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.

Salem, OR - September 30, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Ted Kulongoski announced reservations totaling $28.6 million in federal Recovery Act dollars that will reinvigorate and aid completion of 17 low-income housing projects in Oregon.

WASHINGTON, DC - September 30, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- In an effort to curb record-high foreclosure rates across the country and stabilize the housing market, U.S. Senator Jack Reed today introduced legislation that will help keep families in their homes and prevent communities from deteriorating as a result of skyrocketing mortgage defaults.

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.

PORTLAND, OR - September 30, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Housing Authority of Portland (HAP) has been awarded $3,278,370 in competitive American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

BOLTON, MS - October 1, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, United States Representative Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) announced that the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development will provide Economic Development Initiative Special Project funds to the County in the amount of $902,500.00

Washington, DC - October 1, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Representative Michele Bachmann (MN-06) today urged Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner to specifically prohibit ACORN from participating in his $35 billion proposal to expand government intervention in the housing market

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - October 1, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Jerry J. Jaquess, Indianapolis, age 67, was sentenced to 30 months in prison late yesterday by Chief Judge David F. Hamilton for his participation in a large mortgage fraud scheme in the Indianapolis area, announced Timothy M. Morrison, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana.

TAMPA, FL - October 1, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) today praised the work Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is doing to ensure that Americans are prepared for disasters. As National Preparedness Month (NPM) comes to a close, Secretary Napolitano is delivering a major speech today challenging all Americans to view disaster preparedness as a shared responsibility, and urging communities to build a year-round culture of readiness and resilience.

Guarantee Leverages Newly Patented Pattern-Recognition Technology That Identifies Twice the Level of Fraud Verses Alternative Solutions. SANTA ANA, CA - October 1, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- First American CoreLogic, a member of The First American Corporation (NYSE: FAF) family of companies and America’s largest provider of advanced property and ownership information, analytics and services, today announced its 2X mortgage fraud guarantee. This first-of-its-kind guarantee assures current and prospective clients that they will identify twice the level of potential fraud using First American CoreLogic’s fraud detection technology than when using technology from any other fraud solutions vendor, or the trial period will be free.

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

Legislation moves back deadline on stimulus tax credit for men and women serving abroad. WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 30, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- While many American families have taken advantage of the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit and other benefits available through the economic recovery effort, many American heroes have been deployed overseas and thus unable to take advantage of this valuable credit to help them buy a home of their own. Today, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill introduced a bill in the Senate to extend until November 30, 2010 the availability of this credit of up to $8,000 toward the purchase of a first home for service members deployed abroad for more than 90 days during 2009.

LANSING, Michigan - September 30, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- State Senator Martha G. Scott (D-Highland Park), along with the Office of Financial & Insurance Regulation (OFIR), is offering three free financial workshops in October where consumers can learn about auto and home insurance, mortgage and consumer finance, and investor protection

Recovery Act funding will provide “green”, energy efficient renovations for Old Colony, Cathedral, Heath and Amory public housing developments. Today, Mayor Thomas M. Menino announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has given the City of Boston $40 million through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The funding will go toward renovating several public housing developments in the Boston Housing Authority’s (BHA) portfolio using “green” technology to increase energy efficiency and decrease overall costs to the City of Boston. The $40 million worth of projects will create nearly 400 new jobs.

Colorado Coalition for the Homeless and Colorado Community Managed Care Awarded Grants to Boost Use of Electronic Health Records. Washington, D.C. - September 30, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mark Udall and Michael Bennet, U.S. Senators for Colorado, applauded the announcement of $2 million for two health information technology initiatives in Colorado. The funds are part of $27.8 million in grants announced this week by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Heritage Park will take advantage of MERIT’s Active Adult Adventure Program Sacramento, CA - September 30, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Heritage Park Homeowners Association has selected MERIT, a leading provider of professional community association and rental management services, to manage their 965 single family active adult community located in North Natomas area of Sacramento, CA. MERIT will assist the board of directors with daily operations to provide quality service as well as add a new adventure program for active adults.

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.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 30, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Jerry Moran today announced Atwood Housing Authority received a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant to address the needs of seniors and persons with disabilities. Recently, HUD awarded competitive grants to public housing authorities throughout the country to allow necessary improvements

TAVARES, FL - September 30, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- As part of the Annual Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 4-10), the Lake County Department of Public Safety, Fire Rescue Division, is stepping up its public-education efforts to remind residents how to keep homes fire safe and prevent painful burns.

Staten Island, NY - September 28, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Rep. Michael E. McMahon wants to extend the $8,000 first-time homebuyers tax credit which will expire by the end of November.

New York, NY - September 29, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Bronx Pro Real Estate Management today celebrated the opening of 1085 Washington Avenue Apartments, a new 90-unit affordable housing development that features numerous elements that help the building and its residents contribute to a greener, more sustainable New York City.

WASHINGTON, DC - September 23, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today competitively awarded a total of $5,397,130 in Recovery Act funds to permit the Portland, Vancouver and King County housing authorities to make improvements that address the needs of seniors and persons with disabilities.

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.

BALTIMORE, MD - September 29, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler announced today that his Environmental Crimes Unit has reached a final settlement with Dr. S. K. Singh, owner of Concord Mobile Home Park, L.P. in Frederick County, to resolve allegations of illegal disposal of sewage. The final settlement includes [...]

Legislation will promote growth, stability in housing market. September 29, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Reps. Frank Kratovil (D-MD) and Travis Childers (D-MS) have introduced important legislation to help families buy and sell homes and spur growth and stability in the American housing market. The Tax Credit Extension for Homebuyers with a Loss Deduction Incentive Act (H.R. 3640) will extend for one year the $8,000 home-buyer tax credit, expand the credit to all homebuyers purchasing a principal residence, and provide relief for individuals or families who are forced to sell their home at a loss.

Amid Foreclosure Crisis, Local Prosecutors Lack the Resources, Manpower to Fight New Wave of Mortgage Scams New National Legislation Would Empower DOJ To Award Competitive Grants To States and Localities Seeking to Establish ‘Real Estate Fraud Units’

Developer Aims to Create Jobs with Unique Gulf Coast Facility. LONG BEACH, MS - September 29, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Long Beach Call Center (www.longbeachcallcenter.com) – a 19,044-square-foot “plug-n-play” call center and office complex ProVisions, LLC is offering for sale or lease – presents unusually promising news for a state whose unemployment recently reached 10.5 percent. With state-of-the-art capabilities and strategic location on the Gulf Coast, the Long Beach Call Center has the potential to become a workplace for professionals with a predicted increase in job opportunities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for customer service representatives is projected to increase by 21 percent or more between 2006 and 2016, especially for those working in call centers

WASHINGTON, DC - September 29, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS) today announced a $288,000 grant to the city of Liberal for housing. The funds will be used to provide grants to public or private non-profit organizations and Indian Tribes to provide assistance in recruitment, screening, loan packaging and related activities for prospective Self-Help housing applicants. This project will provide for the coordination and supervision of the construction of 18 homes. This program brings new, modest homes to the community and allows families who otherwise might not be able to afford a home to do so through the contribution of sweat equity.

August home sales at 2008 levels. WALTHAM, MA - September 29, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® (MAR) reported today that the number of pending sales (homes put under agreement in August) was up 6.0 percent from the same time last year – the third straight month of year-over-year gains. Sales of single-family homes were virtually the same compared to August of last year (up 0.4 percent), while condominium sales were down 3.5 percent. Median prices continue to be at their highest point in 2009.