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Colorado Foreclosure Hotline sees surge in calls, an article from The Coloradoan, reports that the Colorado Foreclosure Hotline has seen a recent increase in homeowners seeking help and many of those calls were directed to a local housing counseling agency.  Housing experts said the increased traffic is a promising sign that people aren't waiting so long before asking for help.  Zachary Urban, hotline administrator said, "Traffic has been simply amazing.  People are reaching out for help and responding to our outreach."  The hotline was created in October 2006 to better facilitate communication between lenders and borrowers.  In March alone, the hotline received 3,050 calls and more than 8,000 calls have come in since the beginning of the year.  Billie Jo Downing, a local Realtor with Re/Max said, "It's nice to have the hotline; we can share information with one another and it better enables us to serve the public and try and get them some help."
http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080411/BUSINESS/804110323

Investor Report: Fannie Mae and Short Sales, an article from RealtyTimes.com, reports that there is good news for investors interested in short sales.  Fannie Mae plans to speed up the pace of short sales on properties in its portfolio.  Fannie intends to "streamline" procedures to enable pre-foreclosure sales to speed through what is currently an extended and complicated process.  According to Fannie Mae, it plans to "pre-approve" certain short sales and wants to provide higher commission incentives to realty agents who can connect sellers with qualified buyers.  Despite complications, short sales are on the rise.  Some industry estimates indicate that so far this year, 1 of every 5 home sales in the U.S. has been a pre-foreclosure transaction of one sort or another.  Fannie Mae's new policy should mean more opportunities for investors, first-time home buyers, and brokers alike.
http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20080411_investorreport.htm

Additional articles that you may find of interest:

Olson annexation up for council discussion Tuesday
http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080411/LOVELAND01/80410046/1192/LOVELAND

Original architect might design Chilson Center expansion
http://www.reporterherald.com/news_story.asp?ID=16109

Hope Now's numbers don't add up to much help
http://money.cnn.com/2008/04/10/real_estate/Hope_Now_Feb_stats/index.htm?postversion=2008041016

The big risk in the foreclosure fix
http://money.cnn.com/2008/04/10/news/economy/fha/index.htm?postversion=2008041011

Senate passes bill to ease housing crisis
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24050189/

Do You Provide World-Class Real Estate Service? 6 Ways to Find Out
http://rismedia.com/wp/2008-04-10/do-you-provide-world-class-real-estate-service-6-ways-to-find-out/