June 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Maine Housing Counseling Network with assistance and support from the Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection, US Department of Housing and Urban Development and MaineHousing will host free Foreclosure Prevention Clinics in Augusta, Portland, Sanford, and Bangor.

AUGUSTA, ME - May 19, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor John E. Baldacci held a State House ceremony today to celebrate passage of LD 1121, “An Act to Protect Elderly Residents from Losing Their Homes Due to Taxes or Foreclosure." The law, sponsored by Rep. Kathleen Chase (R-Wells), allows municipalities to pass local ordinances enabling eligible seniors to defer property taxes for a period of time. “Many elderly residents on fixed incomes, especially those in lake and coastal communities, just want the ability to stay in the homes they have worked so hard to maintain,” said Governor Baldacci.

May 18, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Superintendent Will Lund from the Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection announced on Tuesday that Maine will make it easier and more efficient for mortgage lenders to apply for and manage their licenses by joining the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS). The change will also protect Maine consumers by increasing oversight of the mortgage activities of loan originators in other states.

Washington, D.C. - April 29, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Senator Susan Collins, Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, questioned Goldman Sachs executives regarding questionable business practices that critics have said helped lead to the collapse of the U.S. housing market.

AUGUSTA, ME - April 21, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor John E. Baldacci said today that Maine has received a $30 million federal grant from The Recovery Act to fund energy efficiency upgrades in Maine. “Maine is recognized as a national leader in our efforts to improve energy efficiency,” Governor Baldacci said. “The work that we have been doing at MaineHousing and at Efficiency Maine has demonstrated our ability to put resources to work quickly, creating jobs and reducing energy consumption.

March 22, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Chief Justice Leigh I. Saufley announced that on March 25, 2010, the Foreclosure Diversion Program will hold its first informational session at the Penobscot Judicial Center. After this session, each judicial region across the State will have held at least one informational session. Chief Justice Saufley reported that previous sessions in other parts of the State have been received well by those who have participated. “Homeowner attendance has been high at these sessions, which indicates that homeowners are working to prepare for mediation. Ensuring that both parties are prepared for mediation will be key to successful resolutions,” she said.

Aroostook County Housing Counselor Added to Program AUGUSTA, ME - March 18, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection signed a contract this month with Aroostook County Action Program (ACAP), increasing the number of housing counselors serving Maine homeowners. This contract adds another certified housing counseling service to the seven non-profit agencies currently under contract around the State

March 15, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Bureau of Financial Institutions Superintendent Lloyd P. LaFountain, III announced this week that fourth quarter 2009 data submitted by Maine-chartered banks and credit unions shows a continuing increase in home foreclosures in Maine. In general, foreclosure activity at Maine banks and credit unions appears to be lower than in many other states and it does not pose a threat to the stability of Maine-chartered financial institutions.

March 10, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Maine Office of Securities and Maine Attorney General’s Office announced that Eric S. Murphy, Jr., formerly of Ellsworth, pled guilty on March 2nd in Hancock County Superior Court to two counts of Class B felony theft by deception in connection with an investment scam Murphy ran to fund his residential construction loan business

March 9, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Attorney General Janet T. Mills warns homeowners to be careful when choosing a contractor to repair damage from recent storms. “After storms and other natural disasters, some home improvement contractors aggressively market their services to the elderly and other potentially vulnerable consumers to repair their homes,” said Attorney General Mills. “While most contractors in Maine are reputable and treat their customers fairly, some do not. Consumers should wait, check around and get written estimates before hiring a contractor do to home repairs."

March 5, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- On March 10, 2010, the Foreclosure Diversion Program will hold its first informational session at the Augusta District Court for homeowners who have been ordered to attend as part of the new foreclosure mediation process; lenders and their attorneys in these cases are also invited to attend, although their attendance is not mandatory. The Supreme Judicial Court designed informational sessions to educate homeowners about the foreclosure mediation process and it is hoped that as a result of these sessions, the parties will be better prepared to use mediation sessions productively.

Sanford, ME - March 1, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Reliant Mortgage Company, LLC is proud to announce the opening of its newest branch office located at 909B Main Street (The Garnsey Insurance Building) in downtown Sanford, ME.

February 25, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Chief Justice Leigh I. Saufley announced that on February 26, 2010, the Foreclosure Diversion Program will hold its first informational session at the Ellsworth District Court for homeowners who have been ordered to attend as part of the foreclosure mediation process. The Foreclosure Diversion Program is the result of the recently enacted P.L. 2009, ch. 402, An Act To Preserve Home Ownership and Stabilize the Economy by Preventing Unnecessary Foreclosures. In accordance with the new law, the Supreme Judicial Court established a statewide program to provide mediation services in certain residential foreclosure actions in Maine.

AUGUSTA, ME - February 18, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Governor John E. Baldacci announced today that six school and university oil-to-wood heating projects are receiving more than $3.2 million in federal recovery funds.

February 17, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Chief Justice Leigh I. Saufley announced that on February 19, 2010, the Foreclosure Diversion Program will hold its first informational session for homeowners facing mortgage foreclosure in Cumberland County. The Foreclosure Diversion Program is the result of the recently enacted P.L. 2009, ch. 402, An Act To Preserve Home Ownership and Stabilize the Economy by Preventing Unnecessary Foreclosures. In accordance with the new law, the Supreme Judicial Court established a statewide program to provide mediation services in certain residential foreclosure actions in Maine.