Friday, November 20, 2009

NAHREP: FHA’s Expanded Role Vital to Housing Market, Economy


Hispanic Real Estate Trade Group Appeals to Congress To Support FHA’s Continued Expanded Role

11.17.2009 – SAN DIEGO -- The National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) issued an appeal to members of Congress this week for its support of the Federal Housing Administration’s efforts to strengthen the housing market, calling it the only real vehicle for working families to buy homes. NAHREP joined other real estate and housing groups in a joint letter issued to members of the U.S. House and Senate.

“FHA has filled an enormously important void in today’s challenging mortgage market. Without FHA, working families would be unable to buy homes,” said Tino Diaz, NAHREP’s chairman. “FHA is vital to the homeownership dreams of millions of Americans. Their ability to buy has a direct impact on our nation’s economy.”

Hispanic real estate professionals support FHA’s expanded role and the efforts taken by the agency’s leadership to manage risk. NAHREP also favors giving the agency the tools, staffing and technology it needs to be effective in its enhanced role in the current market. For Latino borrowers, FHA is a critical source of mortgage insurance accounting for nearly 50 percent of their 2008 home purchase loans.

The letter-writing outreach to members of Congress is to voice minority concerns about possible changes or restrictions to the FHA program that would, in turn, inhibit the nation’s economic recovery and virtually shut out Latinos and working families from the housing market.

The National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, a non-profit 501c6 trade association, is dedicated to increasing the homeownership rate among Latinos by educating and empowering the real estate professionals that serve them. Based in San Diego, NAHREP is the premier trade organization for Hispanics and has more than 16,000 members in 48 states and 62 affiliate chapters.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Press Release- Fidelity National Financial Goes Greener

For Immediate Release

Fidelity National Financial joins America Recycles Day by establishing a Green Title & Settlement Program

San Francisco, California – November 16, 2009 - Fidelity National Financial, Inc. (NYSE:FNF), one of the nation's largest title insurance companies through its title insurance underwriters - Chicago Title, Fidelity National Title, Ticor Title, Security Union Title, Lawyers Title, Commonwealth Title and Alamo Title - today announced an enhanced effort to implement energy saving and environmentally friendly policies. The FNF Green Title & Settlement Program (GTSP) will be initially launched in Northern California and the Pacific Northwest.

“The public is more aware of the need to protect our environment, and consumers are increasingly supporting sustainability measures in their homes and businesses. We want them to know that FNF stands behind the importance of this initiative, and with our leadership in this program we are raising the bar within our family of company’s and our industry,” said Jeff Knudson, Executive Vice President of the Fidelity National Title Group. Recently, FNF announced that quarterly statements for the Group 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan and FNF Employee Stock Purchase Plan quarterly statements will no longer be mailed to employees at home but will be available online.

The GTSP encourages the use of state of the art technology that is available to both customers and FNTG title offices. In addition to the use of the latest technology, title offices will implement more aggressive and comprehensive policies that are environmentally friendly and will develop online information to inform employees and members of the public on best practices that better protect our natural resources. “Our goal is to expand sustainability practices and to play a bigger role in protecting our natural resources,” said Pablo Wong, senior vice president for market development and project leader for this program.



About Fidelity National Financial, Inc.
Fidelity National Financial, Inc. (NYSE: FNF), is a leading provider of title insurance, specialty insurance and claims management services. FNF is one of the nation's largest title insurance companies through its title insurance underwriters - Alamo Title, Commonwealth Title, Fidelity National Title, Chicago Title, Lawyers Title, Security Union Title and Ticor Title - that issue approximately 28 percent of all title insurance policies in the United States. FNF also provides flood insurance, personal lines insurance and home warranty insurance through its specialty insurance business. FNF also is a leading provider of outsourced claims management services to large corporate and public sector entities through its minority-owned subsidiary, Sedgwick CMS. More information about FNF can be found at www.fnf.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Pablo Wong
Pablo.wong@fnf.com
415-317-8339

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Announcing the launch of NHORA (National Hispanic Organization of Real Estate Associates)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Richard Gonzalez or Margie O’Campo de Castillo
TEL: 800-75 NHORA Email: info@NHORA.org

Real Estate Professionals organize trade association to elevate professional standards and promote commerce with sustainable home ownership in the Latino community.

(San Diego, Ca. November 14, 2009) In response to the need for consumer education and community outreach, Hispanic Leaders in Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, and Texas announce the launch of NHORA tm, the National Hispanic Organization of Real Estate Associates at Booth #3309 of the
NAR Convention in San Diego California November 15-16, 2009 with specially developed founding membership levels to mark the NHORA inaugural year.

NHORA National Board Member, Richard Gonzalez of California says “Our communities need an organization whose values are more than words in a mission statement. They need organized leadership and membership that exemplifies the care and well being of community in all financial affairs, especially housing”.

NHORA National Board Member, Margie O’Campo de Castillo of Arizona adds “ Our trade association is made up of democratically elected, seasoned industry leaders that are well known for their commitment to elevating the standard of service by providing valuable and timely information and educational forums for community outreach to ethical professionals in the mentoring of local, regional, and national leadership. NHORA members will act as one body in the advocacy of necessary changes within the Hispanic community with the strength of professional affinity membership”.

The impact of the current economic market has had a disproportionally higher negative impact on Hispanic communities. NHORA has been created to help thwart this kind of damage in our communities and further educate and empower ethical professionals and the consumers they serve.

National Board Member, Jorge Carcamo of San Francisco states “Our vision is to promote a true democratic trade association within the context of a membership based organization of ethical professionals primarily engaged in facilitating sustainable home ownership and commerce building opportunities with affinity professionals for the benefit of the communities they serve with complete transparency”.


The NHORA National Founding Board of Directors and Advisory Board of distinguished professionals including Hilda Ramirez, Miguel Velazco, and Patricia Lindo are currently developing NHORA Chapters in the states of Arizona, Northern and Southern California, Illinois, Florida, and Texas hosting various business developments and networking seminars beginning in the fall of 2009 into 2010 and beyond.

NHORA Membership opportunities are open to industry professionals and leaders in Housing, Banking, Ancillary Service Providers and housing related Business Owners with chapters scheduled nationwide.

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