MORRIS PLAINS, N.J. - November 10, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Nearly two years ago, James M. Weichert, president and founder of Weichert, Realtors, began calling upon Congress for a homebuyer tax credit that he felt would help repair the struggling national economy.

Edison, NJ - November 10, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Reacting to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®' (NAR) 2009 Third Quarter Metro Home Prices/State Resales report, New Jersey Association of REALTORS® (NJAR®) Executive Vice President Jarrod C. Grasso, RCE, today issued the following statement:

FRANKFORT, KY - November 10, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- First Lady Jane Beshear, joined by homeless advocates and other state officials, today announced November 15-21, 2009 as Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week in Kentucky.

H.R. 3548 was passed by the House Thursday and signed into law by President Obama Friday. Washington, DC - November 10, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Late last week, Congressman Baron Hill voted to stimulate the local economy and provide stability to American families hit hardest by the recession by extending unemployment benefits, the homebuyers’ tax credit, and tax relief for military families and businesses. The Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act, H.R. 3548, will provide immediate assistance, extending relief to millions of workers, families, and businesses nationwide. The bill was passed by the House of Representatives on Thursday, November 5, 2009, and signed into law the next day by President Obama.

ATLANTA, GA - November 10, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- As the colder winter months approach, the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) will once again help Georgians struggling to keep up with the cost of heating their homes.

WASHINGTON, DC - November 10, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui (D-Sacramento) announced that $344,621 has been awarded to the Sacramento County Department of Health and Human Services through a federal grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration to support outreach and primary care services for homeless populations in Sacramento. Thanks to this funding, the Mercy Clinic at Loaves and Fishes will continue to provide area homeless with outpatient primary and public health care services--as well as inpatient and other secondary and tertiary health care services--in cooperation with local doctors and hospitals. This competitive award will allow the clinic to continue operating through 2012.

Pierre, SD - November 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The South Dakota Housing Development Authority (SDHDA) recently awarded Ms. Julie Clark with their “Friend of Housing” award during their 19th Annual Housing Conference held in Pierre.

HOUSTON, TX - November 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Texas Tower Limited, owner of the 75-story JPMorgan Chase Tower, announced today the acquisition of the adjacent JPMorgan Chase Center in downtown Houston from JPMorgan Chase.

New York, NY - November 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Port Authority has met 21 of 24 World Trade Center rebuilding milestones, according to its latest quarterly milestone report, released today.

Jackson, MS - November 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Mississippi Insurance Department (MID) reminds everyone that preparation in advance of a storm can help save lives and property and can prevent unpleasant insurance surprises should Hurricane Ida take aim at the state.

TALLAHASSEE, FL - November 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced that his office has filed a lawsuit against two Central Florida companies and their owner over allegations they charged up-front fees for foreclosure rescue-related services. National Payment Modification Company and The Bostonian Group, LLC, which conducts business under the name People’s First, allegedly charge up to $2,500 in up-front fees to homeowners trying to rescue their homes from foreclosure.

November 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Home Federal Savings Bank, Detroit, Michigan, was closed today by the Office of Thrift Supervision, which appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver. To protect the depositors, the FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with Liberty Bank and Trust Company, New Orleans, Louisiana, to assume all of the deposits of Home Federal Savings Bank.

Four preserved farms in New Jersey totaling nearly 400 acres will be sold in three separate auctions in the next two months. November 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Max Spann Real Estate & Auction Co., a national auctioneer of elite properties, has scheduled the auctions for Nov. 19 in Colts Neck, Dec. 3 in Hamilton and Dec. 10 in Pittstown, Hunterdon County

Albany, NY - November 3, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) recently helped Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless open its new Sheridan Hollow Housing project, while recognizing November as Homeless Awareness Month, at an event in Albany.

Washington (DC), November 7, 2009 - Today, Congressman Al Green (TX-09) commended the passage of the Affordable Health Care for America Act (HR 3962) by the U.S. House of Representatives, which was passed by a vote of 220-215.

Washington, D.C. - November 5, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Steve Rothman (D-NJ) voted in favor of H.R. 3548, the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009.

Trenton, NJ - November 6, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The people of New Jersey have spoken. Their priorities are still tax relief and cost cutting at all levels of government. The new Administration will surely need to tackle the factors that drive public spending. Local officials, through the League of Municipalities, stand ready and willing to help.

ATLANTA, GA - November 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The newest Hotel Indigo opened its doors today in downtown Asheville, N.C. Nestled near the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the 100-room new-build boutique hotel is the second of five properties planned for the state; additional deals are signed in Charlotte, Wilmington and Winston-Salem.

New York, NY - November 6, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Commissioner Rafael E. Cestero today announced the recipients of the agency’s second round of funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s Tax Credit Assistance Program (TCAP).

Legislation similar to bill introduced by Kratovil to help jump start the economy and put more people in homes. November 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The House of Representatives passed and today President Obama signed into law legislation that will extend the $8,000 homebuyer tax credit past the November 30th deadline to first-time homebuyers with a binding contract before April 30, 2010.

BOSTON, MA - November 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- November 9, 2009 – MassHousing announced loan commitments today of up to $43 million for the renovation and preservation of affordability at the 500-unit Castle Square housing community in Boston’s South End.

$28M Mixed-Use Project to Transform Neighborhood Landmark, make Available New Affordable Homeownership and Rental Housing. November 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Department of Neighborhood Development (DND) Director Evelyn Friedman today joined the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation (JPNDC), New Atlantic Development Corporation (NADC), and community members to celebrate the completion of the first 16 new units of housing on the site of the former Blessed Sacrament church. The completed $28 million development, expected for the end of 2010, will yield a total of 118 units of housing, the majority of which will be available to low and moderate income households.

Washington, DC - November 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- On Thursday, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed HR 3548, the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 by a vote of 403 to 12. This bill provides critical aid to families in Southeast Michigan and across the country in the form of extended unemployment benefits, tax relief to businesses, and an extension and expansion of the homebuyers’ tax credit.

Washington, DC - November 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Dave Loebsack (D-IA) issued the following statement on the announcement that $150 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Disaster Recovery Funds will be made available for the purchase of 1,352 homes damaged due to the floods of last year. In June, Congressman Loebsack spearheaded efforts that garnered $517 million in CDGB funds for Iowa, bringing the total CDBG funds allocated to Iowa to nearly $800 million.

Washington, D.C. - November 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- On Thursday, Congressman André Carson joined his House colleagues in voting to extend unemployment benefits, the homebuyers’ tax credit, and tax relief for military families and businesses

SPRINGFIELD, IL - November 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The first-time buyer tax credit built third-quarter momentum as home sales marked the first positive year-over-year increase in more than three years while price declines moderated but continued to be influenced by entry-level and distressed sales, according to the Illinois Association of REALTORS® (IAR). Statewide home sales (which include single-family and condominiums) totaled 32,460, up 0.3 percent from 32,358 home sales in the third quarter of 2008. The third quarter median home sale price was $165,000, down 12.9 percent from $189,500 in the third quarter of 2008. The median is a typical market price where half the homes sold for more, half sold for less.

Washington, DC - November 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman David Scott voted to stimulate the local economy and provide stability to Georgia families hit hardest by the recession by extending unemployment benefits, the homebuyers' tax credit, and tax relief for military families. The Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act will provide immediate assistance to millions of families.

ORLANDO, FL - November 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Potential homebuyers have even more incentive to purchase a Florida home, according to Florida Realtors, thanks to the extension and expansion of the federal $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit.

SUNRISE, FL - November 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Attorney General’s Office and the Florida Interagency Mortgage Task Force today hosted a Broward County community forum to discuss the housing crisis. The event, designed to present a comprehensive approach for dealing with housing-related issues, provided community education and assistance to over 100 attendees. Participating agencies included state agencies, law enforcement, and regulatory authorities.

Washington, DC - November 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- This week, the House voted on legislation to extend the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit through April 30, 2010, which is currently set to expire December 1, 2009. The bill also expands eligibility of the credit, raising the income eligibility cap on individuals to $125,000 and $225,000 for married couples, up from $75,000 and $150,000 respectively, and homes sold for more than $800,000 are ineligible.