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New FHA Webinars:

May 5, 2010 – Free Webinar. The FHA Philadelphia Homeowner Center (HOC) invites you to a training webinar entitled “Administration of the HUD Housing Counseling Program”. The webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, May 5th from 2:00 to 4:00 Eastern and is intended for HUD approved housing counseling agencies that do business with the Philadelphia HOC jurisdiction. FHA staff will present information on the 9902 preparation and reporting; client action plans, record keeping, an overview of the HCS system and other related topics. Registration required. More info at: http://www.visualwebcaster.com/event.asp?id=67401

May 12 2010  – Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM) Webinar. Join FHA for a FREE webinar! The Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM) Webinar explains how to obtain the “present value of the energy saved.” This training course provides real estate professionals, housing counselors, and lenders with an overview of the EEM process. Registration required, no fee. All times are mountain. More info at:  http://www.hud.gov/emarc/index.cfm?fuseaction=emar.registerEvent&eventId=471&update=N

May 13, 2010 – Webinar Series on HUD’s Loss Mitigation – Special Forbearance Type 1. This webinar is the second in a series from the FHA Santa Ana Homeownership Center.  In this session you will learn More About: Special Forbearance Requirements, Type 1 Forbearance Agreement Special Provisions, Unemployment, & General Program Requirements.  Registration required, no fee. 11:00 AM Pacific time. More info at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/859757403

May 19, 2010 – FHA Refinance webinar. This FREE FHA Webinar will help you better understand the FHA Refinance general guidelines. Topics will include; Streamline Refinances, Cash-Out and Rate & Term Refinances. Basic calculations will be reviewed in this training course for anyone wanting to improve their knowledge of refinances. An emphasis will be on the recent changes to the Streamline Refinance guidelines. All times are mountain. Registration required, no fee. More info at: http://www.hud.gov/emarc/index.cfm?fuseaction=emar.registerEvent&eventId=473&update=N

May 27, 2010  – 203K & Streamlined K Webinar. This FREE FHA Webinar is an overview on how to combine a 203(k), Rehabilitation Mortgage with a purchase or refinance transaction in order to be eligible for FHA mortgage insurance. This training will be beneficial for lenders and real estate agents. All times are mountain. Registration required, no fee. More info at: http://www.hud.gov/emarc/index.cfm?fuseaction=emar.registerEvent&eventId=472&update=N

Electronic Class (EClass) on FHA Loss Mitigation & Servicing System: The EClass System provides additional training on FHA’s Loss Mitigation Programs, including FHA’s Home Affordable Modification Program (FHA-HAMP), as well as continuing education on loss mitigation & servicing issues that have generated the most industry questions & requests for further training. The EClass System is designed to provide web-based training to HUD-Approved Servicers, HUD-Approved & Non Profit Housing Counseling Agencies. Registration required, no fee. More info at: http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/nsc/training.cfm

AND

Help Prevent Loan Scams:

Homeowners facing foreclosure are losing their money and their homes to loan modification scams. Information is your best defense.  If you see the signs of a scam and know the facts, you can protect yourself. To learn more about loan scams please visit: http://www.loanscamalert.org/ To learn how you can help prevent loan scams, please visit: http://www.preventloanscams.org/

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CONTACT:

Dave Ryan (News Media Only)

ryan.dave@epa.gov

202-564-7827

202-564-4355

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 29, 2010

EPA Launches New Web Tools to Inform the Public About Clean Water Enforcement

Interactive Web tool allows the public to check water violations in their communities

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is launching a new set of web tools, data, and interactive maps to inform the public about serious Clean Water Act violations in their communities.  Improving water quality is one of EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson’s priorities and in 2009, Administrator Jackson directed the agency to develop concrete steps to improve water quality, to better enforce the Clean Water Act and to use 21^st Century technology to transform the collection, use and availability of EPA data. The web tools announced today is part of EPA’s Clean Water Act Action Plan to work with states in ensuring that facilities comply with standards that keep our water clean.

“EPA is taking another important step to increase transparency and keep Americans informed about the safety of their local waters,” said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Making this information more accessible and understandable empowers millions of people to press for better compliance and enforcement in their communities.”

The new web page provides interactive information from EPA’s 2008 Annual Noncompliance Report, which pertains to about 40,000 permitted Clean Water Act dischargers across the country.  The report lists state-by-state summary data of violations and enforcement responses taken by the states for smaller facilities. The new web page also makes it easy to compare states by compliance rates and enforcement actions taken and provides access to updated State Review Framework (SRF) reports.  

Interactive Map for Clean Water Act Annual Noncompliance Report: 

http://www.epa-echo.gov/echo/ancr/us/

State Review Framework: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/state/srf/index.html

Enforcement and Compliance History Online: http://www.epa-echo.gov/echo

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Note: If a link above doesn’t work, please copy and paste the URL into a browser.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/state/bill-would-affect-cancer-cluster-property-values-acreage-626351.html?cxtype=ynews_rss

By Mitra Malek and Kimberly Miller

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Updated: 5:44 p.m. Monday, April 26, 2010

Posted: 5:32 p.m. Monday, April 26, 2010

TALLAHASSEE — A bill approved unanimously in the House on Monday would require state property appraisers to consider cancer clusters, like the one designated in the Acreage, when determining home value.

But Palm Beach County Property Appraiser Gary Nikolits said the language in HB 7215 that addresses the cancer cluster is just “feel good” legislation that wouldn’t change how his office operates.

“All this does is codify what we already do,” Nikolits said. “This says, ‘Do what you’re already supposed to do.’ ”

But Rep. Kevin Rader, D-Delray Beach, who sponsored the amendment that added the cancer cluster language onto the bill, said it requires property appraisers to consider sales after Jan. 1, which he said could help Acreage residents this year because the pediatric brain cancer cluster there wasn’t designated until Feb. 1.

“My goal was to provide tax relief to the people who live out there,” said Rader, who is running for state Senate. “It was important for me to do something for them.”

The 11-page bill, sponsored by Rep. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale, is a wide-ranging proposal that also deals with property tax and assessment laws.

This is the HUD national homeownership center reference guide mailing list for real estate industry professionals that are interested in updates to HUD Mortgagee letters, notices and guidebooks, & FHA Housing Industry Training. Please visit our homepage at: http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hsgsingle.cfm Servicing lenders can visit HUD’s National Servicing Center at: http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/nsc/nschome.cfm This list does not provide HudHome property listings.

All-

Reminder to Industry Partners of HUD’s National Servicing Center’s (NSC) web-based training application: Electronic Courses on Loss Mitigation and Servicing System (Eclass):

Mortgagee Letter 2009-45 announced HUD’s Eclass System to provide a web-based training to HUD-Approved Lenders, HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies, Non-Profit Housing Counseling Agencies, and HUD Staff.  The System tracks progress of trainees, scores tests online, and creates and prints Certificates of Completion.  The System also allows trainees to register for instructor-led classroom training.  Eclass is required to be completed prior attending HUD Loss Mitigation Training. Please note the Eclass System also includes a module specifically addressing FHA’s Home Affordable Program (FHA-HAMP): FHA’s Home Affordable Modification Loss Mitigation Option.

HUD-Approved Lenders are required to enter their Mortgagee ID Number, HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies are required to enter their Tax ID Number and HUD Staff’s email addresses will grant them access.  All other trainees are required to go through a screening process and will be notified by NSC if they are approved to proceed through the training modules. The System is designed to allow the trainee to progress through each of the twelve (12) modules and/or “pick and choose” a module for which they may need a refresher.  The twelve (12) Modules are:

1)     Early Delinquency Servicing Activities

2)     HUD’s Loss Mitigation Program Overview

3)     Special Forbearance Option

4)     Loan Modification Option

5)     Partial Claim Option

6)     FHA’s Home Affordable Modification Option (FHA-HAMP)

7)     Pre-foreclosure Sale Program

8)     Deed-in-Lieu of Foreclosure

9)     Extension of Time Requests and Variances

10)  Single Family Default Monitoring System

11)  HUD’s Tier Ranking System and

12)  Property Condition and Re-Conveyance Appeal Process

Eclass is a web-based application that operates from a Web Application Server and is accessible through the internet using a standard web browser.  Some features of the system require that users have Acrobat Reader and Flash Player 7 plug-in installed on their computer.  The web-based application may be accessed at the following address:  https://elcass.hud-nsctraining.com  FHA Mortgagee letters can be found online at: http://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/hudclips/letters/mortgagee/

Please note for technical support concerning the Eclass System, you will be emailing HUD’s contractor at: support_eclass@hud-nsctraining.com  Please be sure to copy these types of emails to NSC at: eclass@hud.gov as well.

AND

Once you have taken the Eclass course, you can then register and attend these FHA’s Loss Mitigation training and events around the nation:

April 29, 2010 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Loss Mitigation Training by the Atlanta Homeownership Center. This training is for HUD-approved Mortgagees, HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agencies & Nonprofit Housing Counselors. Registration required, no fee. More info at: https://eclass.hud-nsctraining.com/

May 5, 2010 – Free Webinar. The FHA Philadelphia Homeowner Center (HOC) invites you to a training webinar entitled “Administration of the HUD Housing Counseling Program”. The webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, May 5th from 2:00 to 4:00 Eastern and is intended for HUD approved housing counseling agencies that do business with the Philadelphia HOC jurisdiction. FHA staff will present information on the 9902 preparation and reporting; client action plans, record keeping, an overview of the HCS system and other related topics. Registration required. More info at: http://www.visualwebcaster.com/event.asp?id=67401 (Eclass course not required for this webinar.)

May 13, 2010 – Tampa, FL. Loss Mitigation Training by the Atlanta Homeownership Center. This training is for HUD-approved Mortgagees, HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agencies & Nonprofit Housing Counselors. Registration required, no fee. More info at: https://eclass.hud-nsctraining.com/

May 18-19, 2010 – Oklahoma City, OK. Early Delinquency Servicing & Loss Mitigation Program Training for HUD-Approved mortgagees, HUD-approved Housing Counselors & Nonprofit Housing Counselors. Registration required, no fee. More info at: http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/nsc/training.cfm

May 20, 2010 – Denver, CO. Legal Services Resources for Foreclosure Intervention Counselors. This course helps foreclosure intervention counselors make intelligent & efficient referrals for legal services based on the services that are available in their state. It is intended to supplement existing training opportunities for foreclosure intervention counselors & assumes that participants have already received training that provided them with the basic knowledge & skills to successfully deliver counseling assistance to delinquent borrowers. This course is open to nonprofit housing counseling agencies, local jurisdictions that conduct counseling, & government agencies that operate in the foreclosure arena. Presented by RCAC. Registration required. More info at: http://www.rcac.org/events.aspx?490 (Eclass course not required for this class.)

May 21, 2010 – Jacksonville, FL. Loss Mitigation Training by the Atlanta Homeownership Center. This training is for HUD-approved Mortgagees, HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agencies & Nonprofit Housing Counselors. Registration required, no fee. More info at: https://eclass.hud-nsctraining.com/

June 8, 2010 – Cleveland, OH. Loss Mitigation Training by the Philadelphia Homeownership Center. This training is for HUD-approved Mortgagees, HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agencies & Nonprofit Housing Counselors. Registration required, no fee. More info at: https://eclass.hud-nsctraining.com/

June 9, 2010 – Nashville, TN. Loss Mitigation Training by the Atlanta Homeownership Center. This training is for HUD-approved Mortgagees, HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agencies & Nonprofit Housing Counselors. Registration required, no fee. More info at: https://eclass.hud-nsctraining.com/

June 10, 2010 – Chicago, IL. Loss Mitigation Training by the Atlanta Homeownership Center. This training is for HUD-approved Mortgagees, HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agencies & Nonprofit Housing Counselors. Registration required, no fee. More info at: https://eclass.hud-nsctraining.com/

June 15, 2010 – Springfield, IL. Loss Mitigation Training by the Atlanta Homeownership Center. This training is for HUD-approved Mortgagees, HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agencies & Nonprofit Housing Counselors. Registration required, no fee. More info at: https://eclass.hud-nsctraining.com/

June 16, 2010 – Memphis, TN. Loss Mitigation Training by the Atlanta Homeownership Center. This training is for HUD-approved Mortgagees, HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agencies & Nonprofit Housing Counselors. Registration required, no fee. More info at: https://eclass.hud-nsctraining.com/

June 16, 2010 – Louisville, KY. Loss Mitigation Training by the Atlanta Homeownership Center. This training is for HUD-approved Mortgagees, HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agencies & Nonprofit Housing Counselors. Registration required, no fee. More info at: https://eclass.hud-nsctraining.com/

July 20, 2010 – Atlanta, GA. Loss Mitigation Training by the Atlanta Homeownership Center. This training is for HUD-approved Mortgagees, HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agencies & Nonprofit Housing Counselors. NOTE: THIS IS A DATE CHANGE FROM THE JUNE 8th POSTING. Registration required, no fee. More info at: https://eclass.hud-nsctraining.com/

August 24-25, 2010 – Oklahoma City, OK. Early Delinquency Servicing & Loss Mitigation Program Training for HUD-Approved mortgagees, HUD-approved Housing Counselors & Nonprofit Housing Counselors. Registration required, no fee. More info at: http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/nsc/training.cfm

AND

Help Prevent Loan Scams:

Homeowners facing foreclosure are losing their money and their homes to loan modification scams. Information is your best defense.  If you see the signs of a scam and know the facts, you can protect yourself. To learn more about loan scams please visit: http://www.loanscamalert.org/ To learn how you can help prevent loan scams, please visit: http://www.preventloanscams.org/

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DON’T RISK YOUR ESTATE WITH A PROBATE REFEREE, CHOOSE A QUALIFIED STATE CERTIFIED GENERAL APPRAISER:

http://www.harriscompanyrec.com/CaliforniaProbateAppraiser