RealEstateRama

VIENNA, VA - December 14, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) today released two mortgage fraud reports entitled Mortgage Loan Fraud SAR Filings, which together cover the first six months of 2010; one report covers January through March 2010, and the other covers April through June 2010.

December 14, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- NRMLA, last week, published independent research showing high levels of satisfaction among seniors with reverse mortgages and equally positive numbers indicating borrowers understood the transaction they were getting into and felt no pressure getting a loan.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 14, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Congressional Oversight Panel today released its December oversight report, "A Review of Treasury's Foreclosure Prevention Programs." In the eight months since the Panel's last report on the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP), Treasury has made minor tweaks to the program, but the changes have not resolved the Panel's core concerns. The Panel now estimates that, if current trends hold, HAMP will prevent only 700,000 foreclosures -- far fewer than the three to four million foreclosures that Treasury initially aimed to stop, and vastly fewer than the eight to 13 million foreclosures expected by 2012

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The Peterson Companies and The Bozzuto Group, two D.C. area-based and family-owned development companies, announced today a joint venture that will bring the first apartment community to National Harbor

TRUCKEE, CA - December 13, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Clear Capital www.clearcapital.comreleased its monthly Home Data Index™ (HDI) Market Report, providing the most current (through November 2010) and granular analysis of how local markets performed compared to the national downward trend in home prices

PELLA, IA - December 10, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- As builders, remodelers, contractors, architects and students prepare for a new year – predicted to be challenging for the housing industry – Pella Corporation wants to help them "Go for it!"

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 10, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Department of Justice $2 million settlement with PrimeLending spotlights serious problems on loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). The case found inconsistent and abusive pricing on loans to African-American borrowers, revealing that it’s far too easy for lenders making government-backed loans to overcharge home buyers.

WASHINGTON, DC - December 9, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- A new study released today by Fannie Mae finds that most Americans — both those who currently own their homes and those who rent — strongly aspire to own a home and to maintain homeownership, despite ongoing turmoil in the housing market. However, demographic trends such as fewer married couples and less families with children resulting in shrinking households — combined with financial caution among consumers — are contributing to an increased willingness to rent.

WASHINGTON, DC - December 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- PrimeLending, a national mortgage lender with 168 offices in 32 states at the end of 2009, has agreed to pay $2 million to resolve allegations that it engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination against African-American borrowers between 2006 and 2009.

WASHINGTON, DC - December 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- HOPE NOW, the private sector alliance of mortgage servicers, investors, mortgage insurers and non-profit counselors, released its October 2010 survey data today which estimates the industry completed more than 1.54 million permanent loan modifications for at-risk homeowners from January through October 2010.

LAKE CHARLES, LA - December 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) and First Federal Bank of Louisiana are pleased to announce they have awarded Habitat for Humanity of Calcasieu Area (HFH of Calcasieu) in Lake Charles, Louisiana, a $70,000 Affordable Housing Program (AHP). The grant will assist seven very low-income homeowners in Calcasieu and Beauregard parishes with down payment and closing cost assistance.

NEW YORK, NY - December 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered nearly $339,000 in back wages for 27 workers employed as electrical mechanics by Sant-Tec Electric Inc., a company incorporated in both New York and New Jersey.

WASHINGTON, DC - December 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- More than 400 participants from across the country are expected to take part in a two-day national forum on ending homelessness among Veterans by strengthening preventative measures and collaboration among government and private-sector organizations.

SHERMAN, TX - December 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Representatives of American Bank of Texas and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) presented a $14,000 Partnership Grant Program (PGP) award to Four Rivers Outreach on Friday, December 3, 2010. The grant will assist with operational costs associated with the Four Rivers Outreach men’s transitional living center. The staff and Board of Directors of Four Rivers Outreach were accompanied by Bill Magers, Mayor of the City of Sherman, and Robin McCoy, regional coordinator for State Senator Craig Estes.

Des Plaines, IL - December 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Homes react to weather changes, too, and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry has tips that can help homeowners protect their homes this winter and prevent minor trouble spots from becoming major repairs

MONROE, LA - December 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Ouachita Independent Bank (OIB), Community Trust Bank, Progressive Bank, Richland State Bank, Cross Keys Bank, BancorpSouth Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) are pleased to announce they have awarded $24,000 in Partnership Grant Program (PGP) awards to Family Promise of Ouachita (Family Promise). The checks were presented during a media event at OIB on Wednesday, December

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- I am extremely pleased that the United States Senate has joined the House in passing legislation to name the Operations Building at Social Security headquarters in Baltimore as the “Robert M. Ball Federal Building.” Bob Ball was the longest-serving Commissioner of Social Security, and his dedication to the agency and its programs lasted until his death in 2008

VIENNA, VA - December 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) today proposed a requirement that non-bank residential mortgage lenders and originators, like other types of financial institutions, establish anti-money laundering (AML) programs and comply with suspicious activity report (SAR) regulations

Los Angeles, CA - December 3, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Los Angeles County NeighborWorks® Center for Foreclosure Solutions (CFS) coalition has been helping families facing foreclosure since the beginning of the mortgage crisis. As families head into the holidays, the significance of having a home is more important than other times in the year. As foreclosure activity and joblessness remain historically high, helping families to stay in their home or prepare to purchase a home is critical this holiday season

WASHINGTON, DC - December 2, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Beazer Homes USA Inc., a national residential homebuilder, has agreed today to pay a $925,000 civil penalty to resolve alleged Clean Water Act violations at its construction sites in 21 states, the Justice Department and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced.