RVINE, CA - October 26, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- October 26, 2011— Keystone Pacific Property Management, a leading community association management company providing management services to community associations throughout Southern California, has recently promoted Griselda Sapiens to management division project coordinator. Sapiens served as a receptionist since joining the firm in 2007.

Washington, D.C. - October 26, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Johnny Isakson (R-GA) today praised the Administration’s announcement of new steps to help homeowners refinance and urged President Obama to make sure homeowners receive clear, easy-to-understand guidance so they can determine if the new rules will help them qualify to refinance at today’s historically low interest rates.

Torrance, CA - October 25, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Lee & Associates, the nation’s largest broker-owned commercial brokerage firm, has completed the purchase and sale of an 11,200-square-foot industrial building at 15311-15323 Pipeline Lane in Huntington Beach, Calif. The 100-percent leased building sold for $1.2 million or $107.14/square foot. The building was marketed by another firm for a year. Lee & Associates sold the building within 60 days of listing the property for an all-cash close.

LOS ANGELES, CA - October 25, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Pending home sales in California fell in September, as is typical for this time of year, but were up from the previous year for the fifth consecutive month. Additionally, distressed home sales increased slightly in September from both the previous month and year, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) reported today.

SACRAMENTO, CA - October 25, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Driven again by a substantial increase in the multifamily sector, California housing starts rose 10 percent in September when compared to the same month a year ago, the California Building Industry Association announced today.

Los Angeles, CA - October 25, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Colliers International, the third largest global real estate services organization, just closed two apartment deals in Los Angeles totaling $25,950,000.

IRVINE CA - October 25, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture + Planning announces that The Crossings at Big Bear Lake celebrated its grand opening today. Developed by Urban Housing Communities LLC (UHC), a leading developer of quality multifamily residential projects, The Crossings at Big Bear Lake is a $17 million affordable housing community for families earning between 30 percent and 60 percent of the area median income and was developed in collaboration with the City of Big Bear Lake’s Improvement Agency, Bank of America, and the project's designer, KTGY Group. The new eco-friendly community provides high-quality workforce housing and offers 42 thoughtfully-planned apartment homes ranging in size from two- to three-bedroom units. Rent ranges from $377 to $950 per month, based on family size and income level.

Los Angeles, CA - October 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Shlemmer + Algaze + Associates (SAA), an Interiors and Architecture firm specializing in the design of commercial interiors, today announced that Jon Zimmerman has been appointed as Principal to lead its new Specialized Projects Group. In this role, Jon will be responsible for the specialty design practice which will focus on process and technology-driven uses such as manufacturing, assembly and laboratories.

Los Angeles, CA - October 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Freemont Place Homeowners Association has selected Merit Property Management, a FirstService Residential Management company, to manage the historic neighborhood of 73 luxury single-family homes located in the mid-city area of Los Angeles, CA. Merit was selected by Freemont for its management and will assist the board of directors with its HOA operations for the prestigious, historical community.

Los Angeles, CA - October 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Construction has begun on HGA Architects and Engineers’ redesign of Los Angeles City College’s Clausen Hall, a 60,000-square-foot facility for the school’s music department at the 78-year-old Los Angeles campus. HGA’s $13 million modernization and systems upgrade will expand the college’s popular music department with a renovated recital hall and new lecture hall while creating a visually striking entrance to the campus. The project, due for a 2012 completion, is an example of HGA’s continuing core expertise in designing visual and performing arts facilities.

IRVINE, CA - October 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Award-winning KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture + Planning, is pleased to announce that Ken Ryan, a principal and head of the firm's Community Planning and Urban Design studio, has been invited to participate as a speaker at the 2011 Urban Land Institute (ULI) Fall Meeting, held from October 25-28, 2011, at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

San Diego, CA - October 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Merit Property Management, a FirstService Residential Management company, announces today the promotion of John Dannan to Business Unit Leader for Merit’s San Diego urban division. Dannan is will be responsible for Merit’s high-rise, mid-rise and urban clients as well manage new contracts, maintain client relations and spearhead Merit’s continued growth throughout downtown San Diego.

Palm Desert, CA - October 24, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Merit Property Management, a FirstService Residential Management company, announces the relocation of their Palm Desert office due to rapid growth in the region. The expansion builds off of Merit’s 30 years of relationships with communities and board members. The relocation also creates an opportunity for Merit to implement sustainable green design principles by incorporating the use of low VOC materials in the construction of the space and office furniture.

EUGENE, OR - October 20, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- LeeAnn Rasmuson, owner of the Bishop, California area real estate group, Coldwell Banker LeeAnn Rasmuson and Associates, has teamed with IDX, Inc. to revolutionize her real estate website with a customizable IDX solution. Now, Rasmuson can host thousands of Mammoth Lakes MLS (MLBOR) detailed property listings online. Home seekers in California can now search for homes quickly and easily with the IDX-enabled search Rasmuson has integrated onto her site. Potential buyers now truly have an online real estate solution to simplify the property search process for themselves and their agents.

EUGENE, OR - October 20, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- California property listings are now easier than ever to search for, with the addition of an IDX solution to the professional website of Realtor Omar Dulin. Thanks to IDX, Inc., IDX Broker software now supports the innovative search page Dulin hosts online. With so many La Mesa, California properties available through both MLS that Dulin is a part of San Diego Regional MLS (Sandicor) and California Real Estate Technology Services (CARETS), the IDX solution Dulin hosts dramatically simplifies and narrows the online home search experience for area home seekers.

Torrance, CA - October 19, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Lee & Associates, the nation’s largest broker-owned commercial brokerage firm, has completed the $1.95 million sale of a 7,068-square-foot, single-story, pre-school facility located at 10 Mareblu in Aliso Viejo, Calif. Senior Vice President Allen Basso of Lee’s Irvine office handled the transaction.

LOS ANGELES, CA - October 18, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Heightened economic uncertainty contributed to a decrease in California home sales in September, according to data from the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.). However, September home sales posted higher on a year-to-year basis for the third consecutive month and remain at stable levels.

San Francisco, CA - October 17, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Dave Alpert, a principal of HGA Architects and Engineers’ San Francisco office, will receive the Volunteer of the Year Award given by Golden Gate University (GGU), of which he is an alumnus (MBA ’00). Alpert will receive his honor — given to those who achieve excellence in their chosen field and have made a difference in their community — at a luncheon Oct. 26 at the Four Seasons hotel in San Francisco.

COSTA MESA, CA - October 17, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Western Community Housing, Inc., a leading owner and developer of quality affordable multifamily residential communities in California, is pleased to announce that Graham P. Espley-Jones, President of Western Community Housing, has been named 2011 SAGE "Person of the Year" by the 55+ Housing Council, a special interest council of the Building Industry Association of Southern California. This prestigious award honors an individual for their commitment, personal compassion and outstanding professional contributions to housing and related services to Southern California’s 55+ residents.

Los Angeles, CA - October 14, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- Colliers International, the second largest global real estate services organization, has completed the sale of a 78,021-square-foot industrial property located at 5740 Schaefer Ave. Chino, Calif. The transaction is valued at $4.2 million.