Real Estate Weekly News back issues from August 2008:
AllRegs Academy Offers Free Mortgage Essentials Course.
Aug 04, 2008 ... AllRegs, the leading publisher of guidelines for the mortgage industry, announces free enrollment in its newest online course: Essentials of Mortgage Lending. The course is offered through AllRegs Academy, the company's education division. The free enrollment period runs through August 31, ...
Masco Corporation Announces Partnership with EnOcean Alliance.
Aug 04, 2008 ... Masco Corporation, one of the world's leading manufacturers of brand-name consumer products for the home improvement and new home construction markets, announces its partnership with the EnOcean(R) Alliance, a consortium of innovative international corporations with a mission to ...
Cogent Road Launches Padded Credit Score Detection Tool.
Aug 04, 2008 ... Cogent Road, a provider of Internet-based applications for the mortgage industry, announced the launch of an automated tool for detecting if a credit score has been artificially inflated due to questionable or untrustworthy "authorized user" accounts within the borrower's profile. This ...
Tiffany to Open a Second Store in Toronto.
Aug 04, 2008 ... Tiffany & Co. (NYSE: TIF) announced plans for a spring 2009 opening of an approximately 6,200-square-foot store in Yorkdale Shopping Centre, one of Canada's premier shopping destinations, located at Dufferin Street and Highway 401 in the Greater Toronto area. Owned and managed by Oxford ...
ForSaleByOwner.com Partners with Cribfinder to Place All Property Listings on Facebook Platform.
Aug 04, 2008 ... ForSaleByOwner.com (http://www.forsalebyowner.com), the nation's leading "for sale by owner" website, announced that its listings will be included in the Cribfinder application on the Facebook Platform. With more than 60 million active users, Facebook is the sixth-most trafficked website ...
Free Homeownership Preservation Workshops to Help Hundreds of New Jersey Residents Avoid Foreclosure.
Aug 04, 2008 ... New Jersey homeowners at risk of foreclosure will have the opportunity to meet face-to-face with their mortgage lenders at two free HOPE NOW Home Preservation Workshops in Newark on Friday, July 25 and in Mount Laurel on Saturday, July 26. The Newark event on Friday will run from 3 - 9 PM ...
Foreclosure.com Owner to Acquire Property.com.
Aug 04, 2008 ... Foreclosure.com Founder, President and CEO, Brad Geisen, announced that he has reached an agreement with "Domain King" Rick Schwartz to acquire the domain name "Property.com," paving the way for his entry into a new market. With Property.com Geisen intends to create a ...
America's Credit Unions Rescue American Homeowners...
Aug 04, 2008 ... For a number of reasons, mortgage bankers from many circles aren't getting much respect these days. In fact, mortgage brokers have joined the ranks of lawyers and dentists as some of the most dreaded professions. However, despite instability in the mortgage-banking arena, America's credit ...
Existing-Home Sales Down in June.
Aug 04, 2008 ... After gaining in May, existing-home sales declined in June with many potential buyers on the sidelines, according to the National Association of Realtors(R). Existing-home sales -- including single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops -- fell 2.6 percent to a seasonally ...
K2C Real Estate Solutions Invites Realtors to Attend Realtor Day With Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.
Aug 04, 2008 ... K2C Real Estate Solutions, who will be taking on multiple roles assisting ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition during their Charlotte broadcast, invites Charlotte area Realtors(R) to attend a Realtor Day on Thursday, July 31 from 10am to 7pm on site at the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition ...
Freddie Mac Becomes an SEC Registrant.
Aug 04, 2008 ... Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE) announced that it has become a registrant with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. In connection with the registration process, Freddie Mac filed a Form 10 registration statement with the SEC that ...
Latin American Labor Council Backs Downpayment Assistance.
Aug 04, 2008 ... Ann Ashburn, President of AmeriDream, Inc., today praised the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) for urging Congress to preserve downpayment assistance funded in part by sellers as part of the housing stimulus package. LCLAA is an affiliate of the AFL-CIO and represents ...
Detroit Housing Developer Calls on Rep. Kilpatrick to Advocate Changes in the National Housing Bill so It Does More for Working Families.
Aug 04, 2008 ... A Detroit housing developer is urging Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), to revisit the housing bill under negotiation in Congress because it prevents low income people from receiving down payment assistance from government, non-profits or ...
Illinois Home Sales in June Up 3.6 Percent from Previous Month.
Aug 04, 2008 ... Illinois home sales picked up in June from May sales figures while the overall housing market remained strained by low consumer confidence and a troubled economy. According to the Illinois Association of REALTORS(R) latest report, total home sales (which include single-family and ...
NRHA Receives $13 Million SPARC Grant.
Aug 04, 2008 ... Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NRHA) will receive funding for first-time low- to moderate-income and market rate homebuyers. The Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA) has announced that $13.2 million in funds, the largest amount designated to any authority in the ...
FAR Launches 'Give Me 5 for Florida's Future' to Support Amendment 5.
Aug 04, 2008 ... With the bipartisan support of State Reps. Frank Attkisson (R-Kissimmee) and Darryl Rouson (D-St. Petersburg), the Florida Association of Realtors(R) (FAR) today launched its "Give Me 5 for Florida's Future" grassroots campaign supporting passage of Amendment 5 in the general election on ...
Florida's Existing Housing Market Shows Improving Conditions in June 2008.
Aug 04, 2008 ... Many Florida Realtors(R) statewide noted positive movement in their local housing markets in June, with an upswing in the statewide median price reported for both existing home sales and condominium sales over May 2008, according to the latest housing statistics released by the Florida ...
J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Among Home Buyers, Keller Williams Ranks Highest in Customer Satisfaction With Real Estate Companies, While Prudential Ranks Highest Among Home Sellers in Inaugural Study.
Aug 04, 2008 ... Keller Williams ranks highest among real estate companies in satisfying home buyers, while Prudential ranks highest in satisfying home sellers, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Home Buyer/Seller Study(SM) released. The inaugural study measures customer ...
Fitch Affirms Freddie Mac's 'AAA' IDR; Places 'A+' Preferred Stock on Watch Negative.
Aug 04, 2008 ... Fitch Ratings has affirmed Freddie Mac's (NYSE:FRE) long-term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at 'AAA'. Fitch has also has placed Freddie Mac's 'A+' preferred stock on Rating Watch Negative. A complete list of ratings is provided at the end of this release. Today's affirmation of ...
Dr. Thomas Cooley Joins Thornburg Mortgage Board of Directors; Stuart Sherman Resigns after 15 Years of Service.
Aug 04, 2008 ... Thornburg Mortgage, Inc. (NSYE: TMA), announced that Thomas F. Cooley, Ph.D., has been elected to the company's Board of Directors. The company also announced that Stuart Sherman, a member of the board since 1999, has resigned from the board. Dr. Cooley serves as the Richard R ....
For Downpayment Assistance Supporters, There Is Still Time to Make a Difference.
Aug 04, 2008 ... Ann Ashburn, President of AmeriDream, Inc., issued the following statement about congressional negotiations over the future of downpayment assistance funded in part by sellers. Congress will decide this week whether to preserve or eliminate the program, which operates under HUD guidelines ...
Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corporation Announces Sale of Ramsey, New Jersey, Property.
Aug 04, 2008 ... Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corporation (NASDAQ:MNRTA) (the "Company") announced the sale on July 22, 2008, of its 44,719 square foot industrial property located at 565 East Crescent Avenue, Ramsey, New Jersey, to HSM Acquisition Partners, Inc., a Delaware corporation and other related ...
National Real Estate Investment Club NREI Club and Lux5 Present the Luxury Lifestyle Conference and Showcase in San Jose, CA.(Conference news)
Aug 04, 2008 ... The National Real Estate Investment and Lux5 Events present The Luxury Lifestyle Conference on July 25th, 2008, 10am-11pm, at The San Jose Marriott, and Showcase on July 26th, 2008, 1pm-8pm, at the San Jose Convention Center in San Jose, California. The National Real Estate ...
Katy Cleary Joins Crescent Real Estate as a Leasing Manager.
Aug 04, 2008 ... Crescent Real Estate Equities, LLC is pleased to announce the addition of Katy Cleary to the company. Katy is the latest addition to the Dallas Leasing Team, where she is taking on the role of leasing manager. "Katy adds a very energetic, well rounded background in real estate ...
Elika - Manhattan's First Residential Real Estate Buyers Brokerage Opens its Doors.
Aug 04, 2008 ... Elika Associates Real Estate - the first exclusive residential real estate buyers brokerage and leading authority on purchasing New York City condos and co-ops - has announced the opening of a new office at 26 Broadway, Suite 1608, New York, NY. Founded by a top-producing ...
Launch of PropertyPreviews.com Provides Free Real Estate Video Creation and Distribution Services.(Website overview)
Aug 04, 2008 ... PropertyPreviews.com announced the launch of its new Web site, which provides real estate professionals, photographers and home sellers with free and easy-to-use technology to instantly create engaging real estate video tours. In addition, the site is a one-click stop for distributing ...
Arbor Realty Trust Schedules Second Quarter 2008 Earnings Date.(Financial report)
Aug 04, 2008 ... Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ABR), a real estate investment trust focused on the business of investing in real estate related bridge and mezzanine loans, preferred and direct equity investments, mortgage-related securities and other real estate related assets, announced that the Company ...
New Home Shoppers Offered Price Drop Alerts.
Aug 04, 2008 ... Incentive Real Estate, Inc. announced the launch of its exclusive PriceDropAlerts(TM) service for potential buyers of new construction homes in Maryland and California. PriceDropAlerts(TM) are delivered to a homebuyer's mobile phone via text message. It provides the recipient with the ...
Hudson City Bancorp, Inc. Reports Record Second Quarter Earnings of $110.7 Million.(Financial report)
Aug 04, 2008 ... Hudson City Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:HCBK), the holding company for Hudson City Savings Bank, reported that net income for the second quarter of 2008 increased 52.3% to $110.7 million as compared to $72.7 million for the second quarter of 2007. Diluted earnings per share increased 57.1% to ...
Standard & Poor's Announces April Results of the S&P/GRA Commercial Real Estate Indices SPCREX.
Aug 04, 2008 ... Standard & Poor's announced the April results for the S&P/GRA Commercial Real Estate Indices. Nationally, commercial real estate prices are up +3.1% versus April 2007. The indices measure the change in commercial real estate prices by property sector and geographic region in the United ...
Leading Structured Finance Lawyers, William "Butch" Cullen and Janet Barbiere Join Kaye Scholer LLP.
Aug 04, 2008 ... Kaye Scholer LLP announced that William J. "Butch" Cullen and Janet A. Barbiere have joined the firm's Corporate & Finance Department, as Partners in its New York office, effective today. Mr. Cullen and Ms. Barbiere concentrate their practice in securities and corporate finance, ...
NACA'S Save the Dream Event: DAY 4 - CONVERGE ON CONGRESS.
Aug 04, 2008 ... Hundreds of homeowners will congregate at the offices of Senate Banking and Finance Committee Chairman Senator Christopher Dodd and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and the offices of each of their own Senators and Representatives today, Tuesday, July 22, at 1:00 PM. for "aggressive ...
Nelson Brothers Real Estate Purchases Multi-Tenant Retail Center in Arizona for Tenant-In-Common TIC Investors.
Aug 04, 2008 ... Nelson Brothers Professional Real Estate, LLC (Nelson Bros.), a Southern California based real estate investment company, has officially closed on their first TIC transaction with Palm Valley La Piazza Retail Center which was purchased for $6,800,000 according to the firm's principal and ...
Zillow.com Substantially Expands For-Sale Listings.
Aug 04, 2008 ... Leading real estate Web site Zillow.com announced a broad expansion in the number of for-sale listings on the site, bringing the total number of live listings to nearly three million today. Consumers visiting Zillow have seen a sixfold increase in the number of listings since the start of ...
Irwin Financial Corporation Announces Major Strategic Restructuring to Refocus on Small Business and Local Community Banking.
Aug 04, 2008 ... Irwin Financial Corporation (NYSE:IFC) announced transactions that, when completed in the third quarter, will accomplish a strategic restructuring of the Corporation and Irwin Union Bank. As the 137-year old institution returns to its core businesses, the restructuring will enable Irwin to ...
Wachovia Details 2nd Quarter Loss; Outlines Initiatives to Preserve and Generate Capital, Protect Strong Liquidity and Reduce Risk.
Aug 04, 2008 ... Consistent with previously announced expectations, Wachovia reported a net loss in the second quarter of 2008 of $8.9 billion, or a net loss of $4.20 per share, including a $6.1 billion noncash goodwill impairment charge in commercial-related subsegments reflecting declining market ...
Self Storage: the "Cinderella" Segment of the Commercial Real Estate Industry.
Aug 04, 2008 ... The national Self Storage Association (SSA) announced its Keynote Speaker as well as General Session and concurrent education session programs for its 34th Fall Conference & Trade Show (September 4th - 6th), the premier gathering of owners, operators, vendor-exhibitors and prospective ...
CMSA Opposes SEC Proposed Rule on Ratings Differentiation.
Aug 04, 2008 ... The Commercial Mortgage Securities Association (CMSA) filed comments today to the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) on a proposed rulemaking that would require credit rating agencies to differentiate their ratings for structured finance products from other debt vehicles. The SEC ...
Clayton Named Lead Consultant on New Saudi Arabian Mortgage Bank.
Aug 04, 2008 ... Clayton Holdings, Inc., a leading due diligence, surveillance, and specialty consulting provider, announced that the company has been engaged as the lead consultant in the formation of the Real Estate Financing Company (REFC), a new residential mortgage company based in Riyadh, Saudi ...
Greater Sacramento Bancorp Reports Second Quarter 2008 Results.(Financial report)
Aug 04, 2008 ... For the Second Quarter ended June 30, 2008 Greater Sacramento Bancorp (BULLETIN BOARD: GSCB) (GSB), parent company of Bank of Sacramento, reported a net loss of $197,000 (-$.07 per share diluted) compared to net income of $752,000 ($.29 per share diluted) reported for the Second Quarter ...
Grubb & Ellis Realty Investors Sells Great Oaks Center in Alpharetta, Ga.
Aug 04, 2008 ... Grubb & Ellis Realty Investors, LLC announced the disposition of Great Oaks Center in the Atlanta suburb of Alpharetta on behalf of tenant-in-common investors. Great Oaks Center is a four building, single-story business park that offers approximately 235,000 square feet of ...
RealSeekr.com Climbs to Over 2.5 Million Searchable Property Listings and Partners With RealEstateShows.com and MLBroadcast.com.
Aug 04, 2008 ... RealSeekr.com revs up its searchable property listings to over 2.5 million, as it continues on a path of becoming the largest online real estate search destination in North America. In the 8 weeks since launch, 32 new markets have been added to the RealSeekr(SM) community. In ...
Cooper Construction Launches 4th-Generation Website, Reflecting Company's Evolution in Real Estate Development.(Website overview)
Aug 04, 2008 ... Cooper Construction of Toronto, ON, have launched a new website (www.coopercon.com) that reflects the evolution of the company's business. Since the previous site was launched nearly five years ago, Cooper has greatly expanded its commercial/industrial real estate development ...
Auction of Over 200 Dallas and Houston Foreclosures Gives Buyers Chance to Purchase Homes at Discounted Prices.
Aug 04, 2008 ... In a beleaguered housing market, where property values continue to drop, now is a great time to buy a home and auctions are a great way to do it. Due to the rising number of foreclosures, more banks are turning to auction firms to quickly sell their foreclosed properties at low prices ....
NLC Applauds House for Passing Housing Reform Bill.
Aug 04, 2008 ... Statement by the president of the National League of Cities, Cynthia McCollum, Council Member, Madison, Alabama, on the passing of HR 3221, the American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act. The House passed the landmark federal housing reform and foreclosure mitigation bill on ...
News Advisory from the California Reinvestment Coalition.
Aug 04, 2008 ... The California Reinvestment Coalition released a short documentary about the foreclosure crisis that continues to destroy the dreams of California families and threaten the stability of small businesses, city governments and neighborhoods. The documentary, entitled Mo' Money, ...
Schumacher Homes Announces 'Real Time Design' Service.
Aug 04, 2008 ... Schumacher Homes (http://www.schumacherhomes.com/), an on-your-lot Custom Home Builder based in Canton, Ohio, announces the launch of their leadingedge 'REAL TIME DESIGN' technology. Schumacher Homes builds custom homes in Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North ...
Watsco Reports Second Quarter Results.(Financial report)
Aug 04, 2008 ... Watsco, Inc. (NYSE:WSO) reported its results for the second quarter and for the six-months ended June 30, 2008. Earnings per share for the second quarter grew 7% to 94 cents per diluted share and net income improved 7% to $26.1 million. The results include record revenues and ...
$140 Million in Financing for Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel Arranged by HFF.
Aug 04, 2008 ... The Boston office of HFF (Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, L.P.) announced that it arranged $140 million in financing for the recently-opened Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel in Boston's vibrant Seaport District. Working exclusively on behalf of Loeb Partners Realty, HFF senior ...
Keith Paul Bishop Joins the Orange County Office of Allen Matkins.
Aug 04, 2008 ... Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis LLP, a leading California business and real estate law firm, announces the addition of Keith Paul Bishop as a partner in the firm's Orange County office. Bishop joins Allen Matkins' corporate and securities practice group. He represents ...
American Principle Bank Announces Second Quarter 2008 Financial Results.(Financial report)
Aug 04, 2008 ... American Principle Bank (BULLETIN BOARD: APBA) (the "Bank") announced year to date financial results through June 30, 2008. The Bank is a de novo financial institution that opened for business on October 15, 2007. The Bank lost $309 thousand during the second quarter of 2008, a ...
Baylor University Study Shows Depressed Housing Market Demands Change in Lead Generation Techniques.(Report)
Aug 04, 2008 ... A down housing market calls on real estate agents to change their tactics, according to Dr. Chris Pullig, Director of the Keller Center for Residential Real Estate Sales & Marketing at Baylor University's Hankamer School of Business. His recent study of lead conversion rates revealed that ...
John C. Cushman III Named Co-Chairman of iCrete, LLC.
Aug 04, 2008 ... iCrete, LLC, a company that is revolutionizing the construction industry with its concrete mix optimization technology system, announced that John C. Cushman III, Chairman of global real estate services firm Cushman & Wakefield, Inc., has been named Co-Chairman of the Board of iCrete. ...
Leading Experts Urge Mississippi River Flood-Affected Homeowners Not to Use Bleach to Clean and Prevent Mold Damage.
Aug 04, 2008 ... The National Organization of Remediators and Mold Inspectors (NORMI), a not-for-profit cooperative of mold experts and professionals, is urging owners of residential and commercial properties affected by Mississippi River flooding not to use household bleach to remove potentially harmful ...
Parkvale Announces Earnings for the Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2008.(Financial report)
Aug 04, 2008 ... Parkvale Financial Corporation, (NASDAQ:PVSA) reported net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2008 of $2.1 million or $0.38 per diluted share, compared to net income of $3.6 million or $0.63 per diluted share for the quarter ended June 30, 2007. The $1.6 million decrease in net income ...
Real Estate Franchisor Chooses Microsoft Dynamics CRM to Integrate Specialized Applications and Track Three-Way Sales Cycle.
Aug 04, 2008 ... Microsoft Corp. announced that HomeVestors of America Inc., recognized nationally for its slogan "We Buy Ugly Houses," has chosen Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 to provide a common platform for all its corporate and franchisee applications. Microsoft Dynamics CRM provides powerful, ...
SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to Ohio Residents Affected by the Fire at the Hunters Ridge Apartments.
Aug 04, 2008 ... Ohio residents and businesses affected by the fire at the Hunters Ridge Apartments that occurred on July 5, can apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA Acting Administrator Jovita Carranza announced. Acting Administrator Carranza ...
RMR Funds Names Ryan Johnson Vice President of Sales and Marketing.
Aug 04, 2008 ... RMR Advisors, Inc. ("Advisors"), the investment adviser to the RMR Funds group, announced the addition of Ryan W. Johnson (age 47) as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Mr. Johnson brings more than 20 years of sales management experience in the mutual fund industry. Most ...
Jenne Britell Elected Chairman of United Rentals.
Aug 04, 2008 ... United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE: URI) announced that Jenne K. Britell, Ph.D. has been unanimously elected Chairman of the company's Board of Directors. Dr. Britell, a Director since 2006, is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Structured Ventures, Inc., advisors on financial services and ...
Boston Properties, Inc. Announces Second Quarter 2008 Results.(Financial report)
Aug 04, 2008 ... Boston Properties, Inc. (NYSE:BXP), a real estate investment trust, reported results today for the second quarter ended June 30, 2008. Funds from Operations (FFO) for the quarter ended June 30, 2008 were $145.0 million, or $1.21 per share basic and $1.19 per share diluted. This ...
DesignerAtHOME.com Official Launch.
Aug 04, 2008 ... Once you discover DesignerAtHOME.com, the only question left to ask will be why design a room any other way? DesignerAtHOME.com is a product that the consumer market has been waiting for: retail fulfillment of custom interior design services. DesignerAtHOME.com has evangelized what ...
EverBank Announces Growth Investment From Sageview Capital.
Aug 04, 2008 ... EverBank(R) Financial Corp announced that it has received a capital investment of approximately $100 million from an affiliate of Sageview Capital LP, a private investment firm. The capital will be used to support continued significant growth in EverBank's core banking and mortgage ...
Friendly Hills Bank Continues Growth Pattern.
Aug 04, 2008 ... Friendly Hills Bank (BULLETIN BOARD: FHLB) reported results for the second quarter of 2008, its seventh full quarter of operations, since opening on September 18, 2006. As of June 30, 2008, the bank reported total assets of $55.5 million, a 22% increase from $45.5 million as of December ...
GMAC Financial Services Announces ResCap Management Changes.
Aug 04, 2008 ... GMAC Financial Services announced that Thomas Marano, currently non-executive chairman of Residential Capital, LLC (ResCap) is named ResCap chairman and chief executive officer, effective immediately. He succeeds ResCap's current CEO Jim Jones, who has elected to leave the company. Marano ...
Greenmaker Supply Introduces New GreenHome Kit.
Aug 04, 2008 ... Greenmaker Supply Company has just assembled a GreenHome Kit that will help homeowners ease into a sustainable lifestyle. The kits, which will be sold for $100 each at the Greenmaker store and on the website, contain a variety of home products that encourage homeowners to conserve water ...