News

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.

Boston, MA - October 2, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Lisa Torres, 40, formerly of Johnston, pleaded guilty today to a $1.7 million mortgage fraud scheme in which she purchased properties that had recently been foreclosed upon, and then used the names of straw purchasers in sham sales to finagle mortgage financing.

Montpelier, Vt. - October 2, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Jim Douglas today announced the appointment of Tayt Brooks as Commissioner of the Department of Housing, Economic and Community Development.

ST. LOUIS, MO - October 5, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Milton H. Ohlsen III was sentenced to 30 months in prison on bank fraud charges after overstating his income on his home mortgage application, and in a separate case, sentenced to 30 months in prison on a firearms charge, Acting United States Attorney Michael W. Reap announced today. The sentences are to run concurrently. In addition to the prison sentence, Ohlsen was ordered to pay restitution of $99,871

October 5, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- County Executive Isiah Leggett today joined Freddie Mac Executive Vice President for Community Relations and Freddie Mac Foundation President and CEO, Ralph F. Boyd, Jr., to announce nearly $1 million in grant funding to two Montgomery County organizations serving homeless families. The Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless (MCCH) will receive $450,000 from the Freddie Mac Foundation to continue the Partnership for Permanent Housing program, which relocates families directly from homelessness to permanent housing. The National Center for Children and Families (NCCF), operators of the Greentree Family Shelter, will receive $425,000 from the Freddie Mac Foundation to provide intensive services to some of the County’s most vulnerable homeless families --- to move them quickly to permanent housing.

Senator Looney says environmental legislation will boost jobs, economic development in New Haven and across Connecticut. October 5, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- A measure included in one of the budget implementer bills passed by the state legislature will help stimulate economic development in New Haven and elsewhere while also preserving the environment, says Senate Majority Leader Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven). The legislation establishes a maximum $25 million tax credit for taxpayers who build buildings that meet specific energy and environmental standards.

WASHINGTON, DC - October 2, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-08) today announced that the House of Representatives voted to approve the final Energy and Water Appropriations bill, which includes $5 million for the purchase of approximately 30 homes in Wayne and Pompton Lakes located in the Passaic River basin.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - October 2, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Duke Energy today announced it will purchase “green energy” credits from two North Carolina companies that will use solar power to produce hot water and to heat and cool buildings.

Washington, DC - October 1, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson today announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded 270 housing choice vouchers to the Dallas Housing Authority. The vouchers are a replacement for units in Rhoads Terrace, a public housing development that the Dallas Housing Authority demolished.

Washington, DC - October 1, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- As a member of the Health Subcommittee of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Congressman Glenn Nye (VA-02) is usually the one asking the questions – but today, he appeared as a witness in front of the subcommittee, testifying in support of his bill to help prevent veterans from becoming homeless.

Washington, DC - October 1, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) today asked Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner to address the potential threat to the financial system posed by resecuritization of existing residential mortgage backed securities, informally referred to as ‘re-remic.’

SPRINGFIELD, MO - October 2, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Matt J. Whitworth, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a Wichita, Kan., man and a Carl Junction, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court to their roles in a $1.2 million mortgage fraud scheme

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 [...]

Money will Help Local Organization Disburse Home Loans to Low-Income Sacramentans. WASHINGTON, DC - October 2, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui (D-CA) announced today that the U.S. Treasury Department has released $1,000,000 to Sacramento Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. (SNHS). SNHS is a loan fund that provides gap funding and comprehensive home ownership and foreclosure prevention counseling for local low-income individuals and families. Their work has helped countless families achieve the dream of home ownership, and many more stay in their homes despite the recent economic downturn.

WASHINGTON, DC - October 2, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Reps. Harry Mitchell and Ken Calvert (R-CA) are inviting their colleagues in the House to join them in support of the bipartisan Homebuyer Tax Credit Act, H.R. 1245, to extend and expand the Homebuyer Tax Credit.

PHILADELPHIA, PA - October 2, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today the approval of a grant totaling more than $1.8 million to elevate seven flood-prone homes in West Norriton, Montgomery County

October 2, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- This is the time of year to get your furnace cleaned and ready for winter. Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth (DELEG) Director Stanley "Skip" Pruss offers some sensible tips so you do not get taken to the cleaners

Washington, DC - October 1, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, Congressman Leonard Boswell voted to secure $29,509,000 to fund flood prevention and management projects in Iowa when the House passed the Energy and Water Development Appropriations conference report.

Washington, DC - October 1, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, Congressman Leonard Boswell voted to secure $29,509,000 to fund flood prevention and management projects in Iowa when the House passed the Energy and Water Development Appropriations conference report.

October 2, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) applauded passage in the U.S. House of Representatives today of the appropriations bill that provides federal funding for critical local water projects in the Los Angeles area.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that includes $35,045,000 in earmarks Congressman Charlie Melancon (LA-03) secured for projects in the Third Congressional District. The funding was included in the fiscal year 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations conference report (H.R. 3183). The conference report now goes to the Senate for passage, and then to the President to be signed in to law. This annual funding bill will provide a total of $5.4 billion for Army Corps of Engineers projects nationwide

House Gives Final Approval to $5.5 Million for Wares Creek, $500,000 for Sarasota Renewable Energy Center, $305,000 for Lido Beach, $100,000 for Anna Maria Island Beach Re-nourishment, $100,000 for Port Manatee and up to $5 million for Sarasota Bay Restoration. Washington, DC - October 2, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Vern Buchanan (FL-13) has won final approval in the House of $8.3 million in federal funding for environmental projects in Florida’s 13th District. The House voted 308-114 for the fiscal year 2010 energy and water appropriations bill (H.R. 3183) today.

Green Renovation of 186 Affordable Apartments in Cherry Hill Neighborhood. BALTIMORE, MD - October 1, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mayor Sheila Dixon, Baltimore Housing Commissioner Paul Graziano and community residents joined Enterprise today to celebrate the grand reopening of Cherrydale Apartments in Baltimore. Cherrydale Apartments, which has provided affordable rental housing for low- and moderate-income families in Baltimore’s Cherry Hill neighborhood for more than 40 years, was renovated to meet the Enterprise Green Communities Criteria for affordable housing.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - October 1, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, Congressman John W. Olver (D-1st District) announced that Franklin County DIAL SELF, Inc. will receive $285,000 annually in grant funds over the next 3 years from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families. The funding will be used to provide a comprehensive array of outreach, prevention, and safe shelter services for homeless and at-risk youth through the DIAL/SELF TeenLine and North Quabbin programs.

MORRIS PLAINS, N.J., - October 1, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- According to a recent survey of real estate agents, the first-time homebuyer tax credit has been extremely successful in stimulating the housing market and the overall economy.

BURLINGTON, VT - October 1, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Vermont Housing Finance Agency is pleased to announce its top mortgage loan originators for fiscal year 2009

New York, NY - September 30, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Community Preservation Corporation (CPC), a non-profit affordable housing lender, today announced a new public/private partnership to provide $1 billion in construction and mortgage loans to multifamily housing owners for energy efficient upgrades and property retrofits.

Cleveland, OH - October 1, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Cleveland Area Board of Realtors (CABOR) announced its support for Issue 6 on the November 3rd ballot. The Board of Directors for the 4,500 member non-profit organization voted on Thursday, September 24, 2009 to endorse the reform effort

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.

WASHINGTON, DC - September 29, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and Jon Kyl (R-AZ) announced new legislation Tuesday to better protect homeowners from the recent wave of mortgage scams by providing up to $200 million over two years for State and local prosecutors offices to battle real estate fraud.