News
County Urges Caution with Tax Refund Loans; Offers Free Tax Preparation Assistance
March 15, 2010 Posted by Maryland RealEstateRama
March 15, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — With the filing date for federal and state income taxes one month away, Montgomery County’s Community Action Board recommends that consumers avoid Refund Anticipation Loans (RALs). These highly advertised loans can subject consumers to high interest rates, additional fees and repayment risks.
U.S. Census Questionnaires Mailed Out Next Week; Enumerators Reaching Out to Homeless Population on March 31
March 11, 2010 Posted by Maryland RealEstateRama
March 11, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — The 2010 U.S. Census Survey questionnaires will be mailed to every household beginning next week. Residents should watch for their questionnaire in the mail, fill it out with information on every person living in their residence, and return it by April 1
Attorney General Warns Consumers to Avoid Foreclosure Sharks
March 8, 2010 Posted by Maryland RealEstateRama
BALTIMORE, MD - March 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — Just as sharks smell blood in the water, foreclosure rescue scammers can pick out desperate homeowners on the brink of foreclosure. Many homeowners are unaware of their options and panic. In the latest issue of The Consumer’s Edge, Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler warns homeowners and consumers of foreclosure rescue scams, and offers tips on how to avoid them.
Kratovil Backs Legislation to Help Returning Veterans and Surviving Spouses
February 25, 2010 Posted by Maryland RealEstateRama
February 25, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — Congressman Frank Kratovil today backed legislation to protect returning veterans and surviving spouses from the threat of home foreclosure and to promote opportunities for returning service members to transition into careers in education, after discussing the proposals in recent meetings with his Veterans Advisory Committee and other local veterans groups.
SARBANES HONORED FOR ADVANCING ENERGY EFFICIENT BUILDINGS
February 25, 2010 Posted by Maryland RealEstateRama
Washington, DC - February 25, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — Today, Congressman John Sarbanes was honored by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) in its Top 10 List of legislation that is helping to advance green building and the economic activity and jobs that come with it. Congressman Sarbanes was included in the list as author of H.R. 4155, the Property Assessed Clean Energy Tax Benefits Act of 2009
Consumer Protection Division Orders Prince George’s County Home Builder to Pay Nearly $300,000 in Restitution and Penalties; Suspends the Registration of Harford County Builder
February 19, 2010 Posted by Maryland RealEstateRama
BALTIMORE, MD - February 19, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler announced today that his Consumer Protection Division has issued a final order requiring Home at Last, LLC and its principal to refund payments of $211,076.20 collected from consumers to construct homes in Prince George’s County and to pay penalties of $75,200. The Division found that Jacquelyn Willis, and her company, Home at Last, violated Maryland’s Custom Home Protection Act by failing to place or maintain money paid by consumers into an escrow account or having a surety bond to cover the deposits and payments made. The Division also found that Willis and her company violated the Home Builder Registration Act and the Consumer Protection Act by failing to build homes as promised.
Governor O’Malley. Congressman Cummings Testify on Foreclosure Mediation Bill
February 17, 2010 Posted by Maryland RealEstateRama
ANNAPOLIS, MD - February 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — Testifying before members of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee and the House Environmental Matters Committee, Governor Martin O’Malley and Congressman Elijah Cummings, today called for the passage of a foreclosure mediation bill that protects Maryland homeowners. In his 2010 legislative package, Governor O’Malley has introduced the emergency legislation that would give every Maryland family facing foreclosure the legal right to mediation with the lender seeking the foreclosure.
Former Mortgage Broker Sentenced for Felony Theft
January 29, 2010 Posted by Maryland RealEstateRama
BALTIMORE, MD - January 29, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler announced today that David Young Park, 43, the former president of Capital City Financial Group in Ellicott City, entered a plea of guilty to one count of felony theft in Baltimore County Circuit Court. Judge John J. Nagel, III sentenced Park to five years in jail with all but 18 months suspended. Park was also ordered to complete five years of supervised probation and make restitution to the victim in the amount of $116,556.
Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards’ Statement on Housing & Urban Development Funds Reclaimed from Prince George’s County
January 25, 2010 Posted by Maryland RealEstateRama
Washington, D.C. - January 25, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards (D-MD) released the following statement regarding the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) reclaiming over $2 million in funds from Prince George’s County because the funds were not used within the five-year deadline
Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards: Maryland to Receive Over $6 Million in Emergency Funding for Energy Assistance for Low-Income Families
January 25, 2010 Posted by Maryland RealEstateRama
Washington, D.C. - January 25, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards (D-MD) today announced that Maryland will receive $6,387,721 in emergency funds for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. In a letter to President Obama earlier this year, Congresswoman Edwards joined her colleagues in urging the President to release the emergency funding. LIHEAP helps eligible families pay for home heating, cooling, and other energy costs, as well as helping with weatherization costs.
Governor O’Malley Announces Plan to Promote and Sustain Affordable Housing in Maryland
January 8, 2010 Posted by Maryland RealEstateRama
BALTIMORE, MD - January 8, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) — Governor Martin O’Malley announced a Four Point Plan for improving Maryland neighborhoods, reducing foreclosures, and making quality housing more affordable for more people. The Governor made this announcement at the annual meeting of the Maryland Affordable Housing Coalition (MAHC) in Baltimore today.
Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division Stops Foreclosure Rescue Scam
December 16, 2009 Posted by Maryland RealEstateRama
BALTIMORE, MD - December 16, 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 of nearly $1 million against Rodney Spellen, Mid Atlantic Consulting, Inc., Jemel Lyles, Absoloot Ventures Inc., Brian Boyd, 1st Choice Property Management Firm, Inc., Sahar Ali, Alan Muniu, Phillip George, Certified Title & Escrow, Inc., and Reggie Simmons based on violations of Maryland laws against foreclosure rescue scams.
First County Survey of Tenants Shows Concern about Rent Increases, Future Affordability
December 14, 2009 Posted by Maryland RealEstateRama
December 14, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett’s Tenant Work Group today released the results of the first-ever survey of County tenants, a survey that highlighted concerns about rent increases and affordability
Ruppersberger Speaks at St. John Properties “Double” Groundbreaking for Raytheon and L-3 at Aberdeen Proving Ground
December 14, 2009 Posted by Maryland RealEstateRama
Aberdeen, MD - December 14, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) today participated in a “double” groundbreaking of two buildings that will house top defense contractors, Raytheon and L-3, within Aberdeen Proving Ground. In a unique agreement known as an enhanced use lease, St. John Properties will lease land directly from the Army for “The GATE” development project and 100 percent of the lease payments will go directly to the post for infrastructure and facility improvements.Ruppersberger was joined by Harford County Executive David Craig, Aberdeen Mayor Michael Bennett, Colonel Orlando Ortiz, Aberdeen Proving Ground Garrison Commander Orlando Ortiz, as well as executives from St. John Properties, Raytheon Company and L-3 Communications
Ruppersberger to Speak at St. John Properties “Double” Groundbreaking for Raytheon and L-3 at Aberdeen Proving Ground
December 11, 2009 Posted by Maryland RealEstateRama
Aberdeen, MD - December 11, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) will join executives from St. John Properties Inc., as well as business leaders and local elected officials at the groundbreaking of two commercial office buildings that will be leased to top defense contractors within Aberdeen Proving Ground. In a unique agreement known as an enhanced use lease, St. John Properties will lease land directly from the Army for “The GATE” development project and 100 percent of the lease payments will go directly to the post for infrastructure and facility improvements.
