A new video helps struggling homeowners navigate the federal mortgage modification program.

Investors and others who expect to use FHA financing in connection with a short sale better check out the latest guidance issued by HUD last week.

Home is where the heart is — as are the many fine comforts that exist in today s 21st Century playground. There s the home theater system, alarm, lighting and HVAC systems on timers for maximum cost and usage efficiencies, and the remodeled kitchens of the future that make your coffee in the morning and cook your dinner at night, to name just a new. The home is constantly changing and the builders of today, and tomorrow, need to stay one step ahead of the consumer and her needs.

The real estate recovery continues to roll along with a big 7.4 percent jump in home resales last month, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Guidelines are set to be issued from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on how homeowners with Chinese drywall may access federal dollars to remedy their predicament. This information is courtesy of a letter received by U.S. Senator Bill Nelson of Florida.

While in Florida, HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan suggested federal funding could be offered to homeowners through the Community Development Block Grant program. This program was created to assist low-income households or communities affected by natural disasters.

Homeowners stung by the defective drywall fiasco who have tried applying for these grants have been less than successful. Often applicants’ homes don’t meet the criteria of low-income housing and the acrid drywall doesn’t fit neatly into the “natural disaster” category. Secretary Donovan feels there’s a way to remedy the impasse.

In his letter to Sen. Nelson, Donovan wrote, “The guidance will provide details about the eligible activities relating to drywall remediation, and the ways in which (block grant) funds can be used to benefit families with various income levels. It is my expectation that this guidance will be valuable in helping affected communities and homeowners determine how best to respond to this set of issues.”

Perhaps this is the beginning of the long awaited help needed by homeowners held hostage by Chinese drywall.

Posted by Sharon Walker

Anybody who’s accumulated a significant amount of real estate, stocks or other assets over the years could be affected by a stalemate playing out on Capitol Hill.

Members of the military who find themselves in a short-sale situation now have a new tool via the Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP) through the Department of Defense (DoD).

[Note: To follow is an excerpt of a radio show interview conducted by Peter L. Mosca, host of Income Property Investment Talk dot com, with Jenna Ryan, or dotJenna, President and CEO of The Marketing Shop.com, a Web marketing firm specializing in brand development and lead generation for real estate brokers and agents and investors across the country. Jenna offers proven tips and techniques on viral marketing, social networking, the new social web, web content, we will talk a little bit about photos, text, audio, video, and how important they are. To listen to the show archive or download an MP3, go to www.IncomePropertyInvestmentTalk.com/120209.]

The New Jersey District Council of the Urban Land Institute (ULI-NNJ) has awarded The Beacon its 2009 "Project of the Year" honor in recognition of the ongoing transformation of the former Jersey City Medical Center into successful mixed-use development that is currently the largest residential restoration project in the country and the largest in the history of New Jersey. The award was presented to developer Metrovest Equities during the annual Leadership in Land Use Awards held at the Heldrich Center in New Brunswick (NJ).

Opportunities for real estate agents to build a profitable new homes niche in their markets could explode in 2010. Traditional new homes marketing is out. Innovative value-driven service is in. What were sold as leading edge marketing tools no longer matter. Such as: