PHILADELPHA, PA - February 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) today reached its second union agreement in as many weeks, and this agreement like the first includes a major change in the way employees’ pensions are funded. This agreement is with the AFSCME District Council 33, Local 934, PHA’s second largest union.

PITTSBURGH, PA - February 4, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- United States Attorney David J. Hickton and key officials from federal, state and local law enforcement and regulatory agencies recognized today the three‑year anniversary of the Feb. 4, 2008, formation of the Western Pennsylvania Mortgage Fraud Task Force, and the filing of charges against 14 individuals associated with seven different mortgage fraud schemes. The individuals charged include a wide spectrum of roles associated with mortgage fraud, including a closing attorney, mortgage brokers, real estate investors, and a bank employee. The seven schemes involved approximately 320 properties and $75 million in fraudulent loans.

Philadelphia, PA - February 4, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Chaka Fattah (PA-2) announced today that sponsors of affordable housing developments across the City of Philadelphia will receive a total of $1.49 million in grant money to help them complete their projects.

PITTSBURGH, PA - February 2, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The 2,200-member REALTORS® Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh (RAMP) celebrated the beginning of its 100th year of serving the real estate needs of our area’s families and businesses with the installation of its 2011 officers. More than a hundred real estate industry leaders gathered for a ceremony and elegant reception on January 14, 2011 at The Frick Art & Historical Center in Point Breeze

Conshohocken, PA - January 21, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Three new retailers have joined the world-class lineup at Suburban Square in Philadelphia’s Main Line suburb of Ardmore, PA.

Conshohocken, PA - January 17, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Metro Commercial Real Estate, Inc. is pleased to announce that industry veteran Roy Perez-Daple has joined the company, where he will expand the firm’s national retailer advisory services as well as pursue strategic landlord opportunities.

HARRISBURG, PA - December 29, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Pennsylvania Treasurer Rob McCord today announced new, innovative financing options available through the Keystone Home Energy Loan Program (HELP). Qualified Pennsylvania homeowners can now take advantage of lower-rate, fixed-term loans for whole home energy efficiency projects – upon completion of a home energy audit designed to identify the most effective energy conserving improvements in each home.

PHILADELPHIA, PA - December 15, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- An indictment was unsealed and a verified civil complaint was filed today against Anthony J. DeMarco, III and his real estate companies, DeMarco REI, Inc. (“DeMarco REI”) and OPM Group, LLC, (“OPM”), alleging a mortgage fraud scheme involving more than $30 million in loans, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. The civil complaint seeks a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against defendant. It also seeks to forestall foreclosures against the victims.

December 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- State housing leaders will hold a press conference Tuesday, December 7 at 3:00 pm in the Capitol Media Center to urge quick approval of federal funding for the National Housing Trust Fund.

HARRISBURG, PA - December 2, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency today applauded the signing into law by Governor Edward G. Rendell of legislation enabling creation of a Pennsylvania housing trust fund

WASHINGTON, D.C. - December 1, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Philly Apartment Company, headquartered in Philadelphia, today announced the opening of a new Washington, D.C. office that will be led by Director of Sales Eric Suissa.

PHILADELPHIA, PA - November 29, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today the approval of a request from the state of West Virginia to extend FEMA’s temporary disaster housing program from November 15, 2010 to February 15, 2011.

November 18, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- An new study on vacant land in Philadelphia documents the huge costs to the city of vacant and blighted properties. Though the study looks specifically at Philadelphia, it serves to highlight the negative economic impact blight imposes on any municipality.

HARRISBURG, PA - November 9, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- As Veterans Day draws near, Pennsylvania Treasurer Rob McCord and his Unclaimed Property Return Team are working to help veterans organizations across the Commonwealth claim what is theirs – so far returning more than $73,000 in unclaimed property and identifying $14,000 more belonging to organizations.

PITTSBURGH, PA - November 9, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- A resident of New Brighton, Pa., pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of bank fraud, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today. William Buchko, 59, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge David Cercone

HARRISBURG, PA - October 28, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Pennsylvania homeowners considering geothermal heat pump systems can now take advantage of a new and innovative financing package through the Commonwealth’s energy efficiency loan program, the Keystone Home Energy Loan Program (HELP), which combines a low-interest HELP loan with a companion loan given in anticipation of federal tax credits available for the installation of these fuel-conserving systems.

HARRISBURG, PA - October 27, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- PHFA honored the work of the state’s private sector housing counselors yesterday at the Hilton. These counseling agencies extend the work of PHFA by helping state residents with questions about homeownership and home foreclosure, working to inform consumers so they make educated housing decisions

Glenside, PA - October 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Federal HEMAP is here - almost! HUD has announced their intention to begin taking applications from eligible homeowners for their new Emergency Homeowners Loan Program (EHLP) Program by the end of the year.

PHILADELPHIA, PA - October 5, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Important emergency mortgage relief for unemployed homeowners is on the way under a major new federal program authored by Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA) and unveiled at a news conference Tuesday with Fattah and Deputy Secretary Ron Sims of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Harrisburg, PA - September 30, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The House Finance Committee approved legislation authored by Rep. Stephen E. Barrar (R-Chester/Delaware) that would freeze property taxes for senior citizens.