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

Atlanta, GA - April 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Prudential Georgia Realty, a metro Atlanta real estate firm with more than 20 locations in several counties, including a thriving office in Midtown, has recently signed a lease to open a new Buckhead office. The 5,000+ square foot space is located at 3221 Peachtree Road, a block south of the Piedmont Road and Peachtree Road intersection, in the heart of Buckhead.

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.

LINCOLN, NEB. - April 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Nebraska Department of Economic Development has awarded $1,967,114 in HOME funding to five local/regional housing authorities and non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations to build rental housing for residents ages 55 and older in their respective communities.

NEW YORK, NY - April 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- LCOR has announced the grand opening of North Williamsburg's newest rental development, 34 Berry Street — a 142-unit apartment building located at the corner of North 12th and Berry Streets in Brooklyn.

Albany, NY - April 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) received the 2010 ENERGY STAR Leadership in Housing Award from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its work to promote energy-efficient construction and environmental protection through its New York ENERGY STAR Homes Program.

New York, NY - April 5, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) today announced $445,400 in NeighborWorks® America grants for Neighborhood Housing Services of New York City, Inc. (NHS). NHS is a member of the national NeighborWorks® network that supports affordable housing and community development activities throughout the five boroughs of New York City.

Marietta, GA - April 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Real estate professional Sandi Bonner, who has been an agent 31 years, received three, separate real estate industry honors in recent weeks. A long-time Realtor with Prudential Georgia Realty, she is based out of its Northwest office on Dallas Hwy. in West Cobb

DES MOINES, IA - April 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Chet Culver announced today that six affordable housing initiatives will receive a total of more than $2.2 million to preserve and construct affordable housing. The awards are made through the Affordable Housing Program, a part of the Culver/Judge Administration’s I-JOBS initiative. The Iowa Finance Authority administers the program.

April 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- To symbolically plant the seeds of volunteerism and real seeds that will produce vegetables, Delaware First Lady Carla Markell planted a new garden today at Woodburn, the official Governor’s residence in Dover. The garden will produce a variety of vegetables that will be donated to area homeless shelters.

Des Moines, IA - April 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) Board of Directors recently approved a grant of $25,000 to the Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation (NEICAC) to help advance affordable homeownership in Oelwein. The funding is made available through the State Housing Trust Fund’s Project-Based program. The program provides financing for the development of affordable single-family and multifamily housing units

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

San Mateo, CA - April 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) --The San Mateo County Association of REALTORS (SAMCAR) has announced that the association is participating in the REALTOR® Nationwide Open House event Saturday, April 10 and Sunday, April 11. The nationwide effort is to increase consumer awareness of the benefits of buying a home and give sellers an opportunity to increase the exposure for their home for sale. Most importantly, the open house event is a collective effort on behalf of SAMCAR and its participating members to continue to spread the word about the expanded first-time homebuyer and long-term homebuyer tax credits, which end April 30. Qualified buyers wishing to take advantage of the credits, which provide up to $8,000 for first-time homebuyers and up to $6,500 forexisting homeowners, must enter into a contract by April 30 and close no later thanJune 30.

WASHINGTON, DC - April 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congresswoman Laura Richardson is reminding families in the market for a new home to act soon so they can benefit from the First Time Homebuyer (FTHB) tax credit, which has been extended an additional 30 days to a deadline of May 1, 2010.

Judgment part of statewide investigation into reports of discriminatory Internet advertising. BOSTON, MA - April 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Martha Coakley’s Office obtained a judgment against Linheart Smith, a Hyde Park landlord, resolving allegations that he made discriminatory statements in rental advertisements posted on the popular classified advertising website Craigslist.org (“Craigslist”). The judgment, signed by Suffolk Superior Court Judge John C. Cratsley, on April 2, 2010, provides a broad range of relief and preventive measures to ensure Smith’s future compliance with state and federal fair housing laws. This judgment is the result of a continuing statewide investigation by the Attorney General’s Office into reports of widespread discriminatory Internet advertising.“Our office’s lawsuit alleged that this landlord had discriminated against low-income individuals seeking housing. Landlords and real estate professionals must recognize that the rental market is a regulated industry and compliance with our anti-discrimination laws is an important obligation,” said Attorney General Coakley. “While we hope that this enforcement initiative will have a deterrent effect, our office will continue to monitor Craigslist and take action against landlords and real estate professionals who violate the law.”

April 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights joins the Local Human Rights Commissions of Kentucky and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to highlight efforts to fight housing discrimination and promote inclusive, diverse communities.

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - April 5, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — The Utah Division of Housing and Community Development announced today that Utah will extend the Home Energy Assistance Target Program (HEAT) application deadline until May 31, 2010 or until all funds are expended.

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.

WASHINGTON, DC - April 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced that the State of Vermont is being awarded a $250,000 grant to produce new affordable, energy efficient, green housing

Seattle, WA - April 2, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- ROBERT ERNEST BRANDT, 42, a former Kirkland attorney and escrow officer, was convicted in U.S. District Court in Seattle yesterday of conspiracy and four counts of wire fraud.

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.

VILLANOVA, PA - April 5, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Daniel M. DiLella Center for Real Estate at the Villanova School of Business will host the first annual Villanova Real Estate Challenge on April 8 – 9.

SPRINGFIELD, IL - April 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The popular homebuyer tax credit, which has benefited millions of first-time and move-up buyers purchasing a new home, will soon come to an end. Potential homebuyers need to move quickly if they want to take advantage of the federal tax credit before it expires April 30, 2010

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) --Today, Congressman Charlie Melancon (LA-03) toured St. Bernard Fire Chief Thomas Stone’s home in Chalmette, inspecting the extensive damage caused by toxic Chinese drywall. They discussed how the toxic substances in the wallboard can create a fire hazard. Congressman Melancon also gave an update on pending legislation he is working for in Congress that would help homeowners cope with defective Chinese drywall.

Gainesville, GA - April 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Commercial real estate professional Chuck Clausen was named the top commercial agent of 2009 for Prudential Georgia Realty. In real estate since 1992, Chuck is consistently one of the 50 top-producing agents, commercial or residential, for Prudential.

TUCSON, AZ - April 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords on Tuesday will join with representatives of Environment Arizona in releasing a report on how solar energy can be used to power our homes, businesses, farms and neighborhoods.“This report shows the possibilities of solar energy and how solar is an achievable path to our energy security,” said Giffords. “We still have work to do before solar energy can make up a large percentage of America’s energy needs, but we are moving in the right direction.

LĪHU'E, HI - April 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- In celebration of the National Community Development Week, the Kaua'i County Housing Agency will host a “Parade of Projects” that have benefitted Kaua'i residents. The event will be held this Thursday at the Līhu'e Civic Center in the Pi‟ikoi Building atrium from 10 am to 2 pm.

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.

WALTHAM, MA - April 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® (MAR) reported today that despite the record rain last month, the number of single-family homes put under agreement in March was up 27 percent over the same time last year, while condominiums were up 38 percent. March marks the ninth straight month that the number of both single-family homes and condominiums put under agreement had increased over the year before.

WALTHAM, MA - April 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- REALTORS® across Massachusetts and the country will be hosting open houses as part of the first-ever REALTOR® Nationwide Open House Weekend on April 10-11. With favorable market conditions and the availability of homebuyer tax credits, buyers will have the opportunity to tour an increased number of open houses in their desired communities. Participating open houses will be marked with blue REALTOR® “R” balloons and be listed