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Last Updated: May 17, 2009 - 12:42:55 PM

Real Estate Related News
HUD Settles Lawsuit with Real Estate Brokerage and California Hazard Reporting Company
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced that it has settled its federal lawsuit under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) against Property I.D. Corporation, a large hazard reporting company in California, Realogy Corporation, Cendant Corporation (now known as Avis Budget Group, Inc.) and Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Corporation.
Aug 8, 2008 - 9:51:59 AM

Real Estate Related News
Money Laundering Methods and Trends in Residential Real Estate Industry: FICEN Warns
Laundering money through residential real estate involves turning the proceeds of crime into the use or ownership of real property assets. For example, a criminal may use illicit funds to outright purchase or to make monthly rental payments on real property.
May 2, 2008 - 9:04:21 AM

Real Estate Related News
Real Estate Appraiser Sought to Appraise 107 Parcels of State School Lands
The California State Lands Commission (CSLC) is seeking an experienced Real Estate Appraiser to appraise 107 parcels of State School Lands located within the California Desert Conservation Area in Southern California. The appraisal will be used by CSLC and U.S. Bureau of Land Management. The Appraiser must be able to demonstrate knowledge and experience appraising remote desert properties and must be familiar with both the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice and the Uniform Appraisal Standard for Federal Land Acquisitions. Details are provided in the attachments.

Feb 10, 2008 - 9:49:29 AM

Real Estate Related News
Working with Borrowers: Residential Real Estate Loan Restructurings
Federal Finanical Agencies issued the attached Statement on Loss Mitigation Strategies for Servicers of Residential Mortgages (statement. The statement encourages federally regulated financial institutions and state-supervised entities that service securitized residential mortgages to review and make full use of their authority under pooling and servicing agreements to identify borrowers at risk of default and pursue appropriate loss mitigation strategies designed to preserve homeownership.
Oct 12, 2007 - 7:36:04 AM

Announcements
Stewart Title and E-Title to Pay $1.5 Million to Settle Charges that the Firms Used Illegal Methods to Generate More Business
SACRAMENTO - Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner today announced a settlement with Stewart Title Guaranty Company (Stewart Title) and Electronic Closing Services, Inc. (E-Title), that requires the firms to jointly pay $1.5 million and immediately cease aiding and abetting unlicensed firms conducting business illegally in the State of California.
Jul 19, 2007 - 9:11:23 AM

Continuing Medical Education Course | Free Online CEU |
Update: Continuing Education Requirement Change Effective July 1, 2007
Real estate salespersons renewing an original license for the first time must complete four separate three-hour DRE-approved continuing education courses in Ethics, Agency, Trust Fund Handling, and Fair Housing. Real estate brokers renewing an original license for the first time must complete 45 clock hours of DRE-approved continuing education consisting of....
Jun 10, 2007 - 9:12:24 AM

Real Estate Related News
Real Estate Brokers: HUD's New Partnership With National Association Of Real Estate Brokers To Increase African American Homeownership
U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson and the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) today highlighted Black History Month by pledging to work together to increase minority homeownership, particularly among African Americans. This partnership is another step towards achieving President Bush's goal of 5.5 million new minority homeowners by the end of the decade.
Feb 26, 2007 - 7:06:41 AM

Real Estate Related News
Real estate withholding law changes for 2007
Previously, where withholding was required, sellers had to withhold three and one-third percent of the property’s sale price. Now, sellers may choose between the original withholding method, or elect an alternate withholding amount based on applying the maximum tax rate to the seller's estimated gain. The maximum tax rates are:
Dec 25, 2006 - 10:47:50 PM

Real Estate Related News
Internet-Based Real Estate Brokers: Lawsuit Challenges NAR Rules that Obstruct Internet-Based Real Estate Brokers
The brokers that NAR targeted with its rules operate password-protected Web sites through which they provide information, including property listings, to their customers, potential home buyers. These are sometimes called "virtual office websites" or "VOWs," because a broker operating such a site is able to provide customers with the same property listing information on-line that customers can obtain by visiting the "brick-and-mortar" office of a traditional broker.
Dec 10, 2006 - 9:21:23 PM

Real Estate Related News
Los Angeles Area Real Estate Scam:Attorney General Lockyer Announces Felony Arrests in Los Angeles Area Real Estate Scam That Takes Homes from Elderly, Infirm
Attorney General Bill Lockyer today announced the felony arrests of two Monterey Park residents in connection with a “squatter” scam in which the defendants victimized elderly and other homeowners by unlawfully taking possession of roughly 100 houses, and subsequently renting out the property and keeping the income for themselves.


Oct 19, 2006 - 9:39:00 AM

Real Estate Related News
What’s New: California Real Estate Business Address Lookup

New California Real Estate License Search Now available online