RealEstateRama

CHICAGO, IL - August 8, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® (LeadingRE), the world's largest network of leading independent real estate brokers, achieved continued progress in its quality-focused membership growth strategy in recent months, welcoming several highly regarded independent brokerages to the network.

NEW ORLEANS, LA - August 8, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- 365 Connect, the New Orleans based, award-winning online platform architect for the multifamily industry, announced today that it was named a 2011 MHN Technology Choice Award Winner in three categories by Multi-Housing News. These awards further cement 365 Connect’s role as the leader in creating leading edge, web-based technology platforms for the multifamily industry.

WASHINGTON, DC - August 5, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Labor today announced 23 grants totaling $5,436,148 to provide homeless veterans with job training aimed at helping them succeed in civilian careers. The grants are being awarded by the department's Veterans' Employment and Training Service through the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program.

MIAMI, FL - August 4, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Louis Gendason of Delray Beach, Fla.; Kimberly Mackey of Pittsburgh; and John Incandela, of Palm Beach, Fla., pleaded guilty today to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud for their participation in a $2.5 million Home Equity Conversion Mortgage, or reverse mortgage, fraud scheme

Arlington, VA - August 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- As the United States continues to deal with a still-struggling economy, it might be easy to assume that all of the housing industry is part of the same scenario. However, industry leaders such as Thayer Long, president and CEO of the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI), believe manufactured housing is a key economic solution for present and future home buyers.

RALEIGH, N.C. - August 3, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- … Crescent Resources, LLC marked the beginning of Gallery at Cameron Village with a groundbreaking ceremony today. The $50 million apartment project will bring the first multifamily residential experience to Raleigh’s premier shopping and dining district.The landmark project at Clark Avenue and Oberlin Road will feature 282 apartment homes and 16,000 square feet of retail space. The first apartments are scheduled to be available in spring 2013.

HERNDON, VA - August 2, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- NAIOP, The Commercial Real Estate Development Association, is bringing its annual meeting to Scottsdale, Ariz., October 18-20. Development '11: The Annual Meeting for Commercial Real Estate brings together industry professionals from across North America to focus on the timely issues and trends influencing the transitioning commercial real estate market. Nearly 1,000 commercial real estate professionals representing all sectors of the industry are expected to attend the conference, held at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess.

WASHINGTON, DC - August 2, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Faith Schwartz, Executive Director of the HOPE NOW Alliance, testified today before the United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, for a hearing entitled “Housing Finance Reform: National Mortgage Servicing Standards”. Also testifying with Ms. Schwartz was Jack Hopkins, President and CEO of CorTrust Bank (testifying on behalf of Independent Community Bankers of America)

Boston, MA - August 1, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- International law firm Nixon Peabody LLP announces that its clients Rogerson Communities and Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center have announced plans to commence construction on a $30 million affordable housing development in Boston’s Chinatown neighborhood. The groundbreaking for the eight-floor, 100,000-square-foot building, which will include 74 new apartments for low-income elderly, is scheduled for August 4, 2011.

MILFORD, CT - August 1, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Total Mortgage Services, LLC, a leading mortgage lender, announced today it is expanding its product lineup by offering the Guaranteed Rural Housing Loan Program insured by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through its Rural Development program. A USDA home loan is guaranteed by The Guaranteed Rural Housing Loan Program and is offered through the Rural Housing Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and provides low and moderate?income rural residents to access to more affordable housing finance options

Washington, DC - July 29, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Figures released today demonstrate the Federal Home Loan Banks continue to support housing, jobs and economic growth by channeling capital from global markets to consumers and communities, according to the trade group representing the 12 regional cooperatives.

NEW YORK, NY - July 29, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) has named Tina Brooks, undersecretary for housing and community development for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as its new executive vice president for programs.

San Antonio, TX - July 29, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Republic Core Fund, an affiliate of USAA Real Estate Company, RXR Realty and Broadway Partners today announced the recapitalization of 340 Madison Avenue, an approximately 750,000-square-foot Class A office building located in Midtown Manhattan’s Grand Central submarket.

WASHINGTON, DC - July 27, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mayor Vincent C. Gray and D.C. Office of Veterans Affairs (OVA) Director Matt Cary today announced a furniture-donation program for homeless veterans and their families who live in the District.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - July 27, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Members of Congress will today consider proposals to suspend or eliminate a federal program that provides services to more than 2 million homeless persons each year at a time when homelessness is rising dramatically.

WASHINGTON, DC - July 27, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Fannie Mae (FNMA/OTC) today announced that in the first half of 2011, the company issued $10.3 billion in MBS backed by new multifamily acquisitions delivered by our lenders, and sold $5.3 billion in MBS pools and GeMSTM structured transactions, enhancing tradable float and supporting liquidity in the multifamily MBS market.

Chicago, IL - July 27, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Boulder Group, a national single tenant net lease investment brokerage firm, has been selected as the exclusive advisor for the sale of a Walgreens portfolio consisting of four properties. Three of the properties are located within the Chicago MSA and the remaining asset is located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Brookfield, WI - July 26, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Inlanta Mortgage is pleased to announce the addition of Peter Salamone to its corporate staff. As Business Development Manager, Salamone will focus on recruiting Branch Partners to expand Inlanta’s Partner Branch network and increase corporate sales.

WASHINGTON, DC - July 26, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced today the award of nearly $60 million in homeless prevention grants that will serve approximately 22,000 homeless and at-risk Veteran families as part of the new Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program. This initial $60 million award will serve Veteran families at 85 non-profit community agencies in 40 states and the District of Columbia under VA’s new homeless prevention initiative.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - July 25, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law applauds today's launch of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). To mark this momentous date in the fight for consumer protections, the Lawyers' Committee released an issue brief on the severe impact of the ongoing foreclosure rescue scam crisis on older Americans. Scammers are preying on distressed homeowners by offering much-needed foreclosure counseling or loan modification assistance for a fee, yet failing to deliver any results-or refunds-in the end.