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Governor Quinn Encourages Households to Apply for Home Heating Assistance

CHICAGO, IL - November 3, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Pat Quinn today urged eligible Illinois households to apply for winter heating assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The state received $174.6 million in federal funds to assist low-income families for this winter season.

Governor Quinn Recognizes Contributions of Volunteers with Governor’s Home Town Awards

SPRINGFIELD, IL - October 30, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Pat Quinn today recognized hundreds of volunteers for their hard work and dedication towards improving their communities. The Governor’s Home Town Awards were given for 46 projects during a ceremony at the Executive Mansion in Springfield

Illinois Home Sales Show First Increase in Over Three Years Statewide Median Price at...

SPRINGFIELD, IL - October 26, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Statewide Illinois home sales increased year-over-year in the month of September for the first time since March 2006 with first-time buyers driving the rebound in sales. According to the Illinois Association of REALTORS® latest report, statewide total home sales (which include single-family and condominiums) in September 2009 reached 10,350 homes sold, up 3.3 percent from September 2008 sales of 10,018. The Illinois median price in September 2009 was $160,000 down 9.3 percent from $176,450 in September 2008. The median is a typical market price where half the homes sold for more, half sold for less.

IEMA Encourages People to Test Homes for Radon during Radon Action Week Oct.

SPRINGFIELD, IL - October 20, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Radon gas is the second-leading cause of lung cancer and the leading cause of the deadly disease for non-smokers. Yet many people in Illinois have no idea if their homes have high levels of this health hazard. That’s why the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) is encouraging people throughout Illinois to test their homes for radon during Radon Action Week October 18-24.

Hare Joins Local Citizens, Realtors to Call for Extension of First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit

October 19, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Phil Hare (D-IL) today was joined by local citizens and realtors in Moline, Canton, and Macomb to call for an extension of the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit. The credit is set to end on December 1, 2009.

Biggert to Cut ACORN’s ‘HUD-Approved’ Status: Introduces Bill to Keep Scandal-Plagued Group Out of...

Washington, DC - October 16, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL-13th) today introduced legislation, the Suspend ACORN Certification (SAC) Act, aimed at preventing the misuse of public resources designated for federally-approved housing counseling activities

HUD APPROVES $34.2 MILLION FINANCING DEAL TO REPLACE AGING HOSPITAL IN MENDOTA, ILLINOIS

WASHINGTON, DC - October 15, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced a commitment to insure a mortgage loan to Mendota Community Hospital in Mendota, Illinois. The $34,220,000 loan is made possible through the Federal Housing Administration’s Section 242 Hospital Mortgage Insurance Program.

Governor Quinn Announces Availability of Recovery Funds for Low-Income Home Weatherization Efforts

CHICAGO, IL - October 15, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor Pat Quinn today announced that approximately $242 million in additional Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program (IHWAP) funding is available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to assist with low-income home weatherization efforts over the next two years.

Congressman Quigley Votes to Extend First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit for Military

WASHINGTON, DC - October 14, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Last week, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (D-IL) voted to extend the First-Time Homebuyer tax credit for members of the Armed Services who served abroad this past year. H.R. 3590, which extends the credit for qualifying military personnel through November 30, 2010, passed the House of Representatives overwhelmingly by a 416-16 vote. The current tax credit is set to expire on November 30, 2009.

IHDA Urges First-Time Homebuyers to Take Advantage of Home Start Advance Loan

Must Close Before December 1, 2009 to Qualify for Advance Loan on Federal Credit. CHICAGO, IL - October 12, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- With the federal tax credit deadline fast approaching, the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) reminds potential first-time homebuyers to take advantage of the Home Start Tax Advance Loan. The deadline for the loan, which offers up to $6,000 in down payment assistance, is December 1, 2009.

Rep. Foster Votes to Allow Service Members to Take Advantage of Homebuyer Tax Credits...

Washington, DC - October 9, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Continuing his efforts help military service members and their families, Rep. Bill Foster (IL-14) voted in favor of the Service Members Home Ownership Tax Act of 2009, which would extend the deadline for utilizing the first-time homebuyer tax credit of $8,000 for qualifying service members that was included in the stimulus. The bill passed by an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 416-0.

Biggert Pushes to Extend Homebuyer Tax Credit, Stabilize Housing Market

Washington, DC - October 8, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL-13th) today introduced two related measures aimed at promoting economic recovery by strengthening the housing sector, boosting homes sales, and stabilizing property values. Both bills are fully offset to remain budget neutral and would extend or amplify the popular first-time home buyer (FTHB) tax credit, which is set to expire at the end of November

State Funding to Help Persons with Disabilities Stay in Their Own Homes

Home Modification Grants Enable IL Residents to Maintain Indepence. CHICAGO, IL - September 29, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Low-income seniors and residents with disabilities in Illinois can continue to live independently and with family under a new round of $2.2 million in state funding through the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA). Families and individuals with special needs can apply for Home Modification Program grant money to install ramps, chair lifts, wider doors and other accessible improvements to their homes

Foster Announces More Than $2 Million for Kane County Housing Programs

Grants to Create Jobs and Expand Supply of Decent, Affordable Housing. Washington, DC - September 24, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, Rep. Bill Foster (IL-14) announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded Kane County with two different grants, a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) worth $1,210,514 and a HOME program grant worth $805,428

Hare Announces $306,026 in Recovery Act Funds for Community Development Block Grants in Rock...

September 23, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Phil Hare (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded the city of Rock Island $306,026 from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act though the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.

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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!