HARRISBURG, PA - June 29, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) – Governor Edward G. Rendell today signed a pair of bills to combat mortgage fraud by strengthening communication between homeowners and their lenders and encouraging employees at mortgage companies to report illegal activity. more »

Deadline to Apply for Rebate Program Extended to Dec. 31

HARRISBURG, PA - July 1, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) – More than 475,000 senior homeowners, renters and people with disabilities will be issued rebates today totaling $222.7 million through the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program. The number is approximately 58,000 more rebates than were issued last year on July 1. more »

Winfield, PA - June 30, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — In an effort to protect the housing of nearly 80 veterans at a state veterans’ home in Chester County, Rep. Russ Fairchild (R-Union/Snyder) has successfully amended land transfer legislation that would maintain the residential units as long as veterans are housed there. more »

Glenside, PA - June 25, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) - As the mortgage foreclosure crisis escalates, the scammers have found a lucrative new business: helping people avoid foreclosure, for a price. Consumers should beware of potential scams on two fronts: unlicensed mortgage modification companies and for-profit mortgage counseling agencies. more »

Glenside, PA - June 24, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) - Critical state programs that create jobs, save homes and build our economy and communities are on the chopping block. Please ask your state Representatives to sign the “Dear Colleague” letter supporting funding for Housing and Redevelopment Assistance, New Communites and HEMAP. more »

Company ordered to modify mortgages and pay $9 million in fines

HARRISBURG, Pa., - June 22, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) - Secretary of Banking Steve Kaplan announced today that Taylor, Bean & Whitaker Mortgage Corporation, or TBW, will modify loans for struggling homeowners and pay $9 million in fines as part of a settlement with Pennsylvania and 13 state mortgage regulators. more »

PHILADELPHIA, PA June 16, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) - Mahn Huu Doan, a/k/a “Bruce Doan”, 40, of Philadelphia, was sentenced today to 151 months in prison for a massive mortgage fraud and identity theft scheme, announced United States Attorney Michael L. Levy. Doan, a self-described real estate investor, would purchase houses, using false or borrowed identities, using government insured loans which he secured using fraudulent information. Doan’s scheme also involved fraudulent appraisals that inflated the value of the houses for the purpose of resell the properties for a higher profit. more »

Washington, D.C. - June 16, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) - According to the Veterans Administration, about one-third of the adult homeless population are veterans, with current population estimates suggesting that about 154,000 veterans are homeless on any given night. Many other veterans are considered near homeless or at risk because of their poverty, lack of support from family and friends, and dismal living conditions in cheap hotels or in overcrowded or substandard housing. As one critical step to address homelessness among Veterans, Congressman Joe Sestak (PA-07) cosponsored and helped the House pass by a 417-2 margin the Homes for Heroes Act, HR 403. The bill would provide shelter for homeless veterans and their families, and will help prevent low-income families from falling into homelessness. more »

Hazleton, PA - June 17, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) – ESSA Bank & Trust was honored today for excellence in community service.

At a meeting of Pennsylvania banking executives hosted by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLBank), Stroudsburg-based ESSA Bank & Trust was presented with the coveted Pillars of the Community Award, bestowed annually by FHLBank for superior service to the community in the areas of affordable housing, small business development and sustainable community revitalization. more »

Wayne, PA - June 15, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) – Berkshire Bank was cited for exceptional service to the community today at a gathering of regional banking leaders. more »

HARRISBURG, PA - June 11, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) – Several brownfield sites in southwestern Pennsylvania will enjoy a rebirth with a $6 million state investment, Governor Edward G. Rendell said. more »

STEELTON, PA - June 10, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) – Governor Edward G. Rendell today said 1,000 families will receive thousands of dollars to help make down payments on new homes, more than 5,000 families in dozens of communities across Pennsylvania will find affordable housing, and some 3,000 workers will have jobs with the award today of more than $380 million in federal economic recovery funds. more »

HARRISBURG, PA - June 11, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) – The Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS® (PAR) today commended Gov. Edward G. Rendell’s plan to award a portion of the $380 million in federal economic recovery funds to assist Pennsylvania homebuyers. more »

Lititz, PA - June 10, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) – On Wednesday, at a rally held on the Capitol steps, Rep. John C. Bear (R-Lancaster) introduced legislation creating a one-time incentive program for new and existing homes and qualified renovations in an effort to revive Pennsylvania’s slumping housing market and overall employment picture. more »

Coraopolis, PA - June 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — Brentwood Bank was honored before its industry peers today for its exceptional record of community investment and service.

At a gathering of approximately 100 Pennsylvania banking executives hosted by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLBank), Brentwood Bank was presented with the Pillars of the Community Award, bestowed annually by FHLBank for extraordinary efforts to create affordable housing, support small business, promote community stability and revitalize neighborhoods during the prior year. more »