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New Housing Opens for Families with Special Needs

ROCK ISLAND, IL - September 22, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- A new housing development opened today in Rock Island that will provide affordable and quality apartments for persons with special needs so they can live in a community setting.

August Illinois Home Sales Up 25.9 Percent from a Year Ago Statewide Median Price...

SPRINGFIELD, IL - September 21, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- According to the Illinois Association of REALTORS® (IAR) latest report, statewide home sales (including single family and condominiums) in August 2011 totaled 10,622 homes sold, up 25.9 percent from 8,434 home sales in August 2010. The statewide median price in August was $149,000, down 5.4 percent from $157,500 in August 2010. The median is a typical market price where half the homes sold for more, half sold for less.

Governor Quinn Announces $345 MillionMortgage Assistance Program in Illinois

CHICAGO, IL - September 16, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Pat Quinn today announced a program to help approximately 15,000 Illinois homeowners threatened by foreclosure. The Illinois Hardest Hit program utilizes $345 million in federal funds to support working families having trouble making mortgage payments due to unemployment or under-employment.

Month Long Special Pricing on Remaining Newly Built Designer Homes in Chicago

CHICAGO, IL - September 15, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Those looking to own a great new home in Chicago will have an unparalleled opportunity this fall when the remaining 81 homes in five new Chicago real estate developments will be offered at greatly reduced prices and with great incentives.

Mayor Emanuel Launches Comprehensive Program to Combat Foreclosure Crisis in City’s Neighborhoods

August 31, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mayor Rahm Emanuel today announced the Micro-Market Recovery Program, an innovative new program for Chicago that will address foreclosures and stabilize property values in key neighborhoods throughout the city.

New Law Gives More Rights to Property Owners

SPRINGFIELD, IL - August 30, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- A new law signed this week by Governor Pat Quinn allows Illinois landowners or lessees the option of using purple paint markings on trees or posts on their property as a “no trespassing” notice. The “Purple Paint Law” is designed as an alternative which Illinois landowners can use to protect their property from trespassing.

Governor Quinn Signs Laws to Protect Consumers

CHICAGO, IL - August 29, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- August 26, 2011. As part of his ongoing commitment to consumer protection, Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation that will enhance safeguards for borrowers and tenants. The new laws will give the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) increased oversight of entities that repossess collateral in the case of defaulted loans. They will also strengthen tenants’ rights to their security deposits after a change in property ownership.

Illinois REALTORS® to gather for education and networking in St. Charles, Oct. 11-13

SPRINGFIELD, IL - August 26, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- REALTORS® and other real estate professionals from throughout Illinois will gather October 11-13, 2011, for the Illinois Association of REALTORS® (IAR) 95th Annual Convention and Expo at the Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles.

July Illinois Home Sales Up 18.4 Percent from a Year Ago Statewide Median Price...

SPRINGFIELD, IL - August 18, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- According to the Illinois Association of REALTORS® (IAR) latest report, statewide home sales (including single family and condominiums) in July 2011 totaled 9,708 homes sold, up 18.4 percent from 8,197 home sales in July 2010. The statewide median price in July was $153,000, down 3.8 percent from $159,000 in July 2010. The median is a typical market price where half the homes sold for more, half sold for less

Couples Guilty of Tax and Mortgage Fraud Offenses

August 15, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Three metro-east residents recently pled guilty in United States District Court in East St. Louis, for participating in a conspiracy to defraud the United States and evade the payment of federal income taxes, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. Robert Todd McKinney, 42, and his wife Belinda McKinney, 43, pled guilty on August 11, 2011. John Quinn McKinney, 39, pled guilty on August 9, 2011; while his wife, Chamethele McKinney, 36, pled guilty on August 3, 2011. Robert (Todd) McKinney and John McKinney were both convicted of conspiracy to commit tax evasion, tax evasion, and making false statements to federal officials. Belinda McKinney was convicted of conspiracy to commit tax evasion and loan application fraud. Chamethele McKinney was previously convicted of conspiracy to commit tax evasion, loan application fraud, and federal food stamp fraud.

Illinois 2Q11 Housing Market Reflects Last Year’s Final Tax Credit Push

SPRINGFIELD, IL - August 10, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- According to the Illinois Association of REALTORS® (IAR) second quarter 2011 report, Illinois home sales (which include single-family homes and condominiums) totaled 29,316 in the second quarter, down 18.0 percent from 35,746 home sales in the same period a year ago while 2010 sales were up significantly by 28.2 percent from 2009 sales of 27,890. The second quarter statewide median home sale price was $142,000, down 11.3 percent from $160,000 in the second quarter of 2010. The median is a typical market price where half the homes sold for more, half sold for less.

City Council Approves Ordinances Supporting Neighborhood Amenities, Historic Preservation, Affordable Housing and Business Expansion

Chicago, IL - August 2, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Chicago City Council today approved eight ordinances supporting neighborhood amenities, business development, affordable housing and historic preservation

RE/MAX Catapults into Runner Up Leadership Position in Chicago Real Estate Market

Chicago, IL - July 29, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- RE/MAX increased its share of residential properties sold in the Chicago real estate market to 8.5 percent during the first half of 2011, up from 7.6 percent in first half 2010. As a result, RE/MAX has moved up into second place among real estate brands that do business in the city.

Quigley Bill Saves Billions, Gets Rid of Vacant Federal Property

WASHINGTON, DC - July 28, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) testified that his bill—the Federal Real Property Disposal Enhancement Act—would save the federal government billions of dollars simply by selling or disposing of unwanted government-owned property. Quigley spoke in front of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on behalf of the legislation, which he introduced in March.

Illinois Home Sales Follow Seasonal Pattern through June

SPRINGFIELD, IL - July 22, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- According to the Illinois Association of REALTORS® (IAR) latest report, statewide home sales (including single family and condominiums) in June 2011 totaled 11,003 homes sold, up 12.7 percent from 9,761 sales in May 2011; sales were down 16.3 percent from 13,144 homes sold in June 2010.

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Investigation by CHA and HUD Inspectors General ends with guilty plea...

The Chicago Housing Authority will receive restitution for money stolen by a former contractor and her husband after the pair pleaded guilty to stealing funds intended for the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, a crime that was exposed following an investigation by the CHA’s Office of the Inspector General.

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Make Your Garage Door Quieter

How to Make Your Garage Door Quieter

Did you know that the structural noise from a garage can be anywhere from 5 decibels to 20 decibels above the background noise levels? And if you are wondering how much change would a 20-decibel increase make, then consider this – with a rise of 20 decibels, the sound energy increases by a factor of 100!