RealEstateRama

WASHINGTON, DC - April 8, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- This month Fannie Mae (FNMA/OTC) marks the 25th anniversary of its Delegated Underwriting and Servicing (DUS®) program, a unique risk-sharing model that provides financing to the multifamily housing market. Fannie Mae relies primarily on the DUS network of 24 financial institutions and independent mortgage lenders to execute its multifamily business. In 2012, 98 percent of the multifamily debt Fannie Mae acquired was delivered through the DUS platform. Since the program was formally announced to participating lenders on April 4, 1988, Fannie Mae and its lender partners have provided more than $270 billion in liquidity to the mortgage market under the DUS program to finance more than 5.8 million units of multifamily housing

ALEXANDRIA, VA - April 8, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- A federal grand jury has charged Robert Mikail, 40, and Ging-Hwang “Felicia” Tsoa, 58, both of Ashburn, Virginia, with conspiracy and bank fraud charges related to their alleged roles in a $20 million mortgage fraud scheme involving more than 35 homes.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 8, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- In a kickoff celebration of "Fair Housing Month," the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) this week honored some of the plaintiffs in the historic settlement of a 17-year-old Baltimore housing desegregation case, an agreement that empowered public housing tenants from high poverty neighborhoods to relocate to "opportunity" neighborhoods in the city or suburbs.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 5, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) --The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today announced four enforcement actions to end what the Bureau believes to be improper kickbacks paid by mortgage insurers to mortgage lenders in exchange for business. The CFPB filed complaints and proposed consent orders against four national mortgage insurance companies in order to stop these practices, which have been prevalent for more than 10 years. The proposed orders require the four mortgage insurers to pay more than $15 million in penalties to the CFPB.

Fairfax, VA WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 5, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Americans for Limited Government President Bill Wilson today issued the following statement blasting a push by the Obama Administration and the Federal Reserve to once again loosen mortgage lending standards to increase the pool of eligible homebuyers

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 5, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- After decades of equating homeownership with the American Dream, post-housing crisis realism about the risks and rewards of owning a home have led to greater support for rental housing and a more balanced approach in national housing policy, according to a new survey of housing attitudes released toda

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 5, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- LISC is announcing its first grants in Peoria this week, providing “early action” funding for improvement projects focused on the East Bluff and the South Side neighborhoods. Totaling $125,000, these grants are the start of what is expected to be millions of dollars in investment in Peoria's neighborhoods. “These small grants can have a significant impact, especially when we’re looking at a comprehensive effort to lift a targeted area," said Brandon Holmes, executive director of Peoria LISC. “These are the kinds of local projects that connect to each in order to improve safety, help raise property values, and create opportunities for residents that might not otherwise exist.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 5, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- On April 3, 2013, the U.S. Department of Labor Veterans' Employment and Training Service (DOL-VETS) announced the availability of up to $5 million to fund 16 or more Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) grants. Approximately 2,600 veterans will receive job training and related services to help them succeed in civilian careers. HVRP is the only federal program that focuses exclusively on the employment of veterans who are homeless.

Norfolk, VA - April 4, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- On March 27, For Rent Media Solutions™ revealed new designs in the ForRent.com® search results and advertisers’ profile pages, as well as additional products to support the “New Year, New Look”campaign. The new page designs complement the recently redesigned homepage, and all products emphasize a simplified layout to provide an easier, user-friendly search experience for renters, as well as advertising features designed to drive more leads for communities.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 4, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The office that best embodies the Sperry Van Ness® culture and thus is able to increase its market share receives the Sperry Van Ness Firm of the Year award. This year, the award is given to Sperry Van Ness - Miller Commercial Real Estate.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 4, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Child Welfare and Supportive Housing Resource Center, a joint effort of CSH and the Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP), will provide technical assistance , facilitate information-sharing and assist in capacity-building for grantees of the Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) Partnerships to Demonstrate the Effectiveness of Supportive Housing for Families in the Child Welfare System initiative.

Washington, DC - April 4, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, released the following statement in response to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on banking regulators’ review of foreclosure abuses:

GREENWOOD VILLAGE - April 4, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Bill Turner, an accomplished real estate professional, has joined Kentwood Real Estate as a Broker Associate in the company’s Denver Tech Center office. Turner earned his real estate license in 1994 and is a member of the South Metro Denver Realtor Association.

WASHINGTON DC METRO - April 4, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Housing needs are rising as the number of homeless families and children reach staggering proportions, but providing housing opportunities to a varying level of incomes is also a key component to sustaining the region's economic vitality. Without equitable housing, local employers are faced with recruitment and retention issues, and city planners must tackle smart growth, land use and transportation challenges

WASHINGTON, DC - April 5, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of up to $5 million to fund 16 or more Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program grants. Approximately 2,600 veterans will receive job training and related services to help them succeed in civilian careers.

Jackson, MS - April 5, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- While the national economy is slowly recovering, the number of unemployed in Mississippi has risen over the last three months. the Mississippi Home Corporation (MHC) encourages Mississippi homeowners who have lost jobs or income to apply for assistance through the Home Saver Program. MHC has allocated over $20 million in assistance to over 1,200 Mississippi Homeowners since the program began almost 2 years ago. Almost $67 million is available for assistance as the unemployment rate jumped to 9.3% in January.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 3, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- New report from NYU's Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy finds New York City home prices rose two percent in the final quarter of 2012, while foreclosure activity increased 53 percent o...

Reston, Virginia - April 3, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Below is a monthly summary of major legal decisions involving either the use of the MERS® System database or Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. (MERS) and its role in the mortgage process. Please feel free to contact the Office of Communications at MERSCORP Holdings, Inc. with any questions and visit the MERS Newsroomfor a full list of news releases.

Bel Air, MD - April 3, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Referred to the Compass Home Group by a lending partner, Compass Home Group met and fell in love with The Rivera’s right away! William & Angela were highly motivated and ready to find a new home for their family! The truest blessing was that their children, Bella, Alex, Noah, & Olivia were just as invested in finding new space to call home. Each and every child was well behaved and excited as we search properties for the one that precisely fit their needs.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 2, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- CHAPA is pleased to announce the recipients of its Welcome Home Massachusetts Technical Assistance Grants. Selected through a competitive process, these grant recipients demonstrate a wide range of activities to further promote the need for, and benefits of, affordable housing. Small grants have been awarded to