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Chicago, IL - November 25, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Mayor Richard M. Daley today joined officials from the Historic Chicago Bungalow Association (HCBA), development partners and residents of the South Shore community in dedicating a fully rehabbed green bungalow that showcases innovative ways to make these iconic Chicago homes more energy efficient and adaptable for today’s families.

SPRINGFIELD, IL - November 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- October continued the trend of median price growth in the majority of Illinois counties, sales were lower due to seasonal and residual tax credit factors; year-to-date sales remain positive even as the economy and foreclosures slow the recovery. According to the Illinois Association of REALTORS® latest report, year-to-date total home sales (which include single-family and condominiums) statewide are up 0.1 percent January through October 2010 with 89,050 home sales compared to 88,989 home sales for the same period in 2009; year-to-date sales are up 4.6 percent in the Chicagoland Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area (PMSA). For the month of October, statewide home sales totaled 7,325, down 34.2 percent from 11,129 home sales in October 2009.

MOLINE, IL - November 23, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) officials today celebrated the groundbreaking of 69 affordable rental homes financed through the State of Illinois to help Moline families live near the workplace. An estimated 51 jobs will be created with the construction of Moline Enterprise Work-Live Lofts

Chicago, IL - November 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The affordability of a classic single-family home has improved by 66 percent in the seven-county metropolitan Chicago real estate market over the last five years, according to a review by RE/MAX employing the traditional measure of home affordability developed by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).

Chicago, IL - November 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Home prices in the metropolitan Chicago real estate market reached somewhat firmer ground in October even as the volume of homes changing hands continued to decline. Both the median and average price of homes sold in the seven-county metro area were higher for October than during the previous month, while transaction volume was 14 percent lower than in September.

SPRINGFIELD, IL - November 10, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- More than half of Illinois counties reported gains in the median home sale price during the third quarter of 2010 compared to a year ago despite the post-tax credit slowdown in sales activity. According to the Illinois Association of REALTORS® (IAR) third quarter 2010 report, Illinois home sales (which include single-family homes and condominiums) totaled 24,628 in the third quarter, down 24.9 percent from 32,776 home sales in the same period a year ago. The third quarter statewide median home sale price was $154,000, down 6.1 percent from $164,000 in the third quarter of 2009. The median is a typical market price where half the homes sold for more, half sold for less.

Chicago, IL - November 9, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Home sales activity in the metropolitan Chicago real estate market registered a solid gain of 11 percent for the first nine months of 2010 when compared to the same period in 2009. That was achieved even as third-quarter transaction volume was 22.8 percent lower than the same period last year.

CHICAGO, IL - November 4, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The office of Congressman Bobby L. Rush (D-IL) released the following statement regarding today's Sun-Times article on an alleged lawsuit filed by New City Bank. This amended statement, though given to the reporter after being reached for comment after 8 PM Wednesday, read in part

CHICAGO, IL - November 2, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) today celebrated the dedication of 77 affordable apartments for seniors and families in Chicago. IHDA Executive Director Gloria L. Materre joined developer Hispanic Housing Development Corp. during a ceremony for the North & Talman Apartments, 1600 N. Talman Ave., Chicago. IHDA provided $2.5 million in federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and Illinois Affordable Housing Trust Fund financing. IHDA’s investment generated nearly $17 million in private equity for the two developments.

CHICAGO, IL - October 26, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Pat Quinn today commended Illinois’ housing leaders at the 2010 Governor’s Conference on Affordable Housing for their efforts in charting a course to further Illinois’ economic recovery. Governor Quinn highlighted the state’s dedication to affordable housing, including community stabilization, supportive housing to end homelessness, affordable homeownership programs and green building.

SPRINGFIELD, IL - October 25, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Record low mortgage interest rates and more affordable home prices benefited buyers in September, although the Illinois housing market remains subdued after the tax credit without stronger signals from the economy in the areas of jobs and improved consumer confidence. According to the Illinois Association of REALTORS® latest report, statewide total home sales (which include single-family and condominiums) in September 2010 totaled 8,024, down 4.7 percent from August’s 8,419 home sales; year-over-year home sales are down 23.4 percent compared to September 2009 sales of 10,470 homes. Year-to-date sales remain positive, up 4.9 percent January through September 2010 with 81,669 home sales compared to 77,860 home sales for the same period in 2009

CHICAGO, IL - October 21, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- For most people, home furnaces have sat idle during the summer. As temperatures go down, it’s important to understand the possible dangers that lurk when restarting a dormant furnace, warns the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM).

CHICAGO, IL - October 21, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- U. S. Rep. Bobby L. Rush today expressed his support and admiration for the ongoing humanitarian relief efforts for the survivors of the January 12 earthquake in Haiti. Last week, in a powerful expression of support for those who are still struggling to rebuild their lives, Senegal President Abdoulaye Wade welcomed 163 Haitian students to new homes and a fresh start in life in this west African nation. The Haitian students have remained homeless in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that struck 10 miles southwest of Haiti's capital, in Port-au-Prince, leaving in its wake 230,000 dead and tens of thousands of families homeless.

NORMAL, IL - October 21, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) officials today joined Bluestem Housing Partners NFP and local dignitaries to celebrate the groundbreaking of an independent living facility for seniors in Normal. The construction project is estimated to create more than 60 jobs for local residents and will produce 50 affordable rental homes for low-income seniors. The State of Illinois invested $5.3 million to build Cottage Apartments, including $1.5 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds and $3.8 million in loans and tax credits from other state resources.

SPRINGFIELD, IL - October 20, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Nearly 1,200 radon-related lung cancer deaths occur each year in Illinois, yet many people have never tested their homes to find out if dangerous levels of this radioactive gas are present. During Radon Action Week Oct. 17-23, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) is encouraging people throughout Illinois to test their homes.