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ยป FHA AntiFlipping Waiver Extended Through 2014 HUD plans to waive the Federal Housing Administration's (FHA) anti-property-flipping rule through December 31, 2014. The agency extended the temporary waiver that was put into place in January 2010 for another two years to encourage investors to acquire and renovate foreclosed and vacant homes. FHA rules typically prohibit insuring a mortgage on a home owned by the seller for less than 90 days, but HUD notes that the housing market's downturn led to an outsized rise in defaults, and consequently a rapid increase in vacant foreclosed homes. Though efforts to keep families in their homes have averted millions of foreclosures and helped to mitigate some of the damage from the crisis, HUD says foreclosures remain "unacceptably high" and affect not only the families that lost their homes, but entire neighborhoods and communities. While the agency's primary goal is to help homeowners remain in their homes, HUD says in cases where that's not possible, waiving the FHA regulation on property flipping will help stabilize neighborhoods and communities where foreclosure activity has been high. The waiver is applicable to all single-family properties being resold within 90 days of the seller acquiring the property and is not limited to foreclosed homes. The waiver is subject to certain conditions and is not applicable to mortgages insured under HUD's Home Equity Conversion Mortgage Program. STAT INSIGHT MOVERS & SHAKERS VISIT US ONLINE @ DSNEWS.COM CONTINUED FROM PAGE 30 Wirbicki Law Group Hires Associate Attorneys and Chief Strategy Officer The Wirbicki Law Group, LLC, expanded its team with a chief strategy officer and three new associate attorneys. Brian Rubin was hired as the chief strategy officer. He is responsible for designing and implementing internal and external strategic initiatives and for the firm's expansion into additional states. Prior to joining the firm, Rubin held VP positions at Lender Processing Services and Bank of America. He earned his bachelor's degree in finance from Old Dominion University. Brian Larson joins the firm's litigation department as attorney. He handles court appearances on judgments, mediations, and case management. Larson received his bachelor's degree and Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois. He is also an active member of the Chicago and DuPage County bar associations. Ryan McNeil specializes in the areas of foreclosure, evictions, building court, and litigation. He received his bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Michigan and his Juris Doctor from DePaul University. Prior to joining the firm, Ryan was a legal intern for Borg Warner, Inc. Amelia Niemi practices in the areas of contested foreclosure and litigation and appears in court on building violations. Niemi graduated magna cum laude from George Washington University with dual bachelor degrees and earned her Juris Doctor from DePaul University. Located in downtown Chicago, the Wirbicki Law Group is a full service creditor's rights law firm, representing lenders and servicers in foreclosure, eviction, bankruptcy, REO closings, and related services throughout Illinois. The Wirbicki Law Group is a default services law firm representing lenders, banks, REO asset managers and mortgage servicing companies throughout the state of Illinois. The firm's legal services include foreclosure, title, bankruptcy, eviction, contested foreclosure litigation, loss mitigation, and REO closings. WFG National Title Appoints Information Technology VP WFG National Title Insurance Company (WFG National Title) selected Rick Diamond as its VP of IT for agency operations. Diamond brings 24 years' industry experience to the company. In his new role, Diamond oversees all IT initiatives in the company's agency operations nationwide. He is based out of the Massachusetts office. Long & Foster Announces New Hires, Employee Honors Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., appointed industry veteran Arnie Kernus to a newly created position as VP of business development. Kernus holds more than 20 years' real estate industry experience. At Long & Foster, he is responsible for growing the company through business acquisitions and by recruiting more agents. Kernus' concentration is on expanding the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Long & Foster has opened a new office in Greenville, Delaware. The company appointed R.T. Christopher Jr. as manager of the new office location. Christopher is charged with leading real estate strategy and growth for the company in the Wilmington and Delaware Valley region. With more than 20 years' experience as an agent, he was selected by the company as part of a plan to expand real estate services in Delaware. Long & Foster also announced it recruited a top-producing agent to work with Christopher at the Delaware office. Cathleen Wilder, an industry professional of more than 15 years, was hired as a sales associate. She specializes in residential real estate sales for New Castle County, Delaware; lower Delaware; and areas of Pennsylvania. Long & Foster also recognized two staff achievements. The company announced Michael McGreevy was installed as president of the Greater Capital Area Association of Realtors (GCAAR). McGreevy is a manager for the company's offices in Silver Spring and Potomac/Cabin John, Maryland. He was appointed to serve a one-year term with GCAAR and has been a licensed Realtor since 1985. In addition, C. Carol Frey, a sales associate based in Long & Foster's Springfield, Virginia, office, earned Realtor Emeritus status from the National Association of Realtors. She received the honor for her 40 years of service in real estate. Frey is a graduate of MacMurray College for Women in Illinois. Long & Foster is the largest real estate company in the Mid-Atlantic region. The company strives to bring clients the total homeownership experience, and that means providing services that go beyond the exchange of real estate. Long & Foster can also help with the mortgage, title, and insurance, in addition to providing relocation and settlement services. Cityside Hires Director to Lead HR Department Decline in national foreclosure inventory over the first 10 months of 2012. Cityside Management Corp. announced the hiring of Jen Raimer as director of human resources. Raimer brings 15 years' experience in all HR functions and operations. She specializes in organizational development, recruitment, training, and benefits administration in public, private, and not-for-profit settings. Source: CoreLogic 31