing counselors, pro bono attorneys and representatives of major lenders. Attendees were given the opportunity to meet individually with counselors and discuss what options are available to help stay in their home. “First and foremost, this seminar was about giving people tools and making sure they are aware of the resources offered within the community to prevent and work through a home foreclosure crisis,” said Rep. Kratovil. “This workshop was designed to help distressed homeowners learn about their options before it’s too late, and I think it succeeded.”

Salem, OR - September 28, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today a new law takes effect that strengthens the rights of Oregon homeowners who face foreclosure to help more families stay in their home during this difficult economic climate.

BALTIMORE, MD - September 29, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler announced today that his Consumer Protection Division has won a judgment in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City against brothers Michael K. Lewis and Earnest Lewis, Cheryl Brooke, In the House Technology, Inc., and Winston Thomas based on violations of Maryland’s law against foreclosure rescue scams. The Honorable Barry G. Williams issued an order that bars the Lewis brothers, Brooke, and Thomas from offering and selling services of any kind to a homeowner who is in default on a mortgage or is in foreclosure, and requires them to pay over a million dollars in restitution and penalties. The order also requires them to provide regular reports to the Division concerning their employment.

Lenders, Federal and Local Agencies to Provide Free Assistance October 10. Washington, DC - September 28, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Vern Buchanan (FL-13) announced today that he will hold a foreclosure assistance workshop on Saturday, October 10, 2009. In attendance will be several lenders, federal agencies, and local housing and counseling agencies, which will be available to assist residents of Florida’s 13th District from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the student union at State College of Florida, 5840 26th St. West, Bradenton, Florida.

Washington, DC - September 23, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley urged Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan Wednesday to implement several improvements to the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) to make mortgage modifications simpler and speedier for borrowers and counselors.

Washington, D.C. - September 22, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s Third District voted today to extend unemployment benefits for Nevadans who are still finding it difficult to find work during the economic recession.

Washington, D.C. - September 22, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada’s Third District voted today to extend unemployment benefits for Nevadans who are still finding it difficult to find work during the economic recession.

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ - September 22, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Jon S. Corzine today announced that since 2006, the State has created, preserved, or rehabilitated 30,284 affordable housing units for New Jersey's working families.

September 23, 2009 - (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

September 22, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Rep. Frank Kratovil will be hosting a foreclosure prevention workshop this Saturday afternoon at Maces Lane Middle School in Cambridge, MD. The workshop is open to any residents of Maryland’s First Congressional District currently facing or at risk of facing foreclosure. Counselors and representatives of major lenders will be on hand to meet with attendees individually to discuss what options are available to help homeowners stay in their home.

CLEVELAND, OH - September 21, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Representative Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) will host a free foreclosure prevention clinic at the Five Pointe Community Center on Tuesday, September 22.

Washington, DC - September 17, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Foreclosure rescue scams are pushing more struggling homeowners deeper into debt, and state and federal law enforcement must work together to stop them, Attorney General Roy Cooper told officials in Washington on Thursday.