HUD chief to address foreclosure forum, an article from the Rocky Mountain News, reports that Tuesday evening, Alphonso Jackson, secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, will appear as a keynote speaker at the "Stop Foreclosure Now!" free forum that starts at 6:30 p.m. at Invesco Field at Mile High.  John Carson, regional director for HUD's Region VIII office in Denver said, "He will help to get the word out about the resources that are out here."  Jackson is also expected to speak about the new temporary increases in loan limits for Federal Housing Administration-insured loans.  According to a HUD Web site, in the Denver area, the loan limit has been raised to a maximum of $406,250 for a single-family house, almost 32% higher than the previous limit of $308,370.  More than 50 counselors will be on hand to give advice, as well as a number of lenders.  In a statement, Jackson said, "A lot of the mortgage problems we see today are directly related to the fact that few people fully understand this process.  Buying a home can be very intimidating.  Consumers have had no assurance that the loan terms and closing costs they are offered will reflect what they confront at the settlement table, and that's been one of the factors driving the current housing downturn.  Our proposal fixes that.  We owe it to the American home buyer to give them the information they need to make smart choices."
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/mar/17/hud-chief-to-address-foreclosure-forum/

Working with Buyers of Distressed Real Estate, an article from RealtyTimes.com, reports that real estate agents can expand their business by proving to be indispensable to investors who purchase distressed properties.  Following are a few ways you can reach out to buyers of distressed properties and expand your business by attending to their needs.  First, there's no better way to learn what investors need than by becoming one yourself.  Through investing you will establish valuable contacts with lenders and with contractors, which you can share with your clients.  Another way to reach out to buyers is to show up at the monthly meetings and talk to the investors in your community.  Finally, show investors that they can be more successful with your services than without them.  Stay in contact with them and prove that you are a contributor to their success.
http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20080318_distressed.htm

Additional articles that you may find of interest:

Ordinance on removing abandoned buildings wins commission's OK
http://www.gazette.com/articles/ordinance_34320___article.html/county_buildings.html

Why mortgage rates are still heading higher
http://money.cnn.com/2008/03/14/news/economy/ratecut_mortgages/index.htm?postversion=2008031809

U.S. home construction falls in February
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23688219/

Fed is poised to slash a key interest rate
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23680394/

Direct deposit users to get stimulus checks first
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23679964/