ATLANTA, AZ - March 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)], the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms announced today that the 114-room Holiday Inn & Suites Phoenix Airport plans to open this month.

March 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mayor Thomas M. Menino today joined city officials and community members in celebrating the new home of local after-school music education organization, ZUMIX, in a newly renovated firehouse at 260 Sumner Street in East Boston. The new 9,000-square-foot facility benefitted from $4.6 million in renovations over the past five years, and boasts a performance stage, several soundproof rehearsal rooms, a recording studio, and a radio station. The renovated firehouse, which was vacant for more than 30 years, replaces former ZUMIX headquarters on nearby Maverick Street.

$18 million in relief for Massachusetts homeowners; $4.1 million payment to Commonwealth. BOSTON, MA - March 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- As part of her office’s ongoing initiative to combat predatory lending practices that contributed to our nation’s economic crisis, Attorney General Martha Coakley today reached a significant settlement with Countrywide Financial Corporation (Countrywide) that will provide an estimated $18 million in loan modifications for Massachusetts homeowners, $3 billion in loan modifications for homeowners across the country, and a $4.1 million payment to the Commonwealth. Countrywide is now owned by Bank of America.The settlement, filed today in Suffolk Superior Court, expands an earlier agreement that Countrywide reached with 43 other state Attorneys General and the District of Columbia in 2008 for loan modification for certain delinquent borrowers and builds on standards set forth in the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) administered by the United States Treasury

March 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett today joined County Councilmember George Leventhal, chair of the Council’s Health and Human Services Committee; Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless (MCCH) Executive Director Sharan London and others to welcome new residents to the Lockney Avenue Apartments, a Takoma Park property purchased by Coalition Homes (part of MCCH) to provide permanent supportive housing for formerly homeless families.

WASHINGTON, DC. - March 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senator Kit Bond (R-MO) today addressed Missouri and national advocates for better neighborhoods and moderate- and low-income housing at the National NeighborWorks Association’s (NNA) Annual Legislative Day. During the event, Bond stressed the importance of the work done by organizations like NeighborWorks, particularly during the housing crisis, to help families find affordable housing and save their homes from foreclosure through services like counseling.

Washington, DC - March 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer urged the Obama Administration to increase funding for fiscal year 2011 for the Section 202 Housing for the Elderly program. In a letter to Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Shaun Donovan, Schumer noted that in fiscal year 2010, Congress appropriated $825 million for Section 202 programmatic funding.

LOS ANGELES, CA - March 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Home sales decreased 11.7 percent in February in California compared with the same period a year ago, while the median price of an existing home rose 14.1 percent, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) reported today

Trenton, NJ - March 19, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Christie today issued the following statement on the status of the Housing Opportunity Task Force created by Executive Order 12:

RALEIGH, NC - March 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco announced today that two North Carolina counties have been awarded Community Development Block Grants to provide down-payment assistance and financial literacy training for first-time homebuyers.

SEATTLE, WA - March 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- - Mayor Mike McGinn has named Rick Hooper as the new interim director of the city's Office of Housing, citing Hooper's 30 years of experience with the city and his success implementing the Seattle Housing Levy.

ORLANDO, FL - March 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Florida’s existing home sales rose in January, marking 17 months that sales activity has increased in the year-to-year comparison, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®.Existing home sales increased 24 percent last month with a total of 10,465 homes sold statewide compared to 8,444 homes sold in January 2009, according to Florida Realtors. January’s statewide sales of existing condos rose 81 percent compared to the previous year’s sales figure

PRE-CLOSINGS BEGIN AND IMMEDIATE OCCUPANCY AVAILABLE AT BEACON TOWERS IN HARLEM. With Only 15 Units Remaining, Beacon Towers is Over 70% Sold. NEW YORK, NY - March 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Beacon Towers today announced that pre-closings have begun at the new cooperative building in Central Harlem and immediate occupancy is available.

Jim Quinn, Branch Manager with UFirst Financial, is presenting a special Seminar to find out how you can save 1000's of dollars on your mortgage(s) with the UFirst Money Merge Account. Seating is limited to 25-30 so be sure to RSVP. This meeting is for UFirst Agents and anyone who wants to find out how to pay down your mortgages in 9 to 11 years.

COLUMBIA, MD - March 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Enterprise commends the United States Senate for passing the Tax Extenders Act (H.R. 4213) on March 10. The bill, which will now return to the House for a final vote, includes legislation critical to the affordable housing industry

LOS ANGELES, CA - March 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Real Estate Business Services Inc. (REBS®) today announced that more than 106,000 members of CARETS now can utilize the Clarus MarketMetrics® database on either an individual subscription or member benefit basis. CARETS provides an all-inclusive database of properties for sale covering six counties in Southern California. Current participating CARETS MLSs include: CRISnet, i-Tech MLS, MRMLS, SoCALMLS, and The MLS®/CLAW. VCRDS and California Desert data are coming on board soon.

March 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) today announced $250 million in bonds are available for affordable home loans, which includes a set aside of 10 % (up to $25 million) for new construction home purchases.

FORSYTH, GA - March 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- As spring arrives, backyard gardeners and landscapers begin the yearly task of beautifying their outdoor environments. The Georgia Wildlife Resources Division recommends that amateur and professional gardeners, regardless of their yard’s size, consider building a place for wildlife while planning for spring gardens.

Jackson, MS - March 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- EastGroup Properties (NYSE-EGP) announced today that it will hold its First Quarter Conference Call and Web Cast on Thursday, April 29, 2010 at 11:00 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time. On the call, David Hoster, President and CEO, and Keith McKey, CFO, will review the first quarter results and discuss EastGroup's current operations

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.

AUSTIN, TX - March 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Gov. Rick Perry today announced that the Texas Emerging Technology Fund (TETF) is investing $1.5 million in SolarBridge Technologies Inc. for the development and commercialization of their technology for the widespread use of solar energy.

MORRIS PLAINS, N.J. - March 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions an individual can make. So it is understandable that one considering a home purchase may take their time to avoid rushing into such a large financial commitment.

NEW YORK, NY - March 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Chase announced today that it will provide additional help to struggling homeowners by joining the second-lien program of the federal government's Home Affordable Modification Program.

Philadelphia, PA - March 19, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Philadelphia Housing Authority received an overwhelming 54,000 applications over a two-week period for the agency’s Housing Choice Voucher Program, 61% coming on-line through the PHA website.

BOSTON, MA - March 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- A survey of home improvement contractors (HIC) conducted by the Patrick-Murray Administration's Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation found that 85 percent of the contractors checked did not follow state laws requiring the listing of registration numbers on displays and other advertising.Since taking over the HIC program last July, the Office of Consumer Affairs has focused on ensuring contractors know the law regarding registration numbers and understand the importance of displaying the numbers. For consumers, being able to easily find and check a registration number is important as homeowners go through the process of considering a contractor. Hiring a registered contractor affords some protections and possible compensation from the state’s Guaranty Fund that would not be available if a consumer uses an unregistered contractor

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)

ANSTED, WV - March 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Four southern West Virginia communities will receive $500,000 in federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) funds to buy blighted residential properties and demolish or redevelop them into new homes for sale as part of Fayette County’s program to broaden affordable housing opportunities

BOISE, ID - March 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Fair housing can be complex for housing professionals, service providers, and local communities. The Idaho Fair Housing Forum, in partnership with the Idaho Affordable Housing Management Association, will host a conference focusing on rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act. “Fair Housing 2010 – More than a Black and White Issue,” will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 19 at the Doubletree Hotel Boise Riverside. Registration is required and begins at 8 a.m. A $10 registration fee includes lunch and conference materials.

- March 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Free Teleseminar with Linda and Nyrick Huuskonen Monday, March 22. 8:00 - 8:45pm Register at: http://www.ctreia.com/events.php#event_249. Be sure to check your email after registering. We'll email you the phone number and pin access code for this Webinar.

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.

JEFFERSON CITY, MO - March 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Thirty-two pieces of prime real estate throughout the state will go on the auction block April 26-30 when the Missouri Department of Transportation holds its second Realty to Roads property blitz.