Archive for May 2008

Washington, D.C.–Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher J. Dodd, D-Conn., said he is close to settling a foreclosure prevention plan with Republican lawmakers, Bloomberg reported Thursday. “We’re very, very close to an agreement,” Dodd said. “I’m still confident we can get there.”A hearing is scheduled for Thursday on Dodd’s plan to have lenders forgive a portion…

Miami–In cities such as Miami, Chicago and San Diego, condo owners are finding neighbors who default on their assessments and management companies that go bankrupt can translate into extra fees and maintenance issues, the New York Times reported Thursday.Monthly condo fees are supposed to cover ownership responsibilities such as water and lawn maintenance; but some…

Washington, D.C.–U.S. industrial production dropped in April and first-time unemployment benefits increased, adding more speculation that the country may have entered a recession, the Financial Times said Thursday.Industrial output fell 0.7 percent last month. Total manufacturing output declined by 0.8 percent–the largest monthly drop in more than two years. Capacity utilization, U.S. factories’ operating rate,…

By Anuradha Kher, Online News EditorCamden, N.J./Hatboro, Pa.–The Kislak Co. Inc. has arranged the sale of three apartment complexes totaling over $20.3 million in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.The sales transactions included the $11.891 million sale of Crescent Gardens, a 240-unit apartment property located at 1622 Independence Rd., and Gramercy Park Apartments, a 104-unit rental community…

By Erika Schnitzer, Associate EditorBoston–With the theme of this year’s AIA Convention “We the People,” the opening session set the tone for the conference with a philanthropic message and an embrace of affordable housing.AIA President Marshall E. Purnell addressed the goals for architecture as a profession going forward. The earth has a limited number of…

By Anuradha Kher, Online News EditorWashington, D.C.–Edward Norton, actor, director, producer and Enterprise Community Partners trustee, recently testified before the United States House of Representatives select committee on energy independence and global warming.Norton, who is an activist for environmental and affordable housing issues, called on Congress to make a national commitment to bring home the…

Schott’s Transformation Glass Schott’s latest product, Mirona, an innovative glass that transforms TV and computer screens into mirrors, debuted at the 2008 American Institute of Architects (AIA) National Convention being held in Boston May 15 and 16.Mirona transformation glass is coated on both sides with an optical interference layer. It turns glass displays, such as…

Marki Lemons is a broker with Rubloff Residential Properties, a Chicago-based residential real estate firm. Lemons is a native of Chicago’s south side, and with nearly a decade of experience in the industry, has become a well known name when it comes to foreclosures and short sales. In fact, Lemons is known as Chicago’s “Queen…